“PA” Doorslammer Drama 

Illinois-based racer Mick Snyder could do no wrong at Pennsylvannia’s scenic Maple Grove Raceway and he left with his 2nd career American Drag Racing League victory………

Snyder, a Pro Extreme class standout, had a Saturday he will always remember as part of the ADRL’s Northeast Drags II presented by Penske.   

Driving his supercharged ’63 Corvette, Snyder claimed the #1 qualifying spot during the morning’s final session with a 3.64 and then finished off a terrific field of cars later that day at the historic track, running a 3.648 at 207.46 miles per hour to beat Tommy D’Aprile under the lights. 

2nd generation racer Mick Snyder came away victorious is P/X with his Corvette

Joining Snyder in the winners circle was Robert Patrick Jr. (Pro Nitrous), Billy Glidden (Mickey Thompson Extreme 10.5), EricMcKinney(Pro Extreme Motorcycle), Dean Goforth (Extreme Pro Stock), Mike Castellana (Aeromotive Fuel Systems Pro Modified), Chip Forman (Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman) and Chris Holbrook (SuperCar Showdown). 

Robert Patrick’s recent foray into Pro Nitrous got off to a fine start after a fantastic all-around performance on Saturday. He beat Burton Auxier with a 4.25 in the finals, but the rest of his day in his 2012 Jerry Bickel Race Cars Mustang was filled with runs in the 3.80s, including a great 3.811 in an outstanding semifinal duel with Jim Laurita.  

Billy Glidden delivered what was arguably the best run of his career in the Mickey Thompson Extreme 10.5 finals, beating Chuck Ulsch on a holeshot in an unbelievable side-by-side race.  Ulsch went 3.855 secs at 202.82 mph but Glidden’s .028 RT and massive career-best 3.862 was enough to earn his 13th career ADRL win. 

Billy Glidden earned his 13th ADRL event win in the Extreme 10.5 category

Mike Castellana remained perfect in Aeromotive Fuel Systems Pro Modified, going 3.847 at 195.42 mph to chase down Mike Janis in an excellent final for his third win in three events. 

Castellana’s 2012 RJ Race Cars Camaro was remarkably consistent, as the Al-Anabi Racing driver backed up his record pass of 3.845 earlier on Saturday, going 3.854 to reach the finals. 

Mike Castellana remained undefeated in ADRL season P/M racing

Dean Goforth was dynamite throughout eliminations on the starting line in Extreme Pro Stock, capping it off with a .011 reaction time in the finals to hold off Brian Gahm with a 4.083 at 177.20 mph.  

Goforth’s third career XPS win will surely be one he will treasure after battling back from a near-fatal illness this past winter. To win on Saturday, Goforth won by holeshots in his Jerry Haas Race Cars GXP against No. 1 qualifier John DeFlorian in the semifinals and then Gahm in a memorable final.  

Dean Goforth emerged "King" in the event's ferocious Mountain-motor Pro Stock category

Eric McKinney went nearly three years without a win in Pro Extreme Motorcycle, but the wait was worth it after going 4.099 at 173.96 mph to beat Ronald Procopio in the finals.  

McKinney was involved in a wild semifinal race against Scott Gray, who went 4.091 and appeared to win on a holeshot against McKinney’s 4.089. But Gray’s bike hit the center cone to disqualify him, sending McKinneyto the finals. 

Chip Forman was the latest first-time winner in Summit Racing Equipment in Top Sportsman, running a 4.155 at 174.05 mph to beat Ray Bamond.  Both were making their first appearance in a final round, and Forman tracked down Bamond just before the finish line.

Posted by: Josh Hachat

Top Sportsman winner Chip Forman

Event Essentials:  ADRL Northeast Drags II (May 4-5^th 2012) Reading, PA

View DragRaceCanada’s extensive ADRL event photo gallery:  HERE 

Photos by:  Bruce Biegler, Steve Embling & Dave DeAngelis