ADRL at Memphis

D’Aprile takes win in explosive Pro Extreme finish

Words by Kay Burk
Photos by Slade Tyree and Roger Richards

Due to the record number of racers – 186, the largest in ADRL history – as well as weather delays, the ADRL Memphis Drags IV was expanded to a third day and elimination rounds were completed on Sunday, Aug. 4. 

PRO EXTREME

Tommy D’Aprile ran 3.672/206.92 to take the win.  (Slade Tyree photo)

Controversy swirled Friday night when Joey Martin ran a blistering 3.626/216.27 in Friday’s second round of qualifying. His prior run was 3.702/202.30. In Saturday’s third session he shook the tires at the hit of the throttle, moved left and back right and then backed off the throttle about 300 feet out. He qualified in the No. 3 spot.  (Slade Tyree photo)

A whopping 27 Pro Extreme cars were at Memphis trying to make the field. While the competition was intense, the racers saved up for a big finish.

In the final round between Tommy D’Aprile and Bubba Stanton, D’Aprile’s 2005 Corvette was off the line first with a 0.011 RT to Stanton’s 0.023, but Stanton quickly went to work and pulled even at half track. Unfortunately, Stanton’s ’69 Camaro suffered an engine explosion with a fireball, putting an end to what looked to be an exciting come-from-behind win. He ran the eighth mile in 3.718 seconds, but his terminal speed had dropped to 180.91 mph.