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.
October 2003
Drag Racing Heroes
Posted Thursday, October 30, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
I want to thank these drag racers for making a difference in the lives of many! True Drag Racing Heroes
Atlanta Dragway to Host Halloween Costume Drags
Posted Tuesday, October 28, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
(BANKS CROSSING, GA) Atlanta Dragway will be the host for a very special
Halloween party this Friday night, October 31st, as the "Halloween Costume
Drags" take center stage at Georgia's House of Speed TM.. Scheduled as an
addition to the dragstrip's Year One Fast Friday grudge night program, the
holiday event will offer cash prizes for the best adult and child costumes,
as well as plenty of Halloween candy for children.
"The idea for this event came from the fact that we had already scheduled a
street-legal drag racing show on October 31st," said track General Manager
Craig Armstrong. "Naturally we thought that a lot of our racers and fans,
along with their kids, would enjoy celebrating Halloween with us and, with
the help of the Hayes Family Dealerships, Year One and the Wal-Mart
Superstore in Banks Crossing, our 'idea' became a reality."
Spectators who normally pay $10 to watch a Year One Fast Friday show may
enjoy "free admission" by picking up a special coupon at any of the three
Hayes dealerships in Lawrenceville, Gainesville or Cornelia and showing up
in costume at Atlanta Dragway on Friday evening. Year One Automotive
Restoration in Braselton will also be on hand with Gift Certificates,
t-shirts and other prizes, while Wal-Mart Halloween candy is provided for
the youngsters.
Hayes Family Dealerships is also posting cash awards for the Best Halloween
Costume: $100 for Adults (13 and older) and $50 for Children (12 and
younger). The Adult "runner-up" will receive $50, while second place in
Children's costumes will be awarded $25.
Gates will open for everyone at 6 PM on Friday evening, with drag racing and
other festivities beginning at 6:30. Street-legal vehicles are $15 to race,
while racing and trailered vehicles are $25. General Admission for
spectators is $10, while Children ages 6-12 pay just $5. As with virtually
all Atlanta Dragway events, Kids ages 5 and under are Free.
Located just off 1-85 at Exit 149 in the Banks Crossing area of Commerce,
Atlanta Dragway's Fast Friday show is primarily an opportunity for drivers
of street legal cars, trucks and motorcycles to "race the strip, not the
street." Racecars and racing bikes are also welcome for Test & Tune and
grudge match racing on most Friday nights. Additional information on
Atlanta Dragway events may be obtained by calling the track's business
office (706-335-2301 or 770-682-3782) or online at the official website for
the dragstrip (Atlanta Dragway).
Dumas Wins Jr. Dragster Division Championship
Posted Tuesday, October 28, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
By Tim Glover
(October 25-26 - Albany, GA) Atlanta Dragway has brought home a Jr.
Dragster Division Two Champion every year since 1998 (except for 2001), and
2003 was no exception. Seventeen year old Ashley Dumas is wrapping up her
final year in Jr. Dragster, and ended her career on a high note, winning the
13-17 year old class in the 2003 NHRA Division Two Jr. Dragster ET Finals,
held at US 19 Dragway in Albany, GA. Dumas, who won the 2003 13-17 year old
Atlanta Dragway track championship, had a scare during the quarter-finals of
the 13-17 year old Race of Champions when the crankshaft on her engine
broke. She was still in, so thanks to some quick work from her friends, and
Alton Clements' Young Guns Motorsports Blockzilla, she made it to the
semi-finals. She kept the engine for the following Division Two ET Finals
race, and took it all the way to the championship run, earning an NHRA
"Wally" for her winning effort.
The very excited Ashley Dumas made a point of thanking everyone with the
Atlanta Dragway team, stating there was no way she could have won the
championship without their help changing the engine out so quickly. Her Jr.
Dragster has a For Sale sign on it, and she is already looking for a "big
car" to race in 2004. She hasn't decided which class to compete in yet, but
is considering Sportsman (no electronics).
Two more Atlanta Dragway racers also made it to the final round during the
weekend's action. "Mad Matt" Gillen finished runner up in the 10-12 year
old Race of Champions with his Valvoline / Young Guns machine. The
defending 2002 8-9 year old Division Champion, Joshua Sisson, finished
runner up in both the 8-9 year old Race of Champions and the 8-9 year old
class in the NHRA Division Two ET Finals race.
Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover
Posted Tuesday, October 28, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
COFFEY, YOUNG AND BRUCE NAB YEAR ONE FAST FRIDAY HONORS
BANKS CROSSING, GA Zach Coffey of Buford, Chuck Young of Dawsonville and
Jeremy Bruce of Dacula shared the top honors during the 9 - 10 PM "Year One
Power Hour" during Atlanta Dragway's Fast Friday show on October 24th.
Driving a 1993 Honda Civic, Young drilled the Christmas Tree with a .508 for
the Best Reaction Time of the Power Hour, taking home a $50 Year One Gift
Certificate voucher for the second week in a row. Young's potent 1992
Mustang GT netted him the Fastest Pass (126.82 mph), while Bruce's
super-quick 1989 Mustang LX ran the Quickest Elapsed Time (10.962 seconds)
in the Street-Legal-Only event; both men picked up $50 Year One Gift
Certificate vouchers for their efforts.
Sponsored by Year One in Braselton, along with Billy Howell Ford-Featherlite
in Cumming, Atlanta Dragway's Fast Friday show is primarily an opportunity
for drivers of street legal vehicles to "race the strip, not the street."
Racecars and racing bikes 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, October 31st, with
gates opening at 6:00 PM for racers and spectators.
Kurt Johnson Powers to the Final Round at the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals
Posted Monday, October 27, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
After attending the KISS concert on Saturday night, Kurt Johnson arrived at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday ready to rock his way into the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals winner's circle. In addition to flying the legendary rock group's color on his ACDelco/KISS Cavalier, and having band members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley in attendance, Johnson had the added incentive of racing in his sponsor's event in front of nearly 1,500 employees and customers who came out on Sunday.
Starting from the third position, Johnson opened his pursuit of victory in strong fashion, defeating Gene Wilson with one of the best runs of the round, a solid 6.891 second run with a top speed of 200.71 mph. After eliminating Taylor Lastor In the second round, Johnson used a solid startling reaction time to defeat a quicker Jason Line on a hole shot in the semifinals to advance to his ninth final round of the season.
Facing recently-crowned Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson in the final, Johnson knew he would need a nearly perfect run to score his fifth national event win of the season. Responding to the challenge, Johnson welded Anderson to the starting line, leaving over three hundredths of a second ahead.
Powering down track, Johnson made his quickest pass of the weekend at 6.878 seconds with a top speed of 200.56 mph. Unfortunately, his gallant effort came up seven thousandths of a second shy of victory, as Anderson recorded the quickest elapsed time of the weekend at 6.837 seconds to just edge Johnson at the finish line stripe.
"We did our best to win the race today and just fell a little short," said Johnson. "Even though that was our best run of the event in the final, it did move around a little bit in the middle of the track. It just seemed like all weekend long, both in qualifying and eliminations, no matter what lane I was in, the other one was a little bit better. I didn't have lane choice in the final, and that might have been the key.
"I would really have like to win for Scott Mackie, Sue Seaglund, Tom Paci and all the ACDelco employees and customers who spent the time and effort to come out, watch us race and pull for us. It was an awesome feeling on Friday night when we drove in front of the stands and everyone was cheering us on.
"It also would have been fun to carry the KISS colors back into the winner's circle. We went to the concert last night, and Gene (Simmons) and Paul (Stanley) were here today. The entire promotion worked out great.
"Still, the ACDelco/KISS Cavalier ran well, we put on a good show for our sponsor, we were the runner-up, and increased our lead over third place. All in all, it wasn't a bad weekend."
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Tony Pedregon Defeats Bazemore in Final Round - Clinches NHRA POWERade Funny Car Championship. Bernstein, Anderson, Treble and Von Smith Win at the NHRA POWERade ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals
Posted Monday, October 27, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Greg Anderson defeats Kurt Johnson in the final for his 11th national event win in 2003, tying Darrell Alderman for most Pro Stock wins in a season.
NHRA Recap
Team ACDelco has Mixed Results on Saturday in Las Vegas
Posted Sunday, October 26, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
The second day of qualifying for the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals proved to an extremely challenging one for all the competitors. A series of on-track incidents delayed the activities by several hours, sending crew chiefs scrambling to find the proper set-up for an ever-changing racing surface. At the end of the day, the three drivers that comprised Team ACDelco at this event combined to cover virtually every aspect of the competitive spectrum.
Kurt Johnson in the ACDelco/KISS Cavalier had the best outing of the three. On his third attempt on Saturday, Johnson rocketed down the quarter-mile in 6.886 seconds with a top speed of 199.88 mph to claim the third starting position.
"After running that 6.88 this morning, we actually expected to pick up on that last run, but we decided to do a little fishing," detailed Johnson. "We tried some carburetor technology we'd tested on the dyno, and made a decent run at 6.90, but honestly we were looking for a 6.87. We'll go back to our set-up from this morning for tomorrow and see what happens.
"Unfortunately, it's hard to be too happy considering the problems Dad had on his car. It brings everybody down on both teams. It just goes to show you how tough it is out there. His last run didn't look that bad, but it just didn't put the number up.
"It's now up to us to take care of business for the whole team. The cheering section of ACDelco employees and customers we had going by the stands last night was awesome, and got deep inside of me. To be able to win with everyone here from ACDelco and General Motors, as well as the guys from KISS, would be as big as doing it at the U.S. Nationals."
As K.J. alluded, his father, six-time Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson, did not fare as well. The elder Johnson, who was also carrying the ACDelco colors this weekend to highlight their sponsorship of this event, batted to find the proper combination to tame the tricky track at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Johnson's Grand Am showed improvement on every run. However, his best effort of 6.956 seconds with a top speed of 198.32 mph fell shy of earning a spot in Sunday's starting field.
"We never really established a baseline from which we could properly tune the car," said Johnson. "The last run was the only one we could have used for that purpose, and by that time, it was obviously too late. We needed that type of run on our first attempt.
"We just couldn't get the clutch, gear and tire combination right, which showed in our sixty-foot times. I think if there was a chuck wagon in the other lane, it would probably have out sixty-footed us this weekend. We really have no excuse, but we will spend the next two weeks making sure whatever is wrong with this ACDelco/GM Performance Parts Grand Am is fixed and we are ready for the last race in Pomona."
Harold Martin and the ACDelco Pro Mod Racing team came to Las Vegas looking for a successful NHRA debut. Throughout their first three attempts, they seemed on pace to do just that, with three consistent runs in the 6.3 second range. Entering the final qualifying session on Saturday evening, the crew knew they would need to step up in order to guarantee their participation on Sunday.
As he had throughout qualifying, Martin's Grand Am jumped off the starting line, posting the fourth quickest sixty-foot time of the session. However, it suddenly veered towards the right side wall, forcing Martin to make a series of corrections, which sent the car rocking on the rear tires, and eventually into a slow spin across the track. Just as it seemed Martin would be able to successfully bring his mount to a halt without damage across the middle of the track, it slid into the opposite-side wall, not only damaging his car, but ending his chances of racing on Sunday.
"The ACDelco Grand Am left the starting line on a pretty good pass," recalled Martin. "The first thing I recall was that it was drifting to the right and with the front end in the air, there was no way to maneuver it back left. I put it into second gear a little early with hopes of calming the car down and getting through it.
"Unfortunately, it shook the tires hard, which I hoped to drive through. Unfortunately, it darted across the race track almost instantaneously, which was a completely new job of trying to recover. I did everything I could to keep it from being very, very ugly, but I couldn't avoid just touching the wall and damaging a very good race car.
"Our car was on a mission. It was the third quickest to sixty feet, so we feel like it could have run a low to mid 6.20, which would have easily put us in the show. You're going to have these unavoidable situations where the driver walks a very line trying to get through something you might not be able to. In hindsight, I could have lifted, but I'm aggressive and here to win, so I hoped the front end would come down and I could steer it, and that just was not the case.
"It certainly could have been worse, because there was clearly the potential for a more serious, high-speed incident at the top end, where my competitor came over in my lane and had a serious crash.
"On the positive side, we clearly demonstrated our ability this weekend to run fast and be among the best in the world. The support we received not only from the great people at ACDelco, but also from everyone at the NHRA, has been excellent. I'm down right now because I really wanted to come here and win this race for ACDelco and end our season on a high note, but it has still been a great year for this entire ACDelco team."
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Whisnant Turns His Attention Toward Pomona
Posted Sunday, October 26, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Today at the third annual AC Delco Las Vegas Nationals, Mark Whisnant failed to qualify his RW Performance / Snap-On Tools Pro Stock Cavalier for tomorrow’s race.
Whisnant’s best attempt of the weekend came in the Friday night session of qualifying. Whisnant ran a 6.967 / 198.15 mph, which netted him the 23rd position, and not part of tomorrow race.
“I am very disappointed,” said Whisnant of Stockbridge, Ga. “We did not qualify, but it was not for lack of effort.
“We worked our tails off this weekend, but could never get the car right. We tried everything we could think of. We even changed motors before the last round. We just did not have what it takes today.”
CONTACT: Patti Miles-Hamlin
RW PERFORMANCE PRO STOCK CHEVY CAVALIER
MARK WHISNANT – DRIVER
REID WHISNANT – OWNER
BAZEMORE GRABS NO. 6 IN VEGAS QUALIFYING
Posted Sunday, October 26, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
The ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals
Round 22 of 23
LAS VEGAS (Oct. 25, 2003) - Weather conditions were favorable this evening
as the temperatures continued to drop, and by the time the final pair of
Whit Bazemore and Tony Pedregon came to the line in the final qualifying
session it was at its coolest, 73 degrees.
What might have turned into a potential No. 1 qualifying run for Bazemore
ended up being good for only No. 6, as his Matco Tools Dodge Stratus Funny
Car started dropping cylinders just short of the finish line. Despite this,
the driver vying for the Funny Car title posted a decent 4.825-second pass
at 309.98 mph. He experienced a similar problem in today's third qualifying
session with his 4.982/251.06 lap.
"It's been difficult this weekend," Bazemore said. "We made a decent run
Friday night (4.847/310.05) and the other times we struggled with little
problems. We have some kind of gremlin in the car right now that we've got
to find for tomorrow, but tomorrow is a new day. The Matco Tools Dodge guys
are the very best at what they do, and we'll have a race car that's capable
of winning the race and that's what we're counting on."
As for his rival for the Funny Car championship, who qualified No. 1:
"Those guys are doing a good job over there," he said. "They're not going to
give it to us easily. We're ready. We're pretty aggressive right now; we're
feeling good."
Contact: Judy Stropus
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Schumacher, T. Pedregon, Anderson, Treble and Smith are Top Qualifiers at the NHRA POWERade AC Delco Las Vegas Nationals
Posted Sunday, October 26, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Whit Bazemore qualifies #6 in funny car with a 4.825 @ 309.98 and will face Tommy Johnson, Jr. in the first round. Fred Collis is #7 in Pro Stock Bike with a 7.295 and will race Shawn Gann in round one. In Pro Stock, Kurt Johnson is the top Georgia qualifier with his 3rd best run of 6.886 @ 199.88. Barry Grant ( #9 - 6.909 @ 198.82 ) and Gene Wilson ( #14 - 6.915 @ 200.11 ) also make the final cut. Mark Whisnant ( #23 - 6.947 @ 198.35 ) and Warren Johnson ( #24 - 6.956 @ 198.32 ) do not qualify. NHRA RECAP
Team ACDelco Starts Strong in Vegas: KJ 3rd, Martin 6th at qualifying midpoint
Posted Saturday, October 25, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
The first day of qualifying for the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals featured a historic moment for Team ACDelco, as Kurt Johnson and Harold Martin attempted to qualify for the same NHRA event. Fortunately, it was a productive day for both, as Johnson placed third in the ultra-competitive Pro Stock category, while Martin slotted sixth in the Pro Mod division.
For Johnson, his Friday evening attempt came in front of nearly 3,800 ACDelco customers, who had come out to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway from their national sales meeting in the city. Johnson made sure they were not disappointed, as his ACDelco Cavalier rocketed down the Nevada quarter-mile in 6.904 seconds with a top speed of 199.58 mph.
"We were actually a little conservative on tonight's run," stated Johnson. "Although I put it both second and third gear a little early, our main concern was to get down the race track. With that run in the bank, we can go back and really lay into it tomorrow. If we make the right adjustments, I think we could actually take over the No. 1 position. I also have a few things I want to try in the afternoon session.
"That run really took the pressure off, especially when you consider that we had run 6.96 on our first pass and the first car out tonight went 6.90. On top of that, we weren't in the show when we made that run, and you never know what tomorrow is going to bring.
"I'm already starting to focus on Sunday. We know we'll be in the show on Sunday, and now we can concentrate on winning. The ACDelco Cavalier is happy again, and that KISS decal certainly doesn't slow it down. It just wants to rock and roll."
Martin's attempts were his first under the auspices of the NHRA. Even though neither Martin nor his crew had even seen the track prior to their arrival in the Silver State, they were able to make two solid passes, with their best effort of 6.337 seconds and top speed of 223.65 mph coming on their second attempt on Friday evening.
"We're pleased with the progress we're making on this NHRA track, running against the NHRA racers," said Martin. "We haven't made anywhere near the best of our runs, and even developed a slight misfire in the engine that we've been trying to diagnose. Even with that slight issue, we're happy that we've made good clutch and race car runs, so hopefully if we can tie the total package together, our ACDelco Grand Am can squeeze something near the pole."
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Moonshine Festival
Posted Saturday, October 25, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Be sure to check out the Moonshine Festival in Dawsonville, GA this weekend ( October 25 & 26 ). Stop by and eat lunch at GARHOFA's BBQ.
GARHOFA Upcoming Events
Schumacher, T. Pedregon. Anderson, Savoie and Jenkins Lead Friday Qualifying at the NHRA POWERade ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals
Posted Saturday, October 25, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Whit Bazemore is #2 in Funny Car. Kurt Johnson (#3)is the only Georgian qualified in Pro Stock. Mark Whisnant (#20), Barry Grant (#22), Warren Johnson (#23) and Gene Wilson (#31) will have two more shots Saturday. Fred Collis is #7 in Pro Sock Bike.
NHRA Friday Recap
ATLANTA DRAGWAY ENJOYS GOOD OUTING AT SUMMIT ET FINALS
Posted Friday, October 24, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
by Tim Glover
(October 17-18, 2003) The Atlanta Dragway team went to the 2003 edition of
the NHRA Division Two Summit ET Finals in Gainesville, Florida with high
hopes of bringing home another champion, as they have done in previous
years. Although they came up one round shy in three different categories,
they still had a blast, and ended up tied for fourth place in team points,
at 39 points. The first place winner was Music City Raceway, who was also
tied with another team, New Bama Dragway, at 42 points. However, Music City
Motorcycle racer Ricky Cook won his class, which was determined to be the
tie breaker. Nineteen different tracks participated in the 2003 Division
Two ET Finals.
"Most importantly, everybody seemed to be having a good time. It was great
fun," said Craig Armstrong, track manager for Atlanta Dragway. He then
added, "Our team did very well in a very, very tight race. I was proud of
Andy Schaeffer in his potent Oldsmobile when he finished runner up in Pro
(no electronics). His car ran four straight dead-on runs, and only lost by
a whisker to Derek Putnam from Gainesville, FL. We were hoping for 40
points and sending Andy to Pomona, but didn't quite get it."
Other racers making it to the final rounds included Atlanta Dragway racers
Mel Abney and Jesse Young. Abney finished runner up in the Sportsman Race
of Champions final on Friday, and Young enjoyed the runner up spot in the
High School Race of Champions on Friday.
Note: Five days after celebrating his runner up finish, Young was involved
in a bad auto accident, and is recuperating at home now. We wish him well
and a speedy recovery.
2003 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame and Reunion
Posted Thursday, October 23, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
I've started adding photos to the album and will follow up with an article asap.
Photos
Whisnant Likes His Chances in Las Vegas
Posted Thursday, October 23, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Mark Whisnant, driver of the RW Performance / Snap-On Tools Pro Stock Chevrolet Cavalier is looking forward to his return to the Strip at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Whisnant likes his chances at this weekend’s 3rd annual AC Delco Las Vegas Nationals, and believes he can improve on his past performance at this racetrack.
Last spring at the Strip, Whisnant qualified sixth and went all the way to the semi-finals before losing to Kurt Johnson. Whisnant feels confident that this weekend he can surpass his last outing at a track many have difficulty getting down.
"I feel good about this weekend," said Whisnant of Stockbridge, Ga. "It is no secret that we have been struggling in the last part of this year, but I believe that may be behind us now.
"In the last couple of weeks we have worked very hard to make the car right. As far as transferring the horsepower to the racetrack, we feel in that respect, we have made huge gains. You can have all the motor in the world, but if the car is not set up correctly, you are still not going to get down the racetrack.
"In regards to horsepower, Steve (engine builder Steve Schmidt) found something on the dyno last week. So, we will be right and where we need to be on horsepower for this weekend’s race.
"In these last two races we would like to make a good showing. Getting in the race and going a couple rounds would be that best way I could think of to thank Snap-On and Chevrolet for their support.
"Now I am not a betting man, but from the looks of things this could be a very good race for this RW Performance / Snap-On Tools Cavalier."
RW PERFORMANCE PRO STOCK CHEVY CAVALIER
MARK WHISNANT – DRIVER
REID WHISNANT – OWNER
CONTACT: Patti Miles-Hamlin
Warren Johnson To Appear on Tuesday's Wind Tunnel
Posted Monday, October 20, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
SUGAR HILL, GA., October 20, 2003 - Six-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson will be the featured guest on this Tuesday's edition of Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, which will air from 9:00 - 10:00 p.m. (ET) on the Speed Channel.
Johnson, who has earned the title of "The Professor of Pro Stock" for the many innovations he has brought to the sport, is in the midst of another outstanding season. His four national event wins to date in 2003 bring his career total to 92, the most by any Pro Stock driver in NHRA history, and second only to John Force in all professional categories.
This weekend, Johnson's GM Performance Parts Grand Am will take on an entirely new look, highlighting ACDelco's title sponsorship of this weekend's ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Hosted by veteran motorsports broadcaster Dave Despain from the network's studios in Charlotte, NC, Wind Tunnel is a fast-paced, one-hour show which airs live four nights a week. Blending interviews of the top names in motorsports with phone calls and e-mails from the viewers, it has quickly become one of the most popular shows in the racing community.
Viewers interested in interacting with "W.J." during this Tuesday's program are encouraged to call the show at 1-866-WTUNNEL between 9:00 - 10:00 p.m. or to e-mail their questions and comments to windtunnel@speedtv.com.
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Decal of the Week Album Updated
Posted Thursday, October 16, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
New decals from Dan Himmel, Eddie Vidrine and Tom Whitfield were added to the Decal of the Week album.
Decal of the Week
Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover
Posted Wednesday, October 15, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
SCHWINDLER, HAMILTON, COFFEY WIN 'YEAR ONE POWER HOUR' AWARDS
COMMERCE, GA Greg Schwindler of Auburn GA, Zach Coffey of Buford GA and
Clark Hamilton of Atlanta, shared "Year One Power Hour" top honors during
the October 10th edition of "Year One Fast Friday" street-legal grudge
match program at Atlanta Dragway.
Driving his potent 1979 Pontiac, Schwindler took home a $50 Year One Gift
Certificate voucher - one after clocking a 13.01 second pass on the quarter
mile strip for "Quickest ET", Clarke Hamilton took home another Year One $50
voucher for the "Fastest Pass" (121.14 mph) in his 1994 Supra. Zach Coffey
was dead-on at the Christmas Tree in his '93 Civic, netting him the third
$50 Year One Gift Certificate voucher for the "Best Reaction Time" (.500!)
of the Power Hour.
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 and trucks to "race the strip,
not the street." Racecars and motorcycles are also welcome for Test & Tune
and grudge match racing on designated Friday nights at "Georgia's House of
Speed." The next Year One Fast Friday program is scheduled for Friday,
October 10th, with gates opening at 6:00 PM for racers and spectators.
####
RACE DATE: October 11, 2003
RAIN STOPS BRACKET EVENT AT ATLANTA DRAGWAY
by Tim Glover
(Saturday, October 11 - Atlanta Dragway) Atlanta Dragway racers have been
blessed with no rain delays for quite a while, but it caught up to them
Saturday, October 11, 2003. Actually, there was little rain, but continuous
drizzle and overcast skies conspired to make the racing surface too wet to
hold a safe race. The Mulligan race originally scheduled for October 11
will still be contested. It will now be held on November 1, 2003 at Atlanta
Dragway.
Root for the Atlanta Dragway team to do well during the NHRA / Summit
Division Two ET Finals at Gainesville, Florida during the weekend of October
18 - 19, 2003. Also, the Atlanta Dragway bracket race originally scheduled
for October 25, 2003 has been cancelled, due to their Jr. Dragster team
going to their Divisional Finals in Albany, GA.
East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame & Reunion - Show, Shine, Shag & Dine This Weekend in Henderson, NC
Posted Tuesday, October 14, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Reunion and Hall of Fame Info
Show, Shine, Shag and Dine Info
Bernstein, Force, Anderson and Von Smith Win the NHRA POWERade O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec - Dixon and Anderson Clinch 2003 POWERade Championships
Posted Monday, October 13, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Scott Kalitta runs the fastest speed ever in Top Fuel at 333.95 MPH.
NHRA Recap
Schumacher, Force, Anderson and Smith Top Qualifiers at the NHRA POWERade O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec
Posted Sunday, October 12, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Tony Schumacher picks up the #1 spot in Top Fuel with a 4.548 @ 331.12, John Force leads Funny Car at 4.814 @ 322.11, Greg Anderson is tops in Pro Stock with a 6.826 @ 203.11 and Rickie Smith is #1 in Pro Mod ( 6.243 @ 225.67 ).
Whit Bazemore and Tony Pedregon continue to battle for the Funny Car points championship with Whit besting Tony by one spot with a #5 4.867 @ 319.94 to Tony's #6 4.894 @300.00.
Georgians Kurt Johnson ( #4 - 6.843 @ 202.70 ), Warren Johnson ( #8 - 6.862 @ 202.11 ) and Gene Wilson ( #9 - 6.864 @ 201.88 ) qualify for Pro Stock. Barry Grant ( #20 - 6.887 @ 201.70 ) and Mark Whisnant ( #26 - 6.893 @ 201.07 ) miss the field.
NHRA RECAP
Millican, Scelzi, Anderson and Smith Lead Qualifying at the NHRA POWERade O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec
Posted Saturday, October 11, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Clay Millican (Top Fuel 4.588 @ 314.57 ), Gary Scelzi ( Funny Car 4.828 @ 323.97 ), Greg Anderson ( Pro Stock 6.840 @ 202.88 ) and Rickie Smith ( Pro Mod 6.243 @ 225.67 ) lead day one qualifying at Ennis, TX.
Whit Bazemore is #8 in Funny Car with a 4.955 @ 314.24.
Only two Georgia Pro Stock racers are in the field so far (Warren Johnson #5 - 6.862 @ 202.11 and Kurt Johnson #6 - 6.868 @ 202.33 ). Gene Wilson ( #18 - 6.901 @ 201.38 ), Mark Whisnant ( #27 - 6.936 @ 200.08 ) and Barry Grant ( #32 - 8.041 @ 126.01 ) will try again Saturday.
NHRA Recap
Whisnant Heads to Dallas
Posted Thursday, October 9, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
ENNIS, Texas – Mark Whisnant, driver of the RW Performance / Snap-On Tools Pro Stock Chevrolet Cavalier will arrive in Dallas Texas in anticipation of a good finish at this weekends 18th annual O’Reilly Fall Nationals.
In the last part of this season Whisnant and Team RW have concentrated their efforts on revamping their race team. With their sights on the 2004 season, Team RW has been working tirelessly toward their eventual goal of being a contender for next years Pro Stock championship. After qualifying in Chicago, and barely missing the show in Reading, Whisnant feels he and his team are headed in the right direction.
"It is staring to come together," said Whisnant of Stockbridge, Ga. "A lot of people use the phrase ‘building momentum’, but I really feel like that is what this team is doing.
"Racing Pro Stock is not easy. To be competitive in this class you cannot just throw horsepower at these cars. There are many variables that have to be taken into consideration. Horsepower is very important, but you also have to factor in clutch, gearing, how the car travels down the track, and a thousand other minute details. If you get off track in any one aspect of these cars, you are automatically behind the rest of the field. That is the position we found ourselves in this summer, far behind and not sure which way to go.
"The good news is that our hard work is starting to pay off. This team is getting stronger with every pass we make. We can really feel it staring to come together, but we are not kidding ourselves, we still have a lot of work left to do.
"I think we have a good chance of qualifying in Dallas this weekend. We get stronger with every pass, and the racing surface at the Texas Motorplex is one of the best we see all season. I feel like this will be a good race for us."
RW PERFORMANCE PRO STOCK CHEVY CAVALIER
MARK WHISNANT – DRIVER
REID WHISNANT – OWNER
CONTACT: Patti Miles-Hamlin
Whisnant Quick Facts
Currently 18th in 2003 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Points (pts.)
Finished 10th 2002 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Points
Career Best ET 6.772 (Houston 2003)
Career Best MPH 202.73 (Englishtown 2002)
O’Reilly Fall Nationals TV Schedule
Qualifying Highlights
Saturday Oct. 11 4:00 – 6:00 PM (EST) ESPN
Eliminations Coverage
Sunday Oct. 12 6:00 – 9:00 PM (EST) ESPN2
Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover
Posted Tuesday, October 7, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
FROM: Tim Glover
EVENT: Phillips Motorsports 3rd annual Fall Classic Bracket Race at Atlanta
Dragway in 2003
RUTLEDGE USES TWO DIFFERENT CARS EN ROUTE TO FOOTBRAKE FINALS AT PHILLIPS
MOTORSPORTS SUPER ELIMINATOR RACE
by Tim Glover
(Commerce, GA - October 3-5) This event marked the final Phillips
Motorsports Super Eliminator race for 2003. The weekend action began Friday
night with a test and tune session. Phillips Motorsports added several
attractions, including the Sick Speed Allstars, a stunt motorcycle team that
performed wheelies, endoes, and many other stunts for the crowd. Of course,
no Phillips Motorsports event is complete without a bikini contest. Because
of the cold, all contestants but one wore extra clothing in addition to
their bikini. For Saturday and Sunday, Super Eliminator Dragsters and Door
Cars were separated for several rounds, then combined into one class for the
remainder of each race. The attraction of the Super Eliminator series is
that Door Cars are separated from Dragsters for as long as possible in
eliminations. Door Cars ruled this weekend, winning all but the Saturday
Super Eliminator race. Jacob Rutledge overcame various problems with his
'79 Capri en route to a Saturday Footbrake win, and then had to get another
car Sunday morning when the transmission expired during the time run.
Rutledge then showed what he could do by using his wife's stock '99 Mustang
to finish runner up in the Sunday Footbrake final.
SATURDAY
Before eliminations, a Run for the Money race was held, in which the person
who ran closest to their dial in time won half of the pot. The Saturday
winners were Super Pro racer Mark Milford, who ran 5.771 on his 5.77 dial in
his dragster, and Footbrake racer Kelly King, who ran dead on with his Jeep.
Bill Hanson had the best door car time. Each winner also received the
first round bye run in their class.
By quarterfinal times, five of the seven vehicles remaing were Door Cars,
and two of the final four were Door Cars. Ricky Rogers from Hiwassee, GA
raced dirt track in modified hobby class for ten years, but likes the family
oriented atmosphere he has experienced in three years of drag racing.
Rogers earned his first ever win in a big way, taking the $5,000 Super
Eliminator winner's purse with his '01 Horton dragster against the '70
Datsun 240Z driven by Loganville, GA racer Samantha Bates. Bates made it a
bit easier for him in the final by going .495 red, and then the rearend
broke, halting the car about 100 feet down track. Rogers chose to run his
car on out, and carded a 5.47, 125.09mph (5.49 target). Speedy Ball ('91
Probe - Anniston, AL) and Keith Fuller (Henry Snelgrove, Jr. owned '95
Spitzer dragster - Lawrenceville, GA) were the semi-final finishers. After
the race, Rogers quipped, "This is a lot tougher than dirt track racing."
Braselton, GA racer Jacob Rutledge came into the weekend trailing
Stockbridge, GA racer Kelly King by nine points in the year long Footbrake
points chase. Although Rutledge did move closer to the lead, there simply
was not enough year left for him to take the lead, even after he beat King's
'90 Jeep in Saturday's final. Rutledge put a 7.54 dial in on the window of
his well used '79 Capri, and had the luxury of patting the gas pedal to slow
the car to 7.58, 86.82mph after King's Jeep bogged slightly at mid-track,
slowing to a 6.89, 100.05mph (6.80 dial). Racers for Christ pastor Lloyd
Shanks ('73 Duster - Pendergrass, GA) and Joyce Welsh ('65 Chevy II -
Blythe, GA) earned the semi-final portion of the Footbrake purse. Rutledge
has made it to nine finals this year behind the wheel of his Clay's
Automotive / Nan Harman-Dempsey backed '79 Capri. The exhaust header in
Rutledge's Capri broke Saturday morning during time trials, but Rutledge was
back on track quickly thanks to help from Kevin Davis, who took the header
to "Buford Heavy" for repair and then brought it back in time for
eliminations.
Because the schedule allowed it, a Gambler's race was put together for the
racers. In Super Pro, Mark Hancock from Commerce, GA used his '67 Camaro to
win against dragster driver Thomas Bell out of Toccoa, GA. Hancock came a
lot closer to his dial of 6.33, 105.58 (6.32 target). Bell's '01 Undercover
dragster mustered up a 4.84, 146.38mph on a 4.76 dial. Mike Hall ('02
Worthy dragster - Lenoir City, TN) and Jesse Young ('89 Horton dragster -
Danielsville, GA) finished in the semi-finals.
Kelly King from Stockbridge, GA continued a round winning streak with his
'90 Jeep. King nailed his dial-in time of 6.79 with a 6.799, 100.31mph pass
for the final round win against Laurens, SC racer Jeff Taylor. Taylor's '23
T Roadster was close, crossing the finish line .018 seconds behind King with
a 6.51, 103.60mph shot (6.50 dial). Team Ford Thunder racer Randall Roop
('66 Mustang - Canton, GA) and Jim "The Duck" Wood ('71 Chevelle - Laurens,
SC) won the semi-final portion of the purse.
SUNDAY
Like Saturday, another Run for the Money event was put on just before round
one. "Uncle Billy" Hollingsworth earned the Super Pro portion of the pot
with a 5.060 on a 5.06 with his '98 Pete Miner dragster. The Footbrake
winner was Toby Barnes, running 8.210 on an 8.21 dial with a friend's '80
Malibu.
Super Eliminator winner Ricky Jones from Manchester, GA has won many times
with his '90 Camaro, and this weekend was no exception. Jones earned at
least enough money to go home after winning Sunday's Super Eliminator race
and the weekend points series by defeating Loganville, GA racer Tommy Motes.
Motes has been on a tear since moving into a '92 Undercover dragster from
his Vega. Motes actually got the reaction time advantage in the final, but
was unable to run his 5.22 target, turning in a 5.26, 130.81mph pass. Jones
was dead-on his 5.75 dial, running 5.757, 119.28mph for the win. Charlie
Hardy ('03 Miller dragster - Cartersville, GA) won the July, 2003 Phillips
race at Atlanta Dragway but had to settle for a semi-final finish this time.
Joining him in the semi-finals was Joey Gary ('68 Camaro - Greenwood, SC).
Motes almost didn't make it to Sunday's race. Not knowing his
transmission only had ten feet of driving left in it after bowing out of
Saturday's action, he jumped into it to run in the Saturday night Gambler's
race. Thanks to Jim McKelvey, who loaned him his spare transmission, Motes
had the car ready Sunday morning.
On Sunday morning, Footbrake racer Jacob Rutledge hurt the transmission in
his '79 Capri during the Run for the Money event. Rutledge could have been
worried, but he just called his wife Holly to ask if he could borrow her '99
Mustang for Sunday's race. She agreed, and Rutledge made it all the way to
Sunday's final in the borrowed car. However, Mike Smith from Ware Shoals,
SC wasn't worried, and put the smack down on Rutledge with his '68 Chevy II
in the Sunday Footbrake final with a one over 7.47, 90.28mph shot (7.46
dial-in). Rutledge's '99 Mustang broke out with an 8.78, 79.74mph pass
(8.81 dial). Jeff Taylor ('23 T Roadster - Laurens, SC) and local racer
Lonnie Cothran ('69 Nova - Buford, GA) were the semi-final pair. "It was a
privilege outrunning Jacob Rutledge. Also, thank the Lord for giving
everyone a safe race, and thank my wife Diane for helping me get to where I
am today," added Smith.
------------------------------------------------
SATURDAY SUPER ELIMINATOR CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Ricky Rogers '01 Horton dragster Hiwassee, GA 5.47 125.09 (5.49)
R/U: Samantha Bates '70 Datsun 240Z Loganville, GA (foul) broke (6.25)
Semi: Speedy Ball '91 Probe Anniston, AL
Semi: Keith Fuller '95 Spitzer Lawrenceville, GA
------------------------------------------------
SATURDAY FOOTBRAKE CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jacob Rutledge '79 Capri Braselton, GA 7.58 86.82 (7.54)
R/U: Kelly King '90 Jeep Stockbridge, GA 6.89 100.05 (6.80)
Semi: Lloyd Shanks '73 Duster Pendergrass, GA
Semi: Joyce Welsh '65 Chevy II Blythe, GA
------------------------------------------------
SATURDAY S/PRO GAMBLER CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mark Hancock '67 Camaro Commerce, GA 6.33 105.58 (6.32)
R/U: Thomas Bell '01 Undercover dragster Toccoa, GA 4.84 146.38 (4.76)
Semi: Mike Hall '02 Worthy dragster Lenoir City, TN
Semi: Jesse Young '89 Horton Danielsville, GA
------------------------------------------------
SATURDAY FOOTBRAKE GAMBLER CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Kelly King '90 Jeep Stockbridge, GA 6.79 100.31 (6.79)
R/U: Jeff Taylor '23 T Roadster Laurens, SC 6.51 103.60 (6.50)
Semi: Randall Roop '66 Mustang Canton, GA
Semi: Jim Wood '71 Chevelle Laurens, SC
------------------------------------------------
SUNDAY SUPER ELIMINATOR CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Ricky Jones '90 Camaro Manchester, GA 5.75 119.28 (5.75)
R/U: Tommy Motes '92 Undercover dragster Loganville, GA 5.26 130.81 (5.22)
Semi: Charlie Hardy '03 Miller dragster Cartersville, GA
Semi: Joey Gary '68 Camaro Greenwood, SC
------------------------------------------------
SUNDAY FOOTBRAKE CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mike Smith '68 Chevy II Ware Shoals, SC 7.46 90.28 (7.46)
R/U: Jacob Rutledge '99 Mustang Braselton, GA 8.78 79.74 (8.81)
Semi: Jeff Taylor '23 T Roadster Laurens, SC
Semi: Lonnie Cothran '69 Nova Buford, GA
Photos
Decal of the Week Album Updated
Posted Monday, October 6, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
New decals at Decal of the Week
Schumacher, Wilkerson, Warren Johnson and Phillips Win the NHRA POWERade Lucas Oil Nationals - Schumacher Sets New Top Fuel Record at 4.441
Posted Monday, October 6, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
NHRA Recap
WJ Will Roll Off 14th in Reading
Posted Sunday, October 5, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Racers returning to Maple Grove Raceway for the resumption of the Lucas Oil Nationals encountered a situation much like what they had left behind during the original scheduled race weekend three weeks ago, with rains curtailing the on-track activities on Saturday to one qualifying session.
This put the 30 entrants in the Pro Stock division in the unenviable position of having just one attempt in which to make the field for Sunday's final eliminations. After entering the day in the 15th position, GM Performance Parts Grand Am driver Warren Johnson found himself outside the field as he rolled to the line for his run. Responding to the challenge, Johnson recorded a 6.792-second elapsed time with a top speed of 203.80 mph, securing the 14th starting position.
"We listened to the (Pro Stock) motorcycles run before us, which are naturally aspirated as we are, as well as some of the cars ahead of us. We felt the air was good enough for them to run faster, but they didn't seem to pick up that much, so our conclusion was the track was not as good as we thought it was. As a result, we were a little conservative on our set-up, which cost us a couple hundredths. It may have been a little too cautious, but at least we're in the show.
"We now have a good baseline to tune from for tomorrow. Our plan is simple - to win four rounds and end the day with our GM Performance Parts Grand Am in the winner's circle."
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Window of Opportunity Closes on KJ in Reading
Posted Sunday, October 5, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Mother Nature continued to play an influential role in the POWERade Drag Racing Series, as persistent showers curtailed qualifying to a single attempt on Saturday at the resumption of the Lucas Oil Nationals in Reading, PA. This situation placed extra pressure on ACDelco Cavalier pilot Kurt Johnson, who had been forced to shut off early on his first attempt three weeks ago.
Although he posted the fourth fastest top speed of the round at 203.68 mph, a lack of wheel speed in the first sixty feet limited Johnson's improvement to an elapsed time of 6.806 seconds, which fell four thousandths of a second shy of making Sunday's final eliminations at Maple Grove Raceway
This snaps a streak of 28 races in which Johnson was a participant on race day, dating back to last year's event in Seattle, WA.
"This was a particularly tough situation. Three weeks ago, our first run was in a lane that had absolutely no rubber on it, with only a few cars able to get down it. That put us behind the eight ball for this weekend, when we came back to a single attempt to make the show under extreme conditions.
"Our ACDelco Cavalier was really good down track, but you can't go anywhere burning the clutch out of it. We actually went up there thinking the car was over clutched, which was our plan coming out of this week's test session. Unfortunately, it was as soft as can be.
"We made some adjustments in case we had another chance, but the weather never cleared. It's unfortunate that it came down to a one shot deal, but we've been in that situation before, and made the good run when we needed it. Today we were four thousandths off.
"We just need to regroup and move on. Dad (six-time Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson) could help us tomorrow by putting Jeg on the trailer in the first round, but we're heading to Dallas with the full intention of winning the last three races."
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
ADRENALINE CRUSH; BAZEMORE DNQs IN THE MIDST OF CHAMPIONSHIP CHASE
Posted Sunday, October 5, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
READING, Pa. (Oct. 4, 2003) - For the first time since Memphis in September
of 2002, Whit Bazemore did not qualify for a POWERade Drag Racing Series
Funny Car event. This was particularly devastating as Bazemore, driver of
the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus, is in the middle of a heated
championship battle with Tony Pedregon for the Funny Car crown.
Bazemore, who had led the point standings by seven points before exiting in
the first round last week in Chicago and dropping to second with a 69-point
deficit to Pedregon, returned to the rain-delayed Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
at Maple Grove Raceway today with high hopes of regaining the points lead.
He had qualified No. 14 in the one round of qualifying completed in the
first visit here Sept. 12.
Rain nearly washed out today's two scheduled sessions and NHRA was able to
fit in only one qualifying round. In that round, Bazemore, whose team is
famous for running well in cool conditions, had an uncharacteristically poor
pass of 5.233/275.51, placing him 18th and out of the field. With only three
races remaining following this one, Bazemore's chances for his first Funny
Car championship have diminished, but Bazemore, crew chief Lee Beard and the
team have not given up.
"It was a very cold track; we shook the tires," said Bazemore, who's won
three times this season. "It's prone to happen in these conditions. I
pedaled it, it hooked up nicely and was going right down there. Then it just
spun the tires down track heavily, and that was probably what did us in more
than anything.
"We've made it harder for ourselves, but we are still certainly capable of
winning this thing. We're very, very motivated and we're going to do what we
can do to make it happen. We've certainly made it harder for ourselves, but
we've got a great team over here, great guys. Everyone is very motivated and
focused and we want this title. We're going to go out there with nothing
else on our minds but to get it. It's up to us to make it happen."
Lee Beard was just as determined. "There are three races left. We had a team
meeting and we're going to stick to our guns," he said. "It's not over 'til
it's over and we're a never-say-die team. There's one thing I can guarantee
you, they (John Force team) won't outwork us.
"It's one of those things. There's no margin for error when you're limited
to one or two qualifying runs. We made an error and didn't get down the
track. That's just the way it goes.
"We're not letting this get us down. We're going to do whatever we can do to
win it. It's still mathematically not over."
Contact: Judy Stropus
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Fred Collis Qualifies #1 in Pro Stock Bike at the NHRA POWERade Lucas Oil Nationals - Schumacher, Densham and Anderson Top Other Pro Classes in Rain-Shortened Sessions- Kurt Johnson and Whit Bazemore Fail to Qualify
Posted Sunday, October 5, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Pro classes only got one qualifying session today during the rain delayed NHRA POWERade Lucas Oil Nationals when rain falls again.
In Pro Stock, Gene Wilson is #13 and Warren Johnson qualified #14. Kurt Johnson (#17), Barry Grant (#22) and Mark Whisnant (#31) fail to qualify. Whit Bazemore ( #2 in points ) fails to qualify in Funny Car.
NHRA Recap
SNELL NAMED SALES & MARKETING MANAGER FOR ATLANTA DRAGWAY
Posted Saturday, October 4, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Contacts: NHRA Communications Dept., (626) 914-4761
GLENDORA, Calif. (Oct. 1, 2003) - The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)
has named Ron Snell as Manager, Sales and Marketing, for Atlanta Dragway in
Commerce, Ga. Atlanta Dragway, one of five drag racing facilities owned and
operated by the NHRA, is the long-time host of the Summit Racing Equipment
NHRA Southern Nationals.
In his position, Snell will be responsible for coordinating all sponsorship
sales for Atlanta Dragway and organizing the marketing strategies for the
facility. He will report directly to Craig Armstrong, Atlanta Dragway
general manager. Other NHRA owned and operated tracks include: Gainesville
Raceway, Gainesville, Fla.; National Trail Raceway, Columbus, Ohio;
Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis; and, Pomona Raceway, Pomona, Calif.
"We're very excited that someone of Ron's caliber is joining us at Atlanta
Dragway," said Armstrong. "I feel that Ron will put us in a position to
compete with any facility in the country in terms of being fully sponsored
and being able to activate and leverage those sponsorships more effectively.
It's a great asset to Atlanta Dragway and NHRA to have someone who is a
proven performer like Ron."
Snell, who competed in the 1969 NHRA Winternationals at Pomona, Calif., in
the Stock category, has worked in sales for several NHRA teams during his
career and has established numerous contacts throughout the industry. He
also volunteered on the pit crew for former Top Fuel driver Michael
Brotherton and helped the team obtain financial backing.
"It's a great pleasure to be joining the NHRA and Atlanta Dragway," said
Snell. "There are a number of opportunities available to us that should help
us increase our exposure and sponsorship support for Atlanta Dragway. We
will put together a plan that will utilize the tools and potential we have
here. I have been involved in drag racing for many years and I look forward
to contributing to the continued growth and support for the NHRA."
Snell and wife Eileen live in Alpharetta, Ga., and have two children,
Colleen, 25, and Lauren, 23.
Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body
for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national
events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has 80,000
members nationwide and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and
bracket racing series' provide competition opportunities for drivers of all
levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas
Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series, NHRA Summit Sport Compact
Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers
the NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.
Decal of the Week
Posted Friday, October 3, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
New decals uploaded at Decal of the Week
More Photos Added From the Old Drag Racers Reunion
Posted Thursday, October 2, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
Old Drag Racers Reunion Photos
Warren Johnson To Attend Gala at The Smithsonian
Posted Wednesday, October 1, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
GM Performance Parts Grand Am driver is drag racing's representative
at invitation-only event in Nation's Capital
SUGAR HILL, GA., September 30, 2003 - Throughout his nearly thirty years in the NHRA's Pro Stock division, Warren Johnson has rewritten the record books on several occasions. From his 91 national event wins and 130 No. 1 qualifying performances to recording the first 200-mph top speed in the class's existence, "The Professor of Pro Stock" has certainly earned his place in drag racing history.
Therefore, it seems appropriate that the GM Performance Parts Grand Am driver would be selected to represent his sport at Tuesday's celebration of "America's Love Affair with the Automobile" in the newly dedicated General Motors Hall of Transportation at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
Tonight's invitation-only event serves as a preview of a new 26,000 square foot exhibition entitled "America on the Move", and marks the completion of a major renovation to the former Road Transportation, Railroad and Civil Engineering halls. The entire exhibit is scheduled to open to the public on November 22, 2003.
"Anytime you are chosen to act as a representative for your sport, it is an honor," said Johnson. "In this case, the significance becomes even greater when considering the occasion, as well the vast array of people who are equally deserving of this distinction. The fact that NHRA POWERade Drag Racing has been included at such a prestigious event shows just how far we have come.
"Although I have been interested in going to The Smithsonian for many years, this will be my first visit, and one I am looking forward to. To be able to make this initial trip under these circumstances will make the event even more memorable."
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
2003 ATLANTA DRAGWAY TRACK CHAMPIONS by Tim Glover
Posted Wednesday, October 1, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
2003 ATLANTA DRAGWAY TRACK CHAMPIONS
by Tim Glover
(Commerce, GA - September 30) The following story is about all six 2003
Atlanta Dragway track champions. These racers worked all year to achieve
this goal, and were happy (and quite relieved) when the 2003 points season
was done.
2003 Super Pro champion - Henry Snelgrove
Henry Snelgrove brings his entire family to the track from Dahlonega, GA
each week, helping them race in addition to keeping up with his '98 Bos
Dragster. Although he did not win any races in 2003, he consistently went
three or four rounds each time, earning the number one spot at year's end.
"Thank God, my wife Sandra, Henry Jr. and his wife Brenda for helping me
keep going," added Snelgrove. He had very little trouble with the car all
year, only having to fix the torque converter one time. The highlight of
the year for him was almost winning the wally against Thomas Bell (finishing
runner up) in the National Dragster challenge race. Recently, he was
spotted helping his grand daughter, Ashley Snelgrove (Henry Jr. and Brenda's
daughter) learn to drive the Jr. Dragster being vacated by Harvey Snelgrove.
She had a smile from ear to ear as she practiced launches. Harvey is
moving up to brother Heath Snelgrove's Jr. Dragster and Heath is moving up
to Super Pro, taking over the Chevy LUV truck formerly driven by Henry
Snelgrove, Jr.. Current plans call for six Snelgroves to be racing at
Atlanta Dragway in 2004. That's a family that lives and loves to race.
2003 Sportsman champion - Jacob Rutledge
Jacob Rutledge from Braselton, GA began racing in 1993, and though it took
a few years to gain momentum, he has dominated Sportsman action, winning his
third championship in a row. He actually was going to pass on the
championship this year, thus avoiding some of the stresses involved in a
championship run, and skipped three Atlanta points races to focus on the
Phillips Motorsports Super Eliminator Series. However, he did well when he
came to Atlanta, and during the second to last race he was sixth in points
(seven round wins out of first place). The highlight of his season came
when he went on to win that race, and all of a sudden he found himself in a
three way tie for first place in Sportsman points with one race left in the
season. "It was a real nail biter," added Rutledge. He sealed the deal
when he met and defeated Bill Boomhower (who he was still tied with at that
point) late in rounds during the last Summit / Hayes points race. Rutledge
dedicated his entire season to his dad, D.R. Rutledge, who passed away
earlier in 2003. Rutledge and his dad fabricated his trusty '79 Capri from
scratch, making it into the winner it is today. Rutledge also acknowledged
all the help and support he receives from his wife, Holly and son Tyler.
2003 Trophy Street champion - Mel Abney
Mel Abney from Cumming, GA is a hands on type of racer, having restored his
immaculate '67 Camaro from the ground up. Instead of farming out items like
the engine, transmission and rear end, to professional rebuilders, Abney
chose to rebuild the items himself, taking his time. He began racing the
car late in the 2002 season, and decided to make a run for the points in
2003. That turned out to be a good decision, as he began leading the
points, and was number one when it counted the most, after the last Summit /
Hayes race was in the books. Although he did not win that last points race,
he ended his season on a high note, finishing that race as a runner up
against good friend John Snapp. Abney enjoyed the testing and tuning
through the 2003 season, meeting the other racers, and tinkering with his
chassis setup in the never ending struggle to gain more traction. He also
won a race earlier in the season. Abney was a little disappointed so many
of the early races in 2003 were rained out, but agreed there was nothing
anyone could do. "I was stressed coming in to the last race," Abney
commented, "but now I'm looking forward to all the camaraderie at the NHRA
Division Two ET finals."
2003 Motorcycle champion - Stewart Taft
Stewart Taft makes his living working on hot rods and customs, and travels
extensively between his home in Riverview, Florida to Georgia and the
Carolinas during the course of a week. For 2003, he decided his weekends
would be best spent on his 2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100 at Atlanta Dragway, and he
took charge of the class, never looking back. Later in the season, when it
became apparent he was going to win the championship, he allowed himself to
enjoy the thought. "That sounds good. I like champion," Taft added. He
then thanked his employer and sponsor Southern Heritage Rods and 4X4's for
helping him win the championship.
2003 8-12 year old Jr. Dragster champion - "Mad Matt" Gillen
Twelve year old Matt Gillen, who has been coming to Atlanta Dragway since
the tender age of four, was behind the wheel of his Valvoline dragster about
ten minutes after he turned eight years old, ready to race. He was
competitive from the beginning, earning a Division Two 8-9 year old
championship in 2000, a runner up in the 2002 NHRA Eastern Conference finals
(10 year old class) and his first track championship in 2002 (8-12 year old
class). He led the majority of the 2003 season, and successfully defended
his spot from a late season charge by Lauren Turner, who finished second to
Gillen both years. The highlight of Gillen's season was when he faced
Turner in the third round of the last points race, and won that round
against her with a decisive 9.001 on a 9.00 dial, sealing his 2003
championship. He said the only person nervous during that run was his dad,
Bill Gillen III. He thanked God first, and then thanked his mom for letting
him race and his dad, for helping him race. He won two races in 2003, and
when asked if he enjoyed it, his enthusiastic answer was "All the way!"
2003 13-17 year old Jr. Dragster champion - Ashley Dumas
Ashley Dumas doesn't like to talk about her accomplishments, keeping them
as low key as possible. Dumas led the 13-17 Jr. Dragster points for the
entire season, and locked up the championship with one race left in the
series. About the racing, she said, "I like it. It's fun." Then, looking
at her mom, she added, "I wish I would have started younger!" This was
Dumas' last year in Jr. Dragster. One of her favorite memories for the 2003
season was not having to buy back very often. She is currently a senior at
Banks County High School and plans to start college in September, 2004. At
the moment, she is undecided about what class she will compete in during the
2004 season, only saying that she will race. She did wonder out loud if
Jeremy Hancock would let her drive his Camaro.
Old Drag Racers Reunion Award Recipients
Posted Wednesday, October 1, 2003 by DavidDilbeck
The 2003 Southeastern Drag Racers Hall of Fame inductees and major award recipients at Sol and Anne Stewart's Old Drag Racers Reunion ( Panama City, FL ) were:
The Industry Award for 2003 went to David Smith, Retired V.P.
and G. M. Crane Cams......Daytona Beach, Fla.
The Herman Moore Good Sportsman Award for 2003 went to
Donald "Speedy" Ball of Anniston, Ala. and was presented by
Frank Moring, last years receipant.....
Phil Bonner presented Mike Couch, son of Buster, the HOF
Award for Buster Couch
Johnny Jordan presented Edna Goodson, widow of Rex, the HOF Award for Rex Goodson
Billy "Big Deal" Jacobs presented Charles Moore, son of Herman, the HOF Award for Herman Moore...
Joe Teuton, Houma, La. presented Jimmy Arnold, Gonzalaz, Fla. his HOF Award
Garry Grimes, Buford, Ga., presented his father, Hoyt Grimes,
Buford, Ga. his HOF Award
Lynne Milner, Hamilton, Ga. presented her father, Ellis Milner,
Waverly Hall, Ga. his HOF award
Dennis Bailey, Pensacola, Fla. presented Aubrey Padgett,
Evergreen, Ala. his HOF Award
Randy Payne, Rome, Ga. presented Hubert Platt, Cumming, Ga. his HOF Award.
I've posted some photos with more to come as time allows.
Old Drag Racers Reunion Photos
(Go to Top)
Copyright © 2002-2003 by David W. Dilbeck: david@DavidDilbeck.com
Last built on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 at 11:21:49 PM by JD
Webmaster: John L. Dilbeck, jd@johndilbeck.com
using Radio UserLand and BBEdit on Apple Macintosh Computers.
Our privacy statement may be read at Privacy.
|
