Taylor Eyes 3.50s In PX, One of Major Storylines for Simpson Dragstock

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Frankie Taylor has heard the talk and the Pro Extreme driver has no plans of surrounding his E.T. world record in the ADRL’s fastest class.In fact, Taylor hopes he is headed to uncharted territory at this weekend’s Simpson Dragstock VII at Rockingham Dragway.“Everybody keeps predicting 3.50-something runs for Rockingham and I hope it’s us,” said Taylor, who owns the current record at 3.607. “A five on that second number would be cool, but there’s a lot of cars that can do it.“Who knows how fast Jason (Scruggs’) car can go and then you’ve got Josh (Hernandez) and KH (Al-Thani). You would think a few could do it. You could see a couple cars in the 3.50s. That would be pretty cool.”It would certainly make for quite the show at the ADRL’s biggest and most prestigious weekend.It is also one of the top storylines on what should be another incredible racing weekend. Taylor is currently third in the PX standings, but is just 34 points out of first in a loaded class.To get into the 3.50s, Taylor knows he will have to be on his game in what could be the fastest field in PX history.“We’ve got a whole bunch of new stuff coming and hopefully we’ll be fast in Rockingham,” Taylor said. “We want to win, go fast and set a record.”Here are the other top storylines heading into ADRL Simpson Dragstock VII:The Rockingham MystiqueFor a multitude of reasons, this track holds a special place in the ADRL’s heart.It was the first track that caught ADRL fever, as evidenced by the sellout crowd that attended Dragstock III in 2006.Since then, the grandeur and glamour of Dragstock has grown each year and it’s regarded as the top annual spot on the ADRL tour.The fans turn out in droves, creating a magical racing experience that all the drivers pick up on throughout the weekend.“The way Rockingham is designed, you can’t help but see the fans,” Pro Nitrous driver Charles Carpenter said. “When a big crowd is making noise, even as a driver it’s exciting and gets you pumped up. It would be a dream come true to win in front of my home crowd.”It wouldn’t be a special place and a special track without some premier racing and Rockingham has delivered in every single way in that regard.It has played host to numerous record-breaking runs, though - weather permitting - this year could provide the most electrifying moments to date.The ADRL has upped its already standout track preparation and, coupled with Rockingham’s already fast track, it could yield eye-popping times.The new equipment debuted last month at Gateway and even in the heat, all 10 track records were broken, and Chuck Ulsch set a world speed record in Extreme 10.5.Time Running Out For Top Eight SpotDragstock isn’t the final race before the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals VI in October, but only one race separates it.With 2010 producing the best and deepest racing in ADRL history, it might be difficult to make much of a move with just one good showing at the Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags IV on Sept. 24-25.With every class having a number drivers capable of reaching the top eight, those on the outside looking in will need to start their climb this weekend at Dragstock.The beneficiaries of all this are the fans who will get to see excellent racing and drivers leaving everything on the line to either move up in the points race or simply maintain position.Return of Several StandoutsAs if the fields couldn’t get any better, some familiar faces are returning to the ADRL, with some coming back after longer layoffs than others.Jason Hamstra, the 2009 ADRL Rookie of the Year and 2009 Dragstock VI winner, returns in Pro Extreme after a pair of summer crashes kept him out of action for nearly two months.It was a similar two-month absence for Pro Nitrous driver Mike Castellana, who won in April this year. Both have dropped out of the top eight and both will need strong performances to get back in the championship hunt.Two other big names are returning at Dragstock after a much longer break.Jamie Hancock (pictured), a talented young driver who won a 2007 World Championship in Pro Nitrous, is back with a new Firebird, while Matt Smith, a former Pro Stock Motorcycle champion, is making his second ADRL appearance in PXM with a sharp new bike.Also debuting a new car in Pro Nitrous is Mike Hill, who will look to make some noise in Rockingham.Without question, the field at Dragstock VII will be one of the best in ADRL history.A Fourth - and Final - Member of the Mickey Thompson 3-Second Club?This could be as good a time as any for that fourth member to join this elite club in Extreme 10.5 and it certainly seems as though several drivers are knocking on the door.With the exclusive membership already featuring Spiro Pappas, Gary White and Todd Moyer, will the last member join the club this weekend?Jeff Naiser is right on the cusp after breaking the 3-second mark in testing, while others like Billy Glidden and even Dan Millen, who has shown tremendous potential in his new car, could also do it.Could this also be where Pappas, the 2009 World Champion, really turns it on? After some summer struggles, Pappas has pointed to the fall as his time to turn heads, going so far as to state his goal was to run 3.79 before the year is out.Will Dragstock mark Pappas’ first step towards that goal?Can Anyone Catch Ashley Owens in Pro Extreme Motorcycle?Minus a Travis Davis win in July, the answer has been a resounding no. Owens has won six of seven events during the 2010 calendar year and holds a massive points lead, but Pro Extreme Motorcycle will be must-see action this weekend for a variety of reasons.First, Owens and his Fast by Gast are planning to debut a new engine design they hope continues to keep everyone at bay.The rest of the field, though, appears to be closing and it will be interesting to see how Matt Smith does in PXM in his return.Another driver who appears on the fast track to success is Billy Vose, who ran three 4.17 times at Gateway with a new big-engine GS engine.“I know the power is there,” Vose said. “Hopefully we can get some stuff worked out.”Will Someone Top Montecalvo and Gahm in Extreme Pro Stock?Nobody has been able to do it since April, as they’ve won the past six races in the tight class.It hasn’t made either runaway favorites in the class, but surely someone else would like a share of the spotlight.Gahm, for one, isn’t ready to relent it, however.“We’re going to see if we have a little something extra for everyone at Rockingham,” Gahm said.Who Will Make The Biggest Jump in Pro Nitrous?A total of 15 drivers still appear in contention for the “Battle For The Belts,” which is something no other ADRL class can match.The list outside the top eight - Steve Vick, Mike Castellana, Lee Adkins Jr., Stan Allen, Doug Riesterer, Dan Stevenson and Khalid Al-Balooshi - reads like a who’s who list for PN, yet none are assured World Championship spots.Castellana, Al-Balooshi and Adkins all have wins this year, Riesterer was a No. 1 qualifier, Stevenson is extremely talented, Allen is a seasoned veteran and Vick is primed for a big weekend at his hometown track.It should make for an incredibly competitive two-day stretch in Pro Nitrous.

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