2003 Atlanta Dragway Banquet of Champions

(Return to Georgia Drag Racing Photo Gallery main page.)

Over 200 racers and family members enjoyed the Tenth Annual Atlanta Dragway Banquet of Champions, presented by VP Racing Fuels and held at the American Legion Hall, Post 127, in Buford, Georgia.

After dinner, NHRA Pro Stock legend Warren Johnson delivered the keynote speech, followed by track manager Craig Armstrong, who thanked all the sponsors that helped make the racing happen at Atlanta Dragway. Many of them contributed some very nice door prizes for the evening, including VP fuel jugs, GM Performance hats, Castrol oil, Billy Howell Ford Featherlite jackets, goody bags, a couple of overnight stays at Renaissance Pine Isle Resort, including meals, Year One gift certificates, Mr. Bill's souvenirs, a cash certificate from Ricky Blackwell, John Bleakley Motor Homes goody bags, Ruby Tuesday certificates and many other items. Leon Farmer Company donated a classic mini cooler, along with some coveted Budweiser mugs and merchandise. The door prizes were given out many times during the evening.

The Junior Dragster racers, announced as the racers of tomorrow, were first on stage for recognition. The top eight Trophy Street racers, minus the 2003 champion, were called up to the stage. Mardy Kennedy and Mike Puckett were tied for second place in Trophy Street for the year. Armstrong, who emceed the evening, announced this group as the people who make racing fun. They were followed by the top eight Sportsman racers sans the champion. Travis Bryant finished second for the year, followed by Bill Boomhower in third. Next, the top sixteen Super Pro racers came up on stage. Former Jr. Dragster racer Hank Wilhelm rose all the way to second place for the 2003 points series, followed by Thomas Bell, who finished third.

Thirteen special awards were presented. Mickey Hargett was the first person called to the stage, being inducted into the Atlanta Dragway Hall of Fame for serving a decade as the staging lanes manager. Armstrong announced him as the man everyone loved to hate, and hated to love.

Next up was Junior Dragster Rookie of the Year, Dylan Kent. A very popular Junior Dragster parent, Penny Free, was awarded the Junior Dragster Parent of the Year award. Every weekend at the races, Free always has a feast out for anyone who walks up and asks, which is very popular with the Junior Dragster crew. Bert Chapman, who led the Sportsman points for most of the year, but finished in fourth, was awarded the Atlanta Dragway Most Improved Driver of 2003 plaque for his efforts. Chapman said he was living a dream, and thanked God and his fiancée.

McEver's Hot Dogs contributed $500 to go to the Rookie "Top Dog" of the 2003 racing season. Trophy Street champion Mel Abney was the lucky recipient, having won the championship in his first year of racing. He thanked his wife Zena for helping him (and letting him use her truck to tow his Camaro to the race track).

Although she didn't win Rookie of the Year, Super Pro rookie Tiffany Howard (17 years old) was given the Rising Star award. With a lot of help from her dad Brad and mom Wanda, she started her racing career in a Super Pro dragster, learning quickly how to handle a five second race car.

Long time Sportsman racer Cindy Williams won the Team Spirit award for loaning out her race car to other team members during the Division Two ET finals. She was followed on stage by husband, Gerry Williams, who now has the dubious distinction of being a three time winner of the Entertainer of the Year award. This year's episode had something to do with entering his motorhome in a less than usual fashion.

Bill Gillen, of Young Guns Motorsports, is the "Grand Central" for all the Junior Dragster racers. Anytime someone needs tuning help, parts, advice or just fellowship, they come to his pit, which stays busy. Armstrong said he is always helping out, time after time. In recognition of his contribution, Gillen was awarded the Good Guy award for 2003. Gillen thanked God, his wife Lisa for putting up with the racing, and his son "Mad Matt" Gillen for making the racing so easy and fun.

Stan Sinack won the Golden Shoepolish award, given out by clock operators Amy Gunter and Denise Shubert to the racer who put the most legible dial-in numbers on their race car. Kevin Rich, who drives some pretty "original" looking cars in Trophy Street, was awarded the Goofy Award. Next, Amy Gunter was surprised when she was announced as the Employee of the Year. Although her main job at the track is clock operator, she also steps in as announcer, race director, or whatever else is needed at the moment. Gunter's dad introduced her to the sport, and she mentioned she has been involved with racing longer than she has with her husband of 18 years. Paula Hancock was given an award for dedicating her time for over two decades to help Atlanta Dragway. Racers For Christ chaplain Lloyd Shanks was recognized as Person of the Year for his contributions. Shanks said he raced for years, then got involved with the Junior Dragster program, and then felt the calling for a different kind of race, sharing the gospel with others at the race track. He, along with co-pastor Gerald Aldridge also sponsored a mini series in the Junior Dragster ranks. Ashley Dumas finished first in that series, followed by Lauren Turner, Bradley Myers and Scott Digby.

After the special awards, seven 2003 Atlanta Dragway Track Champions were recognized. Don Brown of Don Brown Automotive and Transmission helped out with the points fund, and was on hand to recognize the champions as they came to the stage. Jesse Young, a young man of few words, was the first recipient, winning the High School championship.

The Junior Dragster champions were awarded Tanger Outlet certificates, a check from Junior Pippin Trucking, a trophy and a champion's jacket.

The first words 8-12 year old Jr. Dragster champion "Mad Matt" Gillen said after receiving his award were "I'm baack!" (Gillen won the championship for the second year in a row.) He then thanked God, his sponsor Valvoline, his mom for putting up with the racing, his dad for helping him race, Penny Free for the food and the others who helped him during the year. Ashley Dumas won the 13-17 year old Jr. Dragster class championship in her final year of racing Juniors. At the podium she announced, "Now I'm moving into Sportsman and going after Jacob!"

The rest of the champions were awarded a trophy, a VP check, a Don Brown check and a champion's jacket.

Stewart Taft overcame a heart attack earlier this year around Easter to win the Motorcycle championship. Taft said back then he never thought he would make it back, much less win the championship. Trophy Street champion Mel Abney thanked his fellow racers for making his season tough. He said winning the championship wouldn't mean much without good competition.

Jacob Rutledge has a stellar record in Sportsman, winning his third straight track championship at Atlanta Dragway. Rutledge said he lost his father earlier in the season, and added, "If it weren't for D.R. Rutledge, I wouldn't have a car to race. I dedicate this whole year to my father." He then thanked his sponsors, his wife and his son for their help.

The final champion recognized was Super Pro champion Henry Snelgrove. Armstrong announced him as always persistent, never flashy. "Consistency, consistency, consistency was the key," he added. Snelgrove thanked God for the good season, his wife Sandra for her help, Brad Howard and Ricky Blackwell for help with the engine and transmission, and his son Henry, Jr. and his son's wife Brenda for helping with both the Juniors and the Super Pro cars.

The final recognition given out was Racer of the Year. Ashley Dumas was the 2003 recipient in recognition of her leading the points from wire to wire in 13-17 Jr. Dragster. She thanked Jeremy Hancock, her mom and dad, and everyone else who helped her through the winning season.

After Craig Armstrong announced the first event for 2004 would be the Hayes Chrysler Fan Fest on Saturday, February 28, the evening was closed with a speech by RFC pastor Lloyd Shanks.