In an unprecedented move for major-league drag racing, the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League presented by the National Guard is returning to the sport's roots with hand-signal starts at its 4th annual Pizza Hut Summer Drags at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan.


In an unprecedented move for major-league drag racing, the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League presented by the National Guard is returning to the sport's roots with hand-signal starts at its 4th annual Pizza Hut Summer Drags at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan.

A severe electrical storm blew through western Michigan last night, forcing tens of thousands of fans home early and elimination rounds for the ADRL's all-pro show to be postponed to today. However, lightning apparently damaged the track's starting tree, though its timing system over the eighth-mile course remained intact, so ADRL President Kenny Nowling made the bold decision to hand start the remaining pairings. They're racing for bragging rights only, though, as the race purse and points will be split equally among those remaining in each class.

"It's old school, baby!" Nowling declared after delivering the news, which was fairly well-received by racers who didn't relish the thought of making long treks home without determining winners. "This is certainly not the best situation, but it's the best solution. We have fans who have returned today to watch a race and that's exactly what we're going to give them. I truly appreciate the cooperation of our race teams in making this happen and I'm looking forward to finally crowning champions at the Pizza Hut Summer Drags."

The ADRL is next in action June 20-21, at Tulsa Raceway Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma.