ST. LOUIS — The American Drag Racing League has announced the new date for the sanction’s return World Wide Technology Raceway.

The American Drag Racing League is now scheduled to make its return to the St. Louis area July 10-11, with the season opener slated for June 5-6 at the Texas Motorplex in Dallas. The American Drag Racing League’s signature Dragstock event is also scheduled for World Wide Technology Raceway on Oct. 23-24.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has seen the shuttering of sports venues all over the world caused the shuffle in the schedule as all events at the Madison, Ill.-based facility are currently paused.

ADRL President Mel Roth said the attention given to what was to be the first race of the year by fans and racers alike was intense.

“Fans in St. Louis were in a frenzy when we began releasing the free tickets for the event last month,” Roth said “I’ve been coming to this area for a while and I’ve never seen anything like it. The fans are ready to pack World Wide Technology Raceway and witness the return of Pro Extreme to one of the best racing surfaces in drag racing. By the time we get to July, the ADRL will be rolling and will bring the best eighth-mile racing in the country.”

The St. Louis region has played witness to some of the greatest moments in ADRL history. ADRL’s 2009 race still stands as one of the best-attended events in the track’s history, with a traffic jam of fans backed all the way to the Gateway Arch. Thanks to the Stan Musial Bridge and expanded parking within the facility, fans won’t have to worry about heavy traffic, but can still expect breathtaking eighth-mile action on one of the best racing surfaces in the drag racing world.

Racers such as Frankie Taylor, Bubba Stanton, Chuck Weck, Jon Stouffer, Randy Merick, Michael Recchia, and NHRA standout Scott Palmer are expected to race Pro Extreme at selected events with participating drivers to be named soon in the Big Tire No Time, Small Tire No Time, Jr. Dragsters, and local bracket fields.