The American Drag Racing League (ADRL) announced today that Pro Stock legend and current Pro Modified racer Larry Morgan has assumed the role of President of the series, assuming responsibilities from Jeff Biegun, the CEO of the ADRL who has held the position in the interim since the departure of Kenny Nowling on April 20th.

“We feel we needed to take a fresh look and approach to the ADRL while it’s still in its infancy after its resurrection late in 2016. The ADRL is evolving after each event and we are finding our niche and learning what works, what doesn’t and which key personnel fit our vision.” Biegun stated. “The addition of Larry Morgan as President of the ADRL with his 30 plus years of racing in the NHRA and is well respected in the racing community will create excitement in the racing community. Also the addition of Fabian Brown will give the ADRL fans a wealth of drag racing knowledge as the announcer and MC of the ADRL.”

Morgan’s appointment comes at a particularly troubling time for the once-proud ADRL, as the doorslammer drag racing brand works valiantly to improve its image after several tumultuous years under Nowling’s guidance. In 2016, chassis builder Larry Jeffers purchased the intellectual property of the ADRL and appointed Nowling, the founder of the organization more than a decade ago, to retake the helm. But an offseason of bad publicity, centering largely around the repayment of past debts to racers at the Performance Racing Industry Show, did little to improve its standing in the community.

Biegun, the CEO of Seatbelt Solutions, the parent company of RJS Safety Equipment and Performance 2Way Racing Communications, acquired the series from Jeffers in January and again retained Nowling’s services as President. But a mediocre turnout at the season-opening Spring Drags in Rockingham and the negative publicity that followed were the precursor to Nowling’s resignation shortly thereafter.

Nowling, however, resurfaced at the ADRL’s next event, the Summer Drags in Martin, Michigan last weekend, acting as the announcer and emcee and leading many to question the motives behind the decision. That was put to bed with today’s announcement, though, as in addition to the hiring of Morgan, Maryland International Raceway and IHRA announcer Fabian Brown has been hired as the new voice of the ADRL, effective at the series’ next event at Dragway 42 in early September.

The ADRL issued the following statement in today’s press release regarding its split with Nowling:

Other changes to the ADRL staff include the departure of Kenny Nowling from the ADRL to pursue other opportunities and Mr. Nowling will no longer have any involvement with the ADRL as of July 5th, 2017. The ADRL wishes Kenny Nowling success in all his future endeavours.