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.
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Tom Patterson from Loretta, Manitoba Canada (Comp Number: 5921) 2025 - Category: SPORTSMAN, Type: HN, Class: Top Sportsman, Div: 5 "DMP Awnings" Owned by Tom Patterson from Loretta, Manitoba Canada 1994 Chevrolet Camaro by an Unknown chassis builder | Powered by a 540 cubic inch Chevrolet with automatic transmission 1/4 Mile ET: 6.564 at NHRA […]
Allen Firestone from Velma, Oklahoma USA (Comp Number: 4695) 2025 - Category: SPORTSMAN, Type: HN, Class: Top Sportsman, Div: 4 "Firestone Racing/Elite Motorsports" Owned by Allen Firestone from Velma, Oklahoma USA 2016 Chevrolet Camaro by RJ Race Cars | Powered by a 754 cubic inch Chevrolet with automatic transmission 1/4 Mile ET: 6.395 at NHRA […]
Rich Smith from Wentzville, Missouri USA (Comp Number: 5578) 2025 - Category: SPORTSMAN, Type: HN, Class: Top Sportsman, Div: 5 "Linric Properties" Owned by Richard Smith from Wentzville, Missouri USA 1968 Chevrolet Camaro by an Unknown chassis builder | Powered by a 762 cubic inch Chevrolet by Reher-Morrison with automatic transmission 1/4 Mile ET: 6.431 […]
Dennis Dowson from Auburn, Illinois USA (Comp Number: 3175) 2025 - Category: SPORTSMAN, Type: HN, Class: Top Sportsman, Div: 3 "J.D.J Farms" Owned by Dennis Dowson from Auburn, Illinois USA 2014 Dodge Challenger by an Unknown chassis builder | Powered by a 521 cubic inch BAE Hemi with automatic transmission 1/4 Mile ET: 6.198 at […]
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Rob Meservier from Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada (Comp Number: 5189) 2025 - Category: SPORTSMAN, Type: HN, Class: Top Sportsman, Div: 3 "Santana Kennels" Owned by Rob Meservier from Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle by an Unknown chassis builder | Powered by a 572 cubic inch Chevrolet with automatic transmission 1/4 Mile ET: 6.341 […]
Steve Jaeger from New London, Wisconsin USA (Comp Number: 5484) 2025 - Category: SPORTSMAN, Type: HN, Class: Top Sportsman, Div: 5 "Jaeger Racing" Owned by Steve Jaeger from New London, Wisconsin USA 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo by an Unknown chassis builder | Powered by a 665 cubic inch Pontiac with automatic transmission 1/4 Mile ET: […]
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