2010 Year In Review: Pro Extreme & Pro Junior Dragster

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The final look back at 2010 in the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) leads us to Pro Extreme and Pro Junior Dragster.These two unique and thrilling divisions created plenty of worthwhile memories in the ADRL’s sixth season, providing numerous special moments, record runs and memorable celebrations.Before 2011 gets here, this is the perfect time to take a look at some of the top moments from Pro Extreme and Pro Junior Dragster. It also sets the stage perfectly for the 2011 ADRL Tour, which begins in March in Baytown, Texas.Pro Extreme1. Taylor Time: Frankie Taylor will be telling his friends - and anyone else willing to listen - about 2010 for years to come. Taylor broke and then re-set the E.T. world record, becoming the quickest doorslammer in the world with a 3.596 in September. He also won at his home track, winning Dragpalooza in Baytown, Texas in July. But it was all capped off with a magical day at Texas Motorplex, as Taylor knocked off friend and rival Gaylen Smith, Quain Stott and Joshua Hernandez to win the “Battle For The Belts” in the ADRL’s biggest and baddest division. 2. In With A Bang: KH Al-Thani didn’t wait long to leave a lasting impression in Pro Extreme. After proving his racing mettle in Qatar, Al-Thani delivered quickly in his debut on American soil. In just his second ADRL event, Al-Thani won by defeating Joshua Hernandez in the final. He followed it up months later by winning the Gateway Drags in August, doing it in front of Al-Anabi Racing teammates Larry Dixon and Del Worsham. 3. Hernandez Comes Oh So Close: Joshua Hernandez was as ready as he’s ever been to win a World Championship for the first time in his storied ADRL career. It wasn’t to be as he lost to Taylor in the finals, but Hernandez had a summer to remember, winning twice in two months just after debuting a major sponsor. That sponsor will be Bahrain Racing in 2011 and Hernandez will be just as dangerous.4. Plenty of Parity: To be certain, this class was loaded in 2010. Seven different drivers won an event and only three - Hernandez, Al-Thani and Alex Hossler - won twice. To show how strong this class was, two-time World Champion Jason Scruggs slipped all the way to eighth in the points standings. It might have been nerve-wracking for the drivers but it made for incredible racing on the track. With the likes of J.R. Todd, Matt Smith and Rickie Smith coming in 2011, things should get even more competitive if that’s possible.5. Now That’s Quick: There was a time in Pro Extreme where going a 3.795 would turn heads. At the Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags in September, all that got you was a No. 16 qualifying spot. It’s simply another sign of how quick this class has gotten in such little time and it also set the PX record for the quickest field in ADRL history. Taylor set his record mark just weeks earlier, but the weekend in Norwalk proved that nobody is standing still in this loaded class.Pro Junior Dragster1. Allen Shines When It Counts: Tyler Allen ignored the pressure and simply performed. Allen was locked in and nobody could top him at Texas Motorplex, giving Allen his first World Championship.2. Girl Power: Morgan Benfield had a record-breaking year in many respects, becoming the first PJD driver in ADRL history to win three races in one year, capping it off with a victory at the Ohio Drags in September.3. Oppen Thrills, Wins: As the finals at the Gateway Drags were about to start, Alexander Oppen did a backflip near the starting line that delighted the crowd. He then went out and won in the finals, which might have been reason enough for another flip.4. Father-Son Moment: Ty and Todd Tutterow were both in the Dragstock finals and Ty started the family winnings by coming up victorious in Pro Junior Dragster. His father won minutes later on what was a memorable night for the family.5. Staying Strong: Justin Penton-Shaulis won Dragpalooza but he remains an inspiration after being diagnosed with cancer in 2006. He has been in remission since 2007 and he appears to be on the road to a clean bill of health.(Photos by ADRL/Richards)

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