Anatomy of a Championship: Pro Extreme

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The Pro Extreme class had it all for the Speedtech “Battle For The Belts” at the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals VI in Ennis, Texas.You had friends meeting up in round one, teammates facing off in the first round, two standouts (including one world champion) trying just to get into the field and a number of Texas natives hoping to win at Texas Motorplex.This class was certainly loaded and it was must-see racing in Ennis, much like it had been all year in this remarkable division.But Frankie Taylor rose to the top, as his hot streak late in the season ended with him winning his first ADRL World Championship.Here is how it all went down:FIRST ROUNDQuain Stott beat Jason Scruggs in the race-in matchup, going 3.79 to oust the two-time World Champion. That these two talented drivers were in the race-in matchup should tell everyone how loaded this field was.Stott carried that momentum to a first-round win against No. 2 seed Alex Hossler, who struggled in his two previous qualifying passes as well. Stott went 3.71 in a strong performance. But he gave up lane choice to Taylor, who went 3.65 in his much-anticipated matchup against friend and rival Gaylen Smith.Joshua Hernandez (pictured) went an impressive 3.71 in his solo run and got lane choice against rival KH Al-Thani, who beat teammate Todd Tutterow after the 2009 World Champion had to shut off after the burnout.SEMIFINALSAfter his own share of problems against Tutterow, Al-Thani had some more difficulty with his car against Hernandez. Al-Thani cut a great .008 light, but Hernandez took control of the race by 150 feet, finishing with a 3.72 to advance to the finals.Taylor continued his consistent performance, knocking out Stott, whose good day ended in the semifinals. Stott was quicker off the line, but didn’t have the power to match Taylor, who went an impressive 3.64 at 208.59 miles per hour. The strong run also gives him lane choice against his fellow Houston-area native in the final.FINALSTaylor saved his best for last, running the best pass of the day in the finals. Taylor went 3.621 at 209.98 mph, both of which are incredible especially considering what was at stake in the race.Hernandez had a solid .012 reaction time for the early lead, but he again had to settle for second place in the “Battle For The Belts” after going 3.82.After becoming the quickest man in the ADRL earlier this year, Taylor finished his 2010 season as World Champion as well.(Photos by ADRL/Richards)

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