Pro Extreme - Final

Aug 26, 07 | 11:32 am

Bubba Stanton said he fought troubles with his car all weekend, so he was somewhat surprised to be celebrating in Summit Motorsports Park's victory lane. He finally had some good fortune in the final round, which after three major rain delays, went off about 2 a.m. His opponent Dwayne Watkins was unable to fire up for his burnout, so his crew and several ADRL officials tried to push start him. It didn't work and Watkins later explained a battery in his electronic ignition had died and wouldn't close the solenoid for starting. Stanton made a solo pass to earn the win and when his car started shaking he just shut it off early. (Ian Tocher photo)

Pro Nitrous - Final

Aug 26, 07 | 11:27 am

Pro Nitrous legend Charles Carpenter picked up his second ADRL Iron Eagle of the year with a win over Rod Houck in the closest final round of the night. (Ian Tocher photo)

Extreme 10.5 - Final

Aug 26, 07 | 11:20 am

In his first outing with 10-wide tires on his 2006 Grand Am, David Janes earned his first professional win in Extreme 10.5 with his best pass of the day. (Ian Tocher photo)

Pro Extreme Motorcycle - Final

Aug 26, 07 | 11:13 am

In his ADRL debut, Eddie Gonder Jr. (near lane), made his best pass of the weekend in the Pro Extreme Motorcycle final and scored a stripe-to-stripe win over TT Jones. Gonder, from Richmond, VA, said it was his first win in six years. (Ian Tocher photo)

Pro Extreme - Semis

Aug 26, 07 | 11:02 am

Bubba Stanton (second from left) and crew struggle to pull the head off their engine shortly before the final round. They burned a piston and put a hole in another during the second round, then pushed a head gasket out in the semis. The head wouldn't come off cleanly because one of the studs got bent, but perseverance prevailed and Stanton made the final-round call. (Ian Tocher photo)

Pro Nitrous - Semis

Aug 26, 07 | 10:53 am

Maryland's Jim Halsey made it to the semis in Pro Nitrous, but his performance fell off against Rod Houck. (Ian Tocher photo)

Pro Extreme Motorcycle - Semis

Aug 26, 07 | 10:49 am

Riding a Suzuki that was assembled for the first time the night before, Ron Clark made it all the way to the Pro Extreme Bike semis, but redlighted (-.010) away an almost sure win over Eddie Gonder Jr. (Ian Tocher photo)

Pro Extreme - Round 2

Aug 26, 07 | 10:39 am

With a sizable partisan crowd watching, Jackson, OH's Brian Daniels and crew were thrashing mightily after dropping a valve in their second-round win over Bil Clanton, who lost oil pressure and shut off after his burnout. (Ian Tocher photo)

Pro Nitrous - Round 2

Aug 26, 07 | 10:34 am

Number-two qualifier Johnny Pilcher was upset by eventual finalist Rod Houck in round two of Pro Nitrous action. (Ian Tocher photo)

Extreme 10.5 Round 2

Aug 26, 07 | 10:27 am

Barely able to see through the dew on his windshield in round two, Alabama's Bill Jewett still managed to advance past Kenny Kneece. Jewett later said he drove through the clutch on that run and knew he'd have trouble with it again in the final round. He was right. (Ian Tocher photo)

Pro Extreme Motorcycle - Round 2

Aug 26, 07 | 10:21 am

Motorcycle drag racing legend Billy Vose proved he still has it, as he ran an ADRL record 4.29 seconds at 168.79 mph in his second-round win over Scott Valitti. (Ian Tocher photo)

Round One Eliminations

Aug 26, 07 | 10:18 am

Allen Crashes

Aug 25, 07 | 9:30 pm

Number-nine qualifier Stan Allen got out of shape and crossed over to opponent Charles Carpenter's lane and sideswiped the wall in their first-round Pro Nitrous faceoff. Allen, from New Iberia, LA, then crossed back over with the chutes out and struck the left wall with a glancing blow. Fortunately, damage to the Bankston Brothers' '68 Camaro appeared to be largely cosmetic and Allen was uninjured in the accident. (ian Tocher photo)

Pro Extreme - Final Qualifying Order

Aug 25, 07 | 9:22 pm

A little after the fact, but here's how Pro extreme shook out after the second and final qualifying round. Joey Martin was reinserted as first alternate when Herman Sheppard broke in his second qualifying attempt.

Eliminations Set to Begin

Aug 25, 07 | 5:57 pm

Pro Extreme just completed its second and final qualifying session and in the last car down the track, Brian Daniels bumped Joey Martin from the 16th spot. The top-two qualifiers, Jason Scruggs and Joshua Hernandez, both sat out the session to cocentrate on getting ready for round one of eliminations. It’s 8:35 p.m. and the prayer and national anthem are underway with Pro Extreme Motorcycle set to open the show. More to come …

Pro Nitrous - Final Qualifying Order

Aug 25, 07 | 5:46 pm

Greg Godwin vaulted all the way from 23rd to 4th in Pro Nitrous qualifying with his Walterboro, SC-based '63 Corvette. (Ian Tocher photo)

Extreme 10.5 - Final Qualifying Order

Aug 25, 07 | 5:23 pm

Michelle Wilson of Azle, TX, is racing her Jerry Haas-built 2000 Firebird on 10.5W tires for the first time at Norwalk. The car is powered by a 706 c.i. motor built by Hans Feustel and boosted by two stages of nitrous. (Ian Tocher photo)

Pro Extreme Motorcycle - Final Qualifying Order

Aug 25, 07 | 5:14 pm

Reisterer Runs Third-Quickest Pro Nitrous Pass

Aug 25, 07 | 4:52 pm

Just before the skies opened up for the third time today, Pro Nitrous star Doug Reisterer improved his number-one qualifying time to 4.003 at 181.15 mph. Only Shannon Jenkins last year at Valdosta, GA, and Reisterer at this year's ADRL season opener have ever run quicker. (Ian Tocher photo)

It's Raining at Norwalk - Part III

Aug 25, 07 | 4:39 pm

The decision was reachd after the last track drying session to cut one round of ADRL qualifying from the program. Qualifying resumed about 4:30 and the Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Extreme 10.5 and Pro Nitrous fields are now set, but the wet stuff returned before Pro Extreme could take the track. (Ian Tocher photo)

Rain Returns

Aug 25, 07 | 1:24 pm

A couple of die-hard ADRL fans are bound and determined not to give up their primo seats, no matter how hard it rains. And it started raining hard again after the track was dried and ADRL qualifying was about to get underway about 1:30 p.m. It's now 2:30, the rain has stopped and track drying has resumed. Stay tuned. (Ian Tocher photo)

'Jamie Bear' Misses First-Round Cut

Aug 25, 07 | 1:02 pm

After one round of Pro Nitrous quqlifying, 17-year-old Jamie "Jamie Bear" Hancock sits 25th, well outside the 16-car cut. (Ian Tocher photo)

It's Raining at Norwalk

Aug 25, 07 | 11:13 am

It's been threatening to rain since last night and the skies finally opened up just minutes before the second round of ADRL qualifying was about to start at noon on Saturday at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH. The forecast calls for intermittent showers until mid-afternoon, but it should be clear by early evening. (Ian Tocher photo)

Halsey Makes ADRL Debut

Aug 25, 07 | 12:24 am

IHRA Pro Mod regular and former NHRA U.S. Nationals winner Jim Halsey showed up at Norwalk to make his ADRL Pro Nitrous debut. Aftet the opening round of qualifying, Halsey and his '68 Camaro lie third behind Doug Reisterer and current points leader Johnny Pilcher. (Ian Tocher photo)

Hernandez Makes it Happen in a Hurry

Aug 25, 07 | 12:16 am

With no test passes under his belt, Joshua Hernandez rolled out in Tommy Lipar's '57 Chevy and promptly ripped off a 3.93 at 192.82 mph pass that was good enough to place him second after one round of Pro extreme qualifying. (Ian Tocher photo)

Love is in the Air

Aug 25, 07 | 12:07 am

Jim "The Dog" Raynor expresses appreciation for the job Dennis Radford is doing behind the wheel of Radford's 1970 AAR Cuda. (Ian Tocher photo)

New Pro Nitrous Entry

Aug 24, 07 | 11:55 pm

Dave Roemer of nearby Avon, OH, debuted his ProModifieds.us-backed '05 Cavalier in Pro Nitrous action at Norwalk. Roemer held on to the 16th qualifying position after one round was completed on Friday night. (Ian Tocher photo)

Pro Extreme - Round 1 Qualifying Order

Aug 24, 07 | 10:01 pm

Jason Scruggs came oh-so-close to the 200-mph mark on his way to establishing the provisional pole in Pro Extreme. It marked the fastest pass in ADRL history, but missed the quickest mark by .011 of a second, also set by Scruggs last year at Rockingham, NC. (Ian Tocher photo)

Pro Nitrous - Round 1 Qualifying Order

Aug 24, 07 | 9:55 pm

Fresh off a win at the previous ADRL Pro Nitrous event in Virginia, Doug Reisterer reasserted his position with a provisional number-one qualifying effort at Norwalk on Friday night. (Ian Tocher photo)

Extreme 10.5 - Round 1 Qualifying Order

Aug 24, 07 | 9:48 pm

Extreme 10.5 championship contender Steve Gorman started his weekend off right by taking the provisional pole in Friday-night qualifying. (Ian Tocher photo)

Pro Extreme Motorcycle - Round 1 Qualifying Order

Aug 24, 07 | 9:41 pm

Scott Valitti of Amelia, OH, sits third in Pro Extreme Motorcycle after one round of qualifying on Friday night. (Ian Tocher photo)

Hill Makes ADRL Debut

Aug 24, 07 | 5:36 pm

Missouri's Bill Hill brought his completely revamped Corvette out to Norwalk to make his ADRL Pro Extreme debut. The Budweiser-backed Vette managed a 4.13 in his one and only test pass. (Ian Tocher photo)

Taylor's New Vette

Aug 24, 07 | 5:30 pm

After a meeting with the wall at Kennedale, TX, a couple of weeks ago, Frankie "Mad Man" Taylor arrived at Norwalk with his new Corvette sporting a half-finished graphics job. No matter, it's not the paint that makes it go fast -- Taylor went out and ran 4.089 at 185.15 mph in his first hit at the track. (Ian Tocher photo)

Hero to Zero

Aug 24, 07 | 4:23 pm

Feeling a little frustrated at not yet getting a good handle on the Norwalk strip, Joey Martin "doctors" the label on his engine's butterflies. (Ian Tocher photo)

Scruggs Goes 3.94/195.00

Aug 24, 07 | 2:25 pm

Despite never having turned a tire at Summit Motorsports Park before, Jason Scruggs came straight off the trailer and ran 3.94 at 195 mph in his first test pass. His crewmember left shaking his head and mumbling something about spinning the tires and driving through the clutch. Will Scruggs earn that $10,000 bonus from ADRL series sponsor Flowmaster this weekend for making the first 200-mph pass? Stay tuned! (Ian Tocher photos)

LowMad Gets High

Aug 24, 07 | 2:08 pm

Greg Holt got a big surprise in his first test run of Toney Russell's '55 Chevy "LowMad." Straight off the hit the crowd-pleasing wagon went sky high, forcing Holt to abort the attempt. (Ian Tocher photo)

New Extreme 10.5 Entry

Aug 24, 07 | 1:54 pm

With backing from AlphaTrade, Monster Energy Drink and Drag Illustrated Magazine, La Plata, MO's David Janes made his Extreme 10.5 debut at Norwalk with the 2006 Grand Am he built himself. A former IHRA Pro Stock ride, the car now carries a Gene Fulton 747 up front boosted by three stages of Speedtech nitrous. The motor is the same one that carried Mike Castellana's Cavalier to a 3.99 in the eighth on a 6.11-seconds 1/4-mile pass and Shannon Jenkins is providing tuning advice. Janes blew the tires off in his first test pass at Norwalk. (Ian Tocher photo)

DRO at the Track

Aug 24, 07 | 10:50 am

Well, we've made it to Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH, where the inaugural ADRL Chevy Drags will be going off over the next two days. Right now the lanes are full of Sportsman racers making test passes and the ADRL guys will have the track opened up to them at 1 p.m. We'll go for a walk through the pits and see what we come up with. Check back often for updates. (Ian Tocher photo)

ADRL Heads North for First Time; Inaugural Chevy Drags Open Friday

Aug 23, 07 | 3:23 pm

Bubba Stanton

NORWALK, Ohio (Aug. 21, 2007) - Following a mid-summer break, the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League resumes racing action this weekend with the inaugural ADRL Chevy Drags, a pivotal event that should go a long way toward determining which drivers will be eligible to compete for the 2007 AlphaTrade Battle for the Belts world championships.

The Chevy Drags, the fifth of seven events on the ADRL’s 2007 schedule, will be the second-to-last chance for all ADRL competitors to earn points in the Battle for the Belts points standings, with only the Eastern Race Fuels Dragstock IV event remaining as a last resort for points-scoring. The top eight finishers in each of the ADRL’s four professional classes automatically qualify for the AlphaTrade Battle for the Belts eliminators, Oct. 12 in Ennis, Texas.

The Chevy Drags also represents the first national event in the ADRL’s four-year history to be held outside the southern U.S. or the Atlantic seaboard. Norwalk’s Summit Motorsports Park will be, by far, the northern-most appearance for any ADRL national event.

The race will follow what has become the ADRL’s template for national event competition: open testing for most of the day Friday, followed by one round of professional qualifying at 8 p.m. local time, with Saturday featuring two rounds of qualifying (noon and 2 p.m.) and the first round of eliminations for all classes at 4 p.m.

Heading into the event, the league’s points leaders are Bubba Stanton (Pro Extreme), Johnny Pilcher (Pro Nitrous), Mike Hill (Extreme 10.5), and Coodee Thomas (Pro Extreme Motorcycle). Stanton and Doug Riesterer were the winners at the ADRL’s most recent event, last month’s ADRL Independence Drags.

The ADRL has been aggressively promoting the Chevy Drags throughout the northern Ohio area, and a large turnout is expected. Area fans are encouraged to check http://www.summitmotorsportspark.com or to call the track at (419) 668-5555 for the latest updates. Directions to the facility are available at http://www.summitmotorsportspark.com/for-our-fans/directions