"I try to have a good reaction time and just let the cards fall where they were going to fall," said Hamstra, whose 1968 Camaro is notable for having an automatic trans and a converter instead of the mechanical clutch and planetary transmission that is the norm in Pro Extreme. "I just try to run consistent laps and have good reaction times. That's how we try and win races." 

As a matter of fact, Hamstra’s driving was what got him to the winner’s circle leaving some of the best drivers in Pro Extreme muttering to themselves after their losing runs.

Jason Hamstra used holeshots to march to the Pro Extreme win.

In the semifinals Hamstra strapped a .04 holeshot on Low Qualifier Frankie Taylor (a .046 to .086) to advance to the finals running a slower 3.81 at 185.73 mph to Taylor’s quicker but losing 3.803/201.73.

In the finals against Pro Extreme superstar Jason Scruggs, who holds both ends of the National Record for the class, Hamstra once again had a massive holeshot using a .023 RT to leave Scruggs trailing with a .066 RT. 

"We didn't try to do too much to it," said Hamstra. "It got a little out of hand in the semi finals so we just tried to make a nice smooth lap (in the final)."

Hamstra insisted that facing Scruggs in the final wasn't as daunting a task as it appeared to be. He was confident that his car could put a big number up on the board, maybe not as quick as Scruggs, but certainly one that would keep him competitive against the two-time ADRL Pro Extreme champion.

“We could step it up too, if we wanted to," said Hamstra. "We wanted to make sure we got down the race track.” 

Hamstra made his quickest and fastest lap of the event ripping of a 3.801 at 197.45 mph. Already behind .04 at the tree, Scruggs would have had to ran a career best ET to catch and pass Hamstra, but he drifted out of the groove and clicked off the motor. He idled to a 5.128 /91.73 as Hamstra streaked to the win and his first ADRL Minuteman trophy. Despite his final round loss, Scruggs maintains a 210-point lead over Quain Stott. Jason Hamstra moves into third in points that will determine the eight drivers who will qualify for the season ending “Battle of the Belts” race to determine the ADRL World Champ.  

Quain Stott joined 200mph club at Valdosta. (Greg Bunsold photo)