Hometown Hero Shines at Michigan ADRL Touchdown 

Between the three different ADRL PM type class offerings (P/X – P/N – NHRA PM) 53 race cars were on hand — and Michigan’s own, Bob Rahaim could not have picked a better place for his first American Drag Racing League win….

Racing at his home ADRL track, the Pro Nitrous standout delivered an incredible performance in front of a huge gathering of friends and family, going a career-best 3.797 at 197.10 miles per hour in Saturday’s final round to beat Pat Stoken in the finals of the Summer Drags VIII at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park.

Homestate racer Bob Rahmain scored in impressive style in P/N

Other Summer Drags VIII winners included Jason Scruggs (Pro Extreme), Alan Pittman (Mickey Thompson Extreme 10.5), EricMcKinney(Pro Extreme Motorcycle), John DeFlorian (Extreme Pro Stock), Mike Castellana (Aeromotive Fuel Systems Pro Modified), Bruce Thrift (Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman) and Bo Butner (SuperCar Showdown).

After a series of unfortunate events at recent races, Jason Scruggs put in a banner day, capped off by a new track record of 3.638 at 208.87 mph to beat Terry Leggett and his 3.689 at 205 mph in the P/X finals.

Jason Scruggs won for the 8th time in ADRL's marqee P/X category

Scruggs had four runs in the 3.60s during eliminations, including a 3.643 in 2^nd round to get by Tommy D’Aprile. That gives Scruggs eight career ADRL wins, matching Joshua Hernandez for the most in Pro Extreme history.

With Mick Snyder falling in the first round, Scruggs also inched back into the championship chase.

Mike Castellana was superb in his 4^th trip to the finals in Aeromotive Fuel Systems Pro Modified, winning his fourth race of the year with a 3.827 at 196.35 mph, giving him the quickest pass in the history of the class.

Mike Castellana recorded low ET and top speed while winning the NHRA PM class final

Driving a 2012 RJ Race Cars Camaro, Castellana beat Pat Musi in the finals to add to his points lead. It also gives him 13 career wins to match Glidden and Ashley Owens for the most in ADRL history.

John DeFlorian let loose with a memorable celebration in the winner’s circle after picking up his first career ADRL win.

Driving a Jerry Haas Race Cars 2012 Camaro, DeFlorian went 4.086 at 174.78 mph to beat Matt Bertsch in a matchup of first-time finalists and hand the Black Diamond Motorsports team, owned by Karen and Kevin Bealko, its first ADRL victory as well.

John DeFlorian topped Matt Bertsch in the XPS class final round

Eric McKinney took a commanding lead in the Pro Extreme Motorcycle points race with a brilliant showing at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park.McKinneymade it three wins in 2012 after running a 4.073 at 170.15 mph against first-time ADRL finalist Dave Norris. 

McKinneywas outstanding on the tree during eliminations, capped off with .006 and .013 reaction times in the semifinals and finals, respectively. McKinneyalso finished as the No. 1 qualifier after going 4.10 in the final qualifying session to take momentum into eliminations.  

Alan Pittman gladly took a lucky break in Mickey Thompson Extreme 10.5, denying Billy Glidden’ chance at history in the process.  Glidden went 3.917 secs a weekend-best in the class — but had an .001 red light, handing the win to Pittman and his 4.042 at 195.28 mph.  

That was Pittman’s third win in 2012 for the XTF points leader, and Pittman also kept Glidden from picking up an ADRL-record 14th career win.

Bruce Thrift was remarkably consistent in picking up his first win in Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman, finishing off a standout day with a 4.376 at 153.61 mph in the finals to beat William Brown III. 

Bo Butner made it four wins in the SuperCar Showdown, slipping past Drew Skillman in a great side-by-side pass with a 5.77 at 119 mph, inching past Skillman and his 5.80 at 118.57 mph.  

That was stop #6 for the 10-race 2012 ADRL Tour.  The next event is Aug. 3-4 at the state-of-the-art zMAX Dragway in Charlotte for ADRL Dragstock IX.  

Event Essentials:  Summer Drags VIII (July 13-14^th, 2012) Martin, MI.  

Posted by:  Josh Hachat

Photos by:  Dave Ostaszewski and Roger Richards