2010 Year In Review: Extreme Pro Stock & Pro Extreme Motorcycle

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With 2011 right around the corner, it’s always exciting to look back on the year that was.In the American Drag Racing League (ADRL), the sixth season in the world’s premier eighth-mile racing series provides plenty of thrilling moments, record runs and memorable celebrations.Before 2011 gets here, this is the perfect time to take a lot at some of the top moments from each class, setting the stage for the 2011 ADRL Tour, which begins in March in Baytown, Texas.TODAY: Extreme Pro Stock and Pro Extreme MotorcycleTHURSDAY: Extreme 10.5 and Pro NitrousFRIDAY: Pro Extreme and Pro Junior DragsterExtreme Pro Stock1. Drag Race To Remember: One of the closest classes in the ADRL saved its best for last. Pete Berner and John Montecalvo matched up in the finals of the “Battle For The Belts” and both ended up running an identical 4.071 in the race. Montecalvo was slightly better at the start, giving him the 2010 World Championship, but this awesome run embodied a year full of them in this great class.2. Montecalvo’s Year: Montecalvo’s year ended with a bang, but the rest of it wasn’t too shabby, either. Despite not being a fan of racing in warm weather before 2010, Montecalvo won four straight races in the summer, offering up one memorable performance after another. He struggled in the early fall, but the magic returned for Montecalvo to claim his world title.3. Goforth’s Double-Double: Cary Goforth’s year didn’t end like he had hoped, but there was still plenty to celebrate, including an impressive weekend in Norwalk. Goforth won the rain-delayed Dragstock and Ohio Drags over the course of two days, giving him the points title heading into the “Battle For The Belts.” Throw in the E.T. and speed records he set earlier in the year and Goforth crossed off plenty on his to-do list in 2010.4. Gahm Still Good As Ever: The winningest driver in the class had another magnificent season, winning twice and advancing to the semifinals of the “Battle For The Belts.” He also had several memorable duels with Montecalvo in some of the best drag races of the XPS season.5. Young Drivers Jump Into Fold: The veterans in this class certainly had their say, but there’s also a promising young crop of drivers in XPS, which made this class even more competitive in 2010. Goforth was already mentioned, but Cale Aronson came on strong to end the year, advancing to two finals. Others like Steven Boone, who won his first ADRL race in 2010, and Trevor Eman proved this class will be deeper than ever in 2011.Pro Extreme Motorcycle1. The Upset Heard Around the Drag Racing World: Kim Morrell is still smiling after this one, which left more than a few people doing a double take. Morrell wasn’t running at 100 percent heading into the finals matchup with Ashley Owens, by far the most dominant driver in the ADRL in 2010, but Owens broke and Morrell was left celebrating in one of the most amazing moments of the 2010 ADRL season.2. Owens’ Year For The Ages: It ended with a thud, but there’s no denying how incredible Owens was in 2010 and especially the 2010 calendar year. He was a walking record book, re-setting both the speed and E.T. record multiple times before ending the year with a 4.02. Owens also racked up an amazing eight wins, most of them coming in extremely dominant fashion. Expect the soft-spoken driver to be even more motivated in 2011.3. Upset, Part II: Of course, when you’re as dominant as Owens, the times you do lose become as big of headlines as the wins. Travis Davis found a way in July, upsetting Owens during eliminations in Baytown. Davis didn’t stop there, either, as he cruised to the victory. With it, he joined Scott Gray as the only other person not named Owens to win an ADRL event in 2010.4. Quick Fields: Owens led the charge with remarkable times, but the rest of the field didn’t stand pat. Morrell delivered a 4.02 at Texas Motorplex in October and others in the talented class followed with great times as well. Three of the top five quickest fields came in 2010, including the quickest in ADRL history, a 4.28 in Virginia.5. Hunnicutt, Schweigert Break Through: The wait proved plenty worth it for Terry Schweigert and Rob Hunnicutt as both picked up their first career ADRL victories by winning events in the Arabian Drag Racing League in Qatar in December. Schweigert set a track record with his 4.14 in the finals, while Hunnicutt won two straight races to put him on cloud nine. (Photos by ADRL/Richards)

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