ADRL Harold Martin Race Wrap Up: Martin Wins ADRL Season Opener in Valdosta

Contact: Jon G. Knapp

 
TMG Sports Marketing 

 
Phone: (704) 662-3121

 
jgknapp@tmgsports.net

Team ACDelco

ADRL Race Wrap Up

Harold Martin, Owner/Driver

ACDelco Pro Modified Pontiac


 

Event:   Flowmaster Speed Tech Winter Drags

Location:  South Georgia Motorsports Park

       Valdosta, GA

Dates:  February 22, 2006

 

Martin Wins ADRL Season Opener in Valdosta

 

Harold Martin and the ACDelco Pro Mod Pontiac Racing got their 2006
season off to an outstanding start last weekend, winning the American
Drag Racing League (ADRL) season-opener in Valdosta, GA.  Showing that
his competitive skills were already in mid-season form, Martin powered
from his eleventh starting position to take home the Pro Nitrous title
at the rain-delayed Flowmaster Speed Tech Winter Drags at South Georgia
Motorsports Park.

 

Running in the eighth-mile format, Martin was the recipient of a
red-light start by Rex Kelley in the first round on Saturday night.
Although rain postponed the remainder of eliminations until Sunday
morning, Martin showed no ill effects when racing resumed, posting his
quickest elapsed time of the weekend at 4.131 seconds to defeat Burton
Auxier in the second round.

 

"With the track being so cold on Sunday we knew we would be dealing with
tremendous adversity in the form of lost traction and tire shake," said
Martin.  "Our strategy then became making sure we went from A to B on
every run.  Fortunately, today this ACDelco crew was able to do a better
job than our opponents of managing our way through these trying
conditions." 

 

After defeating Kenny Rucker in the semi-finals, Martin squared off
against veteran Rickie Smith in the championship round.   Even without
the benefit of lane choice, Martin was able to take control from the
start, gaining the advantage by nearly three hundredths of a second, and
drove through the challenging conditions to record a 4.219-second,
174.89 mph run and score the victory.  

 

"We knew Rickie (Smith) would be a tough competitor in the final and
felt we needed to nudge our performance without endangering our ability
to make it down the track," recalled Martin.  "Our ACDelco Pontiac had
an awesome launch, but in the middle of second gear, it shook the tires
hard, and I had to pedal it.  

 

"I had seen him beside me in the middle of low gear, but didn't know
where he was after that. Even so, I knew he was poised to pass me if I
wasn't taking the right steps. It turned out to be a drive of will, and
our experience under similar conditions earlier in the week made the
difference. We can all take away a tremendous feeling of accomplishment
from this win."

 

Martin also wanted to acknowledge those responsible for putting on the
race.

 

"I was impressed by the overall effort by the ADRL and South Georgia
Motorsports Park.  They both have strong commitments to grow their
respective organizations, and to make the racers a part of it. 

 

 "As an example, we were utilized in the city of Valdosta prior to the
event, appearing at the high school and a local restaurant, with great
media exposure throughout the weekend.  I would certainly like to
commend everyone from the sanctioning body, as well as the racetrack for
their efforts."

 

Finally, Martin wanted express his appreciation to the men whose
tireless efforts helped him reach the South Georgia Motorsports Park
winner's circle - his ACDelco Pontiac crew.

 

"This was a tremendous race for our entire ACDelco team, and I want to
commend them for their work this weekend.  With 70 Pro Mod cars entered,
there was no doubt that you would have to bring your 'A' game in order
to contend for the win.  These were conditions that were truly
unfriendly to our EFI set-up, and we were able to properly compensate,
showing that we are learning how to get down a track that has less than
ideal conditions. 

 

 "This also marked our first race since the return of my nephew Corey to
the team.  He has been with us for almost eight years, with his presence
raising our bar of capability, and allows me to focus on the areas I
want to be working on.  This was a fun way to welcome him back, and we
all look forward to the year ahead."  

 

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