2009 ADRL RICHMOND - SAME DAY COVERAGE
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SATURDAY FINAL - RECORD CROWD CHEERS NATIONAL GUARD ADRL WINNERS IN VIRGINIA
The 600-acre facility south of Richmond issued a news release Saturday evening, stating attendance “overwhelmed everyone involved with the event.” The release further said that since opening in 1994, VMP has hosted 14 other major-league drag racing events, “but the National Guard ADRL this weekend far surpassed crowds in the past,” according to track general manager Bryan Pierce. In fact, Pierce pointed out for the first time in VMP’s 15-year history, track and state officials agreed to close the entrance gates in order to reroute excessive traffic that was creating a more-than-four-mile traffic jam extending to the nearest Interstate.
Meanwhile, Stanton, from Potts Camp, Mississippi, steered his ’63 Corvette to a 3.80-seconds win at 196.70 miles per hour over the eighth-mile course against Yadkinville, North Carolina’s Todd Tutterow in the Pro Extreme final. The win was the fourth of Stanton’s National Guard ADRL career, and his first since last August.
“We left pretty close together, but then I never saw Todd again,”
For Pro Nitrous points leader Halsey, it marked his third National Guard ADRL win this year and came over Khalid Al-Balooshi from the Mid-East country of Qatar.
“The car worked great all afternoon,” Halsey said of his ’68 Camaro. “We made solid passes every time except for one in the semis, but we got away with that one. In the final, Balooshi made a good pass, but he was a little late on the tree and that’s what cost him.”
In the competition debut of a new, supercharged 2002 Camaro, Clarksville, Maryland’s Ulsch officially reset the Extreme 10.5 elapsed time and top speed records to 4.01 seconds and 197.19 mph, then defeated Gary white and his turbocharged, six-cylinder Scion with a 4.03/196.07 combination in the final.
The Pro Extreme Motorcycle final turned out to be the quickest side-by-side race in the history of the class, with Dublin, Georgia’s Hines going 4.22 at 168.43 to win his first Minuteman by defeating Eric MKinney’s 4.23 at 169.13 in a pairing of 2009 Suzukis.
Finally, the Extreme Pro Stock win went to points leader Gahm of Lucasville, Ohio, who ran 4.14 at 173.99 mph in his ’07 Mustang over Cary Goforth in an ’08 Cobalt.
The next race on the 2009 National Guard ADRL Tour is the Hardee’s Gateway Drags II, scheduled for Aug. 7-8, at Gateway International Raceway, near St. Louis, Missouri.
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SATURDAY FINAL QUALIFYING -
Pro Extreme
1 1065 Mike Janis, Lancaster NY, '68 Firebird 3.762 203.22 203.22
2 1 Jason Scruggs, Saltillo MS, '06 Stratus 3.765 202.45 202.45
3 1101 Quain Stott, Columbus NC, '63 Corvette 3.771 202.67 202.67
4 1130 John Stanley, Hagerstown MD, '69 Camaro 3.797 193.13 193.13
5 41 Todd Tutterow, Yadkinville NC, '06 Corvette 3.809 202.76 202.95
6 38 Neal Wantye, Louisville KY, '08 Mustang 3.812 188.20 193.18
7 5 Bubba Stanton, Potts Camp MS, '63 Corvette 3.840 197.42 197.42
8 2007 Joey Martin, Milton FL, '55 Nomad 3.845 195.87 195.87
9 4 Brian Daniels, Jackson OH, '63 Corvette 3.850 196.30 196.30
10 151 Alex Hossler, Canton IL, '70 Camaro 3.851 196.36 196.36
11 2 Wes Johnston, Kaufman TX, '53 Corvette 3.876 183.87 195.51
12 214 Dan Bandish, Melbourne FL, '67 Camaro 3.881 192.66 192.66
13 3 Frankie Taylor, Dickinson TX, '05 Corvette 3.883 194.66 194.66
14 1040 Andy Jensen, Nescopeck PA, '68 Camaro 3.906 189.36 189.36
15 5083 Cody Barklage, Lake Ozark MO, '67 Firebird 3.910 193.96 193.96
16 1962 Tommy D'aprile, Port Charlotte FL, '62 Bel Air 3.923 194.69 194.69
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 68 Jason Hamstra, Demotte IN, '68 Camaro 3.946 186.02 189.58
18 247 Mike Bell, Asheboro NC, '07 Mustang 4.006 182.18 182.18
19 1313 Chip King, South Port NC, '69 Daytona 4.018 183.17 183.17
20 6 Joshua Hernandez, Conroe TX, '57 Bel Air 4.037 196.19 196.19
21 7 Travis Swearingen, Blue Springs MO, '41 Willys 4.048 189.52 189.52
22 51 Tommy Gray, Baltimore MD, '68 Camaro 4.055 189.55 189.55
23 1471 Steve King, Strasburg VA, '68 Camaro 4.135 187.86 187.86
24 217 Tim Tindle, Santa Rosa Beach FL, '67 Mustang 4.217 178.00 178.00
25 12 Bennie McDonald Jr, Locust Grove GA, '53 Corve 4.267 181.98 181.98
26 07 LJ Wood Jr, Chesapeake VA, '07 Mustang 4.294 170.28 170.28
27 89 Elliott Thompson, Horsham PA, '53 Corvette 4.336 182.43 182.43
28 1957 Doug Winters, Kernesville NC, '57 Belair 4.968 114.39 114.39
Pro Nitrous
1 44 Mike Castellana, Westbury NY, '68 Firebird 3.875 192.17 192.17
2 4 Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa AL, '68 Camaro 3.883 192.38 192.38
3 999 Khalid Al-Balooshi, Doha QA, '68 Camaro 3.895 191.70 191.70
4 5 Jim Halsey, Havre DeGrace MD, '68 Camaro 3.911 194.27 194.27
5 1916 Fredy Scriba, Abingdon MD, '63 Corvette 3.958 189.66 189.66
6 3 Stan Allen, New Iberia LA, '68 Camaro 3.969 188.44 188.44
7 420 John Bartunek, Pearl River NY, '09 Camaro 3.992 185.23 185.23
8 1968 Steve Vick, Mocksville NC, '68 Camaro 3.994 187.94 187.94
9 8 Burton Auxier, Dixie WV, '67 Camaro 3.999 187.39 187.39
10 08 Dale Brinsfield, Oak Ridge NC, '08 Mustang 4.008 183.34 183.34
11 4794 Thomas Myers, Granbury TX, '63 Corvette 4.012 185.61 185.61
12 531 John Deflorian Jr, Arnold MO, '06 Corvette 4.013 186.61 186.61
13 1955 Charles Carpenter, Harrisburg NC, '55 Belair 4.018 182.97 182.97
14 2970 Travis Harvey, Burlington NC, '68 Camaro 4.018 182.03 182.03
15 360 Robert Rahaim, Goose Pt Park MI, '68 Camaro 4.029 179.80 179.80
16 1957 Greg Godwin, Walterboro SC, '63 Corvette 4.042 183.87 183.87
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 1063 Johnny Pilcher, Chancellor AL, '63 Corvette 4.049 181.57 181.57
18 1994 Ed Burnley, Pasadena MD, '67 Camaro 4.063 179.68 179.68
19 68 Dewayne Silance, Jacksonville NC, '68 Camaro 4.065 179.04 179.04
20 1036 Keith Baker, Dothan AL, '63 Corvette 4.081 181.47 181.47
21 124 Pat Bennett, Forest VA, '63 Corvette 4.098 178.95 178.95
22 1223 Randall Haynes, Chester VA, '41 Willys 4.103 183.17 183.17
23 111 John Vergotz, Erie PA, '68 Camaro 4.105 176.86 176.86
24 113 Tim Savell, Terry MS, '68 Camaro 4.107 173.05 173.05
25 727 Josh Chester, Morganton NC, '68 Camaro 4.123 176.90 176.90
26 477F Earl Folse, Raceland LA, '68 Camaro 4.156 176.86 176.86
27 2138 Chuck Lawrence, Dallas GA, '09 Mustang 4.157 173.34 173.34
28 1166 Marc Hayes, Bowie MD, '03 Cavalier 4.188 178.19 178.19
29 2216 Christy Perkinson, Petersburg VA, '08 GXP 4.260 173.16 173.16
30 1436 Jim Teachman, Vaberch VA, '57 Chevy 4.270 171.58 171.58
31 21 Pat Stoken, Eureka MT, '68 Camaro 4.802 108.53 108.53
32 1271 Danny Perry, Sims NC, '07 Corvette 5.158 93.70 93.70
33 4097 Doug Riesterer, Victoria TX, '68 Camaro 5.190 109.31 109.31
34 128 Gary Courtier, Shirley NY, '68 Camaro DQ
Extreme 10.5
1 111 Chuck Ulsch, Clarksville MD, '68 Camaro 4.010 195.73 195.73
2 6 Gary White, New Market AL, '07 Scion 4.056 181.25 181.25
3 1 Billy Glidden, Whiteland IN, '06 GTO 4.088 175.41 175.41
4 4914 Jeff Naiser, Houston TX, '02 Grand Am 4.099 177.65 178.19
5 72 Jake Carlton, Wauchula FL, '02 Grand Am 4.160 175.80 175.80
6 290 Joel Bayless, Clinton TN, '06 GTO 4.364 164.47 164.47
7 1277 David Hance, Inwood NY, '57 Chevy 4.383 175.57 175.57
8 29 Sandy Wilkins, Fuquay Varina DR, '02 Cavalier 4.404 162.98 162.98
9 2007 Bill Devine, Lake Worth FL, '01 Mustang 4.410 169.36 169.36
10 140 William Brown III, Chesapeake VA, '05 Grand Am 4.564 159.64 159.64
11 4 Todd Moyer, Pasadena TX, '06 Cavalier 4.639 139.00 168.11
12 003 Michael Martin, Gloucester VA, '69 Camaro 4.673 160.79 160.79
13 172K Kenny Doak, Pipersville PA, '70 Chevelle 4.698 170.45 172.72
14 434 Mo Hall, Olney MD, '94 Camaro 4.738 148.76 156.66
15 5691 Randy Matlock, Wentzville MO, '57 Chevy 4.811 161.59 161.59
16 707 Randy Hoffman, Orange VA, '72 Nova 5.001 140.83 143.26
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 98 Tony Wilson, Kannapolis NC, '98 Monte Carlo 5.349 138.46 138.46
18 21 Spiro Pappas, Glenview IL, '09 GXP 6.762 152.92 152.92
19 85 Jeff Paulk, Social Circle GA, '68 Camaro 11.902 33.73 33.73
Pro Extreme Motorcycle
1 252 Ashley Owens, Harvest AL, '05 Suzuki 4.224 171.49 171.49
2 4685 Eric McKinney, Hamersille OH, '09 Suzuki 4.231 168.09 174.05
3 4 Ronald Procopio, Wake Forest NC, '07 Suzuki 4.248 168.98 168.98
4 1004 Lance Hines, Macon GA, '06 Suzuki 4.252 163.63 171.75
5 181 James Helton, Theodore AL, '09 Suzuki 4.273 170.58 170.58
6 3 Scott Gray, Ocala FL, '08 Suzuki 4.287 167.74 167.74
7 233 Monte Campbell, Venice FL, '10 Suzuki 4.294 165.40 165.40
8 366 Mantez Thompson, Decatur AL, '08 Suzuki 4.309 170.41 170.41
9 185 Travis Davis, Douglas GA, '07 Suzuki 4.309 165.56 165.56
10 5 Charlie Prophit, West Monroe LA, '06 Suzuki 4.312 172.56 172.56
11 1234 Matt Prophit, Indian Lake Estates FL, '07 Suzu 4.318 166.35 166.35
12 1169 Robert Hunnicutt, Youngsville NC, '07 Suzuki 4.325 168.98 168.98
13 6 Jack Young, Decatur AL, '02 Suzuki 4.329 163.95 163.95
14 426 Brunson Grothus, Davenport IA, '09 Suzuki 4.335 168.58 168.58
15 8271 Ricardo Knights, Beech Island SC, Suzuki 4.339 162.90 166.37
16 1134 Casey Stemper, Upper Marlboro MD, '09 Suzuki 4.355 158.26 162.49
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 1 Billy Vose, Buck Mountain PA, '07 Suzuki 4.357 162.78 162.78
18 1121 Mac Mcadams, Edgarnton MD, '06 Suzuki 4.370 164.63 164.63
19 2110 Kim Morrell, Ft. Lauderdle FL, '05 Suzuki 4.383 163.02 163.02
20 20 Mark Person, Bowie MD, '00 Suzuki 4.384 163.51 163.51
21 8 TT Jones, Harvest AL, '86 Suzuki 4.387 164.67 164.67
22 467 John Collins, Selma NC, '06 Suzuki 4.391 170.19 170.19
23 369 Darryl Holmes, Salem VA, '06 Kawasaki 4.452 160.75 160.75
24 404 Pumpatina Gilbert, Decatur GA, '07 Suzuki 4.595 158.41 158.41
25 80 Brian Carr, Scherr WV, '90 Suzuki 4.654 155.94 155.94
26 208 Larry Berg, Arthur WV, '00 Suzuki 4.676 145.44 146.72
27 66 Eddie Gonder, Poquoson VA, '04 Suzuki 4.744 157.96 157.96
28 1243 Artavious McArthur, Mt. Airy NC, '03 Suzuki 4.834 157.50 157.50
29 9 Shawn Reno, Hayes VA, '07 Buell 5.133 131.82 131.82
30 3339 Mike Thyen, Sherills Ford NC, '09 Suzuki 5.455 100.55 100.55
31 40 Ron Clark, Columbia Station OH, '04 Suzuki DQ
Extreme Pro Stock
1 983 Steven Boone, Waeverville NC, '06 Cobalt 4.114 173.99 173.99
2 67 Doug Kirk, Lenore WV, '07 Mustang 4.121 174.35 174.35
3 1214 Matt Hartford, Phoenix AZ, '08 Cobalt 4.122 175.05 175.05
4 21 Brian Gahm, Lucasville OH, '07 Mustang 4.123 175.30 175.30
5 5 John Montecalvo, Center Moriches NY, '08 Cobalt 4.130 175.16 175.21
6 335 Bob Bertsch, Willis MI, '07 Mustang 4.130 174.23 174.32
7 151 Dean Goforth, Holdenville OK, '09 GXP 4.131 174.89 174.89
8 759 Jeff Dobbins, Willington NC, '08 Mustang 4.135 173.17 173.17
9 143 Ron Miller, Lebanon OH, '04 Grand Am 4.142 172.63 172.63
10 251 Cary Goforth, Holdenville OK, '08 Cobalt 4.146 173.81 173.81
11 177 Elijah Morton, Jacksonville NC, '07 Mustang 4.148 173.54 173.54
12 1320 Bert Jackson, Glen Allen VA, '05 Cobalt 4.154 173.63 173.63
13 185 Ned Katyran, North Wales PA, '09 Cobalt 4.158 173.36 173.36
14 262 Robert Patrick, Fredricksburg VA, '08 Mustang 4.161 173.74 173.87
15 42 John Bartunek, Pearl River NY, '05 Cobalt 4.179 172.21 172.21
16 11 Jason Collins, Rainbow City AL, '07 Cobalt 4.179 172.08 172.08
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 197 John Pluchino, Commack NY, '02 Cougar 4.199 171.84 171.84
18 24 Mike Bruno, East Hazelcrest IL, '07 GTO 4.205 168.18 168.18
19 431 Lester Cooper, Laurinburg NC, '09 Mustang 4.277 167.63 167.63
20 221 Morris Johnson Jr., Smith Mountain VA, '08 Cav 4.452 155.69 155.69
21 981 Kenny Griffin Jr., Nokesville VA, '04 Grand Am DQ
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FRIDAY QUALIFYING - ULSCH MAKES RECORD RUN IN HIGHLIGHT OF NATIONAL GUARD ADRL QUALIYFING
In the competition debut of a new, purpose-built ’68 Camaro, Chuck Ulsch of Clarksville, Maryland, overwhelmed the Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 crowd in the opening round of qualifying for the ADRL NATIONALGUARD.com U.S. Drags II with the quickest and fastest pass ever seen in the class. Ulsch tripped the eighth-mile beams at Virginia Motorsports Park (VMP) in 4.01 seconds at 195.73 mph and can set official National Guard ADRL elapsed time and speed records if he can back up his provisional number-one qualifying numbers within one percent.
“Yeah, we were going after a three (-second pass) there, but I don’t know if we’d be able to do that again in the heat tomorrow,” said Ulsch, who thinks his Friday-night effort probably will hold up as the polesitting pass. “Once eliminations start I’ll go into race mode; I want to win one of those Minutemen (trophies).”
Joining Ulsch on top of the qualifying lists was Quain Stott in Pro Extreme, Mike Castellana, also in the debut of a new Pro Nitrous car, Eric McKinney in Pro Extreme Motorcycle and Extreme Pro Stock racer John Montecalvo.
“That actually was a little soft on the leave,” Stott said of his 3.79-seconds pass at 200.02 mph in his Columbus, NC-based ’63 Corvette. “I missed it a bit on the tune-up and I really don’t know if that will hold up (for the top qualifying position), but we should be in good shape tomorrow, no matter what.”
Also making a great run was number-two Pro Extreme qualifier John Stanley in the ’68 Camaro tuned by his legendary racing father, Camp Stanley, as he also went 3.79 at 193.13 mph, both of which are career-best numbers for the Hagerstown, MD, driver.
Earlier in the day, reigning two-time Pro Extreme World Champion Jason Scruggs smacked hard into the left guardwall almost immediately upon launching his ’68 Camaro on a test pass when an oil line broke, spraying oil all over the track and his car’s rear tires.
“It was just one of those things you can’t even check for; the line just pulled loose from the fitting under pressure,” explained Scruggs’ father and crew chief, Mitchell. “I’ve never seen that happen before in 30 years of racing.”
Undaunted, the Scruggs commissioned the help of a friend at home in Saltillo, Mississippi, to haul their 2008 championship-winning Dodge Stratus through the night to Petersburg, Virginia, so they can transplant the Camaro’s engine and still attempt to qualify on Saturday.
Castellana’s new 1970 Camaro ran a near-record 3.87 at 192.17 to lead teammates Shannon Jenkins and Khalid Al-Balooshi in the top-three Pro Nitrous slots after one of three scheduled qualifying sessions.
“Today was my first time in the car, so it feels good to have it run so well for me right off the bat, but I have to give credit to (crew chiefs) Shannon (Jenkins), Rickie (Smith) and the rest of our guys for that,” Castellana said. Like Ulsch, he believes his current top-qualifier status will be safe until race time.
“I really don’t see anyone improving on that, including us,” the Westbury, New York, driver said. “But once it cools off tomorrow night, who knows? You might even see some new records here.”
McKinney, from Hamersville, Ohio, put his ’09 Suzuki on top of the Pro Extreme Motorcycle list with a 4.23 pass at 168.09 mph. Also notable is Kim Morrell, the only female rider in the class, who for the first time in four starts is in a qualifying position, currently sitting 14th of 29 entries attempting to make the 16-bike field.
Montecalvo, fresh off a win at the National Guard ADRL’s most recent event three weeks earlier at Topeka, Kansas, drove his ’08 Chevy Cobalt to a 4.13 lap at 175.16 mph, edging Dean Goforth by just one-thousandth of a second for the provisional top spot, who in turn held his own one-thousandth advantage over Matt Hartford, while Bob Bertsch also went 4.13 in qualifying fourth.
The second round of qualifying for the ADRL NATIONALGUARD.com U.S. Drags II is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. July 25, with the third and final session scheduled for a 1 p.m. start and eliminations to follow at 4 p.m.
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FRIDAY FIRST SESSION -
Pro Extreme
1 1101 Quain Stott, Columbus NC, '63 Corvette 3.793 200.02 200.02
2 1130 John Stanley, Hagerstown MD, '69 Camaro 3.797 193.13 193.13
3 41 Todd Tutterow, Yadkinville NC, '06 Corvette 3.809 202.76 202.76
4 5 Bubba Stanton, Potts Camp MS, '63 Corvette 3.840 197.42 197.42
5 4 Brian Daniels, Jackson OH, '63 Corvette 3.850 196.30 196.30
6 2 Wes Johnston, Kaufman TX, '53 Corvette 3.876 183.87 183.87
7 214 Dan Bandish, Melbourne FL, '67 Camaro 3.881 192.66 192.66
8 38 Neal Wantye, Louisville KY, '08 Mustang 3.902 193.18 193.18
9 5083 Cody Barklage, Lake Ozark MO, '67 Firebird 3.910 193.96 193.96
10 1962 Tommy D'aprile, Port Charlotte FL, '62 Bel Air 3.923 194.69 194.69
11 1065 Mike Janis, Lancaster NY, '68 Firebird 3.930 186.90 186.90
12 68 Jason Hamstra, Demotte IN, '68 Camaro 3.946 186.02 186.02
13 2007 Joey Martin, Milton FL, '55 Nomad 3.947 187.16 187.16
14 1313 Chip King, South Port NC, '69 Daytona 4.018 183.17 183.17
15 7 Travis Swearingen, Blue Springs MO, '41 Willys 4.048 189.52 189.52
16 51 Tommy Gray, Baltimore MD, '68 Camaro 4.055 189.55 189.55
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 1471 Steve King, Strasburg VA, '68 Camaro 4.135 187.86 187.86
18 217 Tim Tindle, Santa Rosa Beach FL, '67 Mustang 4.217 178.00 178.00
19 07 LJ Wood Jr, Chesapeake VA, '07 Mustang 4.294 170.28 170.28
20 89 Elliott Thompson, Horsham PA, '53 Corvette 4.336 182.43 182.43
21 1040 Andy Jensen, Nescopeck PA, '68 Camaro 4.480 176.79 176.79
22 247 Mike Bell, Asheboro NC, '07 Mustang 4.566 145.13 145.13
23 1957 Doug Winters, Kernesville NC, '57 Belair 4.968 114.39 114.39
24 12 Bennie McDonald Jr, Locust Grove GA, '53 Corve 5.339 115.14 115.14
25 151 Alex Hossler, Canton IL, '70 Camaro 5.985 107.53 107.53
26 6 Joshua Hernandez, Conroe TX, '57 Bel Air 6.726 69.50 69.50
Pro Nitrous
1 44 Mike Castellana, Westbury NY, '68 Firebird 3.875 192.17 192.17
2 4 Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa AL, '68 Camaro 3.883 192.38 192.38
3 999 Khalid Al-Balooshi, Doha QA, '68 Camaro 3.895 191.70 191.70
4 5 Jim Halsey, Havre DeGrace MD, '68 Camaro 3.923 192.30 192.30
5 1916 Fredy Scriba, Abingdon MD, '63 Corvette 3.958 189.66 189.66
6 3 Stan Allen, New Iberia LA, '68 Camaro 3.969 188.44 188.44
7 42 Robert Mathis, Baker , '68 Camaro 3.992 185.23 185.23
8 1968 Steve Vick, Mocksville NC, '68 Camaro 3.999 183.82 183.82
9 08 Dale Brinsfield, Oak Ridge NC, '08 Mustang 4.008 183.34 183.34
10 4794 Thomas Myers, Granbury TX, '63 Corvette 4.012 185.61 185.61
11 1955 Charles Carpenter, Harrisburg NC, '55 Belair 4.018 182.97 182.97
12 2970 Travis Harvey, Burlington NC, '68 Camaro 4.018 182.03 182.03
13 1957 Greg Godwin, Walterboro SC, '63 Corvette 4.042 183.87 183.87
14 8 Burton Auxier, Dixie WV, '67 Camaro 4.046 185.95 185.95
15 360 Robert Rahaim, Goose Pt Park MI, '68 Camaro 4.046 178.40 178.40
16 1994 Ed Burnley, Pasadena MD, '67 Camaro 4.063 179.68 179.68
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 68 Dewayne Silance, Jacksonville NC, '68 Camaro 4.065 179.04 179.04
18 1036 Keith Baker, Dothan AL, '63 Corvette 4.081 181.47 181.47
19 1223 Randall Haynes, Chester VA, '41 Willys 4.103 183.17 183.17
20 113 Tim Savell, Terry MS, '68 Camaro 4.107 173.05 173.05
21 727 Josh Chester, Morganton NC, '68 Camaro 4.123 176.90 176.90
22 111 John Vergotz, Erie PA, '68 Camaro 4.131 174.35 174.35
23 1166 Marc Hayes, Bowie MD, '03 Cavalier 4.188 178.19 178.19
24 531 John Deflorian Jr, Arnold MO, '06 Corvette 4.393 129.40 129.40
25 21 Pat Stoken, Eureka MT, '68 Camaro 4.802 108.53 108.53
26 1063 Johnny Pilcher, Chancellor AL, '63 Corvette 4.908 106.23 106.23
27 4097 Doug Riesterer, Victoria TX, '68 Camaro 5.695 84.23 84.23
28 124 Pat Bennett, Forest VA, '63 Corvette 5.765 64.09 64.09
29 2216 Christy Perkinson, Petersburg VA, '08 GXP 6.977 88.13 88.13
30 2138 Chuck Lawrence, Dallas GA, '09 Mustang 8.781 49.25 49.25
31 477F Earl Folse, Raceland LA, '68 Camaro 8.827 50.48 50.48
32 1271 Danny Perry, Sims NC, '07 Corvette 10.146 58.15 58.15
Extreme 10.5
1 111 Chuck Ulsch, Clarksville MD, '68 Camaro 4.010 195.73 195.73
2 6 Gary White, New Market AL, '07 Scion 4.056 181.25 181.25
3 4914 Jeff Naiser, Houston TX, '02 Grand Am 4.099 177.65 177.65
4 1 Billy Glidden, Whiteland IN, '06 GTO 4.110 171.18 171.18
5 1277 David Hance, Inwood NY, '57 Chevy 4.383 175.57 175.57
6 290 Joe Bayless, Clinton TN, '06 GTO 4.399 158.48 158.48
7 29 Sandy Wilkins, Fuquay Varina DR, '02 Cavalier 4.446 161.67 161.67
8 4 Todd Moyer, Pasadena TX, '06 Cavalier 4.639 139.00 139.00
9 003 Michael Martin, Gloucester VA, '69 Camaro 4.673 160.79 160.79
10 172K Kenny Doak, Pipersville PA, '70 Chevelle 4.782 172.72 172.72
11 5691 Randy Matlock, Wentzville MO, '57 Chevy 4.811 161.59 161.59
12 707 Randy Hoffman, Orange VA, '72 Nova 5.001 140.83 140.83
13 434 Mo Hall, Olney MD, '94 Camaro 5.138 156.66 156.66
14 2007 Bill Devine, Lake Worth FL, '01 Mustang 5.548 144.92 144.92
15 85 Jeff Paulk, Social Circle GA, '68 Camaro 11.902 33.73 33.73
------------ Not Qualified ------------
16 140 William Brown III, Chesapeake VA, '05 Grand Am DQ
17 72 Jake Carlton, Wauchula FL, '02 Grand Am NT
18 98 Tony Wilson, Kannapolis NC, '98 Monte Carlo NT
Pro Extreme Motorcycle
1 4685 Eric McKinney, Hamersille OH, '09 Suzuki 4.231 168.09 168.09
2 4 Ronald Procopio, Wake Forest NC, '07 Suzuki 4.248 168.98 168.98
3 1004 Lance Hines, Macon GA, '06 Suzuki 4.252 163.63 163.63
4 181 James Helton, Theodore AL, '09 Suzuki 4.273 170.58 170.58
5 3 Scott Gray, Ocala FL, '08 Suzuki 4.287 167.74 167.74
6 366 Mantez Thompson, Decatur AL, '08 Suzuki 4.309 170.41 170.41
7 185 Travis Davis, Douglas GA, '07 Suzuki 4.317 158.99 158.99
8 1234 Matt Prophit, Indian Lake Estates FL, '07 Suzu 4.318 166.35 166.35
9 1169 Robert Hunnicutt, Youngsville NC, '07 Suzuki 4.325 168.98 168.98
10 426 Brunson Grothus, Davenport IA, '09 Suzuki 4.335 168.58 168.58
11 8271 Ricardo Knights, Beech Island SC, Suzuki 4.339 162.90 162.90
12 1134 Casey Stemper, Upper Marlboro MD, '09 Suzuki 4.355 158.26 158.26
13 252 Ashley Owens, Harvest AL, '05 Suzuki 4.357 169.72 169.72
14 6 Jack Young, Decatur AL, '02 Suzuki 4.368 157.78 157.78
15 2110 Kim Morrell, Ft. Lauderdle FL, '05 Suzuki 4.383 163.02 163.02
16 467 John Collins, Selma NC, '06 Suzuki 4.391 170.19 170.19
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 20 Mark Person, Bowie MD, '00 Suzuki 4.424 162.55 162.55
18 1 Billy Vose, Buck Mountain PA, '07 Suzuki 4.440 158.13 158.13
19 1121 Mac Mcadams, Edgarnton MD, '06 Suzuki 4.450 155.29 155.29
20 8 TT Jones, Harvest AL, '86 Suzuki 4.483 157.17 157.17
21 369 Darryl Holmes, Salem VA, '06 Kawasaki 4.497 154.95 154.95
22 404 Pumpatina Gilbert, Decatur GA, '07 Suzuki 4.595 158.41 158.41
23 80 Brian Carr, Scherr WV, '90 Suzuki 4.654 155.94 155.94
24 208 Larry Berg, Arthur WV, '00 Suzuki 4.676 145.44 145.44
25 9 Shawn Reno, Hayes VA, '07 Buell 5.133 131.82 131.82
26 66 Eddie Gonder, Poquoson VA, '04 Suzuki 5.291 131.31 131.31
27 3339 Mike Thyen, Sherills Ford NC, '09 Suzuki 5.455 100.55 100.55
28 5 Charlie Prophit, West Monroe LA, '06 Suzuki 5.473 86.38 86.38
29 233 Monte Campbell, Venice FL, '10 Suzuki 6.216 71.81 71.81
30 1243 Artavious McArthur, Mt. Airy NC, '03 Suzuki DQ
Extreme Pro Stock
1 5 John Montecalvo, Center Moriches NY, '08 Cobalt 4.130 175.16 175.16
2 151 Dean Goforth, Holdenville OK, '09 GXP 4.131 174.89 174.89
3 1214 Matt Hartford, Phoenix AZ, '08 Cobalt 4.132 174.28 174.28
4 335 Bob Bertsch, Willis MI, '07 Mustang 4.139 174.32 174.32
5 177 Elijah Morton, Jacksonville NC, '07 Mustang 4.148 173.54 173.54
6 759 Jeff Dobbins, Willington NC, '08 Mustang 4.160 170.04 170.04
7 262 Robert Patrick, Fredricksburg VA, '08 Mustang 4.165 173.87 173.87
8 11 Jason Collins, Rainbow City AL, '07 Cobalt 4.179 172.08 172.08
9 143 Ron Miller, Lebanon OH, '04 Grand Am 4.184 172.04 172.04
10 42 John Bartunek, Pearl River NY, '05 Cobalt 4.190 172.14 172.14
11 1320 Bert Jackson, Glen Allen VA, '05 Cobalt 4.207 172.52 172.52
12 185 Ned Katyran, North Wales PA, '09 Cobalt 4.207 172.04 172.04
13 431 Lester Cooper, Laurinburg NC, '09 Mustang 4.277 167.63 167.63
14 983 Steven Boone, Waeverville NC, '06 Cobalt 4.300 148.64 148.64
15 251 Cary Goforth, Holdenville OK, '08 Cobalt 7.056 67.01 67.01
------------ Not Qualified ------------
16 981 Kenny Griffin Jr., Nokesville VA, '04 Grand Am DQ
17 67 Doug Kirk, Lenore WV, '07 Mustang NT
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EVENT PREVIEW - BELTS TIGHTEN FOR NATIONAL GUARD ADRL RACERS
With five events in the record books, the National Guard American Drag Racing League (ADRL) has passed the halfway point of its
The Speedtech Battle for the Belts pits the top eight points earners in each of the National Guard ADRL’s five professional classes against each other in a winner-take-all, end-of-season playoff. The Battles are held on the Friday night preceding each year’s National Guard ADRL World Finals at the Texas Motorplex, near Dallas. National Guard ADRL teams actually begin accumulating points toward the next year’s Speedtech Battle for the Belts during Saturday’s World Finals eliminations.
Reigning National Guard Speedtech Battle for the Belts World Champions include Jason Scruggs for the second-straight year in Pro Extreme (PX); Billy Harper, absent from the Pro Nitrous (PN) chase this year; Billy Glidden in Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 (XTF); and two-time winner Billy Vose in Pro Extreme Motorcycle (PXM). New this year to the National Guard ADRL is the naturally aspirated Extreme Pro Stock (XPS) class.
Scruggs currently enjoys a comfortable lead over the Pro Extreme crowd after debuting a new car for the second-straight season, resetting his own performance records with it (3.66 seconds at 207.43 mph), going to four straight final rounds and winning the rain-delayed Memphis event, his first race win in the ADRL’s National Guard era. Engine trouble at the most recent two events ended his final-round streak, but expect the man from Saltillo, Mississippi, to remain strong in his pursuit of an unprecedented third-straight world championship.
Close behind the head of the class are Quain Stott, National Guard driver Joshua Hernandez and Todd Tutterow, each with one win, as is veteran racer but ADRL rookie Mike Janis, the most recent event winner on the ’09 tour. Barring exceptionally bad luck, at least the top three frontrunners (and probably more) can be expected to be around for the Speedtech Battle for the Belts, though none have so far clinched a top-eight finish.
The current remainder of the second half of PX Belts contenders are Georgia winner Jason Hamstra, Brian Daniels and Cody Barklage. Well within striking distance, however, are strong runners like 2006 class champion Bubba Stanton, Travis Swearingen in the second National Guard entry and Wes Johnston, runner-up to Scruggs in last year’s Belts final.
He’ll have to contend with the likes of second-place man Shannon Jenkins, though, suddenly the hottest driver on the circuit after becoming the first National Guard ADRL racer ever to win two races in one weekend, scoring the rain-postponed Ford Drive One Summer Drags V title and the Hardee’s Independence Drags III win over the course of two days earlier this month at Heartland Park Topeka (KS).
Despite suffering a DNQ and still winless so far in ’09, Johnny Pilcher holds the number-three position based on consistently going deep in eliminations at nearly every event, while Stan Allen in fourth and Mike Castellana in fifth each have one race victory this year. Pro Nitrous rookie and current Pro Nitrous elapsed time record holder Khalid Al-Balooshi is sixth and may be the series most-improved driver to this point, while veteran Steve Vick has been solid all year after debuting a new car at the season opener to hold the seventh spot.
Rounding out the top eight is Pat Stoken, also in a new car for ’09, who has climbed from near-obscurity to contention in just the last couple of races. He’ll be pressed the rest of the way, however, by the likes of Tim Savell, Burton Auxier and Ed Burnley, who has quietly mounted a campaign that has seen him qualify for every race held so far in 2009. Even Charles Carpenter, who missed three events after crashing at Houston in the season opener, still has a legitimate shot at the elite eight as he’s less than six rounds out of a Speedtech Battle for the Belts qualifying spot.
With only four National Guard ADRL events left in which to gather points toward earning a coveted top-eight finish, the 2009 Speedtech Battle for the Belts is quickly tightening up, giving some teams a measure of confidence, some a sense of urgency, and still others perhaps hoping for a miracle.
THE OTHER BATTLEFIELDS - Glidden, Gray and Gahm. It sounds like a personal-injury law firm that’s hawking its services on late-night TV, but actually they’re the current National Guard ADRL points leaders in Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 (XTF), Pro Extreme Motorcycle (PXM), and Extreme Pro Stock (XPS), respectively.
With six of 10 points-paying opportunities in the record books, each are presently leading the way in Speedtech Battle for the Belts standings to determine the top eight finishers in each class who will race against each other in winner-take-all championship showdowns this October at the series’ final race of the year in Ennis, Texas.
Everyone who makes at least one qualifying attempt at a National Guard ADRL event receives 25 points and qualifying on top of a 16-car field earns another 16 points (15 for 2nd, 14 for 3rd, and so on). With each elimination-round win paying 100 points (500 going to the event winner) and 50-point bonuses for setting official elapsed time and speed records, each event offers the potential for 641 points. Plus, a 50-point bonus goes to every driver who attends all events in a single season.
Reigning Flowmaster XTF World Champion Billy Glidden finally showed a chink in his armor when class newcomer Jeff Paulk recently took him out in the rain-delayed quarter-finals from the Martin, Michigan event at Topeka, Kansas. Prior to that, Glidden had won an impressive five straight National Guard ADRL events (six if last fall’s Battle for the Belts is included) and 21 national-event elimination rounds dating back to last August.
It didn’t take long for Glidden to resume his winning ways, however, as he repaid Paulk with a holeshot win in the final round of the Topeka race the next night, padding his points lead over second-place man Jeff Naiser to a whopping 1,339 in the process.
Still with very realistic chances to move up and oust one or two of the current XTF Belts crowd, though, are Michael Neal, Michelle Wilson and Randy Matlock, who are all less than two rounds out of contention, while you have to look all the way down to Kenny Hubbard in 20th place before finding the first driver more than four rounds away from cracking the championship-deciding field.
The Pro Extreme Motorcycle points chase is every bit as tight, with Scott Gray overtaking Matt Prophit for the lead by 474 points after scoring his second win of the season in the most recent event at Topeka and after Prophit missed the two previous races due to work commitments. Following Prophit by 88 points is Ashley Owens, courtesy of back-to-back wins and record-setting performances in the recent Memphis and Martin events, and Charlie Prophit (older brother and teammate to Matt), yet another event winner who at 96 points back is less than one round behind Owens.
A gap of 382 points exists to T.T. Jones in fifth, followed by Jack Young, Ronald Procopio and Eric McKinney, with the last two tied at 1,016 points, or 1,302 behind the leader, Gray. Only 69 points currently separates ninth-place Travis Davis from the PXM Battle field and Casey Stemper is just another 44 points back of Davis, followed by Robert Hunnicutt, Brunson Grothus and Mantez Thompson, all of whom are less than two rounds worth of points beyond the Belts qualifying list and certainly capable of playing a spoiler role to someone currently in good shape.
Jason Collins is only three points short of Kirk to round out the first four of the elite eight in XPS, but he holds a 101-point advantage over Topeka winner Elijah Morton, who in turn leads Matt Hartford by 142. Another 195 back is Robert Patrick, with just one, single digit separating him from current eighth-place holder Jeff Dobbins.
Cary Goforth and Pete Berner appear the most likely to step up as each is less than one round beyond Belts contention at this point, but Dean Goforth (Cary’s father) still has a shot at getting in, as does Bob Bertsch and Ron Miller, though they all would have to start going deep in eliminations at each remaining race to have a serious chance.
Though each race on the National Guard ADRL schedule carries the same weight as far as points awarded goes, the remainder in ’09 carry added significance for contenders and challengers alike. As each Speedtech Battle for the Belts field begins to take shape, each official pass bears added scrutiny and offers additional clues toward who eventually will earn the titles as world champions in Texas.
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