Race fans are in for a rare treat this weekend as National Guard American Drag Racing League (ADRL) competitors go after two major event wins during the Hardee’s Independence Drags III at Heartland Park Topeka, in Kansas.

Rain cut short the National Guard ADRL’s previous event last month at Martin, Michigan, after just one round of eliminations for all five of the all-eighth-mile series’ professional classes were in the books. So, Friday in Topeka will feature the three leftover rounds of racing from the Ford Drive One Summer Drags V, along with one full round of scheduled qualifying for the Independence Drags.

Race fans are in for a rare treat this weekend as National Guard American Drag Racing League (ADRL) competitors go after two major event wins during the Hardee’s Independence Drags III at Heartland Park Topeka, in Kansas.

Rain cut short the National Guard ADRL’s previous event last month at Martin, Michigan, after just one round of eliminations for all five of the all-eighth-mile series’ professional classes were in the books. So, Friday in Topeka will feature the three leftover rounds of racing from the Ford Drive One Summer Drags V, along with one full round of scheduled qualifying for the Independence Drags.

“It’s going to be an action-packed day,” National Guard ADRL Executive VP of Competition Bubba Corzine promised. “You can be sure the drivers and teams will be pumped up and ready to race. Those who are still in it from the Michigan event have had all that extra time to get ready and anyone who didn’t make it into round two will be looking to step up in qualifying to get a good start on Saturday.”

Among the favorites in Pro Extreme, representing the fastest-accelerating full-bodied race cars in the world, will be second-place points man Quain Stott with a chance to close in on leader Jason Scruggs, who suffered massive engine failure in his first-round loss at Michigan. Also looking for a good outing will be 2006 World Champion Bubba Stanton, on the rebound after a string of DNQs at the three previous events, along with Tommy D’Aprile and Joshua Hernandez, who both carded 200-mph wins in their opening-round wins at the Summer Drags.

In the flame-throwing Pro Nitrous division, rookie Khalid Al Balooshi has turned into one of the most consistent drivers on the National Guard ADRL tour, but he’ll be challenged by teammate Shannon Jenkins and Jim Halsey, winner of the past two races and a finalist in the last four events. Also looking strong in their first-round wins from Michigan were title contenders Johnny Pilcher and Stan Allen, who will square off with each other in the quarter finals.

The big question in Extreme 10.5, for cars with relatively narrow 10.5-inch-wide rear tires, will once again be: who can stop Billy Glidden? The reigning class champion has won the last five national events, but Jeff Naiser will be looking to redeem his final-round loss to Glidden in the previous event, while fellow Texan Todd Moyer or Chicago’s Spiro Pappas also would love to end the Glidden juggernaut.

Alabama’s Ashley Owens will lead the two-wheeled crowd into Topeka, fresh off his career-first win at the previous event and after making the quickest and fastest pass in Pro Extreme Motorcycle history (4.18 seconds at 180.30 mph) in his first-round win at the Summer Drags. Owens’ team owner, T.T. Jones, also remains in contention, as do veterans Scott Gray and Jack Young, along with relative newcomer Brunson Grothus.

Extreme Pro Stock, in its first season as an official National Guard ADRL class, features cars with naturally aspirated engines up to 827 cubic inches displacement. Points leader Brian Gahm has made it to all three finals completed this year, winning the last two times, but Doug Kirk, winner of the season opener at Houston, will be looking to tie his good friend in the win column. Michigan’s own Bob Bertsch also is in a position to advance, as are veteran racers John Montecalvo, Jeff Dobbins and John Konigshofer.

Saturday’s National Guard ADRL action at Heartland Park Topeka will include two scheduled rounds of qualifying for all five pro classes, followed by eliminations for the Hardee’s Independence Drags III, which represents the halfway point of the 2009 National Guard ADRL tour. Upon completion of the race a massive fireworks show will be set off at the end of the track, followed by trophy presentations and winner’s circle festivities.     
 

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