With Runner-Up Finish Behind Him, Hernandez Focused On Future

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In the wake of the championship that just slipped out of his grasp, Joshua Hernandez appeared rather calm and collected over the entire situation.There wasn’t a scowl on his face, he wasn’t throwing things and he wasn’t terse and short with his answers.Instead, he simply offered his congratulations to ADRL Pro Extreme World Champion Frankie Taylor, who beat Hernandez in an all-Texas final of the Speedtech “Battle For The Belts” at Texas Motorplex.If anything, it was a glimpse into just the type of person Hernandez is - competitive as they come but also as classy as they come.“It’s kind of mixed emotions,” Hernandez said. “I really wanted to hold that belt over my head, but those guys deserve it. They definitely picked up their game the second half of the season. “They found that consistency and they’ve been going rounds. They are the guys to beat right now.”In the worst way Hernandez wanted to be the driver who hoisted that belt up in the air after winning, but Taylor was simply remarkable in Ennis, Texas, much like he has been the entire second half of the season.Taylor went 3.62 at 209.98 miles per hour, running down Hernandez, who had a great reaction time at .012 but went 3.82.It was a sour taste to an otherwise brilliant year for Hernandez.After starting slowly, Hernandez was the top driver in the ADRL’s toughest class, winning two races, going to two finals and ending the 2010 regular season as the points leader.It all seemed to add up as a perfect script to a dream ending, which was, of course, a world title.Hernandez has accomplished so much in the class, has been with the ADRL from the start and is one of the league’s most recognizable drivers.But a World Championship has always eluded him, as he twice finished as the runner-up in previous years.This year, he seemed locked in, displaying remarkable focus in the days and hours leading up to the event.Stating that he was tired “of being the bridesmaid,” Hernandez put nearly everything into winning the title in 2010.But even when that World Championship didn’t come against Taylor, Hernandez insisted not all was lost.“What I take away every time is I always learn a little bit,” Hernandez said. “It’s all about evolving and knowing what to do going forward.”Hernandez has plenty of immediate plans, most of which center around going overseas.With a new major sponsorship with Bahrain Racing, Hernandez is excited about the future in his ‘57 Chevy.His trailer and PX car are both getting new wraps, while the entire team is ready to take on the new challenges.“It is like a new beginning,” Hernandez said. “We’ve got a good thing going with this new management and hopefully with a new sponsor and a new wrap we can win a few races.“I’m pumped about it and looking forward to seeing where it will go.”Hernandez is also excited about racing in the Arabian Drag Racing League for the first time. It will make for a busy winter as he will travel back and forth to his Conroe, Texas home between each race, but his competitive juices are already flowing thanks to this year’s strong field of racers.“When I look at last season, some of those guys were running in the mid-60s,” Hernandez said. “It’s some tough competition and there’s some big guns that are going to be over there.”In his sparse free time, Hernandez also plans to explore the scenic land.“I like to travel and see new places, and it’s going to be my first time there,” Hernandez said. “There’s been a lot of development over there and I’ve been told there’s a lot of things to see.”Ultimately, though, Hernandez is already prepping for the 2011 ADRL season.He promises to be as hungry as ever, hoping that elusive chase for a PX World Championship will end once and for all.“I am ready for 2011. I am ready, no doubt about that,” Hernandez said. “I’ve hit the reset button and I’m ready to get started. One of these times, I’m going to catch that bouquet.”(Photos by ADRL/Richards)

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