Top Storylines for the ADRL Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags IV, Sept. 24-25

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The more they thought about it, the more Ashley Owens and Paul Gast considered the potential for his Pro Extreme Motorcycle bike, which debuted a new engine at Dragstock VII two weeks ago.It immediately made an impression, as Owens went 4.022 to set another benchmark in his magnificent season. He can back up the time for a new E.T. record at this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags IV at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH, and Gast is already pondering the possibilities.“That was only the third run on the motor,” Gast said. “We put on a new exhaust system and worked on a chassis a little, too. We knew it was going to be fast, but not a 4.02.”That got Owens and the Fast by Gast owner thinking: Would a 3-second pass be possible?It certainly seems that way after Owens torched the eighth-mile in 4.022 on just the third pass in a new motor.The PXM standout can add to his 2010 win total (6) and his points lead this weekend, which will feature the finish of Dragstock on Friday and the Ohio Drags finals on Saturday.None of it, though, will play too heavily in Owens’ mind, which shouldn’t shock anyone. The laid-back rider has pushed aside any pressure during his banner year.“When I’m on the bike, that’s when I’m most relaxed,” Owens said. “Once I crank about the bike, I’m not thinking about anything. The most relaxed I’ll get it is when I’m out there on the bike.”Owens will be in the spotlight this weekend, but he won’t be alone at the ADRL’s final stop before the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals VI.Here are the other top storylines heading into the ADRL Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags IV:1. One More Two-StepThis has become almost routine for the ADRL since July thanks to inclement weather. This weekend will mark the third double-race weekend in two months after ADRL drivers went through similar situations at Houston Raceway Park (Dragpalooza and the Texas Drags) and Gateway International Raceway (Independence Drags and Gateway Drags).But the completion of Dragstock and the Ohio Drags will be the biggest double race of them all, considering where it comes in the season.Double-race winners this year include Rickie Smith (pictured, Pro Nitrous), Billy Glidden (Extreme 10.5), Ashley Owens (Pro Extreme Motorcycle) and John Montecalvo (Extreme Pro Stock).The piece of good news is this weekend in Norwalk will be much cooler than the previous two double-race weekends. But that might be of little solace in what will be a grueling weekend.2. Last Chance For A Top Eight SpotThis was the last race before October’s LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals VI regardless, but it’s going to be even more intense considering Dragstock VII has to be completed on Friday.The race for eighth - and a spot in the Speedtech “Battle For The Belts” - is still up for grabs in every class, meaning there’s going to be plenty of celebration and plenty of heartbreak this weekend.3. More Records To Fall?Owens will have his chance in PXM, but he won’t be alone in getting his chance to set new marks after a record-breaking Dragstock. Should Rickie Jones race in Extreme Pro Stock, he’ll have a chance to back up his fastest speed pass (179.59 miles per hour). Also, what will ADRL drivers to for an encore at what will surely be a fast track in Norwalk?Will Frankie Taylor lower his E.T. record in Pro Extreme? Could there be a 200 mph run in Pro Nitrous after Shannon Jenkins came close in Rockingham?It should be exciting to watch and makes for one more interesting layer for the weekend.4. What Will Happen Next In Extreme 10.5?It’s been a wild 2-month stretch for Extreme 10.5. Consider this: Glidden’s win at the UTI Texas Drags started a stretch of wins by three different drivers in three events. But that’s only the start of it.Chuck Ulsch set a new world speed record (206.35 miles per hour) at the Gateway Drags, and Dan Millen followed that by setting a new E.T. world record (3.858) and becoming the final member of the Mickey Thompson 3-Second Club at Rockingham.That’s not even including a win by points leader Gary White, Jeff Naiser breaking the 3-second mark in testing, Todd Moyer’s usual strong race and Spiro Pappas openly hoping to go 3.79 by the end of the year.All of it comes to a head in Norwalk, while Millen will also try to top his records at Rockingham by cracking the top eight in the class.“We need points like it’s nobody’s business,” said Millen, who is currently in 11th.5. The Race For First In Pro ExtremeIt isn’t the end goal, but finishing atop the points in Pro Extreme would certainly be a feather in the cap to whoever can accomplish it.Right now, Alex Hossler is just 16 points behind leader Joshua Hernandez (pictured), while red-hot Frankie Taylor is a mere 34 points behind Hernandez.The PX points leader shook off some recent struggles by qualifying second at Dragstock, but he’ll have to be on his game to ward off Hossler and Taylor, who went a record 3.596 in Rockingham.“We’ll be ready to go in Ohio,” Hernandez said.Others in the mix for the top spot in the ADRL’s biggest class include KH Al-Thani and Gaylen Smith.Other Things to Watch: With a new E.T. record to his credit and a recent win at the Gateway Drags, has Shannon Jenkins suddenly become the man to beat in Pro Nitrous? Can he catch Rickie Smith for the top points spot this weekend?Will Brian Gahm be able to continue his hot streak in Extreme Pro Stock and go into the finals as the points leader?Is a 3-Second pass possible in XPS if the weather cooperates this weekend?

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