Sign my Guestbook
David Dilbeck
david@GeorgiaDragRacing.com
http://GeorgiaDragRacing.com
|
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.
August 2003
NHRA POWERade 49th Annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Delayed Until Sept. 5-7
Posted Sunday, August 31, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
The rain won - Indy delayed until next weekend.
NHRA Details
Atlanta Speed Shop Construction Update
Posted Sunday, August 31, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Here are the latest photos from the construction site of the Atlanta Speed Shop.
Baca, Scelzi, Anderson, Savoie and Harper Lead Pro Qualifying at the NHRA POWERade 49th Annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
Posted Sunday, August 31, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Saturday NHRA Recap
Chris Vandergriff is #21 in Top Fuel with a 5.163 @ 183.94 best.
Whit Bazemore is #2 in Funny Car with a 4.767 @ 323.74.
Georgia Pro Stock teams after day one:
Kurt Johnson is #2 ( only .001 behind Anderson ) with a 6.800 @ 202.30, WJ is #3 at 6.825 @ 202.18, Barry Grant's Team car with Terry Adams driving is #12 at 6.836 @ 200.56, Barry Grant is #17 with a 6.858 @ 200.98, Mark Whisnant is #22 at 6.868 @ 200.08, Gene Wilson is #31 (6.886 @ 200.56 ) and Eric Shelton is #46 with a best of 7.352 @ 196.59.
Richard Larsen ( Tyrone GA, A/ND ) is qualified #28 in Comp with a -0.479 7.221.
Butch Payne ( Randy Payne's son )won 1st round of Stock in his C/FIA '97 Firebird and will be paired against Mike McGinley in round 2.
Sherman Adcock ( Columbus GA ), David Tatum III ( Palmetto GA )and Scotty Lyons ( Douglasville GA ) survived round two of Super Gas. Adcock will receive a bye while Tatum and Lyons will be paired against each other in round 3. Ronnie Wilkerson ( Buford GA ) and Leland Poppell ( Odum GA ) were knocked out in round 2.
A Consistent & Fast Kurt Johnson Sits Second on Saturday in Indy
Posted Sunday, August 31, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
After a one-day delay caused by persistent rain showers, qualifying got underway on Saturday at the 49th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, IN. Kurt Johnson continued his string of strong performances in the ACDelco Cavalier, posting two of the quickest times in the Pro Stock category. His run of record came on his second attempt, as he blasted down the quarter-mile in 6.800 seconds with a top speed of 202.30 mph, placing K.J. second heading into the final day of qualifying at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Despite this outstanding effort, the ultra competitive Johnson was already contemplating ways to make up the one thousandth of a second difference between himself and the No. 1 qualifying position.
"Certainly we'd like to have the low elapsed time, but right now it's more important to be making nice, clean straight run, which we haven't quite done yet. That's what it's all about. Since we didn't test here last week, we see today's sessions as our first test runs.
"We're just happy to be solidly in the field. That's always your concern coming into this race, because something freaky can happen, and you easily can find yourself watching the U.S. Nationals.
"We're pretty pleased with our efforts, and we're just one thousandth out of the top spot. We'll juts have to switch it over to the full run mode tomorrow, and do what we can to run a 6.798 and place our ACDelco Cavalier at the top of the charts, earn all the qualifying points we can and go from there."
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
WJ Drives His Way to Third on Saturday at the U.S. Nationals
Posted Sunday, August 31, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Warren Johnson opened his 28th Mac Tools U.S. Nationals qualifying effort on Saturday in exciting fashion. On each of his first two attempts, Johnson had to call on his vast racing experience to maintain control of his race car. Even so, Johnson recorded two solid elapsed times, with his best run of 6.825 seconds with a top speed of 202.18 mph placing the GM Performance Parts Grand Am in the third position midway through qualifying at Indianapolis Raceway Park.
"As each run was quick enough to place us in the field, they were certainly legitimate, other than the fact that I used a little more race track than they wanted me to. It's just a matter of making a few minor adjustments to our GM Performance Parts Grand Am. Obviously, the conditions are a little different from what they were last week, so it's just a matter of adapting to it - we are certainly competitive power wise.
"The humidity tonight was such that the track had a little glaze to it, so the surface wasn't as good as you would expect given the track temperature, which is traditional here in Indy. Like anything else, you just have to deal with it better than your competitors, which is what we plan to do tomorrow."
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
BAZEMORE TAKES SECOND IN FIRST DAY OF QUALIFYING
Posted Sunday, August 31, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 30, 2003) - Whit Bazemore made it an all-Schumacher
Racing Funny Car "front row" after the first day of qualifying for the
prestigious U.S. Nationals, by claiming the No. 2 position behind his
teammate Gary Scelzi. Bazemore was paired with his rival John Force as the
final duo to go down the track in the second session. It was an impressive
run for both. Neither bumped Scelzi, who was in the first match-up of the
evening, out of No. 1, but Bazemore clocked a 4.767-second pass at 323.74
mph to take the No. 2 spot, while Force settled for third with a
4.780/317.94.
In the first qualifying session Bazemore took his Matco Tools Dodge Stratus
to a 4.856/318.84 lap against his rival for the championship Tony Pedregon,
which put him second at that time behind Force, who is third in the
championship.
"It was a great effort by the guys," said the two-time U.S. Nationals
champion. "The Oakley team over there are running awfully strong lately and
they're low right now. It's great for Schumacher Racing. I wish we were
three hundredths (of a second) quicker, but we're not.
"We made two good runs tonight and today. We're in a good position. We're
plenty happy."
Bazemore admitted that he was pleased to have driven around his rivals
Pedregon and Force in the qualifying runs, but his focus is on final
eliminations, he said. "Anytime you run those guys and you beat them to the
finish line it means something because they're THE guys. We always know when
we're running them. But it's only qualifying. The most important day for us
now that we're in the show is Monday. Monday is the day. We'll see what were
made of on Monday. I have a feeling we'll be pretty tough."
Contact: Judy Stropus
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Anderson On The Pole In Indy
Posted Sunday, August 31, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Today at the 49th annual Mac Tools US Nationals Greg Anderson has once again placed his Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am on the top of the Pro Stock ladder. In the Saturday evening session of qualifying Anderson drove his Grand Am to a 6.799 / 202.61 mph, to take the number 1 position.
“It feels wonderful to be on the pole here in Indy,” said Anderson of Charlotte, NC. “This is the most prestigious race of the year. To have both team cars in the field feels wonderful. We are on the pole tonight but I don’t expect it to hold.
“We knew going into the last session that there was .010 of a second in the left lane. We left some on the table in the first session so I knew that we could pick it up in the night session. I got out there and the car wheel stood a little bit, and became loose on the top end.
“It was a good run, but I am not a fool. Kurt (Johnson) is just a whisper behind us. To keep the pole I know that I will need to be on my ‘A’ game tomorrow. We have two more sessions tomorrow; this thing is not over.”
VEGAS GENERAL CONSTRUCTION PONTIAC GRAND AM
GREG ANDERSON – DRIVER
KEN BLACK – OWNER
CONTACT: Patti Miles-Hamlin
Jerry Jenkins Wins the Mopar Hemi Challenge at the NHRA POWERade 49th Annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
Posted Saturday, August 30, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Jerry Jenkins runs a 8.849 @ 148.77 to defeat a red lighting Dave Raybourn ( 8.899 147.04 ) in the SS/AA class final.
Mopar Hemi Challenge Final
Decal of the Week
Posted Thursday, August 28, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
The latest submission is the Atlanta Speed Shop.
Bonus! Decal of the Week #2
Posted Sunday, August 24, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
FE Bob Fermier submitted this 1958 NHRA Nationals decal.
1971 Atlanta $10,000 Advertisement
Posted Sunday, August 24, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Here is an ad for Atlanta Speed Shop Dragway's 1971 Atlanta $10,000
FORTNER IS 2003 HAYES IMPORT CHALLENGE CHAMPION; WILSON WINS SECOND CHALLENGE IN A ROW
Posted Sunday, August 24, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
FORTNER IS 2003 HAYES IMPORT CHALLENGE CHAMPION; WILSON WINS SECOND
CHALLENGE IN A ROW
COMMERCE, GA Keith Fortner of Ball Ground, Georgia won the Hayes Import
Challenge season championship at Atlanta Dragway on Friday night, August
22nd, while Winder's Michael Wilson was the Import Challenge Nightly Winner
for the second "Fast Friday" in a row.
Fortner, 42, driving an ultra-fast 1995 Toyota Supra, maintained a slim two
point lead for several weeks over his closest rival, Christian Vidal of
Atlanta, but managed to finish with a four point advantage over Wilson, who
only entered the final two Hayes Import Challenge events, but won both of
them in his 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse.
"Wow - what a relief!" Fortner exclaimed when he emerged from his
championship-winning car. "Now we can finally celebrate. It's been a lot
of fun running the Hayes Import Challenge this year, but the points chase
was so close that I couldn't just relax. That's OK, though. I work best
under pressure, and now that the pressure is off, I can't wait for next year
to defend my title!"
Wilson was equally enthused by his performance, and with the competitive
structure of the Hayes Import Challenge.
"It's great that an 18-second car like mine can compete on a 'level playing
field' with the really quick cars," Wilson stated in Victory Lane. "By
being the fastest in the 18-second category, and having the Best Reaction
Time of the night, I won the trophy and the three points - twice.
Congratulations to Keith (Fortner), but he better watch his mirrors. I'm
coming back next year, and I'm going to run in all the Import Challenge
races!"
Run from May through August as a ten-race series within the "Year One Fast
Friday" program, the Hayes Import Challenge is open to licensed,
street-legal import or domestic "sport compact" cars only, with D.O.T.
approved tires, mufflers and operational systems. The competitors may
participate in the other Fast Friday activities, including Test & Tune and
Power Hour Grudge Matches, before beginning the Import Challenge. One time
run on the quarter-mile strip is allowed to establish the one-second
category for each car (e.g., 10, 11, 12 seconds, etc.). The quickest run in
each category wins in the category, and the driver with the Best Reaction
Time among category winners is the Overall Nightly Winner. Three
championship points are awarded to each Overall Nightly Winner, two to each
category winner, and one point for all other entrants.
Despite being plagued by inclement weather this season, and losing three
events to rain, 33 competitors entered and ran in the seven Hayes Import
Challenge events this season at "Georgia's House of Speed," more than double
the participation from 2002. The Hayes Family Dealerships became the title
sponsor of the Import Challenge this year, pledging trophies for the Overall
Nightly Winners, and a Championship leather jacket and trophy to the 2003
Season Points Champion, which will be presented to Fortner later this month
by Mike Hayes, President of the Lawrenceville-based Hayes Family
Dealerships.
FINAL 2003 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
HAYES IMPORT CHALLENGE
ATLANTA DRAGWAY
1. Keith Fortner, 10 - 2003 CHAMPION!
2. Michael Wilson, 6
3. Christian Vidal, 5
4. TIE - Kevin Boyce, 4
Nico Ayala, 4
Trinh Hung V, 4
7. TIE - Matt Ramsey, 3
8. TIE - Bryan Schwieg, 2
Mike Andrea, 2
Dustan Hall, 2
Roger Yang, 2
Chris Walden, 2
Kam Cheung, 2
Juan Delgado,2
Noel Keophilavanh, 2
Samreth Phde, 2
Jason Mauney, 2
Brandon Fix, 2
Patricia Wodecka, 2
20. TIE - Jenson Keyes, 1
James Nash, 1
Peter Heu, 1
Trinh Nguyen, 1
Steven Lo, 1
Patrick Stapleton, 1
Melvin Montford, 1
Nolan Beverly, 1
Kyle Boyce, 1
B. Young, 1
Brad Wills, 1
Chayut Sinsatit, 1
Ken Scott, 1
Daniel Rodriguez, 1
FOR RELEASE: August 24, 2003
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Craig Armstrong (706) 335-7736
GADDIS, FORTNER COP 'YEAR ONE POWER HOUR' AWARDS
COMMERCE, GA Byron Gaddis of Loganville, and Keith Fortner of Ball Ground,
shared "Year One Power Hour" top honors during the August 22nd edition of
"Year One Fast Friday" at Atlanta Dragway. Driving his potent Chevy El
Camino, Gaddis clocked a 10.771 second pass on the quarter mile strip,
taking home a $50 Year One Gift Certificate voucher. Fortner's super-quick
1995 Toyota Supra netted him the Best Reaction Time, a nearly dead-on .502,
and the Fastest Pass (130.52 mph) of the 9-10 PM "Power Hour". Fortner was
presented two $50 Year One vouchers for his outstanding efforts.
Sponsored by Year One 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 next Year One Fast Friday program is scheduled for Friday,
September 19, with gates opening at 6:00 PM for racers and spectators.
Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover
Posted Sunday, August 24, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
SINACK EARNS SUPER PRO WIN, TAFT SEALS CHAMPIONSHIP, RUTLEDGE JOINS
SPORTSMAN POINTS BATTLE
RACE DATE: August 23, 2003
FROM: Tim Glover
EVENT: Summit / Hayes ET series event at Atlanta Dragway in 2003
(Commerce, GA - August 23) The second to last Summit / Hayes ET Series
bracket race is now in the books, and while the Motorcycle championship is
set, the others are still open. After three weekends of special shows, the
final points race for the Summit / Hayes ET Series will be held on September
20, 2003.
"That was fun," Stan Sinack said after winning Super Pro. The two time
former track champ won his first race in several years in his trusty
Lilburn, GA based '69 Dart. He met Mike Romines from Stockbridge, GA in the
final. Romines has not raced in one and a half years, but no one could tell
he was rusty. Romines debuted his brand new '03 Horton dragster Sunday at
the Snap On Tools show, and made it to the finals in just his second outing.
Romines said he scrubbed the brakes a bit at the finish line, carding a
5.20, 130.22mph pass on his 5.17 dial. He added, "the car was great, it was
the driver's fault. I'm going to flat foot it through the finish line from
now on." Sinack thanked Bill Boomhower for all his help cooling the car
down. Henry Snelgrove, Jr. from Dahlonega, GA made it to the semi-finals.
Jacob Rutledge, the defending two time Sportsman champion, missed three
races this year so he wouldn't get caught up in the points chase, but found
himself in a three way tie with Bert Chapman and Bill Boomhower for first in
points after his win against Clif Simmons from Dawsonville, GA. Rutledge's
Braselton, GA based Capri was close to his 12.16 target with a 12.18,
102.89mph pass. Simmons' '73 Dart did cross the finish line first, but
broke out with a 13.99, 97.01mph on his 14.02 dial in time. Cindy William's
husband, Gerry, was the lone semi-finalist. Rutledge thanked his wife
Holly, brother Joey and son Tyler for all their support.
Stewart Taft already has the 2003 Atlanta Dragway Motorcycle championship
sewed up, but added more pleasure to it with a win against Steve Bishop from
Winder, GA. Taft, who lives in Riverview, FL, but works for a street rod
company in several locations, took his '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100 to the winner's
circle with a better reaction time and a 12.04, 110.11mph pass (11.97 dial).
Bishop's '76 Kawasaki 900 earned the runner up spot with a 11.23,
116.89mph shot (10.90 dial). "The competition's been stiff all year, but I
put it on 'em," added a happy Taft. He then thanked his sponsor, Southern
Heritage Rods and 4 X 4's, for their help with his championship. Steven
Jackson ('01 Kawasaki ZX12 - Athens, GA) finished in the semis.
"We wouldn't be where we are right now without help from Bill Gillen," said
8-12 year old Jr. Dragster winner Lauren Turner's dad. Turner came in to
this race 60 points behind defending champion and current leader Matt
Gillen, but ended up only ten points out after her second win. Using a
motor borrowed from Gillen, the 12 year old Pendergrass, GA based Turner won
with a 9.18, 67.92mph pass (9.15 dial). Her final round opponent was nine
year old Joshua Sisson from Gainesville, GA. Sisson broke out with a 13.10,
49.28mph (13.12 dial). Turner thanked Team PTI (Prestressed Transportion,
Inc.) for their help, and also thanked crew members Matt Tomlinson, Chris
Garrish and Terry Samples. Dylan Kent (8 - Woodstock, GA) won the
semi-final trophy.
Fifteen year old Cody Martin from Buford, GA has been racing since he was
nine years old, earning a track championship along the way. He won the
first 13 - 17 Jr. Dragster race in 2003, and returned to the winner's circle
after defeating Ashley Dumas (17 - Commerce, GA). Martin nailed his dial-in
time of 8.57 with an 8.575, 74.83mph pass for the win. Dumas was close, but
second across the stripe with an 8.30, 78.28mph (8.28 target). Melissa Camp
(15 - Douglasville, GA) was the sole semi-finalist. Martin thanked his
parents, Lennon and Karen, and his uncles Ronnie, Jerry and Jeff Wilkerson
for their help.
------------------------------------------------
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Stan Sinack '69 Dart Lilburn, GA 6.59 103.24 (6.57)
R/U: Mike Romines '03 Horton dragster Stockbridge, GA 5.20 130.22 (5.17)
Semi: Henry Snelgrove, Jr. '95 Spitzer dragster Dahlonega, GA
------------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jacob Rutledge '79 Capri Braselton, GA 12.18 102.89 (12.16)
R/U: Clif Simmons '73 Dart Dawsonville, GA 13.99 97.01 (14.02)
Semi: Gerry Williams '73 Challenger Snellville, GA
Semi:
------------------------------------------------
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mike Newby '69 Chevelle Marietta, GA 14.06 93.89 (14.03)
R/U: Brian Harris '93 Mustang Toccoa, GA 14.95 93.65 (14.95)
Semi: John Snapp '68 Charger Conyers, GA
Semi: Wes German '82 Ford F100 Fayetteville, GA
------------------------------------------------
MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Stewart Taft '00 Kawasaki Riverview, FL 12.04 110.11 (11.97)
R/U: Steve Bishop '76 Kawasaki Winder, GA 11.23 116.89 (10.90)
Semi: Steven Jackson '01 Kawasaki Athens, GA
------------------------------------------------
JR. DRAGSTER 8-12 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Lauren Turner 12 Pendergrass, GA 9.18 67.92 (9.15)
R/U: Joshua Sisson 9 Gainesville, GA 13.10 49.28 (13.12)
Semi: Dylan Kent 8 Woodstock, GA
------------------------------------------------
JR. DRAGSTER 13-17 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Cody Martin 15 Buford, GA 8.57 74.83 (8.57)
R/U: Ashley Dumas 17 Commerce, GA 8.30 78.28 (8.28)
Semi: Melissa Camp 15 Douglasville, GA
Semi:
Classic Yellow River Drag Strip Advertisement
Posted Saturday, August 23, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Yellow River Ad
Decal of the Week
Posted Saturday, August 23, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
I've just posted the latest entry in the Decal of the Week album.
Click here to view the newest Decal of the Week.
Charlie Peppers Sets New Track Record and is Currently #1 in Pro Stock at the Hooters IHRA Sunoco World Nationals presented by PPG Auto Finishes
Posted Friday, August 22, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Charlie Peppers lays down a track record 6.608 ( 210.83 MPH ) at Norwalk to grab the #1 Pro Stock qualifying position after two sessions.
Pro Stock Qualifying Results
Hayes Mopar Meet 2003
Posted Friday, August 22, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
2003 Hayes Mopar Meet 9/5/2003 - 9/6/2003
We're at it again! Our 19th BIG Year! Our car show and drag race event promises to bring over 200 show cars and over 300 racers. The Dodge Boys will bring their pro-stock Stratus. We'll have a jet car and even the "Texas Bandit". The Burn Out Contest is on again and our vendors will be back selling the best stuff ever. You don't want to miss the biggest Mopar Meet in the Southeast. We'll see you there.
Price: Friday $ 10, Saturday $ 10
Location: Atlanta Dragway, Commerce GA
GenerationSPEED Magazine
Posted Friday, August 22, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
GenerationSpeed covers most forms of auto racing and this issue has a feature that I'm very interested in. The cover story, Legacy Of Legends, includes Don Garlits, John Force, Kenny Bernstein, Bill Jenkins, Don Prudhomme and Warren Johnson. I plan to do a review of this magazine very soon. For more information about GenerationSPEED Magazine,
Click Here.
“Join The Team” For The Chance of a Lifetime
Posted Friday, August 22, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
“Join The Team” For The Chance of a Lifetime
Nitrogeezers.com is starting a drive to raise the funds to bring some of the great cars from the History of Drag Racing to The National Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green, Ky in 2004
We want to bring back the fabulous “Winged Express with Mousie Marcellus and Crew. Mousie is one of the true legends of the sport and a great ambassador for the history of Drag racing. The “Winged Express” is one of the most legendary cars in the Nostalgia Movement and always puts on a “great” show for the fans.
We also want to get the man and car that started the ‘60’s era Dragster Restoration trend that is going strong today, and that is Bill Pitts and the beautiful “Magicar”. Bill has been instrumental in the movement to bring back the slingshot dragsters from the early years of Drag Racing and is truly dedicated to preserving the history of the sport
For the Gasser fans we want to bring the AA/GS duo of Ken Kull’s “Hill Bros. Red Baron” and Ken’s fantastic new “Red Baron 2”.Ken has dedicated himself to the period correct gassers of the “Gasser Wars” era.
To make this a little more interesting this time we have a special treat in store for the person that make the largest single donation to the fund for either car.
You will get to sit in the car for a full “NITRO” fire-up. That’s right, you will be behind the wheel of one of these ‘Fire Breathing” pieces of Drag Racing History.
Also for the first 2 people who donate as much as $200 you will receive a beautiful 20” X 30” “autographed poster of the car you chose to donate to. And there will be other prizes drawn from the names of all that donate
There are certain requirements* that must be meet and the car owners have the “Right of Refusal” if you don’t have the proper respect for such an honor. But all that takes is a little “Common Sense
So, Start e-mailing your pledges today to either Magicar@nitrogeezers.com or Wing@nitrogeezers.com or baron@nitrogeezers.com
Pledges will be posted weekly on www.nitrogeezers.com and PLEASE don’t pledge if you don’t intend to follow through because not only will the name of the people that pledge be on the website, but anyone that don’t come through will be put on the website as well. No dollar amounts will be posted.
Just e-mail your name, address and phone number with the amount you can afford to send to the e-mail addresses above and if sufficient money is pledged you will be instructed to send it direct to the car owners starting March 1, 2004
So “Join the Team” Today
Requirements to be eligible to be in the seat of any car for a fire up
• You must be at least 18 years of age and sign a waiver
• For the “Magicar” you must be between 5’6” and 6’ tall and of ‘slight to medium” build due to the way the car is built.
• You must meet with the owner at the event prior to the fire-up to go over what is expected of you and to show you can do as you are instructed
• Owners reserve the ‘Right of Refusal” to anyone deemed unacceptable
• Time of doing “Fire-up” at owners discretion
Don’t Miss out on this chance to fulfill your dreams of sitting behind the wheel of one of these pieces of Drag racing History
BAZEMORE ADVANCES TO SECOND ROUND, IS TAKEN OUT BY FRANK PEDREGON
Posted Monday, August 18, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 17, 2003) - There is some relative good news coming
out of Brainerd International Raceway today for Whit Bazemore, driver of the
Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus. Although he lost in the second round
of Funny Car eliminations to Frank Pedregon, Frank's brother Tony, Baze's
rival for the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship, was
eliminated in the semifinal. What could have turned into a huge lead for
Pedregon over Bazemore turned into just a 61-point lead, as Bazemore also
outqualified Pedregon to earn additional points.
No. 3 qualifier Bazemore faced the other Pedregon brother, Cruz, in the
first round, handily dismissing him with a 5.046/303.16 pass to a
5.188/279.44.
Frank Pedregon outran Bazemore with a 5.102/292.58 pass in the quarterfinal,
as Bazemore hazed the tires half track to post a losing 5.249/271.79.
This loss bolstered the two-time U.S. Nationals champion Bazemore's resolve
to fight even harder for his first Funny Car championship in the season's
remaining seven races. "If this Matco Tools Dodge team is going to win this
championship, we cannot fail," he declared. "It goes for me, it goes for
everybody. I've cost this team some rounds and we've gotten beat. From this
day forward it just can't happen. We're either going to come out here and
race and enjoy ourselves and let come what may or we have to go out there
and make stuff happen. We have to make it happen. We've got to be strong
every single round.
"We had an opportunity today to put ourselves further out in front of John
Force (which he did and now leads the 12-time Funny Car champion by 174
points) and potentially catch Tony and it just wasn't our day. So we're
going to have to make the U.S. Nationals our day and that's what we're
focusing on from now on.
"There's a reason it smoked the tires and it was in trouble from the
get-go," he added. "It's the way the chips fall sometimes. We have a
tremendous Matco Tools team over here. These guys are so good; they're
perfect. They want this in the worst way and I want it in the worst way and
as a team we're gong to succeed. We got beat as a team. I'm upset because we
got beat; I'm not upset for any other reason. We just needed to win this
race today and we didn't."
Contact: Judy Stropus
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover
Posted Monday, August 18, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
RACE DATE: August 17, 2003
EVENT: Snap-On Tools Day at the Races at Atlanta Dragway in 2003
DIKE WINS CLASS IN WOUNDED CAR DURING SNAP ON TOOLS DAY AT THE RACES
by Tim Glover
Although rains came and stopped the Summit Bracket racing action scheduled
for Saturday, August 16, only the threat of rain, in the form of thunder,
came on Sunday, when the semi-final rounds of the Snap-On Tools Day at the
Races were being contested. Each year, Snap-On Tools has a customer
appreciation day at Atlanta Dragway, inviting all of its tool customers to
enjoy a day at the races. First prize for each class was a big Lock 'n Roll
toolbox base cabinet and the second place award was a limited edition
porcelain collectible car, a 1/12 scale replica of Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s #8
car. The Southern Truck Parts Diesel truck team drove away with the burnout
contest trophy, also a 1/12 scale "Little E" car. Mark Hancock won
Motorcycle without the help of a delay box on his '02 Harley Davidson.
Jesse Young won Super Pro, Mike Dike, Jr. won Sportsman with a wounded car
and Kevin Poole won Trophy Street with his bone stock '98 Dodge RAM truck.
Before the Sportsman quarterfinals were run, Mike Dike, Jr. from Hampton,
GA said if he won this round, he was going to win the race. Little did he
know his pit neighbor's car was going to catch fire and his water pump on
his '84 Trans Am would quit. He did win the quarterfinals (and used his
fire extinguisher to put out the neighbor's fire in the pits), then caught a
break when Travis Bryant's '68 Camaro wouldn't fire in the semifinals. He
noticed his car was running a bit warm, so he eased on down the track and
went back to the pits to replace his expired water pump. For the final, it
was hot again ( a wire hurriedly attached came loose). Figuring he was out,
Dike staged anyway, hoping for a bit more luck. He got it when Silver
Creek, GA racer Gary Estes left the starting line too quickly in his '71
Camaro Z/28, resulting in an immediate foul. Again, Dike just eased his car
down the track to an 18.67, 55.44mph (14.08 dial), but this time was
rewarded with a brand new Snap-On Tools Lock 'n Roll tool chest. Estes'
machine turned in an otherwise great 11.98, 113.57mph (11.96 dial). Dike
added, "Sometimes, it's just your day." Travis Bryant ('68 Camaro - Bowman,
GA) and Paul Shultz ('78 Nova - Snellville, GA) were the semi-final
finishers.
Motorcycle winner Mark Hancock from Commerce, GA has been racing for 30
years, so after he registered Sunday morning, he went back to his Commerce,
GA home to do some much needed work on the house. Hancock chose to skp the
time trials and came back in time to run the race, dialing 12.45 seconds for
first round on his '02 Harley Davidson. After he won with a dead-on 12.450,
he figured the rest of the day should go well, and it did when he beat long
time motorcycle racer Tim Sutton from Gainesville, GA in the final. Sutton
put a 9.80 second dial in time on his '72 Kawasaki, but slipped to a 10.01,
135.63mph time. Meanwhile, Hancock put a 12.39 dial on his bike, and went
12.43, 102.78mph, clinching the win and the toolbox. Multi-time Snap-On Day
winner Jay Rhyne ('81 Kawasaki - Athens, GA) and Terrence Norman ('03 Suzuki
- Gainesville, GA) earned a semi-final finish.
Eric "Buford Heavy" Duncan does good work, and this point was proven again
by an engine he just finished building last week for Jesse Young's
Danielsville, GA based '89 Horton dragster. The car was close all day, and
Young took on the veteran racer "Smokey Joe" Smith in the Super Pro final.
His proud papa said he taught him everything he knows after Young took the
win with a .019 holeshot advantage, running 5.30, 122.79mph on a 5.28
target. Smith's '03 Miller dragster carded a 5.19, 133.09mph (5.18 dial).
Mike Romines ('03 Horton dragster - Stockbridge, GA) and Bruce Mouat ('34
Chevy roadster - Ty Ty, GA) finished in the Super Pro semis.
Dewy Rose, GA racer Kevin Poole's first reaction was, above all, to thank
the Lord for the Trophy Street victory in his '98 Dodge RAM pickup. He then
thanked all of his family for their support, and added, "I can't believe I
won that toolbox!" He did it with a .036 second holeshot win, running
16.70, 78.30mph on his 16.68 dial. First time racer Joe Loudermilk was
rewarded with the runner up prize after he ran a 13.29, 110.56mph pass in
his '01 Corvette (13.28 dial). Deanna Everett ('83 Mustang GT -
Blairsville, GA) was the lone semi-finalist.
------------------------------------------------
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jesse Young '89 Horton dragster Danielsville, GA 5.30 122.79 (5.28)
R/U: "Smoky Joe" Smith '03 Miller dragster Lawrenceville,
GA 5.19 133.09 (5.18)
Semi: Mike Romines '03 Horton dragster Stockbridge, GA
Semi: Bruce Mouat '34 Chevy roadster Ty Ty, GA
------------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mike Dike, Jr. '84 "OLD" Trans Am Hampton, GA 18.67 55.44 (14.08)
R/U: Gary Estes '71 Camaro Z/28 Silver Creek, GA
(foul) 11.98 113.57 (11.96)
Semi: Paul Schultz '78 Nova Snellville, GA
Semi: Travis Bryant '68 Camaro Bowman, GA
------------------------------------------------
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Kevin Poole '98 Dodge RAM Dewy Rose, GA 16.70 78.30 (16.68)
R/U: Joe Loudermilk '01 Corvette Douglasville, GA 13.29 110.56 (13.28)
Semi: Deanna Everett '83 Mustang GT Blairsville, GA
Semi:
------------------------------------------------
MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mark Hancock '02 Harley Commerce, GA 12.43 102.78 (12.39)
R/U: Tim Sutton '72 Kawasaki Gainesville, GA 10.01 135.63 (9.80)
Semi: Jay Rhyne '81 Kawasaki Athens, GA
Semi: Terrence Norman '03 Suzuki Gainesville, GA
Kalitta, Densham, Anderson and Brown Win the NHRA POWERade Lucas Oil Nationals
Posted Monday, August 18, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
NHRA Recap
We need help locating Hoyt Grimes' 1950s dragster
Posted Sunday, August 17, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Hoyt Grimes' dragster that was called "The Bullet", please let us know. Any information about who owned the car after Jack Black ( in the early 1960s ) is greatly needed. No information, or lead, is insignificant. If you know anything about the history of this car, please contact us.
Photo of "The Bullet"
Dixon, Scelzi, KJ and Showers are Top Qualifiers at NHRA POWERade Lucas Oil Nationals
Posted Sunday, August 17, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Saturday Qualifying Recap
Decal of the Week
Posted Saturday, August 16, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
The latest GeorgiaDragRacing.com Decal of the Week has been posted
here.
A new category was suggested by former NHRA Advisor Eddie Vidrine. He suggested that I post old ads or flyers and he submitted the first one. Eddie, thanks for the suggestion and contribution! If anyone has a related item, please submit them for consideration.
Ads, Flyers, & ???
Kurt Johnson, Dixon, Scelzi, and Scali Top Qualifiers at the NHRA POWERade Lucas Oil Nationals
Posted Saturday, August 16, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Whit Bazemore is #3 in Funny Car with a 4.952 @ 297.29. Kurt Johnson ( #1 -6.876 @ 200.23 ), Warren Johnson ( #4 -6.911 @ 199.49 ), amd Gene Wilson ( # 11 -6.945 @ 198.88 ) are qualified for Pro Stock after two sessions. Terry Adams ( #20 ) and Barry Grant ( # 22 ) missed the field in day one action. Fred Collis ( #4 -7.269 @ 182.62 ) made the Pro Stock Bike show.
NHRA Recap
Hayes Mopar Meet at Atlanta Dragway
Posted Saturday, August 16, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
2003 Hayes Mopar Meet 9/5/2003 - 9/6/2003
We're at it again! Our 19th BIG Year! Our car show and drag race event promises to bring over 200 show cars and over 300 racers. The Dodge Boys will bring their pro-stock Stratus. We'll have a jet car and even the "Texas Bandit". The Burn Out Contest is on again and our vendors will be back selling the best stuff ever. You don't want to miss the biggest Mopar Meet in the Southeast. We'll see you there.
Price: Friday $ 10, Saturday $ 10
Location: Atlanta Dragway, Commerce GA
Atlanta Speed Shop Now Under Construction
Posted Thursday, August 14, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Julius Hughes III is currently constructing a new building in Gainesville to house the Atlanta Speed Shop. Congratulations, Julius!
For construction progress click here.
Millican Wins Record 26th IHRA Top Fuel Title at IHRA Bethesda Softworks Northern Nationals
Posted Monday, August 11, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Charlie Peppers loses in round one of Pro Stock.
Eliminations Recap
Winnebago / Lucas Oil NHRA Division Two Points Race at Atlanta Dragway
Posted Sunday, August 10, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
RACE DATE: August 8-9, 2003
FROM: Tim Glover
EVENT: Winnebago / Lucas Oil NHRA Division Two Points Race at Atlanta
Dragway
HALEY WINS SECOND IN A ROW AT WINNEBAGO SUMMER SIZZLER DIVISION TWO RACE IN
ATLANTA
by Tim Glover
The format changed a bit this year for the Winnebago / Lucas Oil NHRA
Division Two points race held at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA. In
addition to all the NHRA Sportsman categories competition, a swap meet and
car show was added. The swap meet went well, with various used automotive
items available for bargain basement prices. The car show, put on with a
lot of help from Atlanta Street Rods and Georgia Street Rod Association, was
another popular draw for spectators. In addition to trophies, the top 20
car show winners got to make a parade lap down the dragstrip return road in
front of the grandstands. Also in the carshow was a vehicle to be raffled
off by Second Chance Wildlife Rehab. & Rescue Center, a beautifully restored
'67 Camaro. Tickets are still available at
www.secondchancewildliferehab.org.
John Bleakley Motor Homes had a display of seven motor homes, ranging from
the Minnie Winnie to the Ultimate Advantage, for sale on the manufacturer's
midway. Motorhomes have become very popular with traveling racers. Next to
the Bleakley display was Davis Golf Cart Sales display and IN-Motion
Satellite, Inc., a satellite TV system for travelers.
John Haley from St. Louise, MN won the Atlanta points race in Top Alcohol
dragster for the second year in a row, though not quite in the usual
fashion. Haley said his tires shook hard after the final round launch, so
he just lifted off the throttle in his '01 URC dragster and saved it for
another day, recording a 9.10, 87.39mph pass. His opponent, Guy Kelly from
Wadley, AL, was the favorite to win, since Haley had qualified fifth to
Kelly's number one spot. However, en route to a 5.76, 215.93mph pass,
Kelly's '98 Hadman dragster took out the mid track mph cone, which is an
automatic disqualification. Haley was awarded the win shortly after the
round was finished. After his late start and tire shake in the final, Haley
had already given up on winning, but when he saw pieces of the mph cone
flying over his car, his first thought was, "I think I won!" The win was
important to him, as he said it sealed his spot on the Jeg's Allstar team
from NHRA Division Two. Arthur Allen ('01 Precision dragster -
Jacksonville, FL) was the lone semi-finalist.
Caledonia, NY racer Jim Sickles has been on a tear in his first year with
the Meyer's RV Superstores Top Alcohol Funny Car. Just before the final,
his sponsor, Dave McMann from Meyers RV Superstores told him, "Do NOT lift."
Fortunately, Sickles heeded the advice, and laid down a race winning 5.72,
251.53mph shot with his '02 Avenger. Unbeknownst to him, Jay Payne from
Claremont, CA lost control of his Valvoline Oils "Thunderslug" '02 Camaro at
the 330 foot mark in the right lane and was forced into the left lane,
narrowly missing the back end of Sickle's race car. Payne's years of
experience were demonstrated when he simply lifted off the throttle and
coasted down the left lane rather than try to get back into the right lane.
Sickles was pleased with the win, as it sealed his spot on the Jeg's AllStar
team. "That was right down broadway, nice and smooth. This has been a
great day for the Meyer's car," added Sickles. Paul Lee ('98 Firebird -
Gaithersburg, MD) was the semi-final finisher.
Another Valvoline Oil backed car made it to the winner's circle in Super
Stock. Joe LoCicero, who comes from nearby Snellville, GA, chalked up yet
another win with his Valvoline / Bullet Racing Cams '88 Camaro. His car was
excellent all day; his dial in times varied only .02 seconds all day, from
9.92 to 9.94 seconds. LoCicero took out eighteen year old Matthew
Antrobius, who raced well all day to get to the final with his Bellbrook, OH
based '87 Camaro. However, Antrobius' uncharacteristically late reaction
time (.112 seconds) was no match for LoCicero's .018 react. Seeing he had
the advantage, LoCicero slowed his car to a winning 9.97, 129.64mph pass
(9.92 dial). Antrobius also turned in a 9.97, 133.68mph pass, but broke out
because his dial in time was 9.98 seconds. "I'm comfortable at my home
track. I've always done well here," added LoCicero. LoCicero then thanked
Mike Gruber of Valvoline and John Partridge of Bullet Racing Cams for their
help. George Tamasi, Jr. from Dowington, PA finished in the sem-finals with
his '00 Firebird.
Clarkrange, TN racer Larry Pritchett won Competition Eliminator for the
second year in a row at Atlanta; this time it was in his brand new A/SM '03
Pontiac Sunfire. Pritchett had to leave the line first, so it took a little
time before he realized his opponent's A/AD '32 Bantam altered, driven by
David Eaton from Merritt Island, FL never left the starting line. Pritchett
still laid down a fast, .488 under 8.052, 168.09mph pass (8.54 index). Tim
Freeman (H/SM '92 Camaro - Roan Mountain, TN) made it to the semi-final
round.
Thirty two year old Peter Biondo, who works for his family's business,
Biondo Racing Products, doubled up for a win recently at Bristol, and tried
to repeat at Atlanta, winning Stock Eliminator and finishing round three in
Super Stock. Biondo used a better reaction time each round to take the wins
with his Mt. Laurel, NJ based C/SA '69 Camaro. The final was no exception.
Biondo used a .04 second holeshot, coupled with a .03 over 10.98, 114.65 to
cross the finish line .004 seconds ahead of Brian Rowe's New Bern, NC based
H/SA '69 Camaro. Rowe ended up breaking out with an 11.54, 112.19mph shot
on an 11.55 target. "I may not do that again (race in two classes) for a
while. That was hard work," added a very tired Biondo. Brandon Wood (I/SA
'73 Nova - Tallahassee, FL) was the single semi-finalist.
Twenty five racers turned out this weekend to participate in the John
Bleakley RV Top Sportsman class. This is a FAST bracket class, where the
slowest dial in time allowed is 7.99 seconds (quarter mile times). Larry
Vickers from Rogersville, TN was the number one qualifier in his '63
Corvette with 7.095, 192.99mph, but he discovered a broken lifter that had
turned in its bore before round one, so he was unable to make the call.
Jerry Barker, a Chevy - Hummer dealer from Byron, GA was the Top Sportsman
winner, recording a 7.347, 187.83mph pass (7.32 dial) with his '02 Camaro.
His opponent, Billy Bridges ('03 Mustang - Tallapoosa, GA) stated he was
there to win before the race began, and did win each round up to the final.
However, he came up .005 seconds short in the final with his race car,
running 7.597, 182.01mph on his 7.55 target. Two neighbors from Naples, FL
finished in the semi-finals, Mike Thompson ('97 Cutlass) and Tommy Turner
('97 Camaro).
One of the first things Super Comp winner Len King from Langley, SC asked
after the final was, "Do you know anyone who wants to buy a race winning
car?" King's somewhat different 499 Dodge powered '97 Racetech dragster was
nearly perfect in the final round against Donald Kraler, Jr. from Jupiter,
FL. King took a .025 second holeshot advantage at the starting line and
turned it into a win light with an 8.905, 158.07mph pass (8.90 index).
Kraler's '03 Mullis dragster was close, running a slight breakout, but still
second across the finish line, 8.893, 163.33mph shot on the 8.90 target.
King and his wife said they were looking into buying a Stock Eliminator
Duster. Mickey Whaley has numerous wins under his belt, including a
Southern Nationals Stock Eliminator win. Today, he had to settle for the
semi-final finish with his Kinston, NC based '03 Undercover dragster.
Billy Upton, Jr. from Taylors, SC was the top guy in Super Gas with his '63
Corvette. Although both Super Gas finalists ran close to the 9.90 index
with 9.92 elapsed times, Upton's huge holeshot made the difference. Upton
ran a 9.929, 146.40mph to win against the Windermere, FL based '02 Trans Am
driven by Joseph Rich. Rich's car turned in a 9.924, 155.90mph pass. Jerry
Duke ('96 Beretta - Nashville, TN) was the Super Gas semi-finalist.
Only the top runners in Super Street were left by semi-final time in Super
Street. Former Division Two champion (2001) Lamar Stevenson III was the
winner against Greg Glenn (currently second in Division Two Super Street
points) from Cape Coral, FL. Stevenson's Montgomery, AL based '69 Camaro
was actually set up too quick for the finals, but it didn't matter after
Glenn's '93 S-10 pickup left the line .024 seconds before the tree was
activated, resulting in a foul for Glenn. Stevenson chose to run his car
out, and carded a 10.87, 124.52mph (10.90 index) for the win. Knowing he
had already lost, Glenn coasted across the finish line with a 17.34,
56.11mph. The current number one guy in Super Street is Mike Ruff, who
finished in the semi-finals today with his Orlando, FL based '92 Camaro.
Following are some other winners from this weekend.
Accurate Image Best Appearing Car: '02 Corvette, Ed Conner, Oviedo, FL
Accurate Image Best Engineered Car: '02 Undercover dragster, J.D. Reid,
Covington, GA
The Sealed Power low qualifier bonus went to the following racers:
Top Alcohol Dragster: Guy Kelly '98 Hadman dragster Wadley,
AL 5.467 260.97mph
Top Alcohol Funny Car: Jim Sickles '02 Avenger Caledonia,
NY 5.669 253.71mph
Comp Eliminator: Glenn Treadwell E/EA '23 Ford Sorrento,
FL 8.521 152.33mph
Super Stock: Chad Holland GT/EA '02 Grand Am Forest City,
NC 10.036 132.06mph
Stock: Robert Shaw G/FIA '87 Formula Douglasville, GA 11.995 108.81mph
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: John Haley '01 Uyehara dragster St Louise, MN 9.10 87.39
R/U: Guy Kelly '98 Hadman dragster Wadley, AL (disqualified)5.76 215.93
Semi: Arthur Allen '01 Precision dragster Jacksonville, FL
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: James Sickles '02 Avenger Caledonia, NY 5.72 251.53
R/U: Jay Payne '02 Camaro Claremont, CA (disqualified - no time)
Semi: Paul Lee '98 Firebird Gaithersburg, MD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPETITION ELIMINATOR CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: Larry Pritchett '03 A/SM Sunfire Clarkrange, TN 8.05 168.09 (8.54)
R/U: David Eaton '32 A/AD Bantam Merritt Island, FL broke on line (7.53)
Semi: Tim Freeman '92 H/SM Camaro Roan Mountain, TN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPER STOCK CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-UNDER
Win: Joe LoCicero '88 GT/CA Camaro Snellville, GA 9.97 129.64 (9.92)
R/U: Matthew Antrobius '87 GT/DA Camaro Bellbrook, OH 9.97 133.68 (9.98)
Semi: George Tamasi, Jr. '00 GT/EA Firebird Dowington, PA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOCK ELIMINATOR CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-UNDER
Win: Peter Biondo '69 C/SA Camaro Mount Laurel, NJ 10.98 114.65 (10.95)
R/U: Brian Rowe '69 H/SA Camaro New Bern, NC 11.54 112.19 (11.55)
Semi: Brandon Wood '73 Nova Tallahassee, FL
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPER COMP CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: Len King '97 Racetech dragster Langley, SC 8.90 158.07 (8.90)
R/U: Donald Kraler, Jr. '03 Mullis dragster Jupiter, FL 8.89 163.33 (8.90)
Semi: Mickey Whaley '03 Undercover dragster Kinston, NC
Semi:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPER GAS CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: Billy Upton, Jr. '63 Corvette Taylors, SC 9.92 146.40 (9.90)
R/U: Joseph Rich '02 Trans Am Windermere, FL 9.92 155.90 (9.90)
Semi: Jerry Duke '96 Beretta Nashville, TN
Semi:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPER STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: Lamar Stevenson III '69 Camaro Montgomery, AL 10.87 124.52 (10.90)
R/U: Greg Glenn '93 S10 pickup Cape Coral, FL (foul) 17.34 56.11 (10.90)
Semi: Mike Ruff '92 Camaro Orlando, FL
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOP SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: Jerry Barker '02 Camaro Byron, GA 7.34 187.83 (7.32)
R/U: Billy Bridges '03 Mustang Tallapoosa, GA 7.59 182.01 (7.55)
Semi: Tommy Turner '97 Camaro Naples, FL
Semi: Mike Thompson '97 Cutlass Naples, FL
Charlie Peppers Moves up to #7 in Pro Stock at IHRA Northern Nationals
Posted Sunday, August 10, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Charlie Peppers of Auburn, GA, qualified his '02 Ford Mustang Pro Stock in the #7 position with a 6.609 @ 209.59. Tim Nabors ( Lawrenceville, GA )briefly made the program with a 6.654 @ 207.98, but was bumped out and finished in the 18th spot.
Clay Millican ( Top Fuel ), Mike Janis ( Pro Modified ), Rob Atchison ( Funny Car ), and Jason Collins ( Pro Stock )qualified number one in their respective categories.
Results
LoCicero and Barker Win at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Event Held at Atlanta Dragway
Posted Sunday, August 10, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Joe LoCicero (Snellville, Ga) won Super Stock and Jerry Barker (Byron, Ga.) won Top Sportsman at Commerce Saturday. Billy Bridges (Tallapoosa, Ga), was runner-up in the all Georgian Top Sportsman final.
The winners:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER-John Haley
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR-Jim Sickles
COMPETITION ELIMINATOR-Larry Pritchett
SUPER STOCK-Joe LoCicero
STOCK ELIMINATOR-Peter Biondo
SUPER COMP-Len King
SUPER GAS-Billy Upton, Jr.
SUPER STREET-Lamar Stevenson III
TOP SPORTSMAN-Jerry Barker
NHRA Results
Efans.com to Sponsor Chris Vandergriff's Top Fueler at Indy
Posted Saturday, August 9, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Details
NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Atlanta Dragway
Posted Saturday, August 9, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Top Georgia qualifiers:
Comp:
#6 Van Puckett, Snellville, Ga., '99 Firebird, H/AA, 9.160, -0.430
#8 Richard Larsen, Tyrone, Ga., Dragster, A/ND, 7.338, -0.362
Super Stock:
#4 Arvester Faulkner, Stone Mountain, Ga., '82 Firebird, GT/FA, 10.235, -0.865
#7 Joe LoCicero, Snellville, Ga., '88 Camaro, GT/CA, 9.939, -0.761
Stock:
#2 Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.700, -1.000
#3 Robbie Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., '87 Formula, G/FIA, 12.160, -0.9906)
#6 Harold Culpepper, Pine Mtn. Valley, Ga., '94 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.774, -0.926
#7 Jeff Hairrington, Perry, Ga., '69 Camaro, H/SA, 11.528, -0.922
Top Sportsman:
#3 Ronnie Davis, Lilburn, Ga., '63 Corvette, 7.232, 193.24
#5 Jerry Barker, Byron, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.343, 187.86
Qualifying Results from Atlanta Dragway
Decal of the Week
Posted Saturday, August 9, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Here is the latest decal of the week submission:
Decal of the Week
Charlie Peppers #9 in Pro Stock at the Hooters IHRA Bethesda Northern Nationals - Millican, Janis, Atchinson, and Berner Lead Qualifying
Posted Saturday, August 9, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Charlie Peppers ( Auburn, GA ) drove his Pro Stock Mustang to a 6.639 @ 208.97 to qualify in the #9 position. Tim Nabors ( Lawrenceville, GA ) is in the #22 position with a 6.681 @ 207.98 after two qualifying sessions.
Pro Stock Qualifying Results
Day One Recap
"WINNEBAGO SUMMER SIZZLER", ROUND 6 OF THE 2003 NHRA DIVISION 2 (SOUTHEAST) LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES
Posted Tuesday, August 5, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
FACT SHEET
WINNEBAGO SUMMER SIZZLER
· WHAT: "WINNEBAGO SUMMER SIZZLER", ROUND 6 OF THE 2003 NHRA DIVISION 2
(SOUTHEAST) LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES.
· WHERE: ATLANTA DRAGWAY. 500 E. RIDGEWAY RD., COMMERCE, GA (EXIT 149/ I-85).
· WHEN: FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, AUGUST 8-9, 2003.
· SCHEDULE: GATES OPEN FOR SPECTATORS AT NOON ON FRIDAY, AND 9:00 AM ON SATURDAY, WITH NHRA QUALIFYING AND RACING TO FOLLOW. STREET ROD EXHIBITION & CAR SHOW, PLUS "CAR CRAZY SWAP MEET", BEGIN AT 9:00 AM SATURDAY, AUGUST 9TH ONLY.
· FEATURING: ALL THE STARS AND CARS OF THE NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION SOUTHEAST DIVISION, INCLUDING WIDE-OPEN, METHANOL-GUZZLING 260-MPH DRAGSTERS AND FUNNY CARS, ULTRA-FAST "TOP SPORTSMAN" CARS, PLUS COMPETITION ELIMINATOR, SUPER STOCK, STOCK ELIMINATOR, SUPER COMP, SUPER GAS AND SUPER STREET CLASSES. SPECIAL ADDED ATTRACTIONS - ON SATURDAY ONLY - WILL BE A DISPLAY OF STREET RODS FROM GEORGIA, ALABAMA AND SOUTH CAROLINA CAR CLUBS,
AND A "SWAP MEET" FOR AUTO ENTHUSIASTS.
· TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION, WHICH INCLUDES A FREE PIT PASS. ADULTS: FRIDAY - $20.00; SATURDAY - $20.00; TW0-DAY PASS - $35.00. CHILDREN (AGES 6-12 / EACH DAY): $10.00. AGES FIVE AND UNDER - "FREE". FREE ADMISSION ALSO FOR CAR CLUB MEMBERS AND A GUEST, WHO DISPLAY THEIR HOT RODS. $20.00 TO ENTER THE CAR SHOW, WITH TOP 20 AWARDS PRESENTED. $20.00 FOR SELLERS AT THE "CAR CRAZY SWAP MEET", WHICH INCLUDES A DISPLAY SPACE.
· NOTES OF INTEREST: THE NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES IS AN ANNUAL TRADITION AT ATLANTA DRAGWAY, AND ATTRACTS SOME OF THE MOST WELL-KNOWN AND SUCCESSFUL DRAG RACERS IN NORTH AMERICA. THIS YEAR'S EVENT WILL ALSO FEATURE A STREET ROD EXHIBITION AND SWAP MEET. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SERIES, OR THE "WINNEBAGO SUMMER SIZZLER" AT "GEORGIA'S HOUSE OF SPEED", LOG ON TO WWW.ATLANTADRAGWAY.COM, OR CALL CRAIG ARMSTRONG (706) 335-7736 OR (706) 654-1898.
SCELZI CONQUERS SONOMA
Posted Tuesday, August 5, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
SONOMA, Calif. (Aug. 3, 2003) - Oakley Time Bomb Dodge Stratus driver Gary Scelzi finally conquered the Infineon Raceway quarter-mile, winning not only his first NHRA pro event at this Northern California dragstrip in either Top Fuel or Funny Car, but the first event of his NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car career.
By defeating Dean Skuza in the final round today in a close match-up, Scelzi also became the only driver to have won in the Alcohol Dragster, Alcohol Funny Car, Top Fuel and Fuel Funny Car classes. He is also the 13th driver driver in NHRA history to win in both Nitro classes. The Fresno, Calif., native has won 25 Top Fuel events in his career, and this win is his first in a pro NHRA class since September 2001.
On top of four solid qualifying runs, Scelzi won every round in final eliminations in under five seconds. In the opening round he disposed of his teammate Scotty Cannon with a 4.899, giving him lane choice over his other teammate Whit Bazemore in the second round. He beat Baze with a 4.975, earning lane choice once again, this time against John Force in the semifinal. Scelzi dismissed the 12-time NHRA champion with a 4.954, which in turn gave him lane choice for the final.
The final round saw a close race to the finish line between Skuza and Scelzi, who have met twice before, each taking a win. Scelzi launched with a quicker reaction time of .063 to Skuza's .084. They were side by side for the entire pass, until the finish line, when Scelzi got the win light by a margin of .0291 seconds, with an elapsed time of 4.958 at 312.21 mph.
Earlier in the weekend, Scelzi established a new track record for speed of 318.92 mph with his Oakley Dodge rocketship.
"It's pretty incredible," he said following an emotional win. "This is the whole reason why I race, is to win. I didn't want to drive just any car. I wanted to drive a car that I felt was capable of winning, with equipment that was capable of winning and I really wanted to be with Don Schumacher Racing.
"I always felt that I could drive anything with four wheels and I felt I could drive it well," he added. "And I felt that in the right conditions, with the right people and the right equipment that I could win. That's how it works. It takes a crew chief, it takes a team, it takes a budget and at Schumacher Racing and Oakley and Matco Tools and all the sponsors, that's what we've got. And today is the result of all the right things put together."
The three-time Top Fuel champion gave full credit to his team and crew chief Mike Neff. "Mike Neff used to work for Joe Gibbs and he gives speeches every day at the end of the day," Scelzi commented. "He let's the guys know they've done well or if they need to pick it up in a certain area. He doesn't beat the guys up, he doesn't beat me up. But they praise me and I praise them. So those guys on that team have made me as strong as I am right now.
"Mike tuned that car to eight great runs this weekend. That's pretty phenomenal: eight fast and quick runs. Every time he told the car to do something it would do it. Every spot on the race track he wanted to slow it down or speed it up it did it. I can't tell you how I feel right now."
Oakley's Mad Scientist Jim Jannard was on hand to watch his driver take his first win for Oakley. "I think Jim is a little numb right now," said Scelzi. "This is as big thing. It's a big thing for me, it's a big thing for Jim, it's a big thing for Oakley. They've been in this position before but they haven't been able to get it done."
If anyone could have been even more emotional, it was team owner Don Schumacher. "That was fantastic," he said with a quiver in his voice. "That team really needed that win. We are really a united team right now. It was great for Gary , Zippy (Neff), Jim Jannard and Oakley, Matco Tools, U.S. Army, everybody. We are one great team out here right now that's working together and that's just super."
Neff was ecstatic in his usual calm, steady and focused way. "That feels great," he said. "We've been long overdue. I'm just so happy for my team and Gary and Oakley and Schumacher. We really had a lot of pressure stacked on us for quite a while now that we haven't been making the results that have been expected of us. I'm glad we finally gathered it up this weekend and we were able to pound out eight respectable runs and earn a victory and not have anybody giving us anything."
Scelzi jumped to eight place in the point standings, with 718, just 62 behind Tommy Johnson Jr.
Contact: Judy Stropus
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Scelzi Wins First Funny Car Race; Bazemore Edges Closer…
Posted Tuesday, August 5, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Gary Scelzi and Schumacher Racing gave the Dodge Stratus its third victory of the season with an exciting closer against Dean Skuza. Scelzi, a California native, beat out Skuza with a 4.958-second elapsed time at 312.21 mph to 4.966-second lap at 306.74 mph
Scelzi advaced to the finals with victories over Schumacher Racing teammates Scotty Cannon in round one, Whit Bazemorein round two and John Force in the semifinal.
"I can't tell you how good this feels," Scelzi said. "The big question I've been facing for awhile now is with so many Top Fuel wins and so much success in that class, why in the world did I switch to Funny Car. But I know that it's much more than that. It takes a crew chief, a crew of talented people, a great sponsor, and lots of money to win in any category. Plus, since Day 1 here I've never felt so much support. These people believe in me.
"Jim Jannard is numb right now,” Scelzi added. “He's gotten so close before with his cars but had never won. Talk about pressure. But this is a pressure-packed job and you have to deliver. We had a tough deal in Seattle but this is a team and you have to roll with it. The thing for me was that we were running so strong there and I know you only have so many chances to win these things. Its such a relief to have it carry over to here and there's no reason to think we'll let off from here on out."
When Arnie Karp red lit in the first round, Whit Bazemore easily advanced his Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus into the second round of Funny Car eliminations today, while points leader and No. 3 qualifier Tony Pedregon lost a pedaling contest to the No. 14 qualifier Keith Jackson.
Although Bazemore wasn't able to capitalize on Pedregon's first-round loss any further, as he then lost to teammate Gary Scelzi in the second round, he did make up 19 points to Pedregon and now is just 44 points behind for the POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship.
It was almost a repeat of events in Seattle last weekend, as Scelzi earned lane choice over Bazemore for the second round when he defeated his Oakley teammate Scotty Cannon with a 4.899/316.97 pass, the quickest and fastest of the round. Bazemore demonstrated the strength of the Don Schumacher Racing brain trust by posting a strong 4.924/311.77 for the second fastest and quickest of that round.
Amid renewed controversy over the lane-choice decision made last week, Scelzi's team selected the more favorable right lane. This was the race of the weekend. Would Bazemore advance and gain those coveted points on Pedregon? Would Scelzi advance to the semifinal en route to his first Funny Car victory?
One of the answers came at half-track when Bazemore got slightly out of the groove and spun the tires, scoring a 5.178/273.72 pass to Scelzi's straight and winning 4.975/309.77.
The important part of the other question was answered in the final round, when Gary Scelzi scored his first career Funny Car win in 22 events against Dean Skuza.
"We raced here and we raced last week too," said Bazemore. "They gave us lane choice last week. Today they didn't. Our Matco Tools Dodge went a little left and spun the tires and that's just the bottom line."
David Harris, Cox Marketing Group
Public Relations Manager
Mopar Motorsports
A Special Thanks to Schumacher Racing’s Judy Stropus
Johnson Drives to Another Semifinal
Posted Tuesday, August 5, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
SONOMA, Calif. (Aug. 3, 2003) – Allen Johnson once again made it to the semifinals, wrapping up a strong weekend for Mopar’s Pro Stock program at the Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway.
Mopar’s Johnson, from Greeneville, Tenn., was just a little shy of advancing to the finals with his loss to Jeg Coughlin, Jr. A.J. logged a 6.838-second elapsed time at 201.73 mph, but it wasn’t enough to beat out Coughlin’s 6.828/202.03 combination. The Dodge Stratus pilot moved into the semifinals with a first round victory over fellow Mopar factory teammate Larry Morgan and a round two triumph over Mike Edwards.
“It was a another good day,” Johnson said. “We’ve run pretty well here on the West Coast, and I think we’re in good position to challenge for a top-five finish this season. The car was really strong in the front half of the track, and my driving been pretty consistent too.”
Mopar’s Gene Wilson is starting to put together the right pieces of the puzzle. After qualifying in eighth, the 2002 NHRA Rookie of the Year put away Ron Krisher in the first round of eliminations before losing to Greg Anderson in round two.
“These guys have been working so hard this week,” Wilson said. “You can just see the confidence building over here, and our performances have matched. I think you’ll see us make a move here in the second half of the season.”
Larry Morgan continues to improve. The Newark, Ohio resident, qualified 11th this weekend, but fell to teammate Johnson in round one. It was the third time in the last three races that Morgan and Johnson have met during competition.
“I’m real happy with what we’ve been able to do recently,” Morgan said. “I sure wish we didn’t have to meet fellow Mopar’s though. We seem to be running AJ a lot lately, but it’s better than not running at all.”
Greg Stanfield and his DBP Enterprises Dodge Neon lost to Jeg Coughlin, Jr., in the first round today.
David Harris, Cox Marketing Group
Public Relations Manager
Mopar Motorsports
Despite his Perfect Timing, KJ's Day Ends in the Semifinals in Sonoma
Posted Sunday, August 3, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
After qualifying 13th on his final attempt, Kurt Johnson knew he faced an uphill battle in Sunday's final eliminations at Infineon Raceway. Opening against his father, six-time Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson in the first round, K.J. knew he would need every advantage he could muster in order to advance to the second round. Combining a solid .045-second reaction time with a 6.807-second, 203.09 mph pass, the ACDelco Cavalier driver was able to score the narrow hole-shot victory.
In the second round, Johnson eliminated former teammate and close friend Scott Geoffrion to advance to the semi-finals for the eighth time this season. Standing between Johnson and his seventh final round of the season was No. 1 qualifier and current POWERade points leader Greg Anderson. Once again, Johnson would face a quicker car without lane choice, making a strong starting line reaction time almost necessity in order to win.
Responding to the challenge, Johnson posted a perfect .000 reaction time, leaving the line over a hundredth of a second ahead of his opponent. Unfortunately, it was not enough to hold off his opponent, who used a 6.798-second pass to edge Johnson's 6.838-second, 202.12 mph pass.
"Although I had a perfect reaction time in the semifinals, Greg (Anderson) had a strong light of his own. I was actually hoping he would be off a little bit, and we might be able to get by him, but it wasn't meant to be. We did all we could on that run, and came up with a 6.83. We had changed a few components on our ACDelco Cavalier before that run trying to pick up the pace, and I'm not sure whether it helped or not.
"It came down to needing to run a 6.811 to beat him, but we didn't. It was a productive day, but we would like to have made it even better. The bottom line is that we need to find three hundredths, so it's time to get to work."
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
A Family Affair Earns WJ an Early Exit in Sonoma
Posted Sunday, August 3, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Entering Sunday's first round of eliminations at Infineon Raceway, Warren Johnson faced an unenviable task. Throughout qualifying, Johnson's GM Performance Parts Grand Am was one of the top cars in the division, placing fourth with an elapsed time of 6.785 seconds.
Johnson's reward for this outstanding effort was a first round match-up against his son, Kurt, whose car has also been among the top three in the extremely competitive Pro Stock category throughout the year. Despite his son's early struggles in qualifying which resulted in his 13th starting position, WJ knew he would need a nearly perfect run to advance to the second round.
Racing his son just as hard as he would any other competitor, WJ scorched the quarter-mile with one of the quickest passes of the round at 6.796 seconds with a top speed of 203.40 mph. However, it was not enough to overcome K.J.'s starting line advantage, who used a 6.807-second, 203.09 mph pass to score the first round upset.
"I guess you could say we were at the wrong place at the right time. It was one of those unfortunate situations where we were racing Kurt early in the race, with each of us still in contention in the POWERade points standings. He was a little better on the light than I was, and I ran just a little faster than he did, which made for a great race, but it just didn't work out the way we wanted it to.
"It's still not a bad situation. One of our team cars did advance, and we're making strides with this GM Performance Parts Grand Am. It's starting to consistently go down the race track, which is one thing we've been after, and we seem to have found a starting line set-up for the types of tracks we'll be racing on the rest of the year. Overall, our program is headed in the right direction."
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
BAZEMORE CONTINUES TO MAKE GROUND ON FUNNY CAR CHAMPIONSHIP
Posted Sunday, August 3, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
SONOMA, Calif. (Aug. 3, 2003) - When Arnie Karp red-lighted in the first round, Whit Bazemore easily advanced his Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus into the second round of Funny Car eliminations today, while points leader and No. 3 qualifier Tony Pedregon lost a pedaling contest to the No. 14 qualifier Keith Jackson.
Although Bazemore wasn't able to capitalize on Pedregon's first-round loss any further, as he then lost to his teammate Gary Scelzi in the second round, he did make up 19 points to Pedregon and now is just 44 points behind for the POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship.
It was almost a repeat of events in Seattle last weekend, as Scelzi earned lane choice over Bazemore for the second round when he defeated his Oakley teammate Scotty Cannon with a 4.899/316.97 pass, the quickest and fastest of the round. Bazemore demonstrated the strength of the Don Schumacher Racing brain trust by posting a strong 4.924/311.77 for the second fastest and quickest of that round.
Amid renewed controversy over the lane-choice decision made last week, Scelzi's team selected the more favorable right lane. This was the race of the weekend. Would Bazemore advance and gain those coveted points on Pedregon? Would Scelzi advance to the semifinal en route to his first Funny Car victory?
One of the answers came at half-track when Bazemore got slightly out of the groove and spun the tires, scoring a 5.178/273.72 pass to Scelzi's straight and winning 4.975/309.77.
The important part of the other question was answered in the final round, when Gary Scelzi scored his first career Funny Car win in 22 events against Dean Skuza.
"We raced here and we raced last week too," said Bazemore. "They gave us lane choice last week. Today they didn't. Our Matco Tools Dodge went a little left and spun the tires and that's just the bottom line."
Gaining points on Tony Pedregon was a valuable reward, but Bazemore will also be looking over his shoulder at Pedregon's teammate and team owner John Force, in third, who is closing in at 155 points back after losing to Scelzi in the semifinal round today.
"Force is making up ground, and he's coming up behind us like a freight train. They've won the last two races. Tony's team is stout too. It's just very tough, very tough. There are still eight races left this season. My goal was to leave here with the points lead and I'm just very disappointed that it's not happening. Certain circumstances happened to make that a possibility, such as Tony Pedregon getting beat in the first round.
"The guy to beat - I've said it from day one - is John Force and John Force got 78 points on us this weekend."
"Congratulations to Scelzi and the Oakley team for winning and for beating Force. They're a great team over there. They needed that win. It's exciting that they won. Jim Jannard (Oakley's Mad Scientist) has been around for a while now. He's a cool guy and I think he really enjoyed standing in the winner's circle."
Contact: Judy Stropus
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Scelzi Wins His First Nitro Funny Car Race at Sonoma- Dixon, Coughlin, and Scali Win Other Pro Classes
Posted Sunday, August 3, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
NHRA RECAP
Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover
Posted Sunday, August 3, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
RACE DATE: August 2, 2003
FROM: Tim Glover
EVENT: Summit / Hayes ET series event at Atlanta Dragway in 2003
SUPER PRO FINALISTS GET THERE IN BORROWED CARS, DUMAS FINISHES IN TWO FINALS
(Commerce, GA - August 2) Both Super Pro finalists were running in borrowed
race cars. Super Pro winner Joe Rampley was driving Jim Mayfield's Johnny
Thomas built '92 Beretta. Super Pro runner-up Lloyd Kaylor drove Dickey
Forrester's '68 Firebird, which was pulling double duty tonight, getting
Forrester to the Sportsman semi-finals. Announcer Marvin Noel said it was
all girl power in Jr. Dragster action. Ten year old Valerie Clements won
the 8-12 class, while 17 year old Ashley Dumas ( who also runner upped in
High School) won the 13-17 year old class. All winners received merchandise
including hats, tee shirts, arm bands and movie passes to the new Columbia
pictures movie, S.W.A.T..
Although it is tough to even win a round in a borrowed race car, two
veterans proved they could manage to make it to the finals in Super Pro.
Winner Joe Rampley from Gainesville, GA recently sold his race car, and was
racing the Johnny Thomas built '92 Beretta owned by Jim Mayfield. The
torque converter in Winder, GA racer Lloyd Kaylor's '87 Regal decided to
quit working, so Dickey Forrester stepped up and volunteered his '68
Firebird, which Forrester also raced in Sportsman. Kaylor, who had already
thought to himself it was only a 20 point night, stepped up to the challenge
and kept winning rounds until the final. Rampley also marched on to the
final, and although the Beretta was close with a 5.18, 133.80mph (5.15
dial), his win was automatic as soon as Kaylor left the line too early,
turning on the dreaded red light. Since the water pump on the Firebird had
pretty much quit working, Kaylor shut off early, running 7.52, 67.40mph on a
6.63 target. "John Boy" Smith ('00 Horton dragster - Bowersville, GA) was
the semi-final finisher.
Bill Boomhower, who hails from Walhalla, SC has raced many years in
Sportsman class with his Nostalgis Super Stock '65 Belvedere, and took
another win home after defeating Paul Smith from Roswell, GA. Smith's
exciting tuner Corvette, a Mallett 435, fell off the pace a bit, running
12.25, 113.40mph on its 12.00 dial. Boomhower, who had the better reaction
time, took advantage, and slowed his car to a race winning 11.14, 108.73mph
(10.90 target). Boomhower does have a hemi in that thing, but took it out
recently and put his wedge engine back in, saying it was more consistent.
Smith, who recently retired from Kroger after 38 years, was pleased with his
finish. Dickey Forrester ('68 Firebird - Hickory Flat, GA) and Cindy
Williams ('74 Challenger - Snellville, GA) were the semi-final pair.
John Snapp, who began racing in 1974 and made it to the 2002 Night of Fire
final in his Conyers, GA based '68 Charger, enjoyed his first ever race win
in Trophy Street. Snapp said his parents bought the car new, and it hasn't
been the same since he took possession of the machine. Snapp met up with
Mike Puckett, who won earlier this year in his supercharged V-6 powered '90
T-Bird, was the runner up with a time of 13.21, 105.64mph (13.22 dial).
Snapp didn't leave any room to maneuver, running 14.61, 89.05mph on a 14.60
target. Mel Abney ('67 Camaro - Cumming, GA) and Mardy Kennedy ('64
Econoline - Auburn, GA) finished in the semi-finals.
Jimmy "Cha Cha" Heisler has had a lot of fun in Motorcycle this year, and
enjoyed an instant win after Stewart Taft left the starting line way too
early in his '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100. Heisler's '00 Ninja ZX6R carded a 10.78,
129.57mph on a 10.50 dial, while Taft's machine was a little closer to the
dial with a 12.09, 109.25mph. Steve Bishop ('74 Kawasaki - Winder, GA) was
the lone semi-finalist. Heisler added he wanted to thank his major sponsor
(and better half) Eeman Hamdan of Big Easy Racing.
Seventeen year old Ashley Dumas saw the S.W.A.T. tee shirts, caps and movie
passes that were going to be given to the winners, and was determined to win
13-17 Jr. Dragster. She did, nailing her 8.28 dial in time with an 8.286,
78.84mph win against 13 year old Kyle Denton. Denton also ran close, with
an 8.02, 78.28 (8.00 dial). Kevin Hackett (15 - Evans, GA) was the
semi-final finisher.
Clements Electric racer Valerie Clements, 10, found herself in the 8-12
year old Jr. Dragster final, and took out division champion Joshua Sisson,
9, in the final. Clement's Central, SC based race car broke out less at the
finish line with an 8.97, 72.35mph pass (9.05 dial). Sisson earned the
runner up finish when his machine broke out more with a 12.93, 50.05 on a
13.02 dial. Nine year old Justin Fanchum, son of PTI racer Clay Fanchum,
made it all the way to the semi-finals in one of the Atlanta Dragway rental
cars during his first ever race.
High School Eliminator was contested tonight. Just like last time,
eighteen year old Jesse Young from Danielsville, GA took the win. This time
he did it with a 10.75, 62.63mph pass (10.80 dial). His final round
opponent, Ashley Dumas (17 - Commerce, GA) broke out more with a 10.49,
70.33mph (10.57 dial). Jeremy Hancock (18 - Homer, GA) finished in the
semis.
------------------------------------------------
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Joe Rampley '92 Beretta Gainesville, GA 5.18 133.80 (5.15)
R/U: Lloyd Kaylor '68 Firebird Winder, GA (foul) 7.52 67.40 (6.63)
Semi: "John Boy" Smith '00 Horton dragster Bowersville, GA
------------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Bill Boomhower '65 Belvedere Walhalla, SC 11.14 108.73 (10.90)
R/U: Paul Smith '98 Mallett Corvette Roswell, GA 12.25 113.40 (12.00)
Semi: Dickey Forrester '68 Firebird Hickory Flat, GA
Semi: Cindy Williams '74 Challenger Snellville, GA
------------------------------------------------
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: John Snapp '68 Charger Conyers, GA 14.61 89.05 (14.60)
R/U: Mike Puckett '90 T-Bird Norcross, GA 13.21 105.64 (13.22)
Semi: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA
Semi: Mardy Kennedy '64 Econoline pickup Auburn, GA
------------------------------------------------
MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jimmy "Cha Cha" Heisler '00 Ninja Woodstock,
GA 10.78 129.57 (10.50)
R/U: Stewart Taft '00 Kawasaki Riverview, FL (foul) 12.09 109.25 (11.95)
Semi: Steve Bishop '74 Kawasaki Winder, GA
------------------------------------------------
JR. DRAGSTER 8-12 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Valerie Clements 10 Central, SC 8.97 72.35 (9.05)
R/U: Joshua Sisson 9 Gainesville, GA 12.93 50.05 (13.02)
Semi: Justin Fanchum 9 Conyers, GA
------------------------------------------------
JR. DRAGSTER 13-17 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Ashley Dumas 17 Commerce, GA 8.28 78.84 (8.28)
R/U: Kyle Denton 13 McDonough, GA 8.02 78.28 (8.00)
Semi: Kevin Hackett 15 Evans, GA
Semi:
------------------------------------------------
HIGH SCHOOL AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jesse Young 18 Danielsville, GA 10.75 62.63 (10.80)
R/U: Ashley Dumas 17 Commerce, GA 10.49 70.33 (10.57)
Semi: Jeremy Hancock 18 Homer, GA
A Consistent WJ Will Start Fourth in Sonoma
Posted Sunday, August 3, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Warren Johnson wrapped up a workmanlike qualifying effort on Saturday at Infineon Raceway. In each of his four attempts, Johnson's GM Performance Parts Grand Am posted one of the quickest times in the Pro Stock category, with both his elapsed time and top speed among the top five of the 26 cars entered. Johnson's best effort came on Saturday morning, when he covered the quarter-mile in 6.785 seconds with a top speed of 204.23 mph, placing him fourth for Sunday's final eliminations.
As Johnson explained, this consistency is the result of the Performance Parts team growing more familiar with their race car, a radical new design that made its debut only seven races ago.
"We're finally homing on what this GM Performance Parts Grand Am needs to handle these particular track conditions. The starting line here in Sonoma appeared to be better than it actually was, so we made a major swing in the suspension department for our final run, and it went right down the race track. Therefore, it appears we had been just on the other side of being too aggressive.
"Over the last few weeks, this car has handled a variety of racetracks quite nicely, so we're getting into somewhat of a comfort zone. In fact, we will probably be ordering another car of this design for Kurt in the near future."
In an ironic twist, Johnson's first-round opponent will be his son Kurt, who powered his way into the field on his last attempt.
"Certainly it's not the match-up of our choice, but it's better than his being outside the field. We will just have to take it the way it is and make the best of it. Hopefully, whichever of our two cars wins in the first round will go on to win the race."
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Kurt Johnson Steps Up on His Last Run, Qualifies 13th in Sonoma
Posted Sunday, August 3, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
After battling tire shake on his second attempt on Friday evening, Kurt Johnson came into the final day of qualifying in Sonoma looking to reclaim his position on Sunday's final eliminations ladder. Although the weather conditions on Saturday morning were the best of the four rounds of qualifying, Johnson was unable to take advantage, as he was slowed by a mechanical malfunction.
This left the younger member of the Johnson family in the unenviable position of having one final chance in the heat of the afternoon to earn a spot in the starting line-up. Just as his father had done a week ago in Seattle, Johnson made the most of the opportunity, blasting down the quarter-mile in 6.796 seconds with a top speed of 203.77 mph, slotting the ACDelco Cavalier in the 13th position.
"We may not have been worried going into that last run, but we were certainly a little concerned," stated Johnson. "We were on a good run in the morning session when the motor shut off momentarily. We tracked it down to a problem in the electrical system, so we replaced everything. We're still not quite sure where the trouble came from, so we'll pack up what we replaced, take it back to the dyno room, and determine what failed.
"Luckily, our ACDelco Cavalier made a nice pass and got us in the field. It's unfortunate that we couldn't have made that run right off the bat and tuned it from there, because we'd be qualified higher. But the important part is that we're in the show, which is a battle in itself."
Ironically, Johnson's reward for his efforts was a first-round match-up with his father, six-time Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson.
"Naturally, we would have preferred to face someone other than my father," opined Johnson. "We only want to race each other in the final, but at least we're both racing tomorrow. Our goal is to duplicate what we did in Chicago, getting in on our last qualifying attempt and not looking back, marching through the field to the winner's circle."
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Bazemore Stays No. 4 With Second Quickest E.T. of Final Round
Posted Sunday, August 3, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
SONOMA, Calif. (Aug. 2, 2003) - Paired against Tony Pedregon in the next to final pass of the final qualifying session, Whit Bazemore served notice by putting down a quicker elapsed time than his rival for the POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship. Bazemore's Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus performed another strong run, posting a 4.920 at 310.20 mph to Pedregon's 4.922 at 302.75.
Although he didn't advance in the field, Bazemore set the second fastest e.t. of the round (to Del Worsham's 4.909) and remained No. 4 on the Funny Car charts, based on the 4.845/290.70 recorded last night. This final qualifying effort was held in the early evening, and few cars benefited from cool temperatures, as the sun was still shining on the Infineon Raceway dragstrip.
In today's earlier third qualifying round, Bazemore smoked the tires to a 7.925/101.16 pass.
"We were the second quick e.t. of the final session," he said. "The track is tricky when the sun's out and the heat's on it. It was a great rebounding effort by the Matco Tools Dodge team because of the problems we had last night (a failed attempt to qualify No. 1 when a tire came apart at the finish line). Super job, super job.
"Lately qualifying hasn't really gone our way. We've had little problems. They're just freak occurrences that could happen. Even if we prepared better or we paid more attention to our car - which we can't - these things would still happen. It's kind of a test, I guess. The team is tremendous and (Lee) Beard (crew chief) and the guys did a great job reading the track today, and to come out second low e.t. in this session is good."
Bazemore will face Arnie Karp in the first round of eliminations tomorrow, and, if he wins, has the opportunity to meet up with his teammate Gary Scelzi in the second round.
Contact: Judy Stropus
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Kalitta, Force, Anderson, and Treble are Top Qualifiers at the NHRA POWERade FRAM-Autolite Nationals
Posted Sunday, August 3, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Doug Kalitta's 4.531 @ 325.77 is tops in Top Fuel. The Golden Greek, Chris Karamesines, runs a career best 4.677 @ 310.13 to qualify #7.
John Force records his 115th career #1 Funny Car qualifying position with a 4.814 @ 316.90. Whit Bazemore is #4 with a 4.845 @ 310.20 in his Dodge Stratus.
Greg Anderson picks up his 9th #1 in Pro Stock for 2003 with a track record 6.750 @ 205.10. The top Georgia qualifier is WJ ( #4 - 6.785 @ 204.23 ). Gene Wilson ( #8 - 6.789 203.43 ), Mark Whisnant ( #12 - 6.795 @ 202.85 ), and Kurt Johnson ( #13 - 6.796 @ 203.77 ) are the other Georgia based Pro Stockers to make the field. Barry Grant ( #20 - 6.826 @ 202.30 ) and Terry Adams ( #22 - 6.831 @ 203.25 ) miss the cut.
Craig Treble takes the #1 spot in Pro Stock Bike with a 7.062 @ 189.79. Fred Collis qualifies #10 with a 7.131 @ 191.59 aggregate best. Andrew Hines rode the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to the fastest speed in NHRA Pro Stock Bike history. He ran a 7.105 @ 195.28 to qualify #7.
NHRA Saturday Recap
FIVE MINUTES WITH CHRIS VANDERGRIFF - an interview by Tim Glover
Posted Saturday, August 2, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Chris Vandergriff has been working for the past year and a half to put together his Top Fuel Dragster operation. Recently, he sat down for a few minutes to give an update on his progress and an insight into what got him started.
Q: What got you interested in NHRA Drag Racing?
CV: I've been around the sport all my life. My dad, Bob Vandergriff, Sr., has been associated with NHRA since the early 70s, and has worked closely with Wally Parks and a lot of the top racers through the years. I remember as a kid going down the track to pick up Joe Pisano's car after a run. I grew up around Shirley Muldowney, Raymond Beadle, Don Prudhomme and man others who treated us as family. Ed McCulloch is my godfather. You couldn't ask for a better childhood. I guess you could say I've been up close and personal with the sport through my dad's early management involvement with the NHRA.
Q: Do you ever think back on your 2001 Lanier National Speedway Truck
Championship?
CV: I miss the competitive side of things and the rivalries I had with my peers in the truck series. Winning the championship was my goal since day one. After four years, we achieved it, and then felt it was time to move on. We feel that NASCAR has outpriced themselves to corporate America, so going back to my family's roots in professional drag racing is the logical and economical choice to compete at a high level. Drag Racing gives you a better "bang for the buck".
Q: When is your next race?
CV: We're headed to Indy for the U.S. Nationals (Indianapolis Raceway
Park, August 28 - September 1.)
Q: How are you preparing for Indy?
CV: Since our successful Atlanta debut, we have been stockpiling the
necessary parts it takes to compete at this level. We feel our inventory is sufficient to go out and compete with the best of the best. We're not just out there to show up. We're out there to win. We're ready to compete at the top level. Preparation is the key to a successful team. Without it, you might as well stay home and not embarrass yourself or your sponsors.
Q: What are your future plans?
CV: We want to get Vandergriff Motorsports back out on the race track full time and make a run for the NHRA Powerade Top Fuel Championship as soon as possible. In a nutshell, Vandergriff Motorsports is very pleased to be returning to quarter mile action after our successful Atlanta debut, and look forward to the possibility of competing full time in the near future.
Q: Do you have anything to add?
CV: Vandergriff Motorsports is pleased to announce a new to drag racing corporate sponsor, EFans.com. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Jack Wissman and his investor group with the EFans.com family for their interest in Vandergriff Motorsports and NHRA Drag Racing. We currently have a one-race sponsorship, with the potential to grow it into a full time program in the near future. EFans.com is a new organization that gives avid auto racing fans the opportunity to participate in the sport's inner circle through direct sponsorship of racing teams in a variety of racing series. Benefits include exclusive access to the teams they sponsor, eligibility to participate at select VIP trackside events, participation in the EFans.com Savings and Rewards program, discounts on racing apparel and other racing merchandise and the opportunity to win free tickets and other valuable merchandise. We're excited about the opportunity to be involved with them.
A big thanks goes to my crew chief Terry Manzer for believing in myself and my abilities, and Chris Irwin for being more like a brother than an employee and being the best lead mechanic and friend a driver could ever ask for. Thank you to Hedman Husler Hedders, TD Performance products, Hamburger Oil Pans, Chikara Import Exhaust and all the fine employees of Vandergriff Enterprises, along with Valvoline Oil, Champion Spark Plugs and Venolia Pistons. And last, but not least, thank you to my family for their support and my girlfriend Sandy for her love and support through all of this.
BAZEMORE QUALIFIES NO. 4 IN SPECTACULAR RUN
Posted Saturday, August 2, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
SONOMA, Calif. (Aug. 1, 2003) Whit Bazemore grabbed the No. 4 qualifying position tonight, at the same time putting on a spectacular show of sparks as he crossed the finish line with the left rear body panel of his Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus self-destructing as a tire came apart at the end of the run. In an attempt to stop the car, Bazemore grazed the guardwall.
"We're disappointed for a number of different reasons," said Bazemore, who posted a 4.845-second elapsed time at 290.07 mph, "not the least of which is we lost our race car probably for the rest of the weekend and we also lost our chance at the No. 1 qualifying position. We were running pretty good at 1000 feet, good enough to be low, and it wasn¹t even under full power there, so it's just one of those things. It's part of the business; sometimes the unexpected happens.
"The biggest thing is the tire ripped off part of the rear wing," he added, "which changed the aerodynamics of the car and that's what kind of put us in the wall. I had the wheel cranked. After looking at the video I would have thought that with both parachutes out I would have been able to keep it off the wall, but I couldn't. It just scraped the wall easy; it wasn't bad."
"It appears that absolutely nothing fell off the race car," commented Lee Beard, crew chief on the Matco Tools Dodge. "The motor is fine. As a matter of fact, we're leaving the motor in the car; there's nothing wrong with it. We¹re not exactly sure what happened, why the rear tire came apart. Goodyear's engineers have it in their possession. They're going to analyze it and hopefully give us an answer."
Contact: Judy Stropus
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Kalitta, Force, Anderson, and Treble Lead Pro Qualifying at the NHRA POWERade FRAM-Autolite Nationals
Posted Saturday, August 2, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Doug Kalitta sets both ends of the Top Fuel track record with a #1 pass of 4.531 @ 325.77. Dixon is #2.
John Force continues his strong performance with a #1 Funny Car qualifying effort (4.814 @ 316.90 ). Whit Bazemore qualifies #4 with a 4.845 @ 290.07 and goes for a wild ride when his left rear tire comes apart. Whit was not injured.
Greg Anderson qualifies #1 in Pro Stock with track record performances of 6.776 @ 203.55. Warren Johnson is #4, Gene Wilson is #9, Terry Adams is #13, and Mark Whisnant is #15 after two sessions. Kurt Johnson ( #17 - 6.852 @ 202.12 ) and Barry Grant ( #25 - 6.916 @ 199.94 ) are not qualified.
Craig Treble is on top in Pro Stock Bike with a best of 7.179 @ 187.00. Fred Collis is #7 with a 7.241 @ 184.77.
NHRA Friday Recap
New Feature of GeorgiaDragRacing.com: Decal of the Week
Posted Saturday, August 2, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
I'll be posting a classic drag racing or automotive related decal weekly. These images come from the archives of drag racing historian Dr. Marvin T. Smith.
Decal of the Week
Harold Springs Passes Away July 30, 2003
Posted Friday, August 1, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
The well known promoter, announcer, track operator, journalist, and drag racer ( not to mention husband and father ), Harold Springs passed away Wednesday July 30, 2003. In addition to his promoting/announcing/operating, he was a partner in the Brumby-Hughes-Springs AA/FD that Julius Hughes, Jr. drove to the 1965 NHRA Division 2 title. Harold also wrote columns and race reports for several drag racing newspapers during the 1960s. I didn't know Mr. Springs well, but I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with him last year ( interviewing him for my book ) and talking on the phone with him several times. After talking to several racers ( and from my own experience ), I found that Harold was truly a good guy and he'll be missed by many. The drag racing world has lost another great one. Rest In Peace, Harold
Harold Springs
Warren Johnson Ready to Uncork a Vintage Performance in Sonoma
Posted Friday, August 1, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
GM Performance Parts team aims to return to their winning ways in the Napa Valley
SUGAR HILL, GA., July 31, 2003 - Warren Johnson has a record at Infineon Raceway that is the envy of virtually everyone in the NHRA pit area. In fifteen appearances, the GM Performance Parts Grand Am pilot has advanced to the championship round five times, scoring three wins. His performance in qualifying has been equally impressive, with four No. 1 qualifying positions, and an average starting position of 3.429.
However, as the POWERade Drag Racing Series arrives in Sonoma for this year's event, the primary focus is on Johnson's results from a year ago, when he was reluctant spectator on Sunday, snapping a record string of 303 consecutive starts.
"Actually, our performance a year ago in Sonoma was quite similar to what we just experienced in Seattle," explained Johnson. "We didn't have the proper set-up in the car, so we kept working at it throughout qualifying. We were just a little too aggressive.
"We finally calmed it down enough for the last run, and our GM Performance Parts Grand Am went right down the race track. Ironically, if we didn't roll the beams on our final attempt last year, we probably would have ended up in the top half of the field. I guess that's the 'drag" part of drag racing."
This weekend, the quarter-mile contingent will encounter their third different set of tuning conditions in as many weeks. Two weeks ago in Denver, they battled to make horsepower in the thin air, while at the last race in Seattle, the challenge was in taming a very tricky racing surface. Although the atmospheric conditions and racetrack quality in Sonoma are closer to what is normally found on the twenty-three race circuit, the temperatures are forecasted to be higher than normal for this time of year in the Napa Valley, further complicating the tuner's assignment.
Although this scenario may seem daunting to some, with 91 national event wins in 418 career starts, Johnson actually relishes the opportunity to call on his vast experience. Having recorded the best overall performance on the first two legs of the West Coast Swing with a win and a semi-final finish, "The Professor" comes to the Napa Valley looking to harvest his fourth title of the 2003 season.
"If the temperatures go as high as they are predicting, we're not sure what to expect from the race track," detailed Johnson. "But, having grown up on tracks where we had to mow the lanes before we could race, this team is ready for anything. As far as I'm concerned, they could throw dirt on the track to even things out, and I'd still feel at home.
"Because this car is so different from anything we've raced before, we're still experiencing a learning curve. However, once you get in that sweet spot with the chassis set-up, our GM Performance Parts Grand Am has already shown itself to be one of the fastest cars out there.
"I believe we've closed the performance gap on our chief competitors, so now we have to pay attention to all the details as far as the actual racing is concerned. If we do that, I think we have a few surprises in store for everyone."
Facts on Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts Racing Team entering
the NHRA Sonoma Nationals:
* WJ's Successes in Sonoma: This will be Warren's 16th NHRA Pro Stock national event appearance in Sonoma, where he has three wins in five final round appearances. He has a 27-11 elimination round record at Infineon Raceway, for a .711 winning percentage.
* Warren is No. 1 in the Napa Valley: In his 15 previous races at Infineon Raceway, WJ has four No. 1 qualifying efforts. Aside from his atypical DNQ a year ago, Warren's average starting spot in the Napa Valley is 3.429, having qualified outside the top half of the field only once (12th in 1989, when he was the runner-up to Bob Glidden.)
* Winning Streak: Warren Johnson has now 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.
* POWERade Points standings: After the fourteenth of 23 events, WJ stands third in the 2003 POWERade points standings with 943 points, 296 behind leader Greg Anderson, and 184 points behind second place Kurt Johnson.
* No. 1 in National event wins: WJ's 91 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 two weeks ago at the Mile-High Nationals in Denver, CO.
* 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
Kurt Johnson Sets Sights on Sonoma Win
Posted Friday, August 1, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
ACDelco crew looks to uncork a winning performance in the Napa Valley
SUGAR HILL, GA., July 30, 2003 - This weekend, the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series' West Coast Swing will come to a close at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. With three races in as many weeks, this traditional test of both man and machine often plays a major role in deciding that year's champions.
However, through the first two legs of the 2003 edition, the three primary participants in the Pro Stock division have essentially held serve, with third place Warren Johnson and current points leader Greg Anderson each claiming a win. Sitting second, ACDelco Cavalier driver Kurt Johnson comes to the Bay Area prepared to make a move of his own, while keeping the title chase in its proper perspective.
"Although you're never happy unless you're in first place, this ACDelco team is far from concerned," stated Johnson. "There are nine races left in the season, and a lot can happen in that time. We have the necessary pieces - it's up to us to put them together.
"Greg (Anderson) has had things pretty smooth for virtually the entire year. Meanwhile, we've battled through a couple rough stretches, and still are just a little more than one race out of the points lead. We're overdue for some good luck, and I believe we're about to hit our stride."
After battling unique racing conditions over the last two weeks, the straight-liners will return to more normal circumstances in Sonoma. One year removed from a major renovation, Infineon Raceway is a state-of-the-art facility boasting modern grandstands and an outstanding racing surface, which should produce outstanding racing in all divisions.
"Infineon Raceway is the perfect spot to finish out the West Coast Swing," stated Johnson. "It is a great facility with a racing surface that allows us to apply all the horsepower we can make, although with the temperatures forecasted to be in the 90's this weekend, we may not be as fast as we usually are in Sonoma.
"However, our ACDelco Cavalier has shown that it is as good as any car in Pro Stock, and we have a proven hot weather set up that we'll use. It is shaping up to be a very good weekend, and if we do our jobs, we'll be toasting ourselves in the winner's circle with some outstanding wine from the Napa Valley."
Facts on Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Racing Team entering the
NHRA Sonoma Nationals:
* Kurt at Infineon: This will be Kurt's eleventh appearance at Infineon Raceway, where he has scored one win (in 2000) in two final round appearances. In his ten previous starts, he has compiled a 15-9 elimination round record, for a .625 winning percentage.
* KJ Starts Strong in Sonoma: KJ has been the No.1 qualifier in Sonoma three times (1995, 1996 & 1999), and has qualified in the top half of the field in all his previous attempts, with an overall average of 3.8.
* One year ago: Kurt qualified seventh in Sonoma with an elapsed time of 6.813 seconds and a top speed of 202.39 mph, and advance to the quarterfinals.
* Traveling in Elite Company: Kurt's 27 national event victories tie him with Cory McClenethan for 15th on the all-time NHRA professional win list, and give him sole possession of fifth in the Pro Stock Career Victories, breaking a tie with legendary Pro Stock driver Lee Shepherd. Kurt's most recent win came at the Lucas Oil NHRA Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, IL.
* POWERade Points standings: After the fourteenth of 23 events, Kurt sits second in the 2003 POWERade Championship standings with 1127 points, 112 behind current leader Greg Anderson, and 184 ahead of his father, Warren Johnson, who is in third. Kurt finished sixth in 2002, his tenth consecutive Top 10 finish.
* Winning percentage: Kurt's .641 elimination round winning percentage (330-185) ranks 11th among all active NHRA professional drivers.
* Career best elapsed time: 6.716 seconds, Englishtown, NJ, 2003
* Career best top speed: 206.61 mph, Englishtown, NJ, 2003
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
BAZEMORE READY TO CHIP AWAY MORE POINTS AT INFINEON
Posted Friday, August 1, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
SONOMA, Calif. (July 31, 2003) - Whit Bazemore is breathing a little easier
now that he's managed to chip away 61 points from NHRA Funny Car points
leader Tony Pedregon's advantage after reaching his sixth final round of the
season at Pacific Raceways last Sunday. But that doesn't mean he has his
guard down. Not by a long shot, as the driver of the Matco Tools Iron Eagle
Dodge Stratus looks to chop even more points from Pedregon's lead by winning
at the Fram-Autolite NHRA Nationals this weekend at Infineon Raceway.
Bazemore is just 63 points behind Pedregon, but he's been closer to the top
earlier this year, when he was just 36 points back. "It just shows you how
quickly things can change. We were close a month ago and then we kind of got
in a rut and we had two bad weekends and we fell way back. And now Tony
Pedregon's had two bad weekends and we caught him. You can never take any
kind of points lead for granted. And by the same token, if you get behind
150-200 points you can't get suicidal about it because it will change very,
very quickly.
"The key is to be consistent, go rounds every race," adds Bazemore, who has
reached the semifinal round no less than nine times this season and is
winner once here in 1999. "To win the championship you don't necessarily
have to win every race, but you do need to go at least to the semis. If you
do that regularly you're going to be a strong contender. One one hand that's
our goal, on the other we really want to see the winner's circle, so we're
going to be trying to put the Matco Tools Dodge in the winner's circle here
again in Sonoma.
"Typically it's really hot here," he says. "It's not hot today. If it stays
cool it could be really good. The fact is that we have some momentum. We had
a great result in Seattle. We didn't exactly run killer all weekend; we had
some problems in qualifying that we shouldn't have here and that cost us a
lot. We have our confidence back and we're ready to go out and ro |
