MADISON, Ill. – Under the lights on the world-class drag strip at World Wide Technology Raceway, the American Drag Racing League returned home to the site of its greatest events and a foundation of the Missouri-based series. Former ADRL Rookie of the Year and Pro Extreme World Champion Jason Hamstra rocketed to the top of PX class qualifying with a Q3 pass of 3.633 seconds at 210.57 mph. More impressive is the fact Hamstra’s ’69 Camaro labored for most of the eighth-mile track, huffing and puffing to the finish line.
Hamstra also set top speed of qualifying thus far with a pass of 211.49 mph, done before the track’s lights came on in round two.
A hallmark of Friday night’s action across the river from St. Louis was great side-by-side racing. Reigning Mid-West Pro Mod Series Champion Aaron Wells and the ADRL PX winner from the Texas Motorplex last month Frankie “The Madman” Taylor put on the run of the night with Taylor edging Wells at the lane, 3.71 to 3.72. Taylor would go on to qualify second on the provisional ladder with a Q3 pass of 3.653 seconds at 285.05 mph. Wells currently sits seventh.
Dragpalooza top qualifier Wesley Jones qualified third Friday night with a solid lap of 3.663 seconds at 209.14 mph. Round 2 was an odd one for Jones, as it was for Bubba Stanton and John Sullivan, all of whom experienced gremlins in the left lane, preventing them from taking the staging light.
The event is one of the first in Illinois opening itself to fans on the grounds they observe social distancing protocols to minimize chances of spreading the COVID-19 virus. ADRL President Mel Roth said he was pleased with race fans’ respect of the guidelines.
“St. Louis has some of the most passionate drag racing fans you’ll find,” Roth said. “They understand the best way to get back to a normal way of life is to do what we have to do now, which is to wear a mask and use social distancing. I think most of these fans would’ve shown up in hazmat suits, they missed great drag racing so badly!”
Three rounds of qualifying were conducted Friday with one to go Saturday, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. local time (CDT). Spectator gates open at 2 p.m., with fans encouraged to get to World Wide Technology Raceway early.
To print out FREE tickets or for the full schedule of events for this weekend’s 2020 ADRL Gateway Drags at World Wide Technology Raceway, click HERE.
Can’t make the race? SpeedVideo is streaming the entire event LIVE from WWT Raceway. Catch all the action by clicking HERE. Didn’t get a chance to get that Dragpalooza shirt? Can’t make it to the race this weekend, but still want the event merch? Head to the ADRL Store at ADRLDrags.com/Store.
For more information on the American Drag Racing League and to stay up-to-date on breaking news, follow them on their official page on Facebook at Facebook.com/ADRLDrags and on Instagram and Twitter at @ADRLDrags. Fans can also visit the official ADRL website at ADRLDrags.com.
Jason Lee from Vernon, California USA (Comp Number: 321) 2025 - Category: PM-OUTLAW, Type: BN, Class: PDRA Pro Boost, Div: 3 "Coast Packing Company" Owned by Jason Lee from Vernon, California USA 2020 Chevrolet Camaro by an Unknown chassis builder | Powered by a 526 cubic inch AJPE Hemi with 3 speed manual transmission 1/4 […]
Vonnie Mills from Kennedyville, Maryland USA (Comp Number: 1027) 2025 - Category: PM-OUTLAW, Type: ZN, Class: NEOPM, Div: 1 "Show N Tell" Owned by Vonnie Mills from Kennedyville, Maryland USA 2019 Chevrolet Camaro by Jerry Haas | Powered by a 762 cubic inch Chevrolet with automatic transmission 1/4 Mile ET: Unknown at Unknown | 1/4 […]
Pat Moore from South Vienna, Ohio USA (Comp Number: 22) 2025 - Category: PM-OUTLAW, Type: ZN, Class: Outlaw Pro Mod, Div: 3 "Larry Nance\'s Catch 22" Owned by Larry Nance from Akron, Ohio USA 1967 Chevrolet Camaro by an Unknown chassis builder | Powered by a Unknown cubic inch Chevrolet with 3 speed manual transmission […]
John Sullivan Jr. from Macon, Tennessee USA (Comp Number: 492) 2025 - Category: PM-OUTLAW, Type: ZN, Class: Outlaw Pro Mod, Div: 2 "John & Debbie Sullivan" Owned by John Sullivan from Macon, Tennessee USA 2020 Chevrolet Camaro by an Unknown chassis builder | Powered by a 526 cubic inch BAE Hemi with automatic transmission 1/4 […]
Frankie Taylor from Dickinson, Texas USA (Comp Number: 47) 2025 - Category: PM-OUTLAW, Type: ZN, Class: Outlaw Pro Mod, Div: 4 "Snap-On" Owned by Frankie Taylor from Dickinson, Texas USA 2012 Chevrolet Corvette by Jeffers Pro Cars | Powered by a 526 cubic inch BAE Keith Black Hemi with automatic transmission 1/4 Mile ET: Unknown […]
Paul Gibbs from Mineral Bluff, Georgia USA (Comp Number: 70P) 2025 - Category: PM-OUTLAW, Type: ZN, Class: Outlaw Pro Mod, Div: 2 "SRT" Owned by Paul Gibbs from Mineral Bluff, Georgia USA 1970 Plymouth Barracuda by an Unknown chassis builder | Powered by a 526 cubic inch Dodge Hemi by ProLine Racing with 4 speed […]
Bubba Stanton from Potts Corner, Tennessee USA (Comp Number: 2695) 2025 - Category: PM-OUTLAW, Type: ZN, Class: Outlaw Pro Mod, Div: 2 "Henson Motorsports & Stanton" Owned by Henson Motorsports from Potts Corner, Tennessee USA 2014 69 Chevrolet Camaro by Jerry Bickel | Powered by a 526 cubic inch BAE Keith Black Hemi with 3 […]
Brandon Pesz from Weatherford, Texas USA (Comp Number: 463) 2025 - Category: PM-OUTLAW, Type: ZN, Class: Outlaw Pro Mod, Div: 4 "Extreme Racing Headhunter" Owned by Brandon Pesz/Todd Martin from Weatherford, Texas USA 1953 Chevrolet Corvette by an Unknown chassis builder | Powered by a 526 cubic inch Chrysler Hemi by Frankenstein with 3 speed […]
Gary Gabelich from Long Beach, California USA 1965 - Category: TOPFUEL, Type: TN, Class: AA/FD, Div: 7 "Purple Gang" Owned by Ronnie Rapp, Vince Rossi & Maldonado from Fullerton, California USA '65 Dragster by Pete Ogden | Powered by a 392 cubic inch Chrysler Hemi with direct drive 1/4 Mile ET: 7.740 at Unknown | […]
Harlan Thompson from Arlington, Virginia USA (Comp Number: 102) 1992 - Category: FUELFC, Type: FE, Class: AA/FC, Div: 9 "Budweiser/Elite Textiles" Owned by Knut Soderqvist from Sweden '91 Dodge Daytona by an Unknown chassis builder | Powered by a 500 cubic inch Keith Black Hemi with 2 speed manual transmission 1/4 Mile ET: Unknown at […]
You must be logged in to post a comment.