State Of The Class Address: Pro Nitrous

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One month, two races and eight places up for grabs.That’s what the 2010 ADRL season has come down to after a season filled with world records, incredible hot streaks and plenty of spectacular racing.Only two races remain before the LenMar Motorsports World Finals VI in October, and it’s a perfect time to take a look at each of the ADRL classes and how they stack up heading into “The Battle For The Belts.”Call it the State of the Category Address or call it whatever you like. Either way, these final two races before the world finals - Simpson Dragstock VII at Rockingham Dragway (Sept. 10-11) and the Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags IV (Sept. 24-25) - will feature an abundance of action and excitement before world championships are decided.Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store for this wild finish. TODAY: Pro NitrousMONDAY: Pro ExtremeHOW IT GOT HERERickie Smith (pictured) took hold of the division in late July, winning three straight races over a two-week stretch to take over the points lead.He grabbed the opening that came with nobody dominating early in the year, but even Smith’s run of dominance lasted only two weeks. It was mighty impressive, no doubt, but it seems unlikely someone can take the same hold over the division over, say, the next two months. Shannon Jenkins stopped Smith’s hot streak with a win at the Gateway Drags and has two wins to sit in second place. He’s been arguably the most consistent driver all year, but even he had his troubles at some point.He had a minor scrape in Houston and needed a backup plan in the form of Mike Castellana’s car.Then there’s the Lee Adkins Jr. scenario, which could very well repeat itself with any of the category’s top drivers.Adkins got hot in June, winning the Ford Drive One Summer Drags in Martin, MI to nab his first career ADRL victory.Adkins was the hottest and best driver on that day, which is all that matters in the middle of a racing weekend.The point is anybody is talented enough to do that and replicate Adkins’ feat, even when the stakes are going to be bigger.If Adkins’ run wasn’t evident enough that anyone is capable of winning and performing well, the Gateway Drags were the latest example, though you could probably find one at each race this year.Terry Murphy qualified in the No. 16 position, but he beat top qualifier Jim Halsey - who set the PN world speed record just two weeks earlier - in the first round of eliminations.Murphy was also a finalist in Houston and has jumped to fifth in the standings.Randy Weatherford and Pat Stoken sit in seventh and eighth, respectively, but both had advanced to a final at some point this summer as well.Both were denied their first ADRL wins, but both have proven capable drivers.After Smith and Jenkins, it’s another loaded group in the middle of the top eight with Charles Carpenter, Halsey, Murphy and Burton Auxier.None have wins this year, but all can go rounds and proven to be threats - yes, I know you’re shocked.Carpenter has slumped throughout the hot summer months, but he’s still managed to stay in third and could find his comfort zone again as the weather starts to turn cooler.Halsey went to a final at the double-race weekend in St. Louis, which means he’s just as big a threat as anyone, especially with the world-record speed capability.Things are just as interesting outside of the top eight, too.Race winners Adkins, Mike Castellana and Khalid Al-Balooshi all sit there, meaning they pose a threat to everyone in the class, but they still have work to do.Steve Vick is just 91 points out of the eighth position in a car he calls the best he’s ever had, which is example number, well, you’ve probably lost count, of how good this finish is going to be.Other hopefuls include Stan Allen (pictured), Doug Reisterer and Dan Stevenson, and you get the drift.Hopefuls in this deep class include just about everyone.WHAT LIES AHEADLast year, racing fans were treated to the first all 3-second field in Pro Nitrous, with the countless amazing times coming at Rockingham Dragway.That’s setting the bar high, meaning something great could happen again this year.Vick, for example, knows what’s on the line at his hometown track.He can taste that eighth position, but it also might seem a mile away with a category like this.Vick said as many as 25 cars are good enough to qualify in a field and as many as 12 can fit in the top eight.Unfortunately, 12 won’t make it to the top eight, which will make for some hard-luck losers.Of course, that means strong performances will be necessary in Rockingham, which is why Vick is ready to go.Castellana won at Rockingham Dragway last year, but he hasn’t raced since early July.Halsey and Jenkins - surprise, surprise - have also won at the track, but that doesn’t mean anyone in that group is a shoe-in for the finals this time around.After Rockingham, there’s one last-ditch hope to make a final move, as it’s a quick two-week rest period before a trip to Summit Motorsports Park.Those cooler conditions might be a major advantage for someone like Carpenter, but this isn’t a one-driver field and others will benefit, too.To show how much things have changed since Pro Nitrous went to Summit Motorsports Park, it’s worth looking at the last appearance in 2008 when Jenkins won.Well, that part hasn’t really changed, but the records have. He went 192.91 miles per hour to set a new speed record, but Halsey has since left that in his burnout smoke.Clearly, these guys are good, these guys are fast and there are a lot of them that are good and fast.Whatever happens, don’t be caught napping - the No. 16 qualifier is always capable of a little magic in this class.Tomorrow: A look at Extreme 10.5 heading into the final stretch of the 2010 season

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