Keith Baker Wins ADRL Pro Nitrous Battle of the Belts

Text by Danny White ~ Photos by Gena White

The ADRL Flowmaster Pro Nitrous Battle of the Belts field.

The season long ADRL Flowmaster battle for the championship came to a head last Friday night at Texas Raceway at Kennedale. The winner of the Battle of the Belts would be proclaimed the 2006 ADRL Flowmaster Pro Nitrous Champion. The field included Shannon Jenkins, Johnny Pilcher, James Hancock, Burton Auxier, Terry Housley, Rex Kelley, Harold Martin, and Keith Baker. The first round began at 8:30 on a cool evening. The buzz was if the cars could stay hooked, great runs were sure to happen. The ADRL Flowmaster Pro Nitrous teams did not disappoint the packed crowd!

Shannon Jenkins burns out in Mike Castellana's Western Beef Cavalier. This car is for sale.

Shannon Jenkins staged against Johnny Pilcher. Jenkins won with a 4.06 at 181.

The first round began with Shannon Jenkins taking on Johnny Pilcher and Pilcher family Chevy Hemi 63 Corvette. Jenkins was driving Mike Castellana’s Cavalier this weekend. Jenkins raced to the win with a strong 4.06 at 181 to defeat Pilcher, who shook and shut off. One very interested spectator of Jenkins was David Reher. Burton Auxier and his Auxier Welding 53 Corvette were next against James Hancock in the CCT Racing 98 Corvette. Auxier won this round with a 4.137 at 141.14 to Hancock’s early shut off 4.677 at 117.47.

James Hancock launched in the CCT Racing Corvette that his son took to a runner up finish at the Rock. Hancock lost in the first round to Burton Auxier.

Terry Housley in TJ Harrill's beautiful Willys out of Tennessee.

The next race was a crowd pleaser! Rex Kelley and his flamed 63 Corvette paired off with Terry Housley in T.J Harrell’s Willys. The race was close to the finish until Housley took out the cones at the stripe. Kelly took the win with a 4.103 to Housley’s disqualified 4.109 at 168.70. Keith Baker in the other CCT Racing 63 Corvette and Harold Martin in his AC Delco Grand Am finished out the first round. Baker took the win with a 4.103 to Martin’s crossed up 4.57.

Rex Kelly won this race when Housley crossed the center line.

Burton Auxier was the runner up with a 4.137 best.

The first pairing in the semifinals was a strange race to say the least. Rex Kelley was red lighted by the Autostart system when the he did not stage in time. This allowed Burton Auxier to win automatically. Auxier crossed the center line on his run, but by ADRL rules he was still in! Keith Baker then took down Shannon Jenkins in an upset next. Baker ran a 4.111 at 178.48 for the win while Jenkins shut off to a 5.968 79.80.

In the strangest race of the night, Rex Kelley did not stage in time and Auxier crossed the line.

Keith Baker burning out in the Alabama based CCT Racing Corvette.

Keith Baker had lane choice for the finals against Burton Auxier. Baker took the Belt back to Alabama with a consistent 4.12 at 178.02 as Auxier got crossed up and trailed with a 4.755 at 136.25.

Baker took the semi final win with a 4.11 over Shannon Jenkins.

Keith Baker with his hard earned belt.

Keith Baker made a statement with runs of 4.10, 4.11, and 4.12 to win over an absolutely top flight field of cars at Texas Raceway. The Alabama based CCT team had two cars in the final eight car show. The Dixie Pro Stock Association was proud, too, as they had four teams in the Battle of the Belts! For more information about the ADRL Flowmaster series go to www.outlawpromods.com and about the monthly Pro Mod shows at Kennedale go to www.texasraceway.com or www.texasoutlawracing.com .

Baker and his crew celebrate the win.