Proudly, we were one of the first news sources to bring you the inside story on the ADRL allowing injected, nitro-powered Pro Mods at their races. When the story broke and news came that cars were being built everything seemed right with the world. See our reports one, two, and three.
The ADRL took extra precautions with respect to the nitro cars, only allowing approved teams to run the setup, minimizing the risk of handling and operational mistakes that could lead to injuries.
Then the weirdness started. When the NHRA dropped the allowed percentage of nitro in their injected dragsters, the ADRL moved in lockstep to keep the NHRA happy and protect its own recognized status with the NHRA. Rumors began to circulate that the NHRA was not happy at all to have these cars potentially running at tracks that they sanction.
The grumbling surfaced into a full-blown problem for the ADRL a couple of weeks back when the NHRA told the ADRL that the cars would only be allowed to run on a 50-percent load, kneecapping the combo and making it a completely undesirable setup to run because the injected cars need the higher percentage load of nitro to make maximum power.
ADRL president Kenny Nowling came out in the media last week with what is probably the single most incendiary statement from one sanctioning body president to the NHRA in history, claiming that the NHRA’s policies and safety records put them in no position to make judgments that could hurt his organization. You can read that statement here. Long story short, Nowling told the NHRA to go screw themselves and he’d do as he wanted.
Caught in the middle of this fight was the Angel family, owners of the NHRA national event facility that is set to host the ADRL race this weekend in Baytown, Texas. Initially they sided with Nowling and said they would run the race and face the potential consequence of having their sanction and national event pulled by the NHRA.
Cooler heads have prevailed, though, and injected-nitro racer Don Wootton will now run at the required 50-percent load. Apparently the heat got a little more intense that anyone thought it would and the risk outweighed the reward.
The real fun starts when the series races at non-NHRA facilities. Wootton and company will be able to let the thing eat with as much pop as they want.
Today the ADRL released the statement below.
This is one of the most intense and emotionally charged slap fights in the last 30-40 years of drag racing history and it appears to be just cranking up.
Nowling statement in regards to Wootton entry at Safety Kleen Dragpalooza V this weekend
O’FALLON, Mo. – Following several days of speculation and drama surrounding the status of National Guard ADRL Pro Extreme star Don Wootton’s ability to compete with his nitro injected ‘69 Camaro, ADRL officials can now confirm that Wootton will compete at this weekend’s Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza V at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas.
To address the situation, National Guard ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling issued the following statement:
“I want to be very clear, this situation was never about the ADRL vs the NHRA; anyone’s ego or winning or losing. This was simply about our desire to run our company as we see fit as opposed to how a direct competitor sees it should be run.
“In an effort to keep the ownership and management of Houston Raceway Park, the Angel family, from being caught in the middle of something which they had nothing to do with, we will run our event this weekend as always, with a strict adherence to the ADRL rule book which has been amended to reflect that the maximum percentage of nitromethane used by any competitor in Pro Extreme shall be no higher than 50%.
“Our tech staff, along with representatives from National Guard ADRL official fuel supplier VP Race Fuels, will work throughout the weekend to verify that no competitor is in violation of this rule.
“I want to reiterate that this concession is made with regards to the respect for the relationship that the National Guard ADRL has with its partner Houston Raceway Park, and the Angel family, and their subsequent relationship with the National Hot Rod Association.
“I hope for everyone’s sake that an amicable solution can be reached between my staff and the NHRA in the coming weeks so that we can put this all behind us and get back to what we all love, eighth-mile drag racing.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the race teams, sponsor partners and fans who have sent letters, emails and called into the ADRL headquarters in support of our efforts to resolve this situation. Your support during this time will never be forgotten.”
Upon hearing the statement from Nowling, Don Wootton said:
“I’m ecstatic about it. I will abide by ADRL rules without any problems. I can’t wait to get to Baytown. I just wish everyone would relax and let this just happen as it should.
“I just want to race. That’s what I’m here for. I’ve got sponsors that expect me to be in Baytown this weekend and I’m glad to be able to tell them I’m racing.”
Any additional questions regarding this issue should be addressed to National Guard ADRL Vice President of Competition Bubba Corzine at 636.272.2375 or you can reach Corzine on the grounds of Houston Raceway Park this weekend.
