In order to continue to reduce the risk and help keep national events running efficiently, the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) is introducing a starting-line dress code for its race teams at all national events.

Beginning Apr. 23-24, at the ADRL Hardee’s Georgia Drags VI at South Georgia Motorsports Park, all ADRL crew members are strongly encouraged to wear matching collared shirts. These uniform shirts will become mandatory for all starting-line crew members May 21-22, at the ADRL U.S. Drags III at Virginia Motorsports Park.

“As the ADRL grows we want to recognize and address things to reduce the risk and make things more efficient for everyone involved,” ADRL Director of Security William Vandiver said.

For all those so-called drag racing experts who officially wrote John Force off as an NHRA dominator in the Funny Car class, and said his world championship total is finished at 14 titles, it’s time to eat a little crow.

Who could blame Force if he feels just a little bit of sweet satisfaction right about now?

After enduring a tough stretch of seasons marred by tragedy, turmoil, crashes and mediocrity, NHRA legend John Force has finally emerged from all the chaos and regained his swagger.

 He got it back through hard work, sweat, dedication and an incredible desire. It is the same desire that led him from a middle of the pack performer in the late ‘80s to the bigger-than-life 14-time world champ throughout the ‘90s and early 2000s.

You don’t need to tell Todd Bevis he’s a blessed man.

Bevis, of Mooresville, NC, lives day to day believing a blessing from above is the only thing which stands between him building race cars for Victor Cagnazzi and residing six feet under.

Bevis was diagnosed with cancer on May 13 of last year. Six months after the last chemo treatment, he was at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals smiling more than ever. The former drag racer turned tube-bender realizes the experience of the last year has been as enlightening as it was painful.

The unfortunate realities of life mean that, in a down-a-couple-of-cylinders economy, one business is off-to-the-races like Tony Schumacher and the U.S. Army Top Fuel team. 

Summit Racing Equipment has teamed up with the MMPSA to create an exciting new program that will not only make one talented racer very happy at each event, but one lucky fan as well. Beginning with the MMPSA "Rumble at the Rock" event scheduled for April 10th-11th, Summit Racing Equipment will reward the driver that records the quickest elapsed time during the first day's qualifying sessions for each MMPSA event with a cool $500.00 cash!

The new Summit Racing Equipment Performance Powerhouse Challenge is designed to recognize and reward drivers for their efforts in qualifying. "These Mountain Motor guys typically go for broke during each qualifying session" said MMPSA's Tommy Dupree. "Now with a chance at a $500 bonus from Summit, these guys will be flying! We really appreciate Summit stepping up to do this for our MMPSA competitors."

Seven-time NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Top Fuel Dragster champion Tony Schumacher has been named keynote speaker for the annual Mel Larson Night of Champions. The fete will take place Wednesday, April 14, at Rain inside the Palms Casino Resort.

This year’s honoree is Las Vegas native and 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kurt Busch. All proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Las Vegas chapter of Speedway Children's Charities. This is the fifth year for the event in which a community member is recognized for his contributions to motorsports.

Two weeks ago at ADRL Dragapalooza VI, just outside of Houston, Texas, Mother Nature got her way, but only after
Mark Martino and his Martino Motorsports Extreme Pro Stock team secured the number eight qualified position for the elimination rounds, which
will now take place during the rescheduled event July 23-24. This weekend's inaugural event for the newly formed Mountain Motor Pro Stock
Association at Rockingham Dragway will once again give the team an opportunity to compete for their first race win of 2010, and in the
process put them back in a setting they're a little more accustomed to.

After the announcement in the fall of 2009 that the International Hot Rod Association would no longer contest a world championship in the Pro
Stock division, the Mountain Motor Pro Stock Association was formed, giving racers the opportunity to preserve the tradition of the class by
allowing naturally aspirated, large cubic inch engine combinations to run in quarter-mile competition.

The award-winning University of Houston's "Spirit of Houston" Marching Band will perform the national anthem April 11 during prerace festivities for the 23rd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park.

"Having the University of Houston Marching Band kick-off race day definitely will take the excitement level up several notches," said Seth Angel, HRP's general manager. "This squad is very high energy and they are beloved by the people who live in this area. We're all very proud of the Cougar band and they way they represent our city. It's an honor to have them join us for the race."

The Spirit of Houston Marching Band has performed in front of millions of people as part of the Super Bowl's halftime show and has marched in numerous parades across the United States. It notably performed at the historic tennis match between Billy Jean King and Bobby Riggs at the Houston Astrodome and a recording of its rendition of the Star Spangled Banner was used for years in New York's Madison Square Garden.

Attitude's CompetitionPlus.com Director of Photographer Roger Richards is at I-22 Dragway in Eldridge, Ala., documenting the action at the first ORDA event.

COMPLETE PHOTO GALLERY

FINAL EVENT RESULTS (NAMES AND NUMBERS ON QUALIFYING SHEETS)

With its 2010 season now underway, the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) reminds all ADRL race teams to review and understand all current rules and to monitor the series’ official Web site at www.ADRL.us for updates, additions or changes.

“We encountered a couple of instances at our season opener last month at Houston Raceway Park where teams seemed unaware of what’s required,” Tom Grooms of the ADRL Technical Services division said. “But it’s all there on the Web site and if anyone has any questions I’m happy to take their calls at (636) 272-2375 or they can e-mail me at tom@adrl.us.”

The ADRL returns to action Apr. 23-24, with the ADRL Hardee’s Georgia Drags VI at South Georgia Motorsports Park, where Grooms stresses all SFI certifications must be up to date before an entry will be permitted on the track.