For John Montecalvo, this weekend will cover more than the eighth mile; it will be a trip down
memory lane as he heads to the place where the seed was planted for a life-long passion. The ADRL
hosts the Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags III this weekend at National Trail Raceway near
Columbus, Ohio. The first race Montecalvo ever attended as more than a spectator was at this track.
He went along with friends Charlie and Pattie Bubka who were fielding a B-Stock entry at the
national event. From that time with the B-Stocker to now manning his own Pro Stock operation, Monte
has come quite a long way since he first set foot in National Trail Raceway.
"It's going to be something to go back and race at the place where it all began for me," Monte
tells. "My friends and I pulled into National Trail in a ramp truck that first time. Those humble
beginnings are something you don't forget. Nor do I want to forget them. It reminds me of how far
I've come and makes me appreciate being able to do what I do."
Montecalvo hasn't only successively worked his way through the ranks from entry level to pro level;
he's also successively worked his way up to the top of his class, all the way to number two right
now in ADRL Extreme Pro Stock points standings. A shoe-in for the Battle for the Belts Championship
race in Dallas at the end of the year, Monte and team have made quite an impression on this first
year of competition for ADRL Extreme Pro Stock.
"I'm sure I'll be reminiscing here this weekend, but my main focus will be going after [points
leader] Brian Gahm. He's been incredibly tough in Extreme Pro Stock all year, but maybe going back
to the place that ignited my drag racing passion will give me a little edge on the competition.
We're going to stay humble and stay focused this weekend.
"I have a lot of memories of how we got started in this and a lot has changed. Back then we stayed
in tents. Now we stay in the Hampton Inn. But there's one thing that will never change and that's
the racing."
