The American Drag Racing League (ADRL) returns to the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas, this weekend (Oct. 19-20), for the ADRL World Finals VIII presented by CarSafe. It is the last of 10 races on the 2012 ADRL Tour. As the final race for the 2012 season, world championships will also be decided in every class.
Along with the highly-anticipated and revolutionary new SuperCar Showdown class, all of the ADRL’s professional classes will make compete at Summit Motorsports Park, including Pro Junior Dragster (PJD), Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman (TS), Aeromotive Fuel Systems Pro Modified (PM), Extreme Pro Stock (XPS), Pro Extreme Motorcycle (PXM), Mickey Thompson Extreme 10.5 (XTF), Pro Nitrous (PN) and Pro Extreme (PX), the quickest and fastest full-bodied, doorslammer class in the world.
PRO EXTREME
Mick Snyder
This is going to be a brilliant battle between teammates Mick Snyder and Jason Scruggs. Both have won three events this season and Snyder currently leads Scruggs by a mere six points. With such a close points race, there are plenty of ways for both to win. It would be the first ADRL world championship for Snyder, and the third for Scruggs.
Snyder can win:
If Scruggs doesn’t qualify.
If Snyder wins and Scruggs doesn’t finish as the runner-up, set both world records during the day and qualify seven spots or better than Snyder.
By advancing to the same round as Scruggs and not finishing seven spots or worse than Scruggs in qualifying.
By losing a round earlier than Scruggs, but setting both ends of the world record and not qualifying seven spots or worse. In this scenario, Scruggs could only advance one more round than Snyder (second round if Snyder loses in first, semifinals if Snyder loses in the second, runner-up if Snyder loses in the semifinals, champion if Snyder finishes as runner-up).
Scruggs can win:
If Snyder doesn’t qualify.
If Scruggs wins and Snyder doesn’t finish as the runner-up, set both world records and qualifying seven spots or better.
By advancing to the same round as Snyder and finishing seven spots or better in qualifying.
By losing a round earlier than Snyder, but setting both ends of the world record and qualifying seven spots or better. In this scenario, Snyder could only advance one more round than Scruggs (second round if Scruggs loses in first, semifinals if Scruggs loses in the second, runner-up if Scruggs loses in the semifinals, champion if Scruggs finishes as runner-up)
PRO NITROUS
Bob Rahaim
After a spectacular 2012 season, Bob Rahaim is on the verge of his first ADRL world championship. In fact, after going to five finals and winning three races, including the last two, the scenario is pretty simple for Rahaim. To clinch the Pro Nitrous championship, Rahaim simply has to show up and have his car pass tech and he clinches the world championship.
Currently, Rahaim leads Doug Riesterer by 453 points. But Rahaim will have competed in all 10 events when he shows up in Dallas, while Riesterer missed one race. It means only Rahaim is in line to earn the 250 bonus points that goes to all ADRL competitors who attend all 10 events. That takes the lead to 703 points, which is more than the maximum 641 points that can be earned at one ADRL event (500 points for event win, 100 points for E.T. and speed world records, and 16 points to qualify No. 1).
Thus, when Rahaim shows up in Dallas, the championship is his and the celebration will begin.
MICKEY THOMPSON EXTREME 10.5
Alan Pittman
Alan Pittman is closing in on his first ADRL championship as well and currently leads Billy Glidden by 603 points, thanks in part to three event victories in 2012 in the Mickey Thompson Extreme 10.5 class.
If it is an 8-car qualifying field, as it has been for every race during the 2012 season, then all Pittman has to do is show up in Dallas and have his car pass tech. Even if it is a 16-car field, all Pittman would have to do is qualify to ensure the championship. If it is a 16-car qualifying field, Glidden would need one of the best performances in ADRL history to pull off the massive upset.
The only way for Glidden to win is for Pittman to not qualify, Glidden win the race, set two world records in the process and earn four or more qualifying points.
PRO EXTREME MOTORCYCLE
A dominant season by Eric McKinney means the world championship is already his.
McKinney has won six races, including the last four, advanced to eight finals and put together one of the best seasons in ADRL history.
He would like to cap it off with one more win, but the world championship is already there for him to enjoy.
EXTREME PRO STOCK
Cary Goforth
Like he was last year headed to Dallas, Cary Goforth is the odds-on favorite to win the XPS championship for the second straight year, which would put him alongside Jason Scruggs as the only two ADRL competitors to win back-to-back titles. But Goforth, who holds a 435-point lead against Richie Stevens Jr. and 539 points against Brian Gahm, will have some work to do to ensure the championship.
Goforth can win:
If he qualifies and wins a first-round matchup.
Stevens can win:
If he wins the race and Goforth does not qualify.
If he wins the race, sets one world record, earns two or more qualifying points, and Goforth loses in the first round.
If he wins the race, sets both world records and Goforth loses in the first round.
By advancing to the final and setting at least one world record, and Goforth not qualifying, and Gahm not winning the race, setting a world record and qualifying four spots better than Stevens.
By advancing to the final and setting both world records, and Goforth not qualifying.
Gahm can win:
If he wins the race, sets one end of a world record, Goforth does not qualify, and Stevens does not finish as the runner-up, set the other end of a world record and qualify four spots or worse than Gahm.
If he wins the race, sets both ends of the world records and Goforth does not qualify.
AEROMOTIVE FUEL SYSTEMS PRO MODIFIED
Jeff Naiser
This is the first full year for the Aeromotive Fuel Systems class and this one will go down to the wire, with Jeff Naiser, Mike Castellana and Pat Musi all having a chance to win.
When the 250 bonus points are factored in, it is actually Naiser and his 2,117 points leading the way, with Castellana 129 points behind (1,988) and Musi 150 behind (1,967). That means it’s going to be an exciting weekend in Dallas. Obviously, if Naiser wins the race, he wins the championship, but there are plenty of scenarios for each driver to win a championship.
Remember, this is an 8-car qualifying field, meaning the most you can win for an event victory is 400 points (300 for runner-up, 200 for semifinal berth and 100 for qualifying).
Naiser can win:
If he wins the event.
If he finishes as runner-up and Castellana doesn’t win and set one world record, or Musi doesn’t win, set one world record and qualify one place higher than Naiser, or win and set both world records.
If he finishes as runner-up and sets at least one world record.
If he advances to semifinals and Castellana doesn’t win the race or finish as the runner-up and set one world record, and Musi doesn’t win the race.
If he advances to the semifinals, sets one world record and Castellana or Musi don’t win the race.
If he advances to the semifinals and sets two world records.
If he loses in the first round and Castellana doesn’t advance to the semifinals and set one world record, or advance to at least the finals without a world record. In this scenario, Musi cannot advance to the semifinals, set a world record and qualify one place higher than Naiser, or advance to at least the finals without a world record.
If he loses in the first round, sets one world record and Castellana doesn’t advance to the finals, and Musi doesn’t advance to the finals.
If he loses in the first round, sets both world records and Castellana or Musi don’t win the race.
If Naiser doesn’t qualify, he can still win the championship if both Castellana and Musi lose in the first record and don’t set a world record.
Castellana can win:
If he wins the race and Naiser doesn’t finish as runner-up or advance to the semis and set both world records.
If he wins the race and sets at least one world record, and Naiser doesn’t finish as the runner-up and set a world record.
If he wins the race and sets both ends of the world record.
If he finishes as the runner-up and Naiser loses in the first round and doesn’t set two world records, and Musi doesn’t win the race.
If he finishes as the runner-up, sets one world record, and Naiser doesn’t win, and Musi doesn’t win and set one world record.
If he finishes as the runner-up, sets two world records and Naiser doesn’t win the race.
If he advances to the semifinals, Naiser doesn’t qualify and Musi doesn’t finish as runner-up, or advance to semifinals and not set one world record.
If he advances to the semifinals, sets one world record and Naiser loses in the first round and doesn’t set a record, and Musi doesn’t advance to the finals.
If he advances to the semifinals, sets two world records and Naiser loses in the first round, and Musi doesn’t win the race.
If he loses in the first round and sets one world record, and Naiser doesn’t qualify, and Musi doesn’t advance to the semifinals.
If he loses in the first round and sets two world records, and Naiser doesn’t qualify, and Musi doesn’t advance to the finals.
Musi can win:
If he wins the race and Naiser doesn’t finish as runner-up or advance to the semis and set both world records, and Castellana doesn’t finish as runner-up and set both world records.
If he wins the race, sets one world record and Naiser doesn’t finish as the runner-up and qualify higher or set a world record.
If he wins the race and sets both ends of the world record.
If he finishes as the runner-up, and Naiser doesn’t advance to the semifinal or lose in the first round and set both world records, and Castellana doesn’t win or advance to the semifinals and set both world records.
If he finishes as the runner-up, sets one world record and Naiser doesn’t win or advance to the semifinals, set one world record and finish one qualifying spot better than Musi, and Castellana doesn’t win.
If he finishes as the runner-up, sets two world records, and Naiser and Castellana don’t win.
If he advances to the semifinals, Naiser doesn’t qualify, and Castellana doesn’t advance to the semifinals or lose in the first round and set both ends of the world record.
If he advances to the semifinals, sets one world record, Naiser doesn’t qualify, and Castellana doesn’t advance to the finals or advance to the semifinals and set one world record.
If he advances to the semifinals, sets two world records and Naiser doesn’t advance to the semifinals and Castellana doesn’t advance to the finals.
If he loses in the first round and sets one world record, and Naiser doesn’t qualify, and Castellana doesn’t advance to the semifinals or lose in the first round and set one world record.
If he loses in the first round and sets two world records, and Naiser doesn’t qualify, Castellana doesn’t advance to the semifinals.
SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT TOP SPORTSMAN
Marco Abruzzi
The first full season of Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman has provided some of the most exciting moments of the 2012 season and it could turn into the best points race of the weekend. Currently, Marco Abruzzi and his two event wins have 2,679 points, which is 208 more than William Brown III and 340 more than Ronnie Davis. At 563 points back, Chuck Mohn is also mathematically alive.
There are numerous scenarios that spell out championships for each driver.
Abruzzi can win:
If he wins the race or finishes as runner-up.
If he advances to the semifinals and Brown doesn’t win the race and set both world records.
If he advances to the second round and Brown doesn’t win the race or advance to the finals and set both world records, and Davis doesn’t win the race, set one world record and qualify 10 spots better, or set both world records.
If he advances to the second round and sets one world record and Brown doesn’t win the race and set one world record.
If he advances to the second round and sets both world records.
If he loses in the first round, and Brown doesn’t advance to the final or advance to the semifinals and set both world records, and Davis doesn’t win the race or advance to the finals, set one world record and qualify 11 spots better, or set both world records.
If he loses in the first round and sets one world record, and Brown doesn’t win or advance to the final and set one world record, and Davis doesn’t win and qualify 10 spots better, or win and set one world record.
If he loses in the first round and sets two world records, and Brown wins the race.
Brown can win:
Winning the race and Abruzzi not advancing to the second round and setting a world record.
Winning the race, setting one world record and Abruzzi not advancing to the semifinals.
Winning the race, setting both world records and Abruzzi not advancing to the finals.
If he finishes as the runner-up, and Abruzzi loses in the first round and doesn’t set a record, and Davis doesn’t win the race.
If he finishes as the runner-up, sets one world record, and Abruzzi loses in the first round, and Davis doesn’t win the race and set a record.
If he finishes as the runner-up, sets both world records and Abruzzi doesn’t advance to the semifinals.
If he advances to the semifinals, and Abruzzi doesn’t qualify, and Davis doesn’t advance to the finals, or doesn’t advance to the semifinals, set one record and qualify 12 spots or better, or set both world records.
If he advances to the semifinals, sets one world record, and Abruzzi doesn’t qualify, and Davis doesn’t advance to the finals, qualify 12 spots or better, or set a world record.
If he advances to the semifinals, set both world records, Abruzzi doesn’t advance to the second round and Davis doesn’t win the race.
If he advances to the second round, sets both world records and Abruzzi doesn’t qualify and Davis doesn’t advance to the finals.
Davis can win:
If he wins the race, and Abruzzi loses in the first round, sets one record and doesn’t qualify 11 spots better, or doesn’t set both ends of the world record, and Brown doesn’t advance to the final and set one world record.
If he wins the race, sets one world record and Abruzzi loses in the second round and doesn’t qualify 11 spots or better, or doesn’t set one world record, and Brown doesn’t win the race.
If he wins the races, sets both world records and Abruzzi doesn’t advances to the semifinals.
If he finishes as the runner-up and Abruzzi doesn’t qualify, and Brown doesn’t win, or advance to the semifinals, set one world record and qualify 13 spots or better, or set both world records.
If he finishes as the runner-up, sets one world record and Abruzzi loses in the first round and doesn’t qualify 11 spots or better, and Brown doesn’t win the race.
If he finishes as the runner-up, sets both world records, and Abruzzi loses in the first round, and Brown doesn’t win the race.
If he advances to the semifinals, sets one world record, and Abruzzi doesn’t qualify, and Brown doesn’t advance to the semifinals and qualify 13 spots or better, or set a world record.
If he advances to the semifinals, sets both world records, and Abruzzi doesn’t qualify and Brown doesn’t advance to the finals.
Mohn can win:
If he wins the race, sets both ends of the world record, Abruzzi doesn’t qualify and both Brown and Davis don’t advance past the semifinals.
PRO JUNIOR DRAGSTER
Alexander Oppen currently leads Jackson Core by 303 points. But Oppen has attended all 10 races, while Core has not, putting only Oppen in line to earn the 250 bonus points for participation.
With this, the lead grows to 553 points, meaning all Oppen has to do is show up in Dallas and have his dragster pass tech to claim his first ADRL world championship.
For more information on the ADRL World Finals VIII presented by CarSafe, go to www.adrl.us.
Tickets are $15 for adults Friday or Saturday, $25 for a two-day, full-event pass, free for children 12-under and are on sale now. They are available by going to www.adrl.us/tickets or by contacting the Texas Motorplex at (972) 878-2641.
The gates open at 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, with the first round of qualifying on Friday set to begin at 12 p.m. On Saturday, the racing will begin at 12 p.m. with the final qualifying session. The first round of eliminations starts at 2:30 p.m., with special jet car passes and other exhibition runs concluding the evening on both Friday and Saturday.
The ADRL will also conclude the weekend at Texas Motorplex with its annual Racer Appreciation and Awards Gala on Oct. 21 in the Champion’s Club. The casual-dress event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Champion’s Club at Texas Motorplex. Tickets are $25 and everyone must purchase a ticket to attend.
ADRL World Championship trophies will be presented to the 2012 class champions in a special ceremony.
The doors open at 9:30 a.m. and the celebration begins at 10 a.m. with an upscale breakfast brunch, with the awards ceremony to follow. There will be a cash bar as well. To purchase tickets, contact the ADRL offices at 1-855-277-ADRL (2375).
This story was originally published on October 17, 2012. 
