Top Qualifiers Defy Track Critics in National Guard ADRL Qualifying

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*

American Drag Racing League
Contact: ADRL Communications
(404) 375-4895 or (636) 272-2375
www.ADRL.us <http://www.adrl.us/>

*Top Qualifiers Defy Track Critics in National Guard ADRL Qualifying *

HEBRON, OH (Aug. 21, 2009) --- The performances of the provisional 
number-one qualifiers for the National Guard ADRL Summit Racing 
Equipment Ohio Drags III in Hebron, Ohio, put to rest any concerns that 
some racers expressed over track conditions at National Trail Raceway.

Frankie Taylor of Dickinson, Texas, blistered the National Trail eighth 
mile in 3.74 seconds at 202.52 miles per hour with his supercharged 2005 
Corvette to lead 26 teams in the Pro Extreme class, while Eureka, 
Montana's Pat Stoken ran a career-best 3.90 at 191.16 mph with his '68 
Camaro to finish on top of 28 Pro Nitrous entries after three rounds of 
qualifying on Friday.

In Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 action, Maryland racer Chuck Ulsch continued 
his recent domination of the class with a very strong 4.03 at 195.53 mph 
in a supercharged '68 Camaro, while points leader and Ohio native Brian 
Gahm drove his '07 Mustang to the provisional pole in Extreme Pro Stock 
with a solid 4.14 blast at 173.92 mph. Up on two wheels, Macon, 
Georgia's Lance Hines leads 22 Pro Extreme Motorcycle riders with a 
solid 4.22-seconds pass at 169.30 mph aboard his 2009 Suzuki.

Taylor was first after the opening qualifying session and the only 
driver in the first round to exceed 200 mph, but 2006 Pro Extreme World 
Champion Bubba Stanton stepped up with a 3.77 at 198.41 in his '63 
Corvette on Friday afternoon to steal away the provisional top spot.

"Conditions improved quite a bit tonight and that helped us," Taylor 
said after responding with the second-best run of his career. "Now with 
us solidly in the field we can experiment some more tomorrow. But I'm 
not even sure we'll run that session. We'll probably wait and see what 
everyone else is doing before we make that decision."

Following Taylor on the list are Stanton, Jason Hamstra, Alex Hossler 
and Cody Barklage, with Tommy D'Aprile currently on the bump spot in 
16th with a 4.00 pass at an early shut-off 147.18 mph in the debut of a 
new 1970.5 Camaro for team owner Mel Bush.

Stoken was not in the 16-car field when the third and final qualifying 
session of the day began, but his best-ever elapsed time and speed 
quickly resolved the problem. It also helped keep his 2009 championship 
hopes alive as he fights to hold on to the eighth and last qualifying 
position for the season-ending Speedtech Battle for the Belts.

"That was a big run for us. I'm not so sure it's going to hold up as 
number one, but it certainly takes a lot of the pressure off," Stoken 
said. "At least now we know we'll be racing for sure tomorrow and we can 
fool around with it a little in the final (qualifying) session."

Stoken currently leads Shannon Jenkins, teammate Jim Halsey and Jenkins' 
teammate Burton Auxier, who also is his closest rival for the transfer 
spot to the Belts playoff. The 16th-place qualifying slot presently 
belongs to the 4.10 at 177.77 mph by Terry Murphy. 

After battling traction issues in his first two qualifying attempts, 
Ulsch was on a pretty pass in Friday night's session when his car again 
shook its rear tires about 200 feet out. He didn't lift, however, and 
drove straight through to the finish line. Team owner Gil Mobley 
stressed the traction issues stemmed from a problem with the Camaro's 
set-up; not any problem with the National Trail racing surface.

"I think the track is good; I think we just missed it; we didn't have 
enough power through the middle part of the track," he explained. "So 
we'll add a little more power through there tomorrow and hopefully 
that'll take care of it. If not, we can always go back to where we were."

Gary White and defending class champ Billy Glidden are second and third, 
respectively, followed by Jeff Paulk and Spiro Pappas, while Bill Lutz 
currently rounds out the 16-car field after posting a 4.66 lap at 139.46 
mph.

Gahm is the only one of the current top qualifiers to have laid down his 
class-leading pass in today's opening session. It was fortunate for him, 
too, as Gahm experienced mechanical catastrophes in both subsequent 
attempts, with the pinion gear in his car's rear end breaking in the 
second round, then an intake valve spring broke along with his 
transmission in the third round.

"Hopefully all our bad luck is behind us and we'll have good air and be 
able to step it up tomorrow," he said. "We should've run quicker than 
that tonight; I figured it would've been about a .12 or so, maybe even 
better."

Pete Berner, Robert Patrick Jr., Matt Hartford and Dean Goforth round 
out the top five in Extreme Pro Stock, while Mark Martino currently 
fills the 16th position just one-tenth-of-a-second behind Gahm.

Hines, a recent Pro Extreme Motorcycle event winner, led the field after 
each qualifying session, but improved from 4.28 to 4.22 in Friday's last 
go-round to secure the provisional top spot over Ashley Owens, Ron 
Procopio, Monte Campbell and Paul Gast. A 4.42 at 161.32 has Eddie 
Gonder on the bubble for Saturday's lone qualifying session, beginning 
at noon (Eastern). Elimination rounds for 16-car/bike fields in each 
National Guard ADRL professional class will follow.


PHOTO CUTLINES:

NTR_Taylor_Fri1.jpg
Frankie "Mad Man" Taylor captured the provisional pole in Pro Extreme 
qualifying Friday night (Aug. 21), at the National Guard ADRL Summit 
Racing Equipment Ohio Drags III at National Trail Raceway in Hebron, 
Ohio. He faces one more round of qualifying on Saturday before 
eliminations begin to determine event winners in five professional classes.

NTR_Stoken_Fri1.jpg
Pat Stoken credited Pro Nitrous teammate Jim Halsey and his crew for 
helping Stoken make his career-best pass in qualifying number one for 
the National Guard ADRL Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags III at 
National Trail Raceway.

NTR_Ulsch_Fri1.jpg
In just the third race outing for his new Vanishing Point-built Camaro, 
Chuck Ulsch, who just two weeks earlier became the first Flowmaster 
Extreme 10.5 driver to dip into the threes, seized the provisional 
number-one starter position with a 4.03 in Friday-night qualifying for 
the National Guard ADRL Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags III.

NTR_Gahm_Fri1.jpg
Ohio's own Brian Gahm is the provisional polesitter in the Extreme Pro 
Stock class at the National Guard ADRL Summit Racing Equipment Ohio 
Drags III in Hebron, Ohio.

NTR_Hines_Fri1.jpg
This is the view competitors saw of Lance Hines as he streaked to the 
provisional Pro Extreme Motorcycle pole for the National Guard ADRL 
Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags III.

 

ABOUT SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT
Established in 1968, Summit Racing Equipment is the leading high 
performance parts and accessories company. Summit Racing offers the 
largest selection, lowest prices, and best customer service in the high 
performance industry via catalogs, Internet, and Retail Super Stores. 
The company is headquartered in Tallmadge, Ohio with retail stores in 
Tallmadge, Ohio; Sparks, Nevada; and McDonough, Georgia. For more 
information on Summit Racing Equipment, visit www.SummitRacing.com 
<http://www.SummitRacing.com>.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL GUARD
The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the 
United States and one of the nation's longest enduring institutions. The 
National Guard operates in all 50 states, three territories (Puerto 
Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands) and the District of Columbia. For 
more information on the National Guard, visit www.NationalGuard.com 
<http://www.NationalGuard.com>.

ABOUT THE ADRL
Based in O'Fallon, Missouri, the American Drag Racing League is the 
nation's premier sanctioning body for the sport of eighth-mile drag 
racing. The professional categories featured in the ADRL are Extreme Pro 
Stock, Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Extreme 10.5, Pro Nitrous, and Pro 
Extreme, the quickest doorslammer class in all of drag racing. The 2009 
National Guard ADRL series consists of 10 national events run throughout 
the United States. For more information on the ADRL, visit www.ADRL.us 
<http://www.ADRL.us>. 

 

 

 HEBRON, Ohio -- Results Friday after qualifying for the ADRL Summit 
Racing Equipment Ohio Drags III at National Trail Raceway, Eighth of 10 
events in the National Guard American Drag Racing League.  Qualifying 
will continue Saturday for Saturday's final eliminations.          Pro 
Extreme -- 1. Frankie Taylor, Chevy Corvette, 3.749, 202.52; 2. Bubba 
Stanton, Corvette, 3.771, 198.41; 3. Jason Hamstra, Chevy Camaro, 3.790, 
201.97; 4. Alex Hossler, Camaro, 3.794, 197.02; 5. Cody Barklage, 
Pontiac Firebird, 3.812, 196.42; 6. Todd Tutterow, Corvette, 3.822, 
200.92; 7. Quain Stott, Corvette, 3.849, 199.20; 8. Brian Daniels, 
Corvette, 3.859, 194.58; 9. John Stanley, Camaro, 3.872, 195.96; 10. Wes 
Johnston, Corvette, 3.894, 195.93; 11. Joey Martin, Chevy Nomad, 3.910, 
195.22; 12. Mike Janis, Firebird, 3.912, 190.62; 13. Joshua Hernandez, 
Chevy Bel Air, 3.917, 197.74; 14. Dan Bandish, Camaro, 3.964, 187.63; 
15. Jason Scruggs, Camaro, 3.989, 179.04; 16. Tommy D'Aprile, Camaro, 
4.003, 147.18.  Not Qualified: 17. Brad Personett, 4.008, 193.82; 18. 
Andy Jensen, 4.058, 178.26; 19. Dan Saitz, 4.061, 180.26; 20. Neal 
Wantye, 4.117, 164.83; 21. Jim Pauckner, 4.130, 174.23; 22. Brian 
Robbins, 4.145, 183.22; 23. Cathy Belcher, 4.157, 182.80; 24. Jeff Roth, 
4.235, 149.93; 25. Travis Swearingen, 4.250, 134.74; 26. 'Killer' 
Brooks, 4.556, 164.19.          

Pro Nitrous -- 1. Pat Stoken, Chevy Camaro, 3.903, 191.16; 2. Shannon 
Jenkins, Camaro, 3.924, 191.13; 3. Jim Halsey, Camaro, 3.929, 191.46; 4. 
Burton Auxier, Pontiac Firebird, 3.934, 189.50; 5. Mike Castellana, 
Camaro, 3.946, 189.58; 6. Khalid Al-Balooshi, Camaro, 3.965, 187.91; 7. 
Steve Vick, Camaro, 4.003, 187.63; 8. Stan Allen, Camaro, 4.012, 185.00; 
9. Randy Weatherford, Camaro, 4.040, 183.62; 10. Bob Rahaim, Camaro, 
4.042, 179.88; 11. John Decerbo, Camaro, 4.053, 181.81; 12. Johnny 
Pilcher, Chevy Corvette, 4.061, 177.72; 13. Thomas Myers, Corvette, 
4.084, 183.00; 14. Glenn Butcher, Camaro, 4.087, 155.44; 15. Kenny 
Rucker, Corvette, 4.100, 179.68; 16. Terry Murphy, Corvette, 4.101, 
177.77.  Not Qualified: 17. Mark Malcuit, 4.102, 174.75; 18. Charles 
Carpenter, 4.105, 177.56; 19. Ted Smith, 4.114, 180.50; 20. John 
Deflorian Jr, 4.119, 182.48; 21. Pat Bennett, 4.120, 178.17; 22. Ed 
Burnley, 4.128, 177.28; 23. Matt Guenther, 4.163, 179.59; 24. Greg 
Godwin, 4.210, 179.14; 25. Pat Moore, 4.229, 174.48; 26. John Bartunek, 
5.268, 94.99; 27. Mark Daly, 5.488, 99.17; 28. Randall Haynes, 5.879, 
81.42.          

Extreme 10.5 -- 1. Chuck Ulsch, Chevy Camaro, 4.032, 195.53; 2. Gary 
White, Toyota Scion, 4.092, 179.59; 3. Billy Glidden, Pontiac GTO, 
4.096, 176.17; 4. Jeff Paulk, Camaro, 4.100, 179.18; 5. Spiro Pappas, 
Pontiac GXP, 4.104, 178.59; 6. Jake Carlton, Pontiac Grand Am, 4.120, 
174.77; 7. Joel Bayless, GTO, 4.282, 174.26; 8. Randy Matlock, 4.289, 
167.24; 9. David Hance, 4.305, 180.81; 10. Jason Wilson, Ford Mustang, 
4.346, 166.91; 11. Jeff Dickey, Camaro, 4.391, 177.09; 12. Kenny Doak, 
Chevy Chevelle, 4.443, 175.46; 13. Todd Moyer, Chevy Cavalier, 4.458, 
175.02; 14. Tony Wilson, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.570, 161.25; 15. Brent 
Baker, Olds Cutlass, 4.628, 151.70; 16. Bill Lutz, Camaro, 4.660, 
165.31.  Not Qualified: 17. Ed Parker, 4.665, 160.35; 18. Nick Jackson, 
5.310, 140.31; 19. Mark Ingle, 6.472, 89.62.          

Extreme Pro Stock -- 1. Brian Gahm, Ford Mustang, 4.142, 173.92; 2. Pete 
Berner, Pontiac GXP, 4.145, 172.34; 3. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 4.146, 
173.36; 4. Matt Hartford, Chevy Cobalt, 4.147, 173.23; 5. Dean Goforth, 
GXP, 4.156, 173.16; 6. Steven Boone, Cobalt, 4.157, 172.85; 7. John 
Konigshofer, Mustang, 4.162, 172.52; 8. John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 4.164, 
172.32; 9. Cary Goforth, Cobalt, 4.175, 172.17; 10. Elijah Morton, 
Mustang, 4.180, 172.56; 11. Chris Holbrook, Mustang, 4.184, 170.13; 12. 
Doug Kirk, Mustang, 4.189, 172.43; 13. Bob Bertsch, Mustang, 4.194, 
171.97; 14. Jeff Dobbins, Mustang, 4.194, 171.62; 15. Jason Collins, 
Cobalt, 4.206, 171.82; 16. Mark Martino, Cobalt, 4.244, 161.59.  Not 
Qualified: 17. Ron Miller, 4.283, 165.64; 18. Ned Katyran, 5.225, 
107.25.          

Pro Extreme Motorcycle -- 1. Lance Hines, Suzuki, 4.221, 169.30; 2. 
Ashley Owens, Suzuki, 4.240, 171.79; 3. Ronald Procopio, Suzuki, 4.265, 
167.07; 4. Monte Campbell, Suzuki, 4.291, 164.45; 5. Paul Gast, Suzuki, 
4.298, 165.29; 6. Scott Gray, Suzuki, 4.308, 164.53; 7. Travis Davis, 
Suzuki, 4.329, 164.69; 8. Casey Stemper, Suzuki, 4.357, 164.73; 9. Eric 
McKinney, Suzuki, 4.358, 165.42; 10. Mantez Thompson, Suzuki, 4.372, 
168.87; 11. Robert Hunnicutt, Suzuki, 4.372, 160.73; 12. Jack Young, 
Suzuki, 4.374, 164.29; 13. Mark Person, Suzuki, 4.395, 162.24; 14. 
Charlie Prophit, Suzuki, 4.417, 164.01; 15. Derrick Holloway, Suzuki, 
4.423, 167.18; 16. Eddie Gonder, Suzuki, 4.425, 161.32.  Not Qualified: 
17. Brunson Grothus, 4.439, 166.76; 18. Billy Vose, 4.441, 160.86; 19. 
T.T. Jones, 4.447, 161.09; 20. Artavious McArthur, 4.585, 154.44; 21. 
Brian Carr, 4.593, 159.99; 22. Leshon Norman, 7.335, 61.05.  

For complete results go to 
http://www.dragracecentral.com/SeriesIndex.asp?Series=ADRL-SUMMIT" 
<http://www.dragracecentral.com/SeriesIndex.asp?Series=ADRL-SUMMIT>>DragRaceCentral.com.  


 

-- END --