O'FALLON, MO (June 24, 2011) – Top Sportsman is now an official class in the American Drag Racing League (ADRL).
Due to the overwhelming response from racers and fans following two exhibition races in the ADRL, the world's premier eighth-mile drag racing league announced on Thursday that it will add a full, 16-car qualifying field to its thrilling and fast-paced racing program.
There will be open participation for those interested and the 16-car qualifying field will begin at the ADRL's next event, the Ford Drive One Summer Drags VII, which takes place July 15-16 at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich.
The ADRL also announced the purse for Top Sportsman. The winner at each event will receive $2,000, with the runner-up earning $1,000. Semifinalists earn $500, quarterfinalist will get $400 and first-round qualifiers will earn $300.
"We were blown away at the tremendous response we received from Top Sportsman drivers who expressed such great interest in racing in the ADRL, and we are elated to be adding them as an official class," ADRL Director of Competition Tom Grooms said.
"Our fans have already shown they love the diversity it brings to our program and expanding the field will only add to that. I can't wait to showcase a full field of these talented drivers and cars to our fans."
After four-car and six-car exhibitions were held at the two most recent ADRL races, the fifth stop on the 2011 ADRL Tour will go a step further as Top Sportsman becomes the seventh official class in the ADRL (joining Pro Extreme, Pro Nitrous, Extreme 10.5, Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Extreme Pro Stock and Pro Junior Dragster).
The Top Sportsman class, a longtime popular class for full-bodied cars, has received strong praise and a terrific response from fans and ADRL officials at the past two races, adding even more fast-paced action to the ADRL's two-day show.
The drivers at each event have also enjoyed the experience of racing at an ADRL national event.
"There's a lot of really good Top Sportsman cars around and the ADRL is now a top place for these cars to race," said Top Sportsman racer Tyler Hard, who competed in the four-car exhibition at Maple Grove Raceway. "It does provide more great racing for the fans, too. This is going to be exciting for our class and for the ADRL."
For those interested in being part of the field at the Ford Drive One Summer Drags VII, they must pre-register by contacting ADRL Director of Technical Services Chris Bell at chris@adrl.us.
