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CONCORD, N.C. --
At the ninth rendition of the race on Saturday, Jenkins delivered another trademark performance in Pro Nitrous, this time at the ADRL's first appearance at zMAX Dragway. Jenkins won for the first time in 2012 as well, running 3.87 at 194.02 mph to beat Doug Riesterer and add another chapter to his unbelievable legacy. "It's a great feeling to win here and it's great to see the sport healthy," Jenkins said. "Racing at a track like this and being fortunate enough to win it is the greatest feeling you can ever have." Other winners included Tim Tindle (Pro Extreme), Brad Brand (Mickey Thompson Extreme 10.5), Eric McKinney (Pro Extreme Motorcycle), Cary Goforth (Extreme Pro Stock), Mike Janis (Aeromotive Fuel Systems Pro Modified) and Ronnie Davis (Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman). The memorable finals wrapped up an incredible ADRL debut at zMAX Dragway, as fans flocked to the state-of-the-art facility and racers praised zMAX at the latest and one of the greatest Dragstock events. Jenkins' run on Saturday was one of the many highlights, as the Al-Anabi Racing driver was in classic form in the heart of doorslammer country. In picking up his 11th Pro Nitrous win in 12 final appearances, both ADRL bests, Jenkins got better as the day progressed. It started with taking the No. 1 spot in qualifying with a 3.934 in his 2012 RJ Race Cars Camaro, continued with a 3.893 in the semifinals and concluded in the finals, which was his sixth impressive run on Saturday. "We've got a good hot rod now and it's going to be good from here on out," Jenkins said. "We got in that race mode today and I like it that way. We were able to get our rhythm going and we weren't thinking about anything but going rounds."
"What more could you ask for? It's a big race and to get that first win here is amazing. This is the place you would want to do it," Tindle said. After teammate and No. 1 qualifier Frankie Taylor had car trouble and had to bow out in the first round, the focus turned to Tindle, and he was terrific. He went 3.688 to beat points leader Mick Snyder in the quarterfinals and was even better in the finals against Stott. "We had some electrical issues, but we got it straightened out and this was the result," Tindle said. "We were focused and we came up here to win."
"I'm lucky enough to win at the two tracks we've never raced before," said Goforth, referencing his wins at Bristol and zMAX Dragway this year. It was a huge win for the points leader, as Goforth put some space between him and Stevens, who is second in points. The standout showing in eliminations was also the type of performance Goforth, who won for an XPS-best eighth time, had been waiting the entire season to see. "We've been trying to get our power back and this is what we've been looking for," Goforth said, who also thanked Sonny's Racing Engines. "But I don't think this (points race) is over. There's going to be a lot of these types of races."
"This is better than the first one. I don't know how to explain it. Dragstock was my first ADRL win (in 2009) and (Saturday) was just unbelievable," McKinney said. "When we came through the tunnel before the final and I saw the crowd, it was a little overwhelming. My mom had to tell me to calm down." McKinney qualified No. 1 with a 4.074, but deemed his effort on the tree not up to his usual standards before he and Stemper both had .007 reaction times in an outstanding final. "I'm just fortunate enough to ride this bike. I was struggling on the tree all day and I was a little worried about that, but to get that .007 was just great," McKinney said.
Chip Forman had an excellent .009 reaction time, but nobody could match Davis and his weekend-long consistency. It adds another first-time winner to the list in the class that had its E.T. and speed records re-set this weekend, along with a record qualifying field. "I normally don't dial it in this quick, but it was a lot of fun going that quick," Davis said. "It was a good race car and this was a very meaningful win. "I've struggled here in the ADRL and it's been disappointing. I really wanted to do good here. I had to get one of these things and I'm not going to stop now."
Brand went as quick as 3.984 in qualifying, but had to grind out wins against Billy Glidden and Todd Moyer to reach the finals, dialing it back even more to advance to the winner's circle.
Mike Janis picked the perfect time to run his best time of the event, going 3.895 at 193.28 mph to beat first-time finalist Dave Roemer in the Aeromotive Fuel Systems Pro Modified final. It was an especially satisfying win for Janis, who recovered after an early-season crash to win for the second time in his ADRL career. "It was so consistent this weekend. It was like the car was on a string. We knew we had a good car; it was just a matter of getting some breaks. Getting a win here, it's one of the biggest I've had," Janis said. "We were all on the same page today and I'm just proud of this."
The eighth race on the 10-race 2012 ADRL Tour takes place on Sept. 7-8 with the Memphis Drags III at Memphis International Raceway. Saturday's final results from the ADRL Dragstock IX at zMAX Dragway. The race is the Seventh of 10 in the American Drag Racing League: Pro Extreme -- Tim Tindle, Chevy Corvette, 3.647, 208.36 def. Quain Stott, Corvette, 3.990, 182.58. Pro Nitrous -- Shannon Jenkins, Chevy Camaro, 3.870, 194.02 def. Doug Riesterer, Camaro, 4.231, 148.99. Extreme 10.5 -- Brad Brand, Ford Mustang, 4.069, 195.28 def. Dan Myers, Chevy Bel Air, 4.727, 119.98. SuperCar Showdown -- Bo Butner, Ford Mustang, 5.782, 121.31 def. Chris Holbrook, Mustang, 5.952, 120.29. Pro Extreme Motorcycle -- Eric McKinney, Suzuki, 4.083, 176.56 def. Casey Stemper, Suzuki, 4.109, 159.70. Extreme Pro Stock -- Cary Goforth, Pontiac GXP, 4.108, 176.49 def. Richie Stevens Jr, Ford Mustang, 4.160, 175.78. Top Sportsman -- Ronnie Davis, Chevy Corvette, 4.085, 162.98 def. Chip Forman, Chevy Camaro, 4.599, 168.77. Pro Mod -- Mike Janis, Ford Mustang, 3.895, 192.38 def. Dave Roemer, Chevy Cavalier, 4.469, 152.97. Pro Junior Dragster -- Robert Vogler, 7.910, 81.04 def. Noah Strickland, 7.889, 82.88.
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