Courtesy of the ADRL

NORWALK, OH – Just moments after watching his son, Ty, win in Pro Junior Dragster at the completion of the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) Simpson Dragstock VII on Friday, Todd Tutterow had only one thought before his Pro Extreme final.

I just knew I needed to do my job,” said Tutterow, the 2009 World Champion.

Tutterow followed suit, beating Joshua Hernandez with a 3.85 in the Pro Extreme final at Summit Motorsports Park to give the Tutterow family two memorable wins in one night.

“This is wonderful,” Tutterow said. “It is very special when you got your family with you for something like this.”

Other winners at Dragstock VII, which was completed on Friday after rain postponed the event two weeks ago in Rockingham, included Doug Riesterer (Pro Nitrous), Spiro Pappas (Extreme 10.5), Ashley Owens (Pro Extreme Motorcycle), Cary Goforth (Extreme Pro Stock) and Ty Tutterow (Pro Junior Dragster).

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Courtesy of ADRL

TOPEKA, KS — Inclement weather forced the postponement of the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) Hardee’s Independence Drags IV at Heartland Park Topeka on Saturday.

After several rain delays throughout the day, ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling called for a postponement near the end of the first round of final eliminations.  “Mother Nature frowned on us and we felt the better option was to get the racers and fans home safely,” Nowling said. “Safety is paramount and unfortunately we can’t complete this event today.”

The event will be completed 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 completion of final eliminations of the Independence Drags will take place on Friday, with the Gateway Drags to be completed the next day.

Courtesy of ADRL

TOPEKA, KS — Mike Castellana was simply looking for one good run in Pro Nitrous on Friday at the ADRL Hardee’s Independence Drags IV at Heartland Park Topeka. When that came on his very first run, Castellana delivered in an even bigger way to cap his evening under the lights. Castellana and his ’69 Camaro wowed the energetic crowd with his third qualifying run, staying in first after three sessions with a pass of 3.89 at 192.28 miles per hour.
It was significant that Castellana had two in a class where most drivers struggled to get one on a day where track conditions proved difficult to solve.

“I think we had a better handle on things,” Castellana said. “It was kind of hit-or-miss for a lot of people, but we’ve got a good handle on this car. When you got something good going, you don’t want to change too much.”
Other top qualifiers after Friday’s three sessions include Frankie Taylor in Pro Extreme, Ashley Owens in Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Pete Berner in Extreme Pro Stock and Todd Moyer in Extreme 10.5. Castellana’s solid performance on Friday gives him some breathing room heading into Saturday’s final qualifying session as well.

Courtesy of ADRL

MARTIN, MI — The added pressure, expectations and attention that comes with landing a new major sponsor seems to have brought out the best in Josh Hernandez.

A race after advancing to the final in Richmond while debuting his new Fight Me MMA sponsorship, Hernandez and his ’57 Chevy took it a step further on Saturday, winning in Pro Extreme at the ADRL Ford Drive One Summer Drags VI at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, MI.

“To come out with a new sponsor and within two races have a win, that’s what we’re in it for,” Hernandez said. “To be in that winner’s circle, nothing makes me happier.

“I’m so happy for my guys. This is what we’ve been waiting for.”

It’s the seventh career win for Hernandez, but just the first this year in a loaded division.