Separately, the FLOWMASTER American Drag Racing League and the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge presented by TLR have provided Pro Mod fans with a 2005 season full of groundbreaking developments and record-setting performances. This weekend at No Problem Raceway, both series will try to continue those trends while sharing the same track.

The first-year ADRL and the fifth-year Pro Mod Challenge will compete side-by-side Friday and Saturday at the inaugural Torco Gear Summer Drags presented by Ambrose Printing. The event is the third of six on the ADRL schedule and the ninth of 14 for drivers on the AMS/TLR tour.

The Torco Gear Summer Drags gets under way Friday with testing for all entries. Later that night, the AMS/TLR series will begin formal competition with qualifying sessions at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

On Saturday, both series will shift into high gear: ADRL qualifying for the Pro Extreme and Pro Nitrous categories begins at noon, the Pro Mod Challenge entries have a final qualifying pass at 3 p.m., and eliminations in all classes begin at 6 p.m. The ADRL classes will compete at an eighth-mile distance, while the AMS/TLR cars will run to the quarter-mile.

Both series will have their television partners on hand to record the action. The Men's Channel will have crews recording footage for Adrenaline: The Series, while ESPN2 will have cameras at the track for the Pro Mod Challenge action.

Entering the event, John Lynam (Pro Extreme) (shown above) and Shannon Jenkins (Pro Nitrous) lead the ADRL points standings, and Mike Ashley is way out in front of the pack in the Pro Mod Challenge standings. Three drivers are ranked in the top 10 in both sanctioning bodies: Troy Critchley (fourth in both Pro Extreme and Pro Mod Challenge), Joshua Hernandez (fifth in the same categories), and Thomas Patterson (seventh in the Pro Mod Challenge, ninth in Pro Extreme). (Ian Tocher photo) [7-8-2005]

NITRO NEWS AND NOTES

Ashley Force reportedly made a hard 300ft squirt in Dad’s FC while Force was doing his annual Funny Car extravaganza at Norwalk Raceway Park for Bill Bader. Force and friends packed ‘em in as usual. Speaking of Force, evidently NHRA’s Ray Alley at last report still wasn’t happy with the design of Force’s new Mustang body and reports have it that Forces’ sponsor Fomoco is none too happy that the new Mustang body isn’t being run by Force yet. [7-8-2005]

GONE FISHIN’

The Agent hears that Lee Beard is in no hurry to resume his duties as an NHRA nitro crew chief and is currently doing a little trout fishing. One of Agent 1320's sources says that when or if the Vandergriff/UPS Top Fuel deal happens Beard is in line for that job. The Agent got a note from one of his operatives saying that former IHRA Funny Car World Champ Scott Weney is looking for a Top Fuel ride for next season. [7-8-2005]

SNAKE & MONGOOSE AT IT AGAIN

Drag racing pioneers Don "the Snake" Prudhomme and Tom "the Mongoose" McEwen will be guests on the popular motor sports television show Wind Tunnel on Sunday, July 10. The show, hosted by Dave Despain, airs from 9-11 p.m. (ET) on Speed. Prudhomme and McEwen, who will be live from the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif., will discuss the 35th anniversary of their partnership with Mattel and its Hot Wheels brand. To join the show, fans can phone in at (866) W-TUNNEL or e-mail at windtunnel@speedtv.com. [7-8-2005]