ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza Pro Extreme

Photos by Gena White ~ Text by Danny White

Todd Tutterow won his first ADRL Pro Extreme title in Baytown with a series of 3.90 runs all at 200 plus. In doing so, he became the third and final member of the Flowmaster 200 MPH club. Todd qualified number six with a 3.903, 201.43. Tutterow ran a series of at least seven passes of 200 MPH. Tutterow was the model of consistency in eliminations with runs of 3.927, 3.920, 3.90, and 3.925 on DOT legal drag racing slicks. Tutterow’s 3.927, 200.92 run beat Bennie McDonald Jr.’s 4.047, 173.41 run in the first round. In the second round Tutterow beat the torque converter equipped Corvette of Ron Muenks 3.920, 201.52 to 4.44, 139.07. Tutterow beat Jason Hamstra, the other car with a torque converter, with a 3.90, 201.70 to the early shut off pass of Hamstra. In the finals Tutterow ran a 3.925, 201.46 to beat Jason Scrugg’s pedaling 4.241, 136.41.

Jason Scruggs made it to another final Pro Extreme final, but it was not in the typical Scruggs fashion. Scruggs was not the low qualifier nor did he set low ET in any round. Scruggs was having problems on the freshly shaved track like others but he ran 3.903, 197.91 to qualify number five. Scruggs was the fifth qualifier for Saturday night’s field. Scruggs beat late leaving Cody Barklage in the first round 3.971, 195.11 to 6.604 78.74. Scruggs’ 3.946, 194.38 beat the tough Quain Stott who ran an off pace 4.329, 133.57. In the semis, Scruggs beat Jason Hernandez 4.270, 165.15 to 4.374, 121.98 in a pedal fest. In the finals Scruggs had problems with his 4.242, 136.41 run that Todd Tutterow beat with a 3.925, 201.46.

Josh Hernandez and the National Guard team brought the team’s Camaro to race at Baytown. It replaced the 57 Chevrolet that crashed in Ennis last year. The Camaro qualified at the top of the field with a 3.831, 199.02. In the first round, Josh Hernandez beat Mike Neal 3.903, 196.70 to 4.071, 181.35. Hernandez beat the other National Guard entry of Travis Swearingen with a solid 3.845, 197.68 when Swearingen had to shutdown. In the semis Hernandez fell off to a 4.374, 121.98 while opponent Jason Scruggs had his own problems on a winning 4.270, 165.15.

Jason Hamstra had a great ADRL debut in Baytown. The Hamstras recently switched over to a screw blower combo but kept their torque converter. Hamstra ran a great 3.859, 196.90 to qualify number two. In the first round Hamstra ran a great 3.899, 195.73 to beat Ken Thomas who shut off to a 5.048, 108.14. Hamstra put Brian Daniels away next 3.867, 195.42 to 5.931 84.41. In the semis Hamstra fell to tire shake which shut the power off allowing Tutterow to win with a 3.90, 201.70.

The always-tough Quain Stott came to race in Baytown forgoing his first IHRA race in ages. The 3.893, 189.04 pass Stott got him the number four spot in the field. Stott beat Clyde Scott 4.083, 176.01 to 4.183, 185.98 in the first round. In the second round, Scott was beaten by Jason Scruggs 3.946, 193.38 to 4.329, 133.57.

Brian Daniels and his wildly painted Corvette made a good showing in Baytown. Daniels qualified number seven in the field with a 3.909, 191.67 pass. In the first round Daniels backed his qualifying run with a 3.919, 191.32 to beat Mike Janis who ran 4.010, 190.48. Daniels lost in the second round when he had tire shake problems on a 5.931 84.41 run that lost to Jason Hamstra’s 3.867, 195.42.

The new National Guard team of Travis Swearingen ran its first race for them in Baytown. Swearingen ran 3.937, 191.37 to qualify number nine in the final field. In the first round, Swearingen beat Frankie Taylor 4.004, 188.89 to 4.073, 177.93. In the second round Swearingen fired the car to race teammate Joshua Hernandez, but he to shut the car when there engine problems. Hernandez ran 3.845, 197.8 to win the round.

Ron Muenks was the second torque converter equipped to make the field in Baytown. Muenks made several great runs in testing and a 3.986, 197.80 to qualify number fourteen. In the first round Muenks ran a 4.865, 108.54 that won when Dewayne Watkins redlighted away a 3.872, 186.51. In the second round Muenks fell to Todd Tutterow 3.920, 201.52 to 4.441, 139.02.

Dwayne Watkins totally rebuilt his 57 Chevy over the winter put a new engine combo and new wrap on the car. Watkins did great in Baytown running a great 3.882, 193.32 to qualify number three. In the first round Watkins redlighted away a 3.972, 186.41 that allowed Ron Muenks troubled 4.865, 108.84 to advance to the second round.

Frankie Taylor like Dewayne Watkins got a new wrap for the Taylor Brothers race car. Taylor qualified number seven in the Jeffers built Aguygen backed Corvette with a 3.987, 185.26. In the first round, Frankie Taylor fell to Travis Swearingen 4.004 to 4.071, 177.93.

Former IHRA champion Mike Janis made his ADRL debut in Baytown and it was his first race with a screw blower. Janis got into the field in the last session with a good 3.971, 189.98. Mike Janis ran a good 4.01, 190.48 but it was not enough to cover the 3.919, 191.32 of Brian Daniels.

Bennie McDonald brought out the family’s Corvette for the ADRL opener. McDonald ran a good 3.972, 189.58 to qualify number eleven. McDonald got the right to face eventual winner Todd Tutterow in the first round. McDonald ran a game 4.047, 173.41 but it fell short to Tutterow’s 3.927, 200.92.

Cody Barklage and the Lucas Oil rebuilt the team’s Firebird after an encounter with the guardrail in Ennis. Barklage ran a solid 3.982, 187.11 to qualify number twelve. In the first round Barklage was late on the light with a .413 light, he shut off to a 6.064 78.74 while Jason Scruggs won with a 3.971, 195.11.

Clyde Scott came to Baytown with a new paint job on his Corvette. Scott is still racing the Corvette while his new Willys is being built. The Support Our Troops Corvette with camo paint stood out in the crowd. Scott ran a good 3.974, 191.81 for the thirteenth qualifying spot. Scott fell to Quain Stott in the first round 4.083, 176.01 to 4.183, 185.97.

Defending 2008 TOPMA champion Ken Thomas debuted a new paint job in Baytown. Ken got into the field with a 3.987, 185.26. The run was good enough for the number fifth teen spot and the right to face Jason Hamstra. Hamstra ran a 3.899, 195.73 to beat Ken Thomas who ran 5.048, 108.14.

Mike Neal was at the wheel of the family’s Lumina in Baytown. Neal made many consistent runs with a best of 3.992, 184.76 that landed him on the bump spot. Neal had to race Josh Hernandez in the first round, Neal ran a 4.071, 181.35 that fell to Hernandez and his 3.903, 196.70.