Flowmaster ADRL Presents the Third Annual Camp Motorsport Georgia Drags

by Marvin T. Smith
ADRL Photos


Lovers of Pro Mods gathered in Cecil, Georgia May 4 and 5 to witness one of the best ADRL events ever. Record crowds estimated to be as high as 10,000 saw record-shattering performances over two days of super action.

In Pro Extreme, there were several interesting story lines. Joshua Hernandez had a tough decision to make. There was the ADRL event in Georgia the same weekend as the AMS/NHRA event in St. Louis. Josh leads the AMS series points, but he also was in the rain delayed Kennedale Texas final round to be run in Valdosta. The National Hot Rod Association came to the rescue, and modified the schedule for the St. Louis event. If Josh could qualify in St. Louis on Friday, he could fly to Georgia to compete at the ADRL event on Saturday. Tommy Lipar stepped up with two crews and jet transportation to make the dream a reality and support Pro Mod racing to the extreme. Josh qualified in St. Louis on Friday and flew into Valdosta to compete at the ADRL event. He would go on to win the delayed Kennedale, Texas final over Dwayne Watkins, qualify for the Saturday event in the number 2 position, but unfortunately lose round one of Saturday’s event. Josh then flew back to St. Louis where he won the AMS/NHRA event on Sunday. Two out of three possible wins in one weekend is the stuff of Pro Mod legend. Thanks to the Tommy Lipar Racing team and the NHRA to make it possible.

Another story involved the amazing performance of Jason Scruggs, the current Pro Extreme record holder. On Friday night, Scruggs ripped off an incredible 3.804 at 198.67, the quickest and fastest outlaw Pro Mod run ever recorded. Could he come back Saturday and run the first eighth mile 200 mph run and/or dip into the 3.70s?? The fans were salivating over the possibility. Jason elected to pass on the second and third qualifying attempts in the heat of the day, building the suspense. In round one, he ran a subpar 4.21 at 182 mph, but took the win over a troubled Mel Eaves. All eyes were on Scruggs in round two, but his 3.974 at only 164 mph lost to Joe Baker’s holeshot aided 3.977 at 184. The quest for the magical 200 mph barrier will have to wait. Still, the fans were treated to the best performances ever!

Joe Baker then became the real story of Pro Extreme. Driving the ex-Mike Ashley, ex-R. E. Smith Batman-themed Willys which won the first ever race at South Georgia Motorsports Park, Baker battled his way to the title running consistent 3.90s. He saved his best for last running a 3.951 to beat Travis Swearingen’s 3.982 in an all Willys final. Look out for Quain Stott. He blasted out a fine 3.854 in round one for low elapsed time of eliminations.

In Pro Nitrous, Mike Castellana led qualifying with a 4.04 second run in the Western Beef 2007 Mustang (Chevy power). Twenty-eight cars attempted to qualify for the sixteen car field (oddly enough, the Pro Extreme field also had 28 cars). After three rounds of qualifying, the bump was 4.114, and fifteen cars were in the 4.0 second range. Castellana lost the first round, but teammate Shannon Jenkins won his match with low elapsed time of the round, another 4.04. Jenkins lost in round two, and Rickie Smith had the best time, a 4.06. In the semi finals, Rickie Smith ran a 4.07 to down Dennis Radford’s beautiful new Cuda, and in the match-up between Alabama’s finest nitrous racers, Johnny Pilcher ran a 4.04 to down reigning ADRL Champ Keith Baker’s 4.09. In the final, Pilcher ran low elapsed time of the event 4.029 to down Rickie Smith’s 4.045. Incredible racing!

Extreme 10.5 ran as an eight car field. Todd Tutterow led qualifying with a 4.35 on Friday night in his smallblock powered Mustang. Tutterow had an interesting weekend, crashing his second car, the Pro Extreme Willys. He then tried to qualify Troy Critchley’s Pro Extreme Corvette since Critchley was in St. Louis trying to make the AMS field. Unfortunately he couldn’t make the Pro Extreme field, but he had much better luck in Extreme 10.5, making it to the final round but losing to Mike Hill in the ex- Steve Kirk Corvette. Hill ran a 4.386 at a new ADRL record speed of 170.49 to take a holeshot win over Tutterow’s quicker 4.368. Extreme 10.5 racing is something to see!

In Extreme Motorcycle, the sixteen car field boiled down to number one qualifier Steve Drake against number two qualifier Coodee Thomas of Conyers, Georgia. Thomas fouled away a 4.44 run, but it probably wouldn’t have made any difference as Drake sped to a new ADRL record 4.373 at 165.09 mph for the win. Thomas did leave with the speed record at 165.44 mph.

Kenny Nowling put on a great event, even throwing in bands and a jet funny car on both Friday and Saturday nights. Don’t miss an ADRL event near you.