O’FALLON, Mo. -- The American Drag Racing League (ADRL) makes its return to U.S. 131 Motorsports Park for the Summer Drags VIII on July 13-14. It is the sixth of 10 races on the 2012 ADRL Tour.

With new classes, a World Championship format and expanded family fun midway, there is considerable excitement and anticipation surrounding the world’s premier eighth-mile drag racing league as it returns to U.S. 131.

Along with the highly-anticipated and revolutionary new SuperCar Showdown class, all of the ADRL’s professional classes will make compete at U.S. 131, 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.

Racing for the first time anywhere in the world in 2012 is the highly-anticipated SuperCar Showdown. The ADRL SuperCar Showdown will showcase the latest factory-produced, dealership-available automobiles in all-out drag racing with no handicap starts or performance restrictions, adding even more excitement to the ADRL’s fast-paced show.

The ADRL has made U.S. 131 Motorsports Park an annual stop on its tour, thanks to excellent driver participation and fan turnout. The 2011 race in Martin also marked the debut of the Summit Racing Top Sportsman class in the ADRL.

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 3:30 p.m., with special jet car passes and other exhibition runs concluding the evening on Friday and Saturday.

For more information on the ADRL Summer Drags VIII, go to www.adrl.us/adrl-summer-drags-viii.

Tickets are $15 for adults Friday or Saturday, $25 for a two-day, full-event pass, free for children 12-under and will be on sale soon. They will available at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park at (269) 672-7800 or through www.adrl.us/schedule/tickets.

WHAT: The ADRL Summer Drags VIII takes place at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park on July 13-14. It is the sixth race of the 2012 season in the American Drag Racing League (ADRL), and the sixth of 10 races on the 2012 ADRL Tour.

Series includes seven all-professional, eighth-mile drag racing classes: 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.
The ADRL’s revolutionary NEW SuperCar Showdown will also race at this event.

Pro Junior Dragsters (PJD) compete at each race and there will also be special exhibition jet car runs.

WHEN: Friday and Saturday, July 13-14, 2012
WHERE: U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, 1249 12th Street, Martin MI, 49070
SCHEDULE (Subject to change; all times local)
FRIDAY: Gates Open at 10 a.m. Qualifying Round 1 at 12 p.m.; Qualifying Round 2 at 3:30 p.m.; Qualifying Round 3 at 6:30 p.m.; Jet Car at 9:30 p.m.
SATURDAY: Gates Open at 10 a.m.; Qualifying Round 4 at 12 p.m.; Eliminations Round 1 at 3:30 p.m.; Jet Car at 9 p.m. Final Eliminations at 9:30 p.m.
TICKETS: On sale soon at www.adrl.us/schedule/tickets
or by calling U.S. 131 at (269) 672-7800.

Friday Adult $15; Saturday Adult $15; Full Event Pass Adult $25; All Kids 12-Under Free; General Parking $10/day. All tickets include ADRL VIP pit pass.

CONTACT: To contact the ADRL, call (855) 277-2375 or e-mail info@adrl.us. Contact U.S. 131 at www.us131msp.com or (269) 672-7800. For media requests, please contact Josh Hachat with ADRL Communications at (740) 627-1423 or josh@adrl.us