Image credit: ADRL

The American Drag Racing League’s 2011 tour came to a close Sunday evening with their awards gala, held at the Champions Club within Texas Motorplex.  The league recognized their new 2011 World Champions in each of their six categories.

This season’s ADRL crowned it champions – the first under the new format – including Jason Hamstra (Pro Extreme), Mike Castellana (Pro Nitrous), Dan Millen (Extreme 10.5), Ashley Owens (Pro Extreme Motorcycle), Cary Goforth (Extreme Pro Stock) and Morgan Benfield (Pro Junior Dragster) – to officially conclude a thrilling and record-breaking 2012 ADRL season.

Notable winners from the season included Jason Hamstra, Mike Castellana, and Dan Millen.

Hamstra was the points leader from the beginning of the season all the way to the  finish in Pro Extreme, winning twice and advancing to at least the semifinals in nearly every race.

“It’s been a great year and we had a lot of support,” Hamstra said, “Everything worked out well and it was just a lot of fun.”

Castellana, who overcame a bout with cancer during 2010, gave a speech after earning his championship trophy, in what was truly a storybook racing season for him.

“My crew has been unbelievable this year and I have to thank (crew chief) Shannon (Jenkins) for giving me one of the best years I’ve had racing.  I also have to thank everyone for all the kind words. It all helped out a lot.”

Dan Millen was the big winner of the weekend and the evening. He took his Extreme 10.5 championship home with him, along with a “Battle for the Belts” crown and the World Finals VII event title.

It was a fitting end of the season for an Extreme 10.5 racer who earned his second straight championship and won four times in 2011.

“It’s just been an excellent year,” Millen said.

Other awards handed out included the remainder of the 2011 Battle For Belts winners, and the World Finals VII Minuteman trophies. Belt winners included Todd Tutterow (PX), Khalid Al-Balooshi (PN), Millen (XTF), Owens (PXM), Richie Stevens Jr. (XPS) and Benfield (PJD).

Minuteman trophies for the World Finals VII were taken home by Jason Scruggs (PX), Shannon Jenkins (PN), Millen (XTF), Dave Vantine (PXM), Tony Gillig (XPS), Chanse Bullock (Summit Racing Top Sportsman), Lee Adkins (Pro Modified) and Kaley Allen (PJD).