ADRL Sets Date For 2010 Racer Appreciation and Awards Gala

Courtesy of ADRL

O’FALLON, MO – The American Drag Racing League (ADRL) is pleased to announce that its 2010 Racer Appreciation and Awards Gala will take place on Saturday Jan. 22, 2011, from 7-11 p.m. at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Hotel in Clayton, MO, just outside of St. Louis.

The semi-formal event will take place at the luxurious Crowne Plaza Hotel for the first time and will serve as a fitting end to what was a memorable and record-breaking 2010 ADRL season. The new venue provides a more central and cost-effective location for the ADRL’s talented competitors, teams and sponsors, and a special room rate ($79/night for standard room; $129/night for an Executive Tower room) is also available for the event.

All current ADRL competitors receive one free ticket to the event. Additional tickets can also be purchased this year for just $30, which is significantly lower than the $50 price tag for last year’s gala.

For the first time, the event will also be open to ADRL members and fans, who can also purchase tickets for just $30. ADRL World Championship rings and belts will be presented to Frankie Taylor (Pro Extreme), Burton Auxier (Pro Nitrous), Dan Millen (Extreme 10.5), Kim Morrell (Pro Extreme Motorcycle), John Montecalvo (Extreme Pro Stock) and Tyler Allen (Pro Junior Dragster), and the world’s top eighth-mile drag racing series will also announce a host of other awards, including its 2010 Competitor of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Employee of the Year and Track of the Year.

Additionally, the ADRL will present the Jim Oddy Award, which is given annually to the ADRL racer who best demonstrates sportsmanship in conjunction with competitive drive throughout the 2010 season. Finally, the 9th annual Walter W. Henry Memorial Award, the most prestigious award in doorslammer drag racing, will be presented to a person or group of individuals who has made an important and significant impact on the sport over an extended period of time.

Last year’s winner was ADRL co-founder Tommy Lipar, joining a remarkable list of recipients that also includes Nowling, ADRL co-founder Dave Wood, Flowmaster Inc. and noted drag racing historian and ADRL television reporter Bret Kepner, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies for this year’s Gala. Other 2009 winners were Brian Gahm (Competitor of the Year), Jason Hamstra (Rookie of the Year), Dave Koch and Dave Koch Jr. (co-Employees of the Year), Royal Purple Raceway Park, formerly Houston Raceway Park, (Track of the Year) and Kenny Doak (Jim Oddy Award).

The semi-formal attire event begins at 7 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner, door prizes and the awards ceremony. To purchase tickets, contact Connie Hull at the ADRL offices at (636) 272-2375. Tickets can be purchased by credit card or money order, but must be purchased in advance and no later than 5 p.m. CST on January 7. Tickets will not be available at the door. Seating is limited and each gala has welcomed nearly 400 attendees, so early ticket orders are encouraged.

To reserve a room at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the special rate, call the hotel at (800) 972-3145. There will also be complimentary event parking and a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport