ADRL Safety-Kleen Spring Drags II – Juniper FL. (Apr. 15-16)

PRO MODIFIED: NAME ET MPH CAREER WIN
 Pro Extreme  P/X        
 Win: Joey Martin 3.755 200.20 1st
 R/UP: Jason Hamstra 3.767 168.66  
 Low ET: Joey Martin 3.642    
Top Speed: Jason Hamstra   209.14  
 Bump Spot:   3.912    
 Pro Nitrous  P/N        
 Win: Mike Castellana 3.828 195.96  
 R/UP: Burton Auxier 3.868 193.29  
 Low ET: Mahana Al Naemi 3.797    
 Top Speed: Mike Castellana   196.79  
Bump Spot:   3.966    
Extreme 10.5 Winner: Billy Glidden 9.372  79.69  12th
Pro Extreme M/C Winner: Ashley Owens 4.045 179.11  11th
Extreme Pro Stock Winner: Pete Berner 4.084 175.62  

 

ADRL Invades Palm Beach Florida

By:  Josh Hachat

From start to finish, there was no stopping supercharged ’55 Nomad pilot Joey Martin.

In front of a massive overflow crowd at Palm Beach International Raceway, Martin and his fan favorite “Low-Mad” put together a string of incredible performances in Pro Extreme at the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) Safety-Kleen Spring Drags II.

Joey Martin drove his fan favorite '55 Nomad to big win in P/X

He was the quickest car in every round, starting with Friday’s first qualifying session and ending with Saturday’s final, as Martin took the win with a 3.755 at 200.20 miles per hour to deny Jason Hamstra his second straight victory.

“I know I could do it,” Martin said. “I knew if I got my way, I could have a winning car.

“The last three rounds, we were thrashing.  It was a lot of drama. (Two-time PX World Champion) Jason and Mitchell (Scruggs) really helped us. They’re top-notch people.”

The ADRL’s first trip to Florida proved to be a rousing success as an incredible fan turnout made for a memorable atmosphere during Saturday’s eliminations.

Martin shared the last magic moment with the Pro Extreme win, but there were five others who savored a victory as well.

Mike Castellana’s 3.828 gave him the Pro Nitrous win against Burton Auxier, while Billy Glidden picked up his ADRL record 12th event win after a solo pass wrapped up a wild day in Extreme 10.5.

Great to see Mike Castellana back racing -- and in victory lane!

It was an emotional win for Castellana, who returned to racing this year after he was diagnosed with cancer last summer. After rigorous chemotherapy treatments removed the cancer, Castellana appeared to be as good as ever behind the wheel at PBIR.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s just great. Really, it’s hard to describe this right now,” Castellana said. “Shannon (Jenkins) and the crew gave me a great car and you win with the people behind you. They really make this happen.”

Pro Nitrous qualifying was highlighted by racer Mahana Al-Naemi who became the first PN car in ADRL history to reach the 3.70s.  Al-Naemi ran a magnificent 3.797 at 196.30 mph which stood up for Low ET of the event.

Mahana Al-Naemi ran a barrier breaking 3.797 to pace the P/N program

Ashley Owens stayed on Glidden’s heel, picking up his 11th career win in Pro Extreme Motorcycle with a 4.045 at 179.11 mph against Carlos Wilkerson.  Owens’ new Fast by Gast continues to dominate in Pro Extreme Motorcycle, capping off a record-breaking weekend with his latest commanding performance. Owens set the E.T. record on Friday (4.012), and followed that up with his second win of the 2011 season.

Pete Berner, meanwhile, exhaled deeply after finally earning his first ADRL win in Extreme Pro Stock following his 4.084 in the finals against Richie Stevens Jr.

Billy Glidden continued his winning ways in ADRL Pro 10.5 -- scoring for the 12th time in his career

In Pro Junior Dragster, J.C. Gloyd went 7.952 to knock off Kendall Thiesse.

The ADRL returns to action on May 6-7 with the Penske Truck Leasing Inaugural Northeast Drags, which takes place at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa. It will be the ADRL’s first trip to Maple Grove.

The 2011 ADRL Tour consists of nine national events run throughout the United States. For more information on the ADRL, visit www.ADRL.us

Photos by: Roger Richards