Five Impressions Following the ADRL UTI Inaugural Texas Drags

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After a memorable two-day stretch that saw both the ADRL UTI Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen and the UTI Inaugural Texas Drags get completed, there was plenty that left an impression.But there was also plenty that we learned along the way as the ADRL reached the midway point of its season. Here’s The Top Five Things We Learned at Houston Raceway Park in preparation for the ADRL Hardee’s Gateway Drags III from Gateway International Raceway on August 6-7:Joshua Hernandez Might Be The One To Beat In Pro Extreme This is hardly breaking news, since he’s the winningest driver in the class.But of all the talented drivers in arguably the ADRL’s deepest class, Hernandez has made the most noise in the past two months.In that four-race span, Hernandez has won two races, finished runner-up in another and advanced to the semifinals in the fourth.His performance on Saturday was a site to behold, running near-perfect races on a memorable day, including going a 3.72 in the finals in front of his hometown crowd.Pro Nitrous Is Up For Grabs:Rickie Smith made a big move with two wins in two days, but only one other driver - Mike Castallana - has a win in the top eight.Shannon Jenkins and Lee Adkins, who have the other two wins since May, sit 10th and 12th, respectively, meaning nobody has taken control of the class.Smith did his part in Houston, posting a 3.90 in the finals on Saturday, but there’s an entire host of names that could be in that position in two weeks in St. Louis.Billy Glidden Is As Resilient As They ComeA question was posed to the standout Extreme 10.5 driver as he tried to wipe the smile off his face in the winner’s circle:If someone had told you in three weeks that, after a crash that had you pondering your immediate racing future, you would win two races in two days, what would have been your response?“Not very likely,” Glidden said bluntly. “These are some serious programs we’re going against.”It seemed almost unfathomable that Glidden would return so soon, but those that doubt Glidden, who now has 11 career XTF wins, should know better.As last weekend proved, he always seems to find a way.Ashley Owens Might Be Beatable, But He’s Still Pretty GoodAshley Owens finally lost in Pro Extreme Motorcycle.But if it takes losing two transmissions in three passes to do it, well Owens might still be looked at as untouchable.Even after all the mishaps, Owens came back to post incredible numbers in an incredible PXM field in Houston.It was the second-fastest field in ADRL history, yet Owens seemed in total control on Saturday, running consecutive times of 4.13 to deny Travis Davis of two wins in two days.Even after all that, Owens remained as stoic as ever in describing the early troubles. But Fast by Gast owner Paul Gast didn’t hold back.“It’s awesome,” Gast said. “My hats off to him.”Montecalvo Winning Under Any CircumstancesThe track temperature approached 155 degrees on Saturday, which isn’t the most ideal in the eyes of Extreme Pro Stock driver John Montecalvo. It didn’t seem to bother him, though, as he won twice, was the top qualifier and extended his winning streak to three.“Although I don’t always enjoy racing in hot weather, it sure worked out well for us this weekend,” Montecalvo said. “If the next double header turns out anything like this one, we won’t complain a bit.”The most impressive part of this?Montecalvo’s ability to get better as the day goes on. It happened in Michigan and again in Houston.As eliminations progressed, Montecalvo and his team were more unbeatable. They were spot on with every call and Montecalvo ended up going a weekend-best 4.11 in the finals on Saturday.

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