Tue, 19 Jan 2010, 10:44 AM ADRL Updates 2010 Schedule

Courtesy of ADRL Communications

O'FALLON, Mo -- Today, the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) released an updated 2010 schedule featuring a return to familiar territory and some date changes for established races.

"Creating a season schedule is one of the most challenging tasks we face every year as there are so many variables and individuals to consider," ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling said. "Ultimately, every scheduling decision is reached based on how it affects our racers and track partners and our ability to put on the best show possible for ADRL fans. I think the scheduling changes we're announcing today reflect that process well and will result in a stronger 2010 ADRL season all around."

In order to allow ADRL race teams additional testing opportunities, this year's season-opening event, the ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI at Houston Raceway Park, will be held Mar. 19-20, one week later than originally planned. Also still to be settled is a date in April for the ADRL Hardee's Georgia Drags VI at South Georgia Motorsports Park (SGMP), previously set for Apr. 9-10, but now possibly moving to later in the month.

"The South Georgia fans are among our most knowledgeable and enthusiastic supporters and we apologize for not yet having a final date set for them," ADRL Executive Vice President Jeff Fortune said. "However, reconsidering the SGMP date is all part of creating a balanced and improved schedule and we thought it only fair to get the rest of the dates established and announced so ADRL race teams and fans can begin making their travel plans."

Also moving from July to May 21-22, will be the ADRL U.S. Drags III at Virginia Motorsports Park in Petersburg, Virginia.

"We visited Virginia Motorsports Park for the first time last year and it was one of our most successful events," Fortune said. "Moving the date forward, though, helps open up the schedule in what was a tight second half of the year. Plus, VMP in the spring should provide some great weather at a track that is capable of producing some incredible runs."

This year also will mark the return of the ADRL to Summit Motorsports Park, as the ADRL Ohio Drags IV will be contested Sep. 24-25, representing the third time in four years the race will be held at the Norwalk, Ohio, facility, as well as the final opportunity for racers to earn points toward qualifying for the ADRL's championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts the next month in Ennis, Texas.

"We repeatedly heard from our race teams that they loved racing at Summit Motorsports Park and wanted to return as soon as possible," Fortune said. "It took some serious negotiations, but we're very pleased to announce we were able to come to a multi-year agreement with the Bader family and are already looking forward to again sampling some of their famous $1 ice creams."

The rest of the ADRL's previously scheduled events remain intact on their original dates, creating a nine-event 2010 schedule for the ADRL's sixth season.

2010 ADRL National Event Schedule

Mar. 19-20   ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI
Houston Raceway Park             Baytown, Texas

April 23-24   ADRL Hardee's Georgia Drags VI                             
South Georgia Motorsports Park   Cecil, Georgia

May 21-22    ADRL U.S. Drags III
Virginia Motorsports Park        Petersburg, Virginia

June 11-12   ADRL Ford Drive One Summer Drags VI                   
U.S. 131 Motorsports Park        Martin, Michigan

July 2-3     ADRL Hardee's Independence Drags IV                               
Heartland Park Topeka            Topeka, Kansas

Aug. 6-7     ADRL Hardee's Gateway Drags III                              
Gateway International Raceway    Madison, Illinois

Sep. 10-11   ADRL Flowmaster Dragstock VII                          
Rockingham Dragway               Rockingham, North Carolina

Sep. 24-25   ADRL Ohio Drags IV                                                 
Summit Motorsports Park          Norwalk, Ohio

Oct. 22-23   LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals VI      
Texas Motorplex                  Ennis, Texas