O’FALLON, MO (Aug. 28, 2009) — The National Guard American Drag Racing League (ADRL) is pleased to announce that Goforth Racing’s two-car Extreme Pro Stock (XPS) team has chosen to finish its 2009 National Guard ADRL season with appearances at both remaining ADRL races: Sept. 11-12, in Rockingham, North Carolina, and Oct. 23-24, at Ennis, Texas.
Dean Goforth, the most recent XPS winner on the ’09 National Guard ADRL Tour, and son, Cary, both from Holdenville, Oklahoma, have competed in both the National Guard ADRL Extreme Pro Stock and IHRA Pro Stock classes this year, but with both series racing on the same weekends as the year winds down, a decision had to be reached.
“We knew this day was coming six months ago and it was a very hard one to make, but we had to do what’s best for our team,” Cary Goforth stressed. “We looked at where we are in the points for each series, evaluated different scenarios and to be honest, this is the only choice that makes sense.
“Right now I’m in third place with the IHRA and mathematically I still have a chance, but realistically, Frank Gugliotta (in first place) would have to fall off the face of the earth for me to win. On the other hand, the way the ADRL is structured with the top eight in points getting to race each other for the championship, we currently have both cars in and once that race starts anybody can win it all,” Goforth explained.
“So, we can go where one car has a slim chance to win for no purse, or we can go where both cars have a decent chance to win a sizable purse, so obviously that’s important, too,” he continued. “I know this is a decision that will be popular with some people and not with others, but the way things are structured we fell like it’s the only one that makes sense.”
Goforth stressed that crewmembers for both team cars were consulted in a round-table discussion this past weekend during the National Guard ADRL’s most recent event at Hebron, Ohio, and extensive talks with both car’s crew chiefs led up to their decision, too.
“We all really appreciate the way the ADRL treats its racers. I mean, name me one other sanctioning body where the president and the competition director comes up to you at every single race, often more than once, and tells you how much they appreciate you showing up,” Goforth said. “I mean, that’s just a little whipped cream on your pumpkin pie right there.”
When informed of the Goforths decision to continue going after the Extreme Pro Stock world championship, National Guard ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling said he was “thrilled” and encouraged by the news.
“The Goforths have been a big part of the Extreme Pro Stock class from the time we introduced it as a special two-race exhibition last year, so I couldn’t be happier to hear this. I think it really validates our belief that the racer always comes first. Of course I think they made the right choice and I’m looking forward to seeing Cary defend his Dragstock win from Rockingham last year and Dean going after another National Guard ADRL event win,” Nowling said.
“I also think they both have an excellent shot at winning the inaugural Extreme Pro Stock championship in the Speedtech Battle for the Belts if they can stay in the top eight after we leave North Carolina. Their presence is going to make for an even more exciting finish to the year.”
Goforth emphasized that both Goforth team cars will be attending the IHRA President’s Cup Nationals at Budd’s Creek, Maryland, Sept. 25-27, where he is qualified for a special, eight-car shootout.
“I hate that we had to make a choice and I wish that next year the racers won’t be put in this position—and I don’t care whose fault it is—by races being scheduled on top of each other,” he said. “I’m looking forward to going after a (National Guard ADRL) world championship, but I still feel bad about the people we’re letting down—and I don’t mean management—I mean the guys we race against out there.”
The 2010 National Guard ADRL Tour schedule is available at http://www.adrl.us/.
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