ADRL’s Online Video Coverage at Hardee’s Independence Drags IV Receives High Praise
Courtesy of the ADRL
O’FALLON, MO — After an overwhelmingly positive response from fans and drivers, the American Drag Racing 
League (ADRL) declared its first all-access online video broadcast an overwhelming success. The extensive coverage was presented at www.ADRL.us for the ADRL Hardee’s Independence Drags IV from Heartland Park Topeka on July 2-3, and it was met with a tremendous response.
The full broadcast was presented free of charge after LenMar Motorsports generously provided the financial backing to give fans a free opportunity to watch the entire program. Gaylen Smith of LenMar Motorsports was one of many who were excited about the reaction. “This is a major feat. The deal is definitely a smash hit,” Smith said. “We got a ton of great feedback.”
The completion of the Independence Drags IV was postponed due to steady rain on Saturday at the Topeka event, but that didn’t prevent an incredible reaction from fans and drivers when it came to the online broadcast. The following is a sampling of the driver feedback to the online broadcast:
Pro Extreme driver Gaylen Smith: “It’s like bringing all of our friends and family to us. Guys back home were texting us stuff before we even knew it.” Pro Extreme driver Frankie Taylor: “It’s a great package. I’m glad they’re doing it.” There’s lot of people watching. It’s like bringing them all to us. Guys were telling us stuff before we knew it.” Pro Nitrous driver Stan Allen: “My son wasn’t here with me this weekend and he enjoyed watching all of it at home. It’s a great deal for us and the fans.” Pro Nitrous driver Doug Riesterer: “I got text after text. We were watching from the trailer. It was really cool and everyone liked it. You could pass the day watching it.” Extreme Pro Stock driver Trevor Eman: “My girlfriend kept sending me text messages. It’s a neat deal and a very exciting thing.”
The two-day groundbreaking broadcast gave fans complete coverage of the Independence Drags IV, including video of every run down the track. The innovative broadcast featured incredible picture quality, multiple camera angles, instant replays, pit coverage and live interviews as part of its comprehensive coverage. There were also highlights from the best racing of the 2009 and 2010 season, giving fans constant action and access in a live setting, further enhancing the visibility of the ADRL’s talented drivers and crews. “We have spent the last several years developing the best event coverage package we could. We focused on accomplishing three key components: It needs to be accessible to the largest possible audience, it needs to show the entire event and it has to be live,” ADRL Executive Vice President Jeff Fortune said. “We are now able to do all of that and with the support of LenMar it is now free of charge for the fans. That made it a home run in our eyes.”
The next all-access online broadcast will take place on July 23-24 for the ADRL Inaugural Texas Drags at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, TX. The conclusion of the ADRL Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen will be completed on July 23 at Houston Raceway Park, with the Inaugural Texas Drags to be completed the next day.
The Independence Drags IV will be finished at the ADRL Hardee’s Gateway Drags III on August 7-8 at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill, just outside of St. Louis. The conclusion of final eliminations of the Independence Drags will take place on Friday, with the Gateway Drags to be completed the next day.
