Carpenter makes highly anticipated return to ADRL competition
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/FarmingtonQuick8ProMods-6-28-080451.jpg" alt="FarmingtonQuick8ProMods-6-28-080451" align="left"borders="0"/>
(7-3-2008) RADFORD, VA – After close to nine months, Charles Carpenter will make his long awaited return to the national event scene at this weekend’s 2nd annual Shelor.com Motor Mile ADRL Independence Drags in Radford, VA.
Make no mistake, however: the time away from the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League presented by the National Guard series was not spent idly. Carpenter sold his trusty ’55 Chevy soon after the close of the 2007 season, and spent the remaining months working with up-and-coming chassis builder Terry Murphy on the creation of brand new “shoebox” Chevy.
Since taking delivery of the car, Carpenter has been running the wheels off of it on the local Quick 8 scene in hopes of getting all the new car bugs worked out. After running a 4.05 on its very first pass down the track, Carpenter and crew have worked diligently on learning the new car’s personality.
“I’m very confident that this is going to be one of the baddest rides out there once we figure out what it wants,” said the Charlotte, NC native. “It ran a 4.04 at Farmington this weekend, but we experienced more of the same traction issues down track. This car is so radically different as far as weight and weight distribution that I’m having to re-learn all the tricks all over again.”
Carpenter made the qualified field at Farmington in the 5th spot, earning him a first round matchup with number one qualifier Steve Vick. Carpenter easily dispatched a tire-shaking Vick with a modest 4.12, running the car on just two nitrous systems. The rain-plagued race was then called due to curfew before the next round could be completed. Nevertheless, Carpenter believes the team is very close to getting a complete handle on the lightweight ’55.
“We’re really close,” said Carpenter. “I would love to have a few more runs to try a few different things, so the Friday testing at Motor Mile is going to be critical.”
On top of the always exciting racing at the ADRL events, the Pro Modified pioneer is looking forward to seeing all the old friends and familiar faces that he hasn’t seen during his long absence from the tour.
“In drag racing, the friends and the fans make it all happen for me,” Carpenter said. “Hopefully a lot of our fans in the area will come out to get a look at the new car and cheer us on, and I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone I haven’t gotten to see since last October.”
Once the friendly camaraderie is over, it will be all business for Carpenter and crew.
“I am bringing my A team with me this weekend,” said Carpenter. “My son Mike, Paul Albino, and Kelly Bluebaugh will be there, so we’ll be at full capacity for the first time in a while. Hopefully, getting the whole team back together will rekindle some of that success we had in 2007.”
“We’ve got to get down to business and do it quickly if we are going to make an impact in the ADRL this season,” Carpenter said.
Carpenter is actively seeking primary sponsorship for 2008. For more information about Charles Carpenter Racing and the World’s Fastest ’55 Chevy, or for a copy of the team’s 2008 Marketing Partnership Guide, visit Charles Carpenter Racing.
Photo courtesy of Buddy Trivette
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/FarmingtonQuick8ProMods-6-28-080451.jpg" alt="FarmingtonQuick8ProMods-6-28-080451" align="left"borders="0"/>
(7-3-2008) RADFORD, VA – After close to nine months, Charles Carpenter will make his long awaited return to the national event scene at this weekend’s 2nd annual Shelor.com Motor Mile ADRL Independence Drags in Radford, VA.
Make no mistake, however: the time away from the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League presented by the National Guard series was not spent idly. Carpenter sold his trusty ’55 Chevy soon after the close of the 2007 season, and spent the remaining months working with up-and-coming chassis builder Terry Murphy on the creation of brand new “shoebox” Chevy.
Since taking delivery of the car, Carpenter has been running the wheels off of it on the local Quick 8 scene in hopes of getting all the new car bugs worked out. After running a 4.05 on its very first pass down the track, Carpenter and crew have worked diligently on learning the new car’s personality.
“I’m very confident that this is going to be one of the baddest rides out there once we figure out what it wants,” said the Charlotte, NC native. “It ran a 4.04 at Farmington this weekend, but we experienced more of the same traction issues down track. This car is so radically different as far as weight and weight distribution that I’m having to re-learn all the tricks all over again.”
Carpenter made the qualified field at Farmington in the 5th spot, earning him a first round matchup with number one qualifier Steve Vick. Carpenter easily dispatched a tire-shaking Vick with a modest 4.12, running the car on just two nitrous systems. The rain-plagued race was then called due to curfew before the next round could be completed. Nevertheless, Carpenter believes the team is very close to getting a complete handle on the lightweight ’55.
“We’re really close,” said Carpenter. “I would love to have a few more runs to try a few different things, so the Friday testing at Motor Mile is going to be critical.”
On top of the always exciting racing at the ADRL events, the Pro Modified pioneer is looking forward to seeing all the old friends and familiar faces that he hasn’t seen during his long absence from the tour.
“In drag racing, the friends and the fans make it all happen for me,” Carpenter said. “Hopefully a lot of our fans in the area will come out to get a look at the new car and cheer us on, and I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone I haven’t gotten to see since last October.”
Once the friendly camaraderie is over, it will be all business for Carpenter and crew.
“I am bringing my A team with me this weekend,” said Carpenter. “My son Mike, Paul Albino, and Kelly Bluebaugh will be there, so we’ll be at full capacity for the first time in a while. Hopefully, getting the whole team back together will rekindle some of that success we had in 2007.”
“We’ve got to get down to business and do it quickly if we are going to make an impact in the ADRL this season,” Carpenter said.
Carpenter is actively seeking primary sponsorship for 2008. For more information about Charles Carpenter Racing and the World’s Fastest ’55 Chevy, or for a copy of the team’s 2008 Marketing Partnership Guide, visit Charles Carpenter Racing.
Photo courtesy of Buddy Trivette
