Hossler Lights Up Texas Motorplex with World Finals Win

ENNIS, TX (Oct. 24, 2009) — Alex Hossler (left) won his career-first National Guard ADRL Pro Extreme event in memorable fashion, crossing the eighth-mile finish line at the Texas Motorplex with his 1970 Camaro on fire after posting a 3.73-seconds pass at 202.48 miles per hour to beat Quain Stott in the final round of the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V.

Also earning National Guard Minuteman trophies at the final event of the National Guard ADRL’s year, but the first points-paying opportunity of the 2010 season were new class champion Khalid Al-Balooshi in Pro Nitrous, Extreme 10.5 racer Chuck Ulsch, Scott Gray, who also won his first Pro Extreme Motorcycle championship earlier in the day, and Cary Goforth with his first official Extreme Pro Stock win. Morgan Benfield of Virginia Beach, Virginia also won her first Junior Minuteman in the exhibition Pro Jr. Dragster class.

“How’s that for a spectacular finish?” Hossler asked upon climbing from his car after stopping on the track where safety crews sprayed the engine with a fire extinguisher. “It banged the blower right when we crossed the line, but it lasted just long enough to get the job done.”

Hossler and Stott left almost simultaneously, but when a 3.75 at 205.57-mph pass flashed across Stott’s scoreboard, it translated to a .021 margin of victory for Hossler, who hails from Canton, Illinois.

The Pro Nitrous final was close, too, but only because Al-Balooshi (right) had an off-the-pace .191 reaction time attached to a record-setting pass of 3.81 seconds at 196.42 mph that easily eclipsed the 3.98/184.88 combination assembled by veteran Charles Carpenter.

It marked Al-Balooshi’s career-first National Guard ADRL event title, though earlier in the day, he also won the National Guard ADRL’s championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts when Al-Anabi Racing teammate Burton Auxier was disqualified from the final for leaving .004 before the green light flashed.

“It is good for the Al-Anabi team,” said Al-Balooshi, who calls Doha, Qatar, home. “Very exciting to win.”

The World Finals V Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 final offered a measure of payback for Ulsch (left), who faced off against Spiro Pappas for the second time in one day after Pappas stepped up to win the Pro Nitrous Speedtech Battle for the Belts final. The Clarksville, Maryland-based driver didn’t miss the opportunity, either, taking a holeshot win in his supercharged ’68 Camaro over Pappas’ turbocharged 2009 Pontiac GXP entry.

Leaving with a .021 reaction to a .115 in the opposite lane, Ulsch put together a 3.94 lap at 201.46 mph that beat out the 3.92 at 193.27 that delivered Pappas a new elapsed time record, but a runner-up finish.

“That feels good! I’m glad I was able to do my job and help my teammates get the win,” Ulsch declared. “I owed him that one!”

Like Balooshi, Pro Extreme Motorcycle winner Gray (right), from Ocala, Florida, doubled up from his earlier Speedtech Battle for the Belts triumph, running 4.21 at 170.67 mph aboard his ’08 Suzuki to down Lance Hines in the World Finals V final.

“It still hasn’t really sunk in that it’s happened,” Gray said of his two-timing win. “After winning the Belt I kind of relaxed because we had accomplished what we came here to do, which was win the championship, but maybe that’s what helped me win tonight, too. I wasn’t too uptight about what was happening.”

The Extreme Pro Stock final came down to a classic Ford versus Chevy match, with Goforth’s 2008 Cobalt coming out on top over the ’09 Mustang of Scott Hintz in his National Guard ADRL debut. Goforth (left), from Holdenville, Oklahoma, ran low ET of the meet for the class with a 4.06 win at 177.23 mph over 4.151 at 173.65 by Hintz.

“This feels so good,” Goforth said, hoisting the National Guard Minuteman trophy high after his first official Extreme Pro Stock win, though he did win last year at Rockingham, North Carolina, when the class was in its introductory exhibition stage. “This is for my team, for the guys on my team, who worked so hard to put me here today.”

Televised coverage of the Speedtech Battle for the Belts will air Sunday, Nov. 8 at 3 p.m. Eastern on the Versus network, with coverage of the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V to follow two weeks later on Sunday, Nov. 22, also at 3 p.m. Eastern on the Versus television network.

(ADRL/Tocher photos)

Test Sessions for Texas Showdowns

Testing is in full swing as National Guard ADRL Speedtech Battle for the Belts contenders are out preparing for this weekend’s LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V at Ennis, TX.

Current Pro Extreme World Champion Jason Scruggs said he was out this past weekend at Memphis Motorsports Park, but didn’t manage to make even one full pass in five attempts, including one aborted with a faulty transmission.

“The track was decent, but we were trying some new things and it just kept shaking,” Scruggs said of his Garret-built ’68 Camaro. “It had some good 60-foot times and one low 2.50 to the 330 (foot marker), but I wasn’t pedaling it or trying to drive it hard.”

Scruggs also said that despite the less-than-satisfying Memphis session, he probably won’t join several of his Pro Extreme brethren in a last-chance Thursday test outing at Crandall, TX.

“We pretty much know where we are and what we have,” he said. “And that track (Texas Motorplex) has been good to us. Since they moved the Battle for the Belts there we’ve only lost one round and that was in the finals on Saturday night last year when fluid got under my tire. I’m feeling pretty good right now, but whoever wins will have to run fast three times and cut good lights. Whoever wins is going to deserve it.”

Also on hand at Memphis was Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 contender Spiro Pappas with his ’09 GXP. Pappas said he made about eight passes, including “three that were right where we want them.” He added he’s “100-percent confident” heading to Texas and called the upcoming Speedtech Battle for the Belts “the single biggest race of my career.”

“This is the big one; this is the one I want. I’m so motivated, you can’t even imagine,” the Chicago-based driver declared. “When I get to the final I just hope I get (defending series champ Billy) Glidden there. That would be perfect.”

Though not a Speedtech Battle for the Belts qualifier, also of note a few hundred miles east was Pro Extremer Von Smith (left) who turned only the second 3.60 pass in history (after Scruggs’ 3.66 at Memphis this summer) when he went 3.69 at 206.92 mph over the eighth mile in a Texas tune-up event at Virginia Motorsports Park.

That run placed Smith and his Howard Moon-tuned ’68 Camaro on top of the hastily assembled Al-Anabi Shootout qualifying list and he followed up with a 3.70 at 206.86 in eliminations before being ousted in the semis by Quain Stott, yet another National Guard ADRL regular.

Stott fell in the final, however, to Belts qualifier Todd Tutterow, who ran a string of 3.70s at more than 200 mph each time to take the win.

National Guard ADRL Pro Nitrous racer and Belts starter Burton Auxier won the nitrous-assisted portion of the event in a field that included teammates and Belts contenders Mike Castellana and Khalid Al Balooshi, in addition to Pro Nitrous racers John DeCerbo (who finished runner-up to Auxier), Randall Haynes and Pat Bennett.

Big Bug Shootout Results

Here are the race results for the Big Bug Shootout on October 18, 2009

Pro Stock Eliminator
Win   John Strnad         Waxahachie, Tx.    2007 VW-7    -.134      9.714  sec  136.44 mph
R/U  Damon Harmon   Irving, Tx                 55VW                 .024   17.465 sec    45.87 mph

Unlimited Street
Win    Carl Nolen       Royce City, Tx               63 VW      .138      12.579 sec    97.37 mph
R/U   Tom Funnell   Dripping Springs, Tx                       .239      12.649 sec  105.01 mph

ET Bracket Eliminator
Win   Bubba Clifton   Burelson, Tx    1970               .021    12.016 sec    107.82 mph
R/U  Daniel Watts     Longview, Tx   1956 Oval     .031    12.256 sec       92.37 mph

Street Trophy Eliminator
Win  Phillip Sulak                Burleson, Tx                             .579   17.944 sec    70.93 mph
R/U  Emmanuel Sarger    Round Rock, Tx    60 VW     .053   15.745 sec    72.27 mph

National Guard ADRL Adds Monster Trucks to World Finals Roster

O’FALLON, MO (Oct. 12, 2009) — Halloween will still be a week away, but monsters will be set loose at the Texas Motorplex Oct. 23-24, when “BIGFOOT,” the biggest name in monster truck history, takes on the equally intimidating “Snake-Bite” in a special, eighth-mile drag racing grudge match during the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V, the championship-deciding season ender for the National Guard American Drag Racing League (ADRL).

The special race-within-a-race is being added to the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V courtesy of Summit Racing Equipment, primary sponsor of Team BIGFOOT and title sponsor of the Summit Racing Equipment ADRL Ohio Drags at National Trail Raceway, near Columbus, Ohio.

“When we started discussing how Summit Racing Equipment could become a part of the ADRL World Finals it just seemed like a perfect time to bring these two powerful marketing partners together,” Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports and Events Manager Jim Greenleaf said. “Bob Chandler and the guys with BIGFOOT always put on a great show and that’s what makes this such a perfect fit with the great drag racing event than Kenny Nowling and his ADRL crew put together. So you know this is going to be a big hit with the fans.”

Weighing in at 10,000 pounds apiece, each truck will fight to put more than 1,500 horsepower to the pavement daily at the Ennis, Texas, drag strip.

“Just like all of our pro racing classes, this will be no gimmicks, heads-up, first-one-to-the-finish-line-wins racing,” National Guard ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling stated. “I can’t wait to stand between these monsters when they light them up. The fans at the Motorplex are in for a real treat.”

“We are extremely excited to bring monster truck drag racing to the ADRL,” BIGFOOT 4X4 Inc. Vice President Bob Trent added.

Both monster trucks will be on display all weekend during the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V, with BIGFOOT driver Dan Runte and Snake-Bite’s Larry Swim also available to sign autographs. They will race following the conclusion of the National Guard ADRL’s championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts finals on Friday night, just before Mike “Hojo” Hojnacki closes out the day with a flame-throwing, jet-car blast and again on Saturday night following the Pro Extreme final for the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V.

Don’t miss out!  Click here to buy your tickets to the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V.

---

ABOUT BIGFOOT 4X4 INC.
BIGFOOT 4X4 Inc. is based in Hazelwood, Missouri, the home of “The Original Monster Truck,” after founder Bob Chandler built the first “BIGFOOT” truck there in 1975 to spawn a new industry and motorsport. “BIGFOOT” recently was named as one of the “Top 5 Marketing Vehicles of All Time” by the St. Louis-based experimental marketing firm Pro Motion. For more information about BIGFOOT 4X4 Inc. or Midwest Four-Wheel Drive and Performance Center, visit www.Bigfoot4x4.com.

ABOUT LENMAR MOTORSPORTS
Based in Mansfield, Texas, LenMar Motorsports was founded in 2006 by Gaylen Smith and Mark Eddins to provide a full-service race car building and maintenance shop. LenMar Motorsports operates out of an 18,000-square-foot facility that incorporates a full climate-controlled machine shop, engine dyno room, chassis shop, and engine building and tuning area. LenMar Motorsports also is an official VP Fuels and NOS nitrous oxide distributor. For more information on LenMar Motorsports, visit www.LenMarMotorsports.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.

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.

Northstar Dragway, Kizlinski & McNeal crowned champions

Monday October 12, 2009 – The 2009 Summit ET Finals for Division 4 were completed today at Texas
Motorplex, crowning the year’s champions, and deciding who will represent
the Land of the Good Guys at Pomona in the year end showdown for the grass
roots racer.

James Mc Neal, Paris, TX,  captured Super Pro eliminator over Austin
Williams,, then defeated Lynn Doty for the spot at Pomona during the AAA
Finals.   November 12-15, 2009.

Jason Kizlinski, Midlothian, representing the Motorplex Mad Dogs captured
the No Electronics-Street Crown.

In the Team points competition, North star Dragway, Denton, TX, captured
their first title over Wichita Raceway and Texas Raceway, Kennedale, TX,
finished third.

Full details can be found on NHRA.com

---

Sunday October 11, 2009 – The South Central Division Summit ET Finals has been postponed until Monday October 12 due to weather.  We will resume racing beginning with ET Street at 9am Monday October 12, 2009.

---

Saturday
ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 10, 2009) – Racing is complete for the day at the NHRA Summit Racing Series South Central Division Finals at Texas Motorplex.  Competitors had one time trial before beginning first round of eliminations.  The top points earners from each track also ran in the Race of Champions, a race within a race.

Albert Rodriguez of Edinburg, Texas, racing for Edinburg Int’l Racetrack, scored the win the Electronics category, beating Justin Albritton of West Monroe, La., who was unable to make the call.  In the No Electronics class, Colton Vassar, of Kennedale, Texas, representing Texas Raceway, drove his ’82 Malibu to the winner’s circle, defeating Houston Raceway Park racer Jay Robinson of Santa Fe, Texas, who wheeled his ’73 Nova.  The winner in the High School Race of Champions was Dylan King of Norman, Okla., racing for Thunder Valley Raceway.  He ousted Ashley Lawson, Blossom, Texas, running for Paris Dragstrip.

In other racing action, in the Track Manager’s race, Edinburg Int’l Racetrack’s Isaac Ebrom knocked out the manager for Texas Raceway, Jeff Hefler.

Eliminations in the NHRA Summit Racing Series South Central Division Finals continue Sunday.  Racers in six classes will compete for team and individual honors.

Following are the Race of Champions results from the NHRA South Central Division Summit Racing Series Finals:

ELECTRONICS
Albert Rodriguez, Edinburg, Texas, Edinburg Int’l Racetrack, dragster, took the green light def.
Justin Albritton, W. Monroe, La., Twin City Dragway, dragster, broke

NO ELECTRONICS
Colton Vassar, Kennedale, Texas, Texas Raceway, ’82 Malibu, 7.784, 86.04 def.
Jay Robinson, Santa Fe, Texas, Houston Raceway Park, ’73 Nova, 7.048, 96.48

HIGH SCHOOL
Dylan King, Norman, Okla., Thunder Valley Raceway Park, ’66 Chevelle, 8.248, 79.50  def.
Ashley Lawson, Blossom, Texas, Paris Dragstrip, ’90 Mustang, 8.408, 80.51

MANAGER’S RACE
Isaac Ebrom, Edinburg, Texas, Edinburg Int’l Racetrack, ’04 Ram, 10.251, 67.54 def.
Jeff Hefler, Ft. Worth, Texas, Texas Raceway, ’72 Chevette, 11.365, 58.26

---

Friday
ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 9, 2009) – Although the day started out cold and rainy, once the storm passed it was time to race at the NHRA South Central Division Summit Racing Series Finals at Texas Motorplex.  The top bracket racers in the division have converged on the track to vie for individual and team honors and a share of the purse worth nearly $30,000 as well as an opportunity to run for a national championship against the winners from NHRA’s other six divisions at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., in November.  The national champions in each of the four classes will get a winner-take-all $5,000 payday.

NHRA South Central Division Summit Racing Series Finals feature racers six categories — Super Pro, Pro, No-Electronic Quick, No-Electronic Street and Motorcycle as well as a High School category.  The winners in the top four categories will advance to compete in Pomona.  (There will be a run-off between the winners in Super Pro and Pro to determine who will go to Pomona.)

Racers made time trial runs today and are slated for one more tomorrow before heading into eliminations.  Round one is scheduled for Saturday and the rest will run on Sunday.

Saturday’s action will also feature the Race of Champions, a race within a race where the top points earning drivers from each track square off in head-to-head competition.

For schedule and ticket information visit www.TexasMotorplex.com.

Below are tracks that participate in the South Central Division Summit Racing Series Finals:

•    Edinburgh Int’l Racetrack, Edinburgh, Texas
•    Hobbs Motorsports Park, Hobbs, New Mexico
•    Houston Motorsports Park, Houston, Texas
•    Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas
•    Lubbock Dragway, Lubbock, Texas
•    Memphis Motorsports Park, Memphis, Tennessee
•    No Problem Raceway, Belle Rose, Louisiana
•    North-Star Dragway, Denton, Texas
•    Paris Dragstrip, Paris, Texas
•    San Antonio Raceway, Marion, Texas
•    Sooner Motorplex, Lawton, Oklahoma
•    Texas Motorplex, Ennis, Texas
•    Texas Raceway, Kennedale, Texas
•    Thunder Valley Raceway Park, Noble, Oklahoma
•    Twin City Dragway, Monroe, Louisiana
•    Wichita Raceway Park, Wichita Falls, Texas