We’re about set to get started here at Heartland Park Topeka for the ADRL Hardee’s Independence Drags IV in Topeka, KS.We have beautiful weather and the outlook seems good for the weekend. Here’s a brief preview to get everyone up to speed for this weekend’s event.Also, don’t forget to tune in to live online video coverage, presented this weekend free of charge by LenMar Motorsports, live at
www.ADRL.us. This year’s race is the fifth of 10 national events this season and the ADRL is looking forward to replicating the energetic atmosphere the race fans of Kansas helped create in 2009.Last year, Heartland Park featured the completion of the Ford Drive One Summer Drags V on Friday after it had been postponed in Martin, MI, before fans were treated to wins for the Independence Drags a night later.The winners last year included Mike Janis in Pro Extreme, Shannon Jenkins in Pro Nitrous, Billy Glidden in Extreme 10.5, Scott Gray in Pro Extreme Motorcycle and Elijah Morton in Extreme Pro Stock.Janis and Morton got their first career wins at last year’s race, while Jenkins was a double-winner, winning the Summer Drags on Friday and the Independence Drags a day later.This year, the ADRL is expecting even more excitement in each of the five (Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Extreme Pro Stock, Extreme 10.5, Pro Nitrous and Pro Extreme) professional eighth-mile drag racing classes plus the Pro-Junior dragsters.The spectator gates open at 9 a.m. Friday; with the first round of qualifying set to begin at 11 a.m. Friday will feature three qualifying rounds, with a special jet-car and monster truck pass concluding the evening session. An incredible fireworks display will also be a part of the post-race festivities.On Saturday, the final round of qualifying takes place at 11a.m. Final eliminations start at 3 p.m. and fireworks will light up the sky as the ADRL Hardee’s Independence Drags celebrate the event winners and the Independence Holiday on Saturday evening.SCHEDULE (Subject to change; all times local)FRIDAY: Qualifying Round 1 at 11 a.m. (Run order: XPS, PXM, XTF, PN, PX, PJD) Qualifying Round 2 at 2:30 p.m. (Run order: XPS, PXM, XTF, PN, PX, PJD) Pre-Qualifying Ceremonies at 6 p.m. Qualifying Round 3 at 6:15 p.m. (Run order: XPS, PJD, PXM, XTF, PN, PX) Jet Car and Monster Truck run 9:45 p.m. Secure Track 10 p.m. SATURDAY: Qualifying Round 4 at 9 a.m. (Run order: XPS, PXM, XTF, PN, PX, PJD); Pre-Race Ceremonies 12:30 p.m. Eliminations Round 1 at 1 p.m. (Run order: XPS, PXM, XTF, PN, PX, PJD) Jet Car and Monster Truck run 6 p.m. ADRL Winner’s Circle Party 6:15 p.m. Secure Event 7 p.m.TICKETS: Complimentary in-advance general admission tickets distributed locally. Tickets on sale both days at track. Friday Adult $20; Kids 6-12 $5; Saturday Adult $30; Kids 6-12 $5; Full Event Pass Adult $50; Kids 6-12 $10; All Kids Under 6 Free; General Parking $20; RV Parking Weekend $150. All tickets include ADRL VIP pit pass.
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