Words and photos by Ian Tocher

uilding on the success of its inaugural Dragstock event last fall, the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League (ADRL) rolled into Hattiesburg, MS, Feb. 25-27, for its first of six Outlaw Pro Mod shows this season. Qualifying and Quick 8 eliminations were completed on Saturday in the series' Pro Nitrous and Pro Extreme (blower) classes, but Mother Nature prevailed on Sunday, washing away the ADRL's unique team competition that brings together both classes for a non-elimination three-round show.

Proving his number-one status was no fluke at Dragstock, Beaufort, SC's John Lynam again nailed down the top spot in Pro Extreme qualifying with a 4.038-second pass at 182.50 mph in team owner John McGrady's 1963 Lil' Red Corvette. Eddie Ware rounded out the eight-car field with a 4.180/169.88 combination in his '41 Willys, barely edging out the 4.182 Bil Clanton ran in his '53 Studebaker. Other notables on the DNQ list included Doug Palmer, Roy Hill, Troy Coughlin, Scott Cannon, Zach Barklage, and reigning NHRA Pro Mod champion Mike Ashley.

In Pro Nitrous qualifying, Rickie Smith was the clear class of the field, ripping off a 4.212-second lap at 176.10, followed by Johnny Pilcher at 4.457 and 166.28 mph. Only 10 nitrous entries made qualifying attempts, but Justin Bankston crashed his 2003 Corvette and Rex Kelley suffered driveshaft failure in his '63 'Vette, which allowed everyone else to fill out the field.