ADRL BRINGS UNIQUE EVENT TO US 131

Drag racing fans in Western Michigan are in for a rare treat June 6-7, as the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League (ADRL) presented by the National Guard visits Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at US 131 in Martin, Michigan for the first time with its 4th annual ADRL Pizza Hut Summer Drags. The ADRL features racers from across the country in four professional classes—Pro Extreme, Pro Nitrous, Extreme 10.5 and Pro Extreme Motorcycle—competing in thrilling eighth-mile, head-to-head action.

With most ADRL racers never having competed before in Michigan, this will be the introduction of a new kind of drag racing to the region. ADRL competition is an all-pro-show with no filler classes, which translates to a quick-paced and entertaining day of drag racing. The stars of the ADRL are friendly, approachable and eager to visit with fans and pit access is included with all event tickets.  

On the track, Texas driver Joshua Hernandez will be looking to extend his points lead in the supercharged Pro Extreme class after winning both ADRL races contested so far this year. Also certain to be vying for the Martin win will be defending ADRL world champion Jason Scruggs, who at Rockingham, NC, last year became the first doorslammer driver ever to exceed 200 miles per hour over an eighth mile. Scruggs also holds the Pro Extreme elapsed time record of an incredible 3.70 seconds and increased his speed record to an unreal 205.47 mph at the 2008 season opener in Houston.

Other top challengers include 2006 Pro Extreme champ Bubba Stanton, young gun Travis Swearingen, Texas veteran Frankie “Madman” Taylor and Michigan native Bob Mandell, who is featured in the current issue of Adrenaline, official magazine of the ADRL, and available at the Martin event.  

Fresh off his career-first ADRL win and lowering the elapsed time record to a brilliant 3.91 seconds last month at Valdosta, Georgia, former Kentucky gubernatorial candidate Billy Harper leads the Pro Nitrous contingent into Michigan. Points leader and Harper teammate Dennis Radford also will pose a threat to win, as will Maryland’s Jim Halsey, who tasted victory at two of the last four ADRL national events.

They will be fending off the likes of 2006 class champ Keith Baker, Shannon “The Iceman” Jenkins and 18-year-old reigning champion Jamie Hancock, who became the youngest driver ever to win a major drag racing world championship last year. Additionally, New Hudson, Michigan’s Harold Martin will pilot the second National Guard entry in Pro Nitrous trim.  

ADRL created and debuted its Extreme 10.5 class last season, featuring cars with no powerplant or weight limitations, but running on relatively narrow 10.5-inch-wide rear slicks. After successfully defending his event title in his native Georgia, points leader Mike Hill will be hoping to continue the momentum up north. However, current class champion Steve Gorman, who won at Houston in March, will provide stiff competition alongside new elapsed-time record holder Steve Kirk Jr., Texan Todd Moyer and Michelle Wilson, the only woman competing full-time with the ADRL.

Pro Extreme Motorcycle also was added to the ADRL mix last year, but so far has not seen any repeat winners. Top contenders like inaugural class champion Billy Vose, Georgia winner Coodee Thomas and Houston winner Ron Procopio certainly hope to change that stat in Michigan. Regardless of the race outcome, these fearless riders on their nitrous-assisted bikes promise to thrill the Martin crowd with wild, side-by-side, wheels-up action.

With ideal-for-racing weather forecast for Western Michigan this weekend, the 4th annual Pizza Hut Summer Drags at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park at US 131 is shaping up to be another record-setting ADRL national event.