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David Dilbeck
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Georgia Drag Racing News
Sometimes, David may have some additional photos he'd like to share that don't get linked into the main site. If you'd like to see them, check out his Photos on Imagestation.com or in our new Photo Album.
November 2003
Tenth Annual Atlanta Dragway Banquet of Champions
Posted Tuesday, November 25, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
BANQUET DATE: November 22, 2003
EVENT: Tenth Annual Atlanta Dragway Banquet of Champions
by Tim Glover
Over 200 racers and family members enjoyed the Tenth Annual Atlanta Dragway
Banquet of Champions, presented by VP Racing Fuels and held at the American
Legion Hall, Post 127, in Buford, Georgia.
After dinner, NHRA Pro Stock legend Warren Johnson delivered the keynote
speech, followed by track manager Craig Armstrong, who thanked all the
sponsors that helped make the racing happen at Atlanta Dragway. Many of
them contributed some very nice door prizes for the evening, including VP
fuel jugs, GM Performance hats, Castrol oil, Billy Howell Ford Featherlite
jackets, goody bags, a couple of overnight stays at Renaissance Pine Isle
Resort, including meals, Year One gift certificates, Mr. Bill's souvenirs, a
cash certificate from Ricky Blackwell, John Bleakley Motor Homes goody bags,
Ruby Tuesday certificates and many other items. Leon Farmer Company donated
a classic mini cooler, along with some coveted Budweiser mugs and
merchandise. The door prizes were given out many times during the evening.
The Junior Dragster racers, announced as the racers of tomorrow, were first
on stage for recognition. The top eight Trophy Street racers, minus the
2003 champion, were called up to the stage. Mardy Kennedy and Mike Puckett
were tied for second place in Trophy Street for the year. Armstrong, who
emceed the evening, announced this group as the people who make racing fun.
They were followed by the top eight Sportsman racers sans the champion.
Travis Bryant finished second for the year, followed by Bill Boomhower in
third. Next, the top sixteen Super Pro racers came up on stage. Former Jr.
Dragster racer Hank Wilhelm rose all the way to second place for the 2003
points series, followed by Thomas Bell, who finished third.
Thirteen special awards were presented. Mickey Hargett was the first person
called to the stage, being inducted into the Atlanta Dragway Hall of Fame
for serving a decade as the staging lanes manager. Armstrong announced him
as the man everyone loved to hate, and hated to love.
Next up was Junior Dragster Rookie of the Year, Dylan Kent. A very popular
Junior Dragster parent, Penny Free, was awarded the Junior Dragster Parent
of the Year award. Every weekend at the races, Free always has a feast out
for anyone who walks up and asks, which is very popular with the Junior
Dragster crew. Bert Chapman, who led the Sportsman points for most of the
year, but finished in fourth, was awarded the Atlanta Dragway Most Improved
Driver of 2003 plaque for his efforts. Chapman said he was living a dream,
and thanked God and his fiancée.
McEver's Hot Dogs contributed $500 to go to the Rookie "Top Dog" of the 2003
racing season. Trophy Street champion Mel Abney was the lucky recipient,
having won the championship in his first year of racing. He thanked his
wife Zena for helping him (and letting him use her truck to tow his Camaro
to the race track).
Although she didn't win Rookie of the Year, Super Pro rookie Tiffany Howard
(17 years old) was given the Rising Star award. With a lot of help from her
dad Brad and mom Wanda, she started her racing career in a Super Pro
dragster, learning quickly how to handle a five second race car.
Long time Sportsman racer Cindy Williams won the Team Spirit award for
loaning out her race car to other team members during the Division Two ET
finals. She was followed on stage by husband, Gerry Williams, who now has
the dubious distinction of being a three time winner of the Entertainer of
the Year award. This year's episode had something to do with entering his
motorhome in a less than usual fashion.
Bill Gillen, of Young Guns Motorsports, is the "Grand Central" for all the
Junior Dragster racers. Anytime someone needs tuning help, parts, advice or
just fellowship, they come to his pit, which stays busy. Armstrong said he
is always helping out, time after time. In recognition of his contribution,
Gillen was awarded the Good Guy award for 2003. Gillen thanked God, his
wife Lisa for putting up with the racing, and his son "Mad Matt" Gillen for
making the racing so easy and fun.
Stan Sinack won the Golden Shoepolish award, given out by clock operators
Amy Gunter and Denise Shubert to the racer who put the most legible dial-in
numbers on their race car. Kevin Rich, who drives some pretty "original"
looking cars in Trophy Street, was awarded the Goofy Award. Next, Amy
Gunter was surprised when she was announced as the Employee of the Year.
Although her main job at the track is clock operator, she also steps in as
announcer, race director, or whatever else is needed at the moment.
Gunter's dad introduced her to the sport, and she mentioned she has been
involved with racing longer than she has with her husband of 18 years.
Paula Hancock was given an award for dedicating her time for over two
decades to help Atlanta Dragway. Racers For Christ chaplain Lloyd Shanks
was recognized as Person of the Year for his contributions. Shanks said he
raced for years, then got involved with the Junior Dragster program, and
then felt the calling for a different kind of race, sharing the gospel with
others at the race track. He, along with co-pastor Gerald Aldridge also
sponsored a mini series in the Junior Dragster ranks. Ashley Dumas
finished first in that series, followed by Lauren Turner, Bradley Myers and
Scott Digby.
After the special awards, seven 2003 Atlanta Dragway Track Champions were
recognized. Don Brown of Don Brown Automotive and Transmission helped out
with the points fund, and was on hand to recognize the champions as they
came to the stage. Jesse Young, a young man of few words, was the first
recipient, winning the High School championship.
The Junior Dragster champions were awarded Tanger Outlet certificates, a
check from Junior Pippin Trucking, a trophy and a champion's jacket.
The first words 8-12 year old Jr. Dragster champion "Mad Matt" Gillen said
after receiving his award were "I'm baack!" (Gillen won the championship
for the second year in a row.) He then thanked God, his sponsor Valvoline,
his mom for putting up with the racing, his dad for helping him race, Penny
Free for the food and the others who helped him during the year. Ashley
Dumas won the 13-17 year old Jr. Dragster class championship in her final
year of racing Juniors. At the podium she announced, "Now I'm moving into
Sportsman and going after Jacob!"
The rest of the champions were awarded a trophy, a VP check, a Don Brown
check and a champion's jacket.
Stewart Taft overcame a heart attack earlier this year around Easter to win
the Motorcycle championship. Taft said back then he never thought he would
make it back, much less win the championship. Trophy Street champion Mel
Abney thanked his fellow racers for making his season tough. He said
winning the championship wouldn't mean much without good competition.
Jacob Rutledge has a stellar record in Sportsman, winning his third straight
track championship at Atlanta Dragway. Rutledge said he lost his father
earlier in the season, and added, "If it weren't for D.R. Rutledge, I
wouldn't have a car to race. I dedicate this whole year to my father." He
then thanked his sponsors, his wife and his son for their help.
The final champion recognized was Super Pro champion Henry Snelgrove.
Armstrong announced him as always persistent, never flashy. "Consistency,
consistency, consistency was the key," he added. Snelgrove thanked God for
the good season, his wife Sandra for her help, Brad Howard and Ricky
Blackwell for help with the engine and transmission, and his son Henry, Jr.
and his son's wife Brenda for helping with both the Juniors and the Super
Pro cars.
The final recognition given out was Racer of the Year. Ashley Dumas was the
2003 recipient in recognition of her leading the points from wire to wire in
13-17 Jr. Dragster. She thanked Jeremy Hancock, her mom and dad, and
everyone else who helped her through the winning season.
After Craig Armstrong announced the first event for 2004 would be the Hayes
Chrysler Fan Fest on Saturday, February 28, the evening was closed with a
speech by RFC pastor Lloyd Shanks.
Banquet Photos
Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover
Posted Tuesday, November 25, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
THREE RACERS SHARE 'YEAR ONE' AWARDS IN SEASON FINALE
COMMERCE, GA Tim Anthony of Athens, Henry Gosnell of Sugar Hill, and
George Mathas of Alpharetta shared "Power Hour" top honors during the
November 21st "Year One Fast Friday" Season Finale at Atlanta Dragway.
Driving his potent 1969 Camaro, Anthony clocked a 12.065 second pass on the
quarter mile strip, taking home a $50 Year One Gift Certificate voucher for
Quickest ET, while Gosnell's hot 1993 Ford Mustang netted him another $50
voucher for the Fastest Pass (123.98 mph) of the 9-10 PM "Year One Power
Hour". Mathas was presented the final $50 Year One Gift Certificate voucher
for his outstanding .512 second Reaction Time in the street-legal-only
competition.
A huge crowd of spectators was on hand to witness nearly 300 cars, trucks
and motorcycles making fast passes on Atlanta Dragway's quarter-mile strip
during a cool November evening. "It was very gratifying to see so many
enthusiastic participants and fans at our final event for the 2003 season,"
said track General Manager Craig Armstrong. "It almost makes me wish we
were running even later in November or December, and it certainly indicates
that we will have a very popular 'Year One Fast Friday' program in 2004."
Sponsored by Year One Automotive Restoration in Braselton, along with Billy
Howell Ford-Featherlite, Atlanta Dragway's Fast Friday show is primarily an
opportunity for drivers of street legal cars to "race the strip, not the
street." Racecars and motorcycles are also welcome for Test & Tune and
grudge match racing on designated Friday nights at "Georgia's House of
Speed." The 2004 Fast Friday programs are scheduled to begin on Friday,
March 5, with gates opening at 6:00 PM for racers and spectators.
Additional details on Atlanta Dragway's 2004 Event Schedule will be
available in late December on the dragstrip's official website,
www.atlantadragway.com.
South Georgia Motorsports Park Grand Opening/Ground Breaking
Posted Thursday, November 20, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Here is Marvin T. Smith's report on Georgia's newest drag strip.
South Georgia Motorsports Park
NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion Video
Posted Tuesday, November 18, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
John Nance has a great video for sale of the NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion held in Bowling Green, Kentucky this past June. This 90 minute video is all drag racing action! I'll be reviewing the video for GeorgiaDragRacing.com soon, but until then, go to John's site to order. Tell him that David at GeorgiaDragRacing.com sent you. Nostalgia Drag Racing Videos
2004 NHRA Division 2 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Schedule
Posted Tuesday, November 18, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Gainesville Raceway
Gainesville, Fla. Feb. 27-29
Orlando Speedworld
Orlando, Fla. Mar. 12-14
Montgomery Motorsports Park
Montgomery, Ala. April 2-4
South Georgia Motorsports Park
Valdosta, Ga. June 4-6
Photos
Bristol Dragway
Bristol, Tenn. July 9-10
Silver Dollar Raceway
Reynolds, Ga. Sept. 10-12
Darlington Int'l Dragway
Darlington, S.C. Oct. 8-10
Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover
Posted Monday, November 17, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
THOMPSON, CHEUNG COP 'YEAR ONE POWER HOUR' AWARDS
COMMERCE, GA David Thompson of Douglasville, and Kam Cheung of Duluth,
shared "Year One Power Hour" top honors during the November 14th edition of
"Year One Fast Friday" at Atlanta Dragway. Driving his quick 2002 Corvette,
Thompson clocked a 12.532 second, 116.67 mph pass on the quarter mile strip,
taking home twin $50 Year One Gift Certificate vouchers for Quickest ET and
Fastest Pass. Cheung's hot 2000 Honda Prelude netted him the Best Reaction
Time, a dead-on .500, and winning the third $50 Year One Gift Certificate
voucher in the 9-10 PM "Power Hour" competition for street-legal cars and
trucks.
Over 200 cars, pick-up trucks and motorcycles participated in the Fast
Friday program on a cold mid-November night, with grudge matches and
testing/tuning runs from 6:30 until 11:30 PM witnessed by an enthusiastic
crowd of spectators. The final Year One Fast Friday show of the 2003 season
is slated for Friday, November 21, with gates opening at 6:00 PM for racers
and spectators, and much warmer weather in the evening's forecast.
Sponsored by Year One Automotive Restoration in Braselton, along with Billy
Howell Ford-Featherlite in Cumming, Atlanta Dragway's Fast Friday show is
primarily an opportunity for drivers of street legal vehicles to "race the
strip, not the street." Racecars and motorcycles are also welcome for Test
& Tune and grudge match racing on designated Friday nights throughout the
racing season at "Georgia's House of Speed."
Tim Glover
New Drag Racing Art from James Ibusuki
Posted Sunday, November 16, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Check out the latest work from artist James Ibusuki. This will make a great gift for someone - I've already ordered mine!The Manufacturers Final
GDR Website Updated
Posted Thursday, November 13, 2003 by johndilbeck
After the hacking incident that shut down GDR during the early part of the week, everything seems to be recovered now.
As far as I can see, everything's working as expected and a couple of hours ago, I cleaned up the last of the errors.
The bookstore is working again and you're invited to purchase books, music, videos, dvds, and many other items.
If you're going to give one of these products to someone this year and you're going to buy from Amazon.com, here's an opportunity to buy it from us at the same price, have Amazon.com deliver it for you and help support GeorgiaDragRacing.com.
We appreciate each of you who visits this site and we are sorry for the disruptions you've experienced this week.
All the best,
JD
Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover
Posted Monday, November 10, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
ATLANTA DRAGWAY REGULARS SWEEP THEIR CLASS AT SOUTHERN SUPER HEAVY SHOOTOUT
by Tim Glover
Big car lovers from Michigan, Texas, Florida, Virginia, North and South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and many more states came to see what are
sometimes called "Sedans on Steroids" at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA
during the Southern Super Heavy Shootout 3, presented by the Georgia Super
Sport Impala team. Some familiar faces and more brand new ones enjoyed a
day at the races and car show. To qualify, cars had to weigh more than 3800
pounds, thus the title. Wes German and Mike Holman, both Atlanta Dragway
regulars, swept the fastest bracket class, Class C, with German winning and
Holman taking runner up. Holman was pulling double duty, racing his wife's
car in two classes. Although only two Marauders made it to last year's
show, seven came this year to race. These cars are quick out of the box,
running in the 15 second range. Some owners had them tweaked to run in the
14 second range and the fastest by far was the Marauder SC (not a factory
option) owned by Bob Mathis from New Brockton, AL. Brockton had a best pass
of 13.26 seconds on the quarter mile, and the car is capable of running in
the 12 second range when it gets a set of sticky tires. Mid 1990s vintage
Impala SS machines dominated the activity, finishing in the top four of all
categories, and winning two. Crown Victorias, Cadillacs, Mercurys and
Lincolns were also in attendance. A number of the racers drove their
machines to the track rather than put them on a trailer. All new faces
appeared in the 2003 winner's circle, although several winners from last
year enjoyed top finishes. The fastest car on the track today was Bill
Kieler's '90 Lincoln Mark VII, which turned in a best of 10.31 seconds at
133.90mph.
Three bracket classes, a heads up class and a King of the Hill race were on
the schedule today; Big Dog for heads up - no breakout racers, Class A (14
seconds and slower), Class B (13 - 14 seconds) and Class C (12 - 13
seconds). King of the Hill was for the three bracket winners plus the
winner of the ladies race.
Although Barnesville, GA racer John Raftaseth was the logical choice for
winner in Big Dog, running in the mid 10 second range with his '96 Impala SS
(the next best was Mike Fuller, running low 11s in a '95 Impala SS), most
races aren't won solely on potential. When Raftaseth's machine ran out of
nitrous in the semis, Fuller, who lives inDaytona Beach, FL, took the lead
all the way to the Big Dog winner's circle. Fuller's 11.18, 120.58mph final
round shot was way too much for Mike Smith from Charleston, SC. Smith's
"SSMITTY" '95 Impala SS took the starting line reaction time advantage, but
was "only" able to muster an 11.65, 117.58mph pass. Mike Holman from
Covington, GA earned a semi-final finish in Big Dog with his wife's '74
Buick Century, along with John Rafteseth. "I KNEW he would beat me," said
Fuller about Rafteseth when they met in the semi-finals, "but I just went
on, hoping it would hold together (Fuller uses a stock 350 short block)."
Incidentally, Fuller's car ran out of nitrous on the next pass he made after
his Big Dog win, a test and tune pass with all the "stops" uncorked.
For 2003, the '82 Ford F100 (well over 4000 lbs) truck raced by Wes German
from Fayetteville, GA was allowed in competition, and he ended up enjoying
the Class C win. He met Covington, GA racer Mike Holman, and took the win
with a great 12.51, 108.33mph shot (12.49 dial) against Holman's breakout
12.13, 109.42mph effort (12.24 dial) in his wife Pat's '74 Buick Century.
Holman outdid German in the trophies won department though, bagging the
runner up in Class C, a semi-final finish in Big Dog and winning the Best
Reaction Time trophy with a .502 react in competition. German was surprised
with his win, stating, "I've never won a race before." The very persistent
Holman was philosophical about his runner up, saying "It was a self-induced
loss." Nick Misulia ('96 Impala SS - Lumpkin, GA) was the lone
semi-finalist.
Chris Nickell came in second place during the 2002 edition of Class B at
Atlanta, and came in determined to be number one for this race. He put a
13.30 dial in time on his Pleasant Plains, IL based '96 Impala SS before
round one, and never changed it all day. He met Atlanta, GA competitor Paul
Troup in the Class B final, and used a tenth of a second holeshot to secure
the win with a 13.34, 96.74mph blast (13.30 dial). Troup's '95 Impala SS
was on the money, but second across the finish line with a 13.417, 162.26mph
effort (13.41 dial). Mike Hill ('95 Impala SS - Atlanta, GA) and John
Dougherty ('94 Impala SS - Cincinnati, OH) were the semi-final pair. "I
want to give a pat on the back to the GASSIT guys. This is a good event,"
said Nickell.
"I won't even cross the street to see a Top Fuel dragster, but I would
gladly drive 12 hours for this event," said Class A winner Bob "Sly Dog"
McGrath, who made the long drive from Bradenton, FL worthwhile with his
first of two wins today. Shortly before round one he had to replace the
starter in his '81 Mercury Colony Park station wagon, and it almost quit
again just before the final against Bill Sadler's '94 Cadillac Fleetwood
Brougham. McGrath had a huge holeshot advantage against the Winston-Salem,
NC racer, and used it to full advantage, slowing the car to 14.49, 84.86mph
on a 14.37 target. Sadler's Brougham (which has the same drivetrain as an
Impala SS) was close to the mark with a 14.73, 92.65mph pass (14.69 dial).
Russell Pryor ('96 Impala SS - Corpus Christi, TX) finishe in the
semi-finals and also won the Long Distance Award trophy.
All three bracket winners, plus the ladies race winner Cyndy Grimm ('96
Impala wagon - Lawrenceville, GA) were automatically entered into a "King of
the Hill" race. Class A winner Bob McGrath took on Class B winner Chris
Nickell in the final. Nickell's strategy of not changing his 13.30 dial all
day finally bit him when he broke out with a 13.259, 91.62mph pass. McGrath
also broke out, but by a lesser margin, 14.338, 93.53mph (14.37 dial). Wes
German and Cyndy Grimm were the semi-final finishers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BIG DOG CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Mike Fuller '95 Impala SS Daytona Beach, FL 11.18 120.58
R/U: Mike Smith '95 Impala SS Charleston, SC 11.65 117.58
Semi: Mike Holman '74 Buick Century Covington, GA
Semi: John Rafteseth '96 Impala SS Barnesville, GA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C - 12.00 - 13.00 CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Wes German '82 Ford F100 Fayetteville, GA 12.51 108.33 (12.49)
R/U: Mike Holman '74 Buick Century Covington, GA 12.13 109.42 (12.24)
Semi: Nick Misulia '96 Impala SS Lumpkin, GA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B - 13.00 - 14.00 CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chris Nickell '96 Impala SS Pleasant Plains, IL 13.34 96.74 (13.30)
R/U: Paul Troup '95 Impala SS Atlanta, GA 13.41 102.26 (13.41)
Semi: Mike Hill '95 Impala SS Atlanta, GA
Semi: John Dougherty '94 Impala SS Cincinatti, OH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A - 14.00 - UP CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Bob McGrath '81 Mercury Colony Park Bradenton, FL 14.49 84.86 (14.37)
R/U: Bill Sadler '94 Fleetwood Brougham Winston-Salem,
NC 14.73 92.65 (14.69)
Semi: Russell Pryor '96 Impala SS Corpus Christi, TX
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KING OF THE HILL CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Bob McGrath '81 Mercury Colony Park Bradenton, FL 14.33 93.53 (14.37)
R/U: Chris Nickell '96 Impala SS Pleasant Plains, IL 13.25 91.62 (13.30)
Semi: Wes German '82 Ford F100 Fayetteville, GA
Semi: Cyndy Grimm '96 Impala wagon Lawrenceville, GA
BRUCE WINS AGAIN; DAY GETS HIS FIRST YEAR ONE AWARD - Atlanta Dragway Resullts by Tim Glover
Posted Monday, November 10, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
BRUCE WINS AGAIN; DAY GETS HIS FIRST YEAR ONE AWARD
BANKS CROSSING, GA Jeremy Bruce of Dacula scored a double win, and Matt
Day of Maysville copped his first Fast Friday award, as the two men shared
top honors in Atlanta Dragway's 9 - 10 PM "Year One Power Hour" street-legal
competition on Friday, November 7.
Driving a 1998 Mustang GT, Day nailed the Christmas Tree with a .505 for the
Best Reaction Time of the Power Hour, taking home a $50 Year One Gift
Certificate voucher. Aboard his super-quick 1989 Mustang LX, Bruce ran the
Quickest ET (10.896 seconds) for the second time in the past two weeks, and
also copped the Fastest Lap award (127.26 mph), picking up two $50 Year One
Gift Certificate vouchers for his efforts.
Also participating in the November 7th Year One Fast Friday show were
members of the Atlanta Cobra Club, who brought out beautiful, street-legal
AC Cobras and Cobra replicars to test the quarter-mile strip at "Georgia's
House of Speed." Year One representatives were also on hand to distribute
information on the Braselton-based company's extensive product lines, as
well as give away Year One t-shirts, nitrous oxide refill coupons and gift
certificates to winners of their free-entry drawing.
Sponsored by Year One Automotive Restoration, along with Billy Howell
Ford-Featherlite in Cumming, Atlanta Dragway's Fast Friday show is primarily
an opportunity for drivers of street legal vehicles to "race the strip, not
the street." Racecars and motorcycles are also welcome for Test & Tune and
grudge match racing on designated Friday nights at "Georgia's House of
Speed." The next Year One Fast Friday program is scheduled for Friday,
November 14, with gates opening at 6:00 PM for racers and spectators.
Kurt Johnson Caps Off Strong Year with Runner-Up Finish in Pomona
Posted Monday, November 10, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
ACDelco Cavalier pilot Kurt Johnson finished off an outstanding 2003 season by scoring a runner-up finish at the Auto Club of Southern California Finals in Pomona, CA. After qualifying sixth, Johnson again displayed the form that powered him to a second place finish in the POWERade championship chase, consistently recording one of the lowest elapsed times of each round. Johnson opened his day by disposing of Troy Coughlin with a 6.764-second pass, bettering his quickest time from qualifying.
In the next two rounds, Johnson would continue his march through the field, getting better with each round. After using a 6.758-second elapsed time to eliminate 2002 Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin, KJ defeated Mike Edwards in the semi-finals to reach his tenth final round of 2003, where he would face Greg Anderson, with whom he had battled for the championship throughout the year.
Running in the less-preferred right hand lane, Johnson combined a strong .024 reaction time with a 6.749-second elapsed time, which was the quickest time of the day on that side of the track. However, it was not enough to prevent Anderson, who used the quickest run of the day at 6.735 seconds, from narrowly edging Johnson at the finish line stripe.
"After falling off the pace a bit and qualifying sixth, we made some substantial gains today. For example, we were strong in the first sixty feet, which is where we had been struggling. The ACDelco Cavalier ran well all day. Going into the final, I wasn't overly concerned about running in the right hand lane, because I won from there last year,
"We made a pretty good run at 6.749 with a top speed of 205.26, especially for that lane. I out ran Greg to sixty feet and in the last three hundred feet as well, but it just wasn't enough.
"I had a career year, but Greg just happened to be in the way. We won four races, and went to ten final rounds, which is nothing to complain about. We've learned a lot this year, and this championship fight has just given us added motivation going into 2004. I promise this ACDelco Cavalier crew will be coming out with a full head of steam next year. We're certainly not satisfied with finishing second - we want to be No. 1, and that will be our focus throughout the off-season."
Kurt Johnson's 2003 Highlights:
- Finished second in the 2003 NHRA POWERade Championship standings, the third runner-up championship finish of his career (KJ was also second in 1993 and 2000)
- Scored four nationals event wins (Gainesville, Houston, Bristol and Joliet), raising his career total to 27.
- Appeared in ten final rounds, which is a new single-season career best, and raising his career total to 50
- Was the only Pro Stock driver to not suffer a first round loss throughout the season.
- Was the No. 1 qualifier in Brainerd and Indianapolis, bringing his career total to 23.
- Scored 49 elimination round wins, setting a new personal single-season best.
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Warren Johnson's Strong 2003 Season ends in Pomona Quarter-Finals
Posted Monday, November 10, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Entering Sunday's final eliminations of the Auto Club of Southern California Finals in the eighth position, GM Performance Parts Grand Am pilot Warren Johnson knew he had a tough road ahead if he was to sweep both Pomona events in 2003.
Opening against No. 9 qualifier Gene Wilson in the first round, Johnson used a strong 6.786-second, 204.05 mph pass to advance to the quarterfinals. However, his task would not get any easier, as he would face 2003 Pro Stock champion and No. 1 qualifier Greg Anderson in the second round. Complicating matters even further was that Johnson would be running in the less preferred right lane, which saw few wins in the Pro Stock category throughout the day.
Although Johnson posted a solid 6.819-second elapsed time with a top speed of 204.35 mph, Anderson used one of the quickest passes of the day at 6.756 seconds to put a premature end to WJ's weekend.
"We pulled it down a little too much at the starting line, and that killed us. Other than that, it was a decent run, and was actually faster in the back half. I can't really attribute that to the lane. In fact, the car in front of us ran a 6.78. We just needed to do a little better job getting off the line.
"However, when you look at it overall, it was a pretty decent season. Only three guys finished ahead of me, and a lot more than that were behind me, so it really wasn't too bad. Of course, we're not really happy unless either Kurt or I are on top, so we'll head back to the shop and get to work on making our GM Performance Parts Grand Am even stronger for 2004."
Warren Johnson's 2003 Highlights:
- Finished fourth in the 2003 NHRA POWERade championship standings, his third consecutive fourth place finish, fifth time in his career, and 22nd consecutive Top Five finish.
- Scored four national event wins (Pomona, Atlanta, Denver and Reading) to raise his Pro Stock leading total to 92.
- Was the No. 1 qualifier three times (Houston, Bristol and St. Louis) to raise his NHRA leading total to 130.
- Extended his streak of winning at least one race a year to 22 years, which is the longest in NHRA history.
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
John Wooley RUs in Summit Super Pro ET race at Pomona
Posted Monday, November 10, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
John Wooley ( Bonaire GA ) drove his'77 Vega to a runner up finish in the Summit Super Pro ET race held during the NHRA POWERade Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals.
Bernstein, Worsham, Anderson and Treble Win at the NHRA POWERade Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals
Posted Monday, November 10, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Bernstein retires (again) a winner and Shirley Muldowney also makes her Last Pass. Doug Kalitta set the national Top Fuel speed record at 333.25 during the first round.
Worsham wins in strange team final in Funny Car.
Greg Anderson breaks the total wins in a season record (12) with his Pro Stock win over Kurt Johnson in the final.
Treble wins race, but Geno Scali takes championship in Pro Stock Bike.
NHRA Recap
Wilson Leads Three Mopar’s Into 2003 NHRA Finale
Posted Sunday, November 9, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2003) – Mopar’s Gene Wilson vaulted solidly into the field during the last day of qualifying for this weekend’s Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Nationals at Pomona Raceway.
Wilson, who will take on Warren Johnson in round one, grabbed the 10th-qualified position during the morning session with a 6.780-second elapsed time at 204.23 mph.
“My crew gave me a great car this weekend,” said the 2002 NHRA rookie of the year. “We have been making calls ourselves this weekend, which is a little change from the ordinary with us. I feel like we’ve done a good job as a team. It’s really nice to come out here and run like we have. A 6.78 on this race track is pretty good today. I’m happy with the performance of the car today. I think we even have a little bit left in it because I had a line lock failure during that last run and it cost us a couple of hundredths.”
David Harris, Cox Marketing Group
Media Relations Manager
Team Mopar
Schumacher, T. Pedregon, Anderson and Treble are Top Qualifiers at the NHRA POWERade Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals- Doug Kalitta Wins Bud Shootout over Schumacher in the Quickest Side by Side Race in History 4.47 to 4.47
Posted Saturday, November 8, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Doug Kalitta defeated Tony Schumacher via a holeshot in the 2003 Budweiser Shootout final. Kalitta's 4.479/330.88 tops Schumacher's 4.471/329.58 in the quickest ever side by side pass in Top Fuel history! Schumacher's earlier 4.455 @ 332.10 keeps him in the #1 spot for Sundays eliminations.
Tony Pedregon posts a 4.721 @ 326.79 for the #1 position in Funny Car. Whit Bazemore is #3 at 4.768 @ 324.90.
Greg Anderson continues his domination of Pro Stock, qualifying #1 again with a 6.733 @ 205.51. Georgians Kurt Johnson ( #6 - 6.773 @ 204.20 ), Warren Johnson ( #8 - 6.780 @ 204.85 ) and Gene Wilson ( #9 - 6.780 @ 204.23 ) make the final cut. Barry Grant ( #20 - 6.819 @ 203.31 ) and Mark Whisnant ( #25 - 6.835 @ 202.64 ) fail to qualify.
Craig Treble tops the Pro Stock Bike show with a 7.075 @ 192.47, while Georgia's Fred Collis qualifies #5 with a 7.161 @ 185.33.
NHRA Recap
GDR Website Updated
Posted Saturday, November 8, 2003 by johndilbeck
Several articles were submitted to GeorgiaDragRacing.com in October, and I've finally managed to add them to the site.
Ed Miles wrote about attending the 2003 Old Drag Racers Reunion that was held September 26-28, 2003 in Panama City, Florida.
Marvin T. Smith wrote an article about Denny Festermaker's restoration of a front-engine dragster.
David Dilbeck wrote about attending the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame and Reunion 2003 that was held October 17-19, 2003, in Henderson, North Carolina.
You can find links to these articles in the October, 2003 part of our Articles and Stories section.
Schumacher, Force, Allen and Scali Lead Pro Qualifying at the NHRA POWERade Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals
Posted Saturday, November 8, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
WJ (#6), KJ (#7) and Barry Grant (#11) are in the top 16 of Pro Stock after two sessions while Gene Wilson (#17) and Mark Whisnant (#21)aren't currently qualified.
NHRA Recap
Bunky Bobo's Hemi Hurricane Restoration Project
Posted Friday, November 7, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
New photos of the Bobo family restoring Bunky's Hemi Hurricane gasser have been added to the Hemi Hurricane album.
South Georgia Motorsports Park to Hold Grand Opening and Media Day November 11
Posted Friday, November 7, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Georgia's newest drag strip will be operated by Larry Dean and his son Shad. They will hold their grand opening and media day November 11, 2003. The racing complex will have a quarter mile drag strip and a 1/2 mile oval track. The complex is located near Valdosta in Cecil, GA. Stay tuned for more details on GeorgiaDragRacing.com as they become available.
The First Day of Qualifying in Pomona Finds Warren Johnson in Second
Posted Friday, November 7, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Qualifying for the Auto Club of Southern California Finals got underway on Thursday at Pomona Raceway, and Warren Johnson wasted little time in putting himself in a good position for Sunday's final eliminations. With his GM Performance Parts Grand Am dispalying the ACDelco scheme that he ran in Las Vegas, Johnson rocketed down the track on his first attempt in 6.799 seconds with a top speed of 204.23 mph to capture the second position after the first day of qualifying.
"We came back with the same set-up that we used at the Winternationals, but the track was decidedly better than it was back then, at least in the early part of the run, and that cost us a little bit of e.t.. Our GM Performance Parts Grand Am was as fast as any one in the back half, but we gave up about two hundredths in the front half. Still, it's a solid run that will keep us in the show, so we don't have to concern ourselves with any changes in the weather, and gives us a good baseline to tune from. We're in good shape."
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Kurt Johnson Opens Pomona Qualifying in the Fourth Position
Posted Friday, November 7, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Racing team opened their qualifying effort for the Auto Club of Southern California Finals in final fashion on Thursday at Pomona Raceway. With his Pro Stock Cavalier carrying the special ACDelco/KISS paint scheme that he debuted in Las Vegas, Johnson covered the quarter mile in 6.806 seconds with a top speed of 204.17 mph to sit fourth after the first of four qualifying sessions in Pomona, CA.
"That's a good start. It might have been a little over-clutched and over-geared, but we felt it would go down the race track, and with the questions about the weather, that's primarily what we wanted it to do. The biggest concern was that we get in the show so we could hold on to the second spot in the points. Now we can work on fine tuning it and going after the top spot. A 6.80 isn't too bad, but we feel our ACDelco Cavalier can go even quicker."
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Schumacher, Force, Anderson and Treble Lead Qualifying at the NHRA POWERade Automobile Club of Southern California Finals
Posted Friday, November 7, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Whit Bazemore is currently #2 in Funny Car with a 4.802 @ 320.58 pass. Warren Johnson leads the Georgia Pro Stock teams with a #2 qualifying run of 6.799 @ 204.23. Kurt Johnson is #4 with a 6.806 @ 204.17 and Barry Grant is #8 at 6.806 @ 204.17. Mark Whisnant just misses with a 19th best 6.868 @ 201.37 and Gene Wilson ran a troubled 8.585 @ 108.99 for 27th place. Bob Glidden drove Larry Morgan's backup Dodge to his career best ( in competition ) time of 6.855 @ 202.70 ( 17th ), but doesn't make the day one cut.
NHRA Recap
2003 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame Inductees
Posted Wednesday, November 5, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
The 2003 hall of fame inductees were: Jerry Baltes, Phil
Bonner, Malcolm Durham, Bob Fermier, Gene Altizer, Fred Bear, Dave Hales,
K.S. Pittman, Chuck Stolze, Pork Zartman, Joe Jacono, Bruce Larson, Jack
Merkel, Jack Olcott, Tom Raley, Ed Sarkisian, Tom "Smoker" Smith, Bill
Stiles, Joel Thomas, Bobby Warren, Kenny Warrren, Becky White, Julius
Hughes, Jr. ( posthumously ), and Charlie Hill ( posthumously ).
Unfortunately, Becky White was injured in an automobile accident and was
unable to attend. Ed Sarkisian's health also prevented him from attending
the ceremony. Joel Thomas accepted Becky White's award and Mary Randall
accepted Ed Sarkisian's award. Julio Marra also announced two new awards for
2003 with Robert Brown being the recipient of the Al Slyvester Memorial
Award and Dick Harrell being the recipient of the Jungle Jim Memorial Award.
Photos
Warren Johnson Looks to Bookend 2003 with Pomona Wins
Posted Wednesday, November 5, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
GM Performance Parts team looks for repeat of winning performance at season-ending event
SUGAR HILL, GA., November 3, 2003 - When the NHRA POWERade Drag racing Series left Pomona Raceway nine months ago, Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts racing team was atop the Pro Stock ladder after scoring an impressive win at the season-opening Winternationals. In the 21 national events that followed, Johnson and crew experienced both ends of the competitive spectrum, combining additional wins in Atlanta, Denver and Reading with races in Chicago and Las Vegas where they were reluctant spectators on Sunday.
Although most of the participants in the highly competitive Pro Stock division would consider this to be an outstanding season, the standard is much higher for the teams from Sugar Hill, GA. As the straight-liners return to Southern California to complete the 2003 season with this weekend's Auto Club of Southern California Finals, Johnson took time to put the year in perspective.
"Looking at the number of race wins for both Kurt and myself, our 2003 season was a little better than what we accomplished in 2002," stated Johnson. "Overall, it wasn't as good as we would have liked, but it certainly could have been worse. The high points were any of our four wins, each of which is equally significant, while you can imagine what our low points were. Overall, I guess you could say the GM Performance Parts Racing team was relatively effective this year."
This weekend, "The Professor" will look to sweep the Pomona races for the second time in his career, which would be a first in the Pro Stock division since the NHRA season started opening and closing its season at the Pomona Fairplex in 1984. (Fellow Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden has bracketed the NHRA season four times, but only once at Pomona Raceway. Overall, only four drivers have won both Pomona Pro Stock events, each of which is a multi-time NHRA champion.) With nine wins in fifteen final round appearances at the NHRA's home track, Johnson is well versed in what it will take to succeed this weekend. However, as he is quick to point out, the circumstances surrounding this race extend beyond the quarter-mile.
"Pomona is a unique racetrack in that it only gets run on by cars of any consequence twice a year, so the surface is a little different," detailed Johnson. "We've been successful there in the past, but we are going in prepared for anything. The points are no longer an issue, but we are approaching this race with the same simple objective - winning.
"Of course, with the area around the track being ravaged by wildfires over the last week, we will have to see what we have to deal with when we get out there. Everyone will be in the same boat, so it will be up to the GM Performance Parts team to the best job of adapting to whatever the track gives us.
"However, our thoughts are with the people who have had their lives turned upside down, and are now trying to reconstruct them. It makes having a bad race weekend pretty insignificant. Hopefully, we can give them something to take their minds off things, if only for the weekend."
Facts on Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts Racing Team entering
The Auto Club of Southern California Finals:
* WJ is the King in California: This will be Warren's 45th NHRA Pro Stock national event appearance at Pomona Raceway, where he has nine wins in fifteen final round appearances, and an 89-33 elimination round record for a .730 win percentage. WJ's most recent win in Pomona came earlier this year at the Winternationals.
* WJ has Finals history away from Pomona: In addition to his 19 starts in the NHRA Finals held at Pomona Raceway, Warren has four starts in Finals held at Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, CA from 1975-1978, and two wins in as many Finals starts held at Orange County in Irvine, CA in 1982 & 1983.
* Warren's Qualifying Stats in Pomona: In his 43 previous starts at Pomona Raceway, WJ has an outstanding 3.5 average starting position, with twelve No. 1 qualifying positions (including at this race a year ago) and only two starts outside the top half of the field. In fact, WJ was the top qualifier at every race in Pomona from 1993 -1996.
* One year ago: WJ was the number one qualifier for the 127th time in his career with an elapsed time of 6.797 seconds with a top speed of 203.31 mph, and advanced to the semi-finals.
* Pomona Raceway Record Holder: WJ holds both ends of the Pomona track records, based on his 6.764 second elapsed time and 204.91 mph efforts from earlier this year.
* Winning Streak: Warren Johnson has won at least two races in 18 of the past 22 years. In addition, his current streak of winning at least one race a year for 22 consecutive years is the longest in NHRA history.
* No. 1 in National event wins: WJ's 92 national event victories are the most ever in the history of the Pro Stock division and place him second on the all-time NHRA win list. His most recent win came at the Lucas Oil Nationals in Reading, PA.
* Career best elapsed time: 6.715 seconds, Englishtown 2003
* Career best top speed: 205.69 mph, Englishtown 2003
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
2003 was the Right Season at the Wrong Time for Kurt Johnson
Posted Wednesday, November 5, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
ACDelco Racing team looks to end strong season with win in Pomona
Sugar Hill, Ga., November 3, 2003 - By all accounts, ACDelco Cavalier pilot Kurt Johnson has had an outstanding 2003 season. For example, his 46 elimination round wins are not only a personal single season best, but with one race remaining, equal the total number posted by last year's Pro Stock champion, Jeg Coughlin. In addition, the 1,660 points Johnson has scored through the first 22 races of this year's NHRA POWERade championship chase exceed by seventeen those tallied by Coughlin over an entire season in 2002. Punctuating this stellar effort are his four national event wins, which tie him with his father, Warren Johnson, for the second most in the highly competitive Pro Stock division.
Although this performance would certainly have earned Johnson the championship in almost any other season, former Warren Johnson Enterprises employee and current rival Greg Anderson's record-breaking run finds Johnson solidly in second place. However, rather than lamenting the unfortunate timing, Johnson prefers to focus on the positive aspects of his strong showing.
"There was one guy who kept getting in my way," said Johnson. "Obviously, Greg's team stumbled on to something and ran well all year. We gave him a run for the money, and kept it close for most of the season, but in the end we just didn't have enough points to win the championship. Having worked here, Greg is well aware of how we operate, so he should know that we will be coming after him next year, and you know what they say about paybacks.
"But it has been a great year for the ACDelco team. Even though we didn't get as much research and development time as we'd like because of all the rainouts, the engine shop still did its job, giving us plenty of horsepower. All season long, Kevin Horst and Joe Cottle worked hard to make sure our Cavalier was ready to go. We're coming into Pomona with four wins in nine final rounds, and are looking to make it five in ten to wrap up 2003 on a high note."
Even though this year's championship has been decided, there is still plenty of motivation for Johnson and his ACDelco crew entering this weekend's Auto Club of Southern California Finals in Pomona, CA. For example, their primary goal remains the same as it was when the NHRA season began at this racetrack nine months ago - to win every race entered. It is an assignment that the second-generation driver has completed quite successfully at Pomona Raceway, with four wins, more than he has earned at any other on the circuit. In fact, he enters this race as the defending event champion, having scored a dramatic victory one year ago to preserve his streak of winning at least one race a year, an accomplishment that dates back to his rookie campaign in 1993.
"Pomona has always been a great racetrack for me," stated Johnson. "I won this event a year ago, and even though the starting line was completely changed by the work they did to it prior to this year's Winternationals, I believe we have a pretty good combination for the racing surface. We're coming off a runner-up finish in Las Vegas, where I felt we didn't run as well as we should have, so we should be in good shape this weekend. We're ready to put an exclamation point on a good 2003 season, and start getting ready for an even stronger 2004."
Facts on Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Racing Team entering the
Auto Club of Southern California Finals:
* KJ in Southern California: This will be Kurt's 22nd appearance at Pomona Raceway, where he has four wins (more than any other track during his career) in six final round appearances. Three of those four wins came at the Finals, including last year's event.
* One year ago: Kurt qualified second with a time of 6.806 seconds and a top speed of 203.28 mph, and defeated Mark Whisnant, Tom Lee, Greg Anderson and Gene Wilson to score the 23rd national event win of his career.
* KJ's Stellar Season Continues: Kurt has several personal single-season marks in 2003. His nine final round appearances eclipse his previous best of seven, set in 1993 & 1997. He has also set a new single season mark for elimination round wins, which currently sits at 46, breaking his previous record of 41 set in 2000.
* Winning percentage: Kurt's .642 elimination round winning percentage (343-191) ranks 11th among all active NHRA professional drivers.
* National event wins: Kurt's 27 national event victories ties him for 14th on the all-time NHRA professional win list, and place him fifth on the all-time Pro Stock win list. Kurt's most recent win came in June at the Lucas Oil Nationals in Joliet, IL.
* Career best elapsed time: 6.716 seconds, Englishtown, NJ. 2003
* Career best top speed: 206.61 mph, Englishtown, NJ. 2003
Event schedule:
Qualifying: Thursday & Friday, November 6 & 7: Single sessions at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 8: Two sessions at 10:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, November 9:
Pre-race ceremonies and driver's introduction start at 10:00 a.m.,
followed by the first round of eliminations at 11:00 a.m.
TV Schedule:
Qualifying Highlights:
Saturday, November 8: 11:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. (ESPN2)
Early Eliminations Coverage:
Sunday, November 9: 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Final Eliminations Coverage:
Sunday, November 9: 10:00 - 11:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
NHRA2Day:
Sunday, November 9: 12:00 noon - 12:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
(Note: All TV times are Eastern. Please check your local listings for updated air times.)
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
GOALS REMAIN THE SAME FOR BAZEMORE IN NHRA'S SEASON FINALE
Posted Wednesday, November 5, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 4, 2003) - The battle for the 2003 NHRA POWERade Drag
Racing Series Funny Car championship may be over for Whit Bazemore, who is
expected to be the class runner-up after this weekend's final race of the
year, but the goals remain the same for the driver of the Matco Tools Iron
Eagle Dodge Stratus Funny Car at the Auto Club of Southern California
Finals.
Bazemore, who contested his closest season of competition for the Funny Car
crown in his 16-year career in 2003, isn't letting down his resolve to win
every race he enters. The only difference this weekend for Bazemore and crew
chief Lee Beard may be that the focus has turned towards planning for 2004
as well.
Bazemore lost the fight to claim his first Funny Car crown to his rival Tony
Pedregon in the final round of the penultimate season race in Las Vegas on
Oct. 26, virtually ending a tumultuous season which would have taken its
toll on any competitor. The Indianapolis resident and cycling enthusiast,
however, remains focused, aggressive and, he claims, pressure-free as he
prepares for Pomona.
"I haven't felt any pressure lately," says Bazemore, who's won 15 Funny Car
events in his career so far. "We have always been focused, aggressive and
aiming for a win in every match. And it's our goal this weekend to go out
and win just like always.
"It would be nice to end the season on a high note. We've had a great year
and it would be nice to cap it off with a victory in Pomona," says the
two-time U.S. Nationals champion who has qualified No. 1 here twice and was
runner-up two times (all in 2001). "But we haven't won yet here. I'm really
eager to get our first win at Pomona, because it is one of the premier
tracks on the NHRA circuit."
Bazemore's 2003 season's been strong. He led the Funny Car point standings
for the first time after his win on Sept. 22 in Memphis, Tenn., and endured
a season-long see-saw points battle with Pedregon for the title. He's won
three races so far this season, was runner-up five times and enjoys a potent
41-18 win/loss record after 22 of 23 events. He also holds the third
quickest Funny Car elapsed time in NHRA history, a 4.725, established in
Joliet, Ill., this year.
Mathematically, John Force, 122 points behind Bazemore, still has a chance
to take over second place, but recent reports that Force suffered serious
cuts to his hands in a freak accident at his race shop indicate that there's
a chance he may not drive in Pomona.
It's time to look towards 2004, Bazemore says. "It would be nice to get this
race over with and start on next season. We've already dissected our year a
little bit and we asked ourselves why we didn't win this championship. We
came up with some answers and we've already started to address those answers
to make our team stronger and more competitive for next year.
"I'm really eager to start next season, but, in the meantime, it would still
be really nice to finish this year on an up-note with a victory here in
Pomona. And that's what we're aiming to do."
Bazemore was second in the NHRA Funny Car championship in 2001, third in
1997 and '99 and has finished in the top five five times and 10 times in the
top 10 since 1992.
Contact: Judy Stropus
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover
Posted Tuesday, November 4, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
COFFEY, NGUYEN "TRICK-OR-TREAT" ATLANTA DRAGWAY
COMMERCE, GA - October 31, 2003 Driving a potent 1992 Honda Civic, Trihn
Nguyen of Duluth took home two $50 Year One Gift Certificate vouchers on
Halloween Night - one after clocking a 11.168 second pass on Atlanta
Dragway's quarter-mile dragstrip for "Quickest ET", and the second in
recognition of the "Fastest Pass" (137.23 mph). Zach Coffey of Buford was
deadly at the Christmas Tree in his 1993 Civic, netting him the third $50
Year One Gift Certificate voucher for the "Best Reaction Time" (.523) during
the 9-10 PM Year One Power Hour for street-legal cars and trucks.
The Power Hour competition was but one facet of a special October 31st Year
One Fast Friday show at the popular Banks Crossing track. Titled "Halloween
Costume Drags", the event promised cash prizes for the best costumes,
WalMart candy for the youngsters, and many giveaway items from Year One
Automotive Restoration. In addition, Scott Kennedy entertained the fans and
racers with a wild quarter-mile run in "Controlled Insanity" - billed as the
World's Fastest Wheelstanding Funny Car.
Ironically, the big winners of the evening's Hayes Family Dealerships
Costume Contest were members of the same Hoschton family. Mark Visotski won
the $100 cash prize for the Best Adult Costume, while wife Kelly was
runner-up and received $50. Daughter Sadie picked up another $50 for Best
Child Costume, with her brother Jacob selected to receive the $25 runner-up
prize. Mike Hayes, president of the Hayes Family Dealerships in
Lawrenceville, Gainesville and Cornelia, presented the cash awards to the
Visotski family, all of whom were selected separately by the Halloween
Costume panel of judges.
Sponsored by Year One in Braselton, Atlanta Dragway's Fast Friday show is
primarily an opportunity for drivers of street legal cars and trucks to
"race the strip, not the street." Racecars and motorcycles are also welcome
for Test & Tune and grudge match racing on designated Friday nights at
"Georgia's House of Speed." The next Year One Fast Friday show is scheduled
for Friday, November 7th, with gates opening at 6:00 PM for racers and
spectators. Entry fees and additional information on the Fast Friday shows
may be obtained on Atlanta Dragway's official website,
www.atlantadragway.com.
Decal of the Week Album Updated
Posted Sunday, November 2, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Marvin T. Smith submitted 6 decals that I've added to the Decal of the Week album.
Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover
Posted Sunday, November 2, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
MAYFIELD WINS FIRST EVER DRAG RACE, AT ATLANTA DRAGWAY
by Tim Glover
(Commerce, GA - November 1) This event marked the final race of the year for
most Atlanta Dragway bracket racers. (There is a big car only race on
November 8.) To make things a bit more interesting, a "Mulligan" format was
introduced, where racers could purchase a buy-back into eliminations when
they came in the gate. The twist was the mulligan could be used in any
round except the final, where regular buy-backs are only allowed in the
first or second rounds of eliminations. A large number of mulligans were
used in later rounds, and several racers carried theirs all the way to the
finals. Stacy Blanton stepped up and made the offer to pay for any race
winner's mulligan if they had not used it in previous rounds, and he backed
it up by paying Bryan White in Trophy and Jay Rhyne in Motorcycle. Blanton
almost paid for Mike Ramsey's in Super Pro, but Jim Mayfield stopped that
with his first ever win. This was also Racer's for Christ day, so RFC
chaplains Gerald Aldridge and Lloyd Shanks led a service at the starting
line just before eliminations. Also, Kerry Arnold donated all the Racer's
For Christ trophies for each class. The Mr. Gasket / Mallory Cup runoff was
contested today, pitting the three "big car" track champions in a one round,
winner with the best package wins, competition. Super Pro champion Henry
Snelgrove made his year even sweeter with the best package, a .504 react and
a 5.134 on a 5.13 dial, winning the competition. He is now eligible for a
Mr. Gasket product sponsorship, along with a chance to win the grand prize
during the SEMA show to be held later.
An interesting trend seems to be developing with the Super Pro winners.
Well, maybe not, but the previous bracket race at Atlanta Dragway was won by
a former dirt track racer, and Jim Mayfield, also a former multiple time
dirt track winner, continued that trend today with his Super Pro win against
former champion Mike Ramsey. Mayfield put a 5.08 dial on the window of his
Gainesville, GA based '92 Beretta for the final, and won with a 5.10,
134.67mph shot against Ramsey, whose '81 Camaro slipped to a 5.63, 123.91mph
pass (5.59 target). Donald Green from Sylva, NC brought his wheelstanding
'84 Cutlass Super Stocker to play, and finished in the semi-finals, along
with Thomas Bell ('01 Undercover dragster - Toccoa, GA), who was beaten not
once, but twice by Jim Mayfield in eliminations. Mayfield has been racing
for five years, and prior to this event had never made it to the finals. He
and his family (wife Linda, and children Wesley and Leighann) along with his
friends, the Howard family, celebrated the win long after the event was
over. Son Wesley nabbed the Racer's For Christ trophy, saying that belonged
to him.
Multiple time track champion and former Mallory Cup winner Jacob Rutledge
out of Braselton, GA added another win to his collection with a victory in
Sportsman over Kerry Arnold from Jefferson, GA. Although Arnold had been
having great reaction times during eliminations, his final round one was not
as good as Rutledge's. Rutledge used that advantage to win with a 12.09,
108.26mph shot (12.01 target). Arnold broke out oh-so-close with an 11.394,
114.40mph attempt (11.40 dial) trying to catch Rutledge. Bill Estes ('69
Chevelle - Suwanee, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. "Today was (brother)
Joey's birthday. I won this race for him," stated Rutledge. Like Mayfield,
Rutledge did not get to keep his RFC trophy. Rutledge's son Tyler claimed
it immediately.
Grayson, GA racer Bryan White became the Trophy Street winner after Mike
Puckett from Norcross, GA experienced difficulties off the starting line
with his 3.8 liter supercharged '90 Thunderbird. White was late off the
starting line with his '97 Ford Cobra, but passed Puckett quickly after the
T-Bird seemed to hesitate just off the starting line. White trimmed some
speed off on the top end to avoid breaking out, turning in a 13.23, 91.83mph
pass (13.12 dial). Puckett's ride slowed to a 13.78, 105.58mph (13.00
dial).
Former Motorcycle champ Jay Rhyne, who hails from Athens, GA, demonstrated
championship form in the Motorcycle final with a .527 react and a 12.509,
100.66mph pass (12.50 dial) against Rush Winn from Jefferson, GA. Winn
began the round with a red lite, and then broke out with a 10.900, 119.64mph
on an 11.40 dial. Les Henderson was back with his very interesting four
wheeler, an '87 Yamaha Banshee. He finished his day in the semi-finals.
Scott Digby from Walhalla, SC has become a regular visitor to the 8-12 year
old Jr. Dragster winner's circle. The 12 year old continued that trend with
a victory over Fresh Frozen Foods racer Joshua Sisson (who was runner up in
two different events at the Division Two race last week). Digby's reaction
time advantage made the difference, as both racers went .01 seconds over
their dials. Digby turned in an 8.95, 72.84mph to the nine year old
Sisson's 12.91, 49.86mph (12.90 dial). Digby, with a lot of help from his
dad, Chris, won the first race this year, the previous Jr. Dragster race and
this event. Ashton Shubert (10 - Homer, Ga) finished her day in the
semi-finals.
Fourteen year old Bradley Myers out of Loganville, GA finished runner up
two races ago, won the last one, and did it again with his new race car
against 15 year old Heath Snelgrove from Dahlonega, GA. Snelgrove squeezed
the starting line just a little bit too much, resulting in a .469 foul, and
then turned in a good 9.68, 66.29mph pass (9.66 dial). Knowing he had the
win, Myers legged it on out to a very close 7.973, 79.10mph (7.98 dial).
Kyle Denton (13 - McDonough, GA) earned a semi-final trophy for his efforts.
Snelgrove appreciated the Myer's help; they loaned him an engine after his
let go during last week's division race, and let him use it again for this
race.
------------------------------------------------
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jim Mayfield '92 Beretta Gainesville, GA 5.10 134.67 (5.08)
R/U: Mike Ramsey '81 Camaro Commerce, GA 5.63 123.91 (5.59)
Semi: Donald Green '84 Cutlass Sylva, NC
Semi: Thomas Bell '01 Undercover dragster Toccoa, GA
------------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jacob Rutledge '79 Capri Braselton, GA 12.09 108.26 (12.01)
R/U: Kerry Arnold '81 Mazda RX7 Jefferson, GA 11.39 114.40 (11.40)
Semi: Bill Estes '69 Chevelle Suwanee, GA
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TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Bryan White '97 Cobra Grayson, GA 13.23 91.83 (13.12)
R/U: Mike Puckett '90 Thunderbird Norcross, GA 13.78 105.58 (13.00)
Semi: Clay Stancil '72 Chevelle Athens, GA
Semi:
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MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jay Rhyne '81 Kawasaki Athens, GA 12.50 100.66 (12.50)
R/U: Rush Winn motorcycle Jefferson, GA (foul) 10.90 119.64 (11.40)
Semi: Les Henderson '87 Yamaha Banshee Commerce, GA
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JR. DRAGSTER 8-12 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Scott Digby 12 Walhalla, SC 8.95 72.84 (8.94)
R/U: Joshua Sisson 9 Gainesville, GA 12.91 49.86 (12.90)
Semi: Ashton Shubert 10 Homer, GA
Semi:
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JR. DRAGSTER 13-17 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Bradley Myers 14 Loganville, GA 7.97 79.10 (7.98)
R/U: Heath Snelgrove 15 Dahlonega, GA (foul) 9.68 66.29 (9.66)
Semi: Kyle Denton 13 McDonough, GA
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