BAYTOWN, TEXAS (March 24, 2011) – A day before the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) kicked off its 2011 season, the world's premier eighth-mile drag racing league honored its 2010 World Champions.
The ADRL held its Racer Appreciation and Awards Gala on Thursday at the Tower Club at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas, recognizing its 2010 champions as well as handing out a trio of special awards on the eve of Friday's 2011 season-opener, CarSafe Dragpalooza VII presented by LenMar Motorsports.
ADRL television personality Bret Kepner hosted the event that trumpeted the 2010 "Battle For The Belts" winners and also announced the winners for Driver of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Track of the Year.
With a record eight wins during the 2010 season, Pro Extreme Motorcycle standout Ashley Owens was the obvious choice for Driver of the Year, drawing huge applause from the crowd at the Tower Club.
Owens also set class records of 4.02 and 178.21 miles per hour during an incredible 2010 season.
"I have the easy part. I just have to sit on the bike and ride," Owens said. "The (Fast by Gast) team provides me with the best equipment available. Last year was the best year in racing I've ever had."
Earning Rookie of the Year honors was Pro Extreme driver Mick Snyder, who won the Ohio Drags late in the winner and impressed in big ways at the tail end of his first year in the ADRL.
The award came as a surprise to Snyder, but it will likely only add to his motivation for 2011.
"I really didn't think I would be standing up here," Snyder said. "Everything about driving a Pro Extreme car is different than what I'm used to, but things really came around.
"I hope I can have even more fun this coming season."
With its spacious and beautiful facility, Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Oh. earned Track of the Year honors.
Also getting recognized were 2010 World Champions, as Tyler Allen (Pro Junior Dragster), John Montecalvo (Extreme Pro Stock), Kim Morrell (Pro Extreme Motorcycle), Dan Millen (Extreme 10.5), Burton Auxier (Pro Nitrous) and Frankie Taylor (Pro Extreme).
In addition to their World Championship belts, each was presented with a World Championship ring.
The ADRL held its Racer Appreciation and Awards Gala on Thursday at the Tower Club at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas, recognizing its 2010 champions as well as handing out a trio of special awards on the eve of Friday's 2011 season-opener, CarSafe Dragpalooza VII presented by LenMar Motorsports.
ADRL television personality Bret Kepner hosted the event that trumpeted the 2010 "Battle For The Belts" winners and also announced the winners for Driver of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Track of the Year.
With a record eight wins during the 2010 season, Pro Extreme Motorcycle standout Ashley Owens was the obvious choice for Driver of the Year, drawing huge applause from the crowd at the Tower Club.
Owens also set class records of 4.02 and 178.21 miles per hour during an incredible 2010 season.
"I have the easy part. I just have to sit on the bike and ride," Owens said. "The (Fast by Gast) team provides me with the best equipment available. Last year was the best year in racing I've ever had."
Earning Rookie of the Year honors was Pro Extreme driver Mick Snyder, who won the Ohio Drags late in the winner and impressed in big ways at the tail end of his first year in the ADRL.
The award came as a surprise to Snyder, but it will likely only add to his motivation for 2011.
"I really didn't think I would be standing up here," Snyder said. "Everything about driving a Pro Extreme car is different than what I'm used to, but things really came around.
"I hope I can have even more fun this coming season."
With its spacious and beautiful facility, Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Oh. earned Track of the Year honors.
Also getting recognized were 2010 World Champions, as Tyler Allen (Pro Junior Dragster), John Montecalvo (Extreme Pro Stock), Kim Morrell (Pro Extreme Motorcycle), Dan Millen (Extreme 10.5), Burton Auxier (Pro Nitrous) and Frankie Taylor (Pro Extreme).
In addition to their World Championship belts, each was presented with a World Championship ring.
