YOUNG, ALLEN, MARCUM AND LEE WIN A "WALLY" IN NATIONAL DRAGSTER CHALLENGE RACE AT ATLANTA DRAGWAY
by Tim Glover
Photos
(Commerce, GA -July 10) In addition to racing for Summit points, racers in
all the "big car" classes had an added incentive to win during tonight's
National Dragster Challenge race. Each class winner received an NHRA
""Wally"" (a special trophy awarded by NHRA to National Dragster Challenge
event winners). In addition to the National Dragster Challenge, the three
remaining classes from the Ingles / Powerade Night of Fire race were
completed.
Earlier in the day, during time trials, Super Pro racer Jesse Young's day
was not going quite as planned. The rear end housing on his Danielsville,
GA based dragster gave up, rendering his car useless. He then asked Joe
Rampley if he could borrow Rampley's second car, which was still at home in
Gainesville. After a moment, Rampley, who is not in the Summit Points
chase, told Young to go ahead and use his 2000 Undercover dragster, which
was already at the track. Young, who had never even sat in Rampley's
dragster before, took to it easily, and ended up facing former track
champion Mike Ramsey's Commerce, GA based '81 Don Ness Camaro in the final.
Both drivers actually red lighted, Ramsey with a .497 and Young with a .477,
but fortunately for Young, Ramsey had the slower dial in time of 5.67
seconds, making his the first infraction. Ramsey went on to a 5.69,
121.31mph pass, while Young got the win light and the "Wally" with a 5.01,
137.53mph effort (5.04 dial). Young, who has already won a "Wally",
presented it to Rampley in appreciation for his help. Kim Ellington's
husband, Eric, earned his way to a semi-final finish in the slightly
modified '65 Chevrolet C10 pickup his father bought new, along with Billy
Thigpen, the top 2004 Summit points earner in Super Pro ('97 Undercover
dragster - Flowery Branch, GA).
Sportsman winner Greg Allen brought his daughter Chelsea along today, and
earned a "Wally" for winning his second race of the year with his Anderson,
SC based '80 Camaro. Allen met veteran racer Dickey Forrester from Hickory
Flat, and used a telepathic .516 second react to get the win, running a
brake tapping 10.70, 119.30mph pass (10.68 dial) to Forrester's 10.62,
124.90mph effort in his '68 Firebird (10.59 target). Allen pointed out that
his last name is part of the event, (chALLENge). He then mentioned that he
wasn't even supposed to come today. He thanked his wife Shannon and son
Grayson for letting him come out to race on what was supposed to be
Shannon's day out. Allen also moved into second place in the Sportsman
points. Joe Haddon ('67 Chevy II - Oxford, GA) was the lone semi-finalist.
"I was just lucky," said Bogart, GA racer Steve Marcum about his first 2004
Trophy Street win and first ever "Wally" win. Marcum had made it to the
rain delayed Night of Fire semi-finals earlier in the day with his '01
Mustang, and went on to win the big one against Jimmy Mason from Canon, GA.
Marcum took a holeshot advantage at the starting line and turned it into a
win with a 14.71, 92.30mph pass (14.69 dial). Mason's '94 Firebird broke
out trying to catch Marcum with a 14.25, 97.67mph effort (14.30 dial).
Marcum said he finished runner up in the 2003 King of the Track race, and
when thinking about the "Wally" earlier today he told himself, "It's mine!"
2003 Trophy Street champion Mel Abney ('67 Camaro - Cumming, GA) was the
semi-final finisher.
A new player entered the ranks of the Sport Compact racers at Atlanta
Dragway. Jodee Lee, raced for a while in Trophy Street and was 2002 Rookie
of the Year. For this race, she borrowed a 2000 Malibu from friend Brandy
Edmonds, and became the first female winner of Sport Compact at Atlanta
Dragway. Lee faced Terry Turpin from Maysville, GA in the final, and turned
on the win light against the fastest Sport Compact competitor with a 16.89,
79.16mph pass (16.85 dial). Turpin's machine fell off the pace to 13.37,
103.64mph (13.10 dial). Points leader Eric "Buford" Duncan ('97 Cavalier -
Homer, GA) was the semi-final finisher.
Twelve year old "Mad Matt" Gillen of Gainesville, GA continued his comeback
in 8-12 Jr. Dragster with a defeat of Team PTI racer Justin Fancher (10 -
Conyers, GA). Gillen's reacts were in the fives all day, and the car was on
a rail, starting the day with an 8.944 pass and finishing with an 8.958,
72.50mph effort (8.93 dial). Fancher's machine was spot on, 9.27, 69.14mph
(9.26 dial), but Gillen's .525 react was too much to overcome. "I think
he's back to his old self. God blessed us with a wonderful day," said
Gillen's dad, Bill. Matt added that his thoughts and prayers were for the
health of fellow competitor and current points leader Joshua Sisson's dad,
Barry. Bailey Denton (10 - McDonough, GA) earned the semi-final trophy.
Bailey Denton's older brother, "Wild Kyle" Denton (14 - McDonough, GA) was
still tired after arriving home Friday from a trip to Panama City. That
didn't stop him from enjoying a rematch from a month ago against Team PTI
racer Lauren Turner. The results were the same as the June 12 race, with
Denton taking the win. Turner actually had a phenomenal reaction time of
.513 seconds to Denton's .542, but she crossed the finish line .018 seconds
too soon, breaking out with an 8.302, 77.11mph effort (8.32 dial). Denton
was close, running 7.99, 79.35mph on his 7.98 dial. "I couldn't tell if I
was past her," added Denton. Team PTI racer Johnny Turner (15 -
Pendergrass, GA) and Danielle Krause (13 - Peachtree City, GA) were the
semi-final trophy winners.
Six cars remained in Trophy Street competition when the Night of Fire race
was called on June 26. Mike Newby from Marietta, GA has been in three 2004
Trophy Street finals prior to this event, and won the Night of Fire trophy
after defeating Athens, GA racer Clay Stancil, another multi time finalist.
Newby had the best final round reaction time of the entire day with a .504,
and although his show quality '69 Chevelle broke out with a 14.399, 93.80mph
pass (14.40 dial), Stancil's not so show quality '71 Chevelle broke out even
more with a 14.09, 93.97mph effort on a 14.17 second dial. Newby said he
thought he was doing well for the season. Steve Marcum ('01 Mustang -
Bogart, GA) was the semi-final trophy winner.
Young Harvey Snelgrove (12 - Dahlonega, GA) won the 8-12 year old Jr.
Dragster Night of Fire trophy after defeating current points leader Joshua
Sisson (10 - Gainesville, GA) with a close 9.62, 63.79mph pass (9.60 dial).
Sisson actually crossed the finish line first, but broke out with an 8.97,
72.34 mph pass (8.98 dial). Kelsey Lynn (10 - Marietta, GA) and Justin
Fancher (10 - Conyers, GA) took home semi-final trophies for their efforts.
Sixteen year old Alton Clements III moved up from Jr. Dragster class to a
Super Pro Camaro for the 2004 season, but a broken engine had him sidelined.
Rather than sit out the Night of Fire, he and his family chose to race
their Jr. Dragster again. However, as soon as they ran the car, the motor
broke. After a quick ten minute thrash installing an engine they borrowed
from Bill Gillen, Clements was back on track, and went on to win the special
Night of Fire trophy for the 13-17 year old Jr. Dragster class. "Thank God
for Bill Gillen and his motor magic," exclaimed Clements. He then added
that every time they have borrowed something from Gillen they went on to win
the race, including his first ever Jr. Dragster race where he borrowed an
entire car from Gillen. Clements defeated Team PTI racer Johnny Turner in
the final with a Super Pro style react, .510 seconds. He then pedaled the
car to an 8.43, 72.48mph pass (8.35 dial). Turner broke out with an 8.74,
72.53mph (8.77 dial). Bradley Myers (15 - Loganville, GA) and Kyle Denton
(14 - McDonough, GA) won the semi-final trophy.
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jesse Young '00 Undercover Danielsville, GA 5.01 137.53 (5.04)
R/U: Mike Ramsey '81 Camaro Commerce, GA (foul) 5.69 121.31 (5.67)
Semi: Billy Thigpen '97 Undercover Flowery Branch, GA
Semi: Eric Ellington '65 Chevy C10 Conyers, GA
---------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Greg Allen '80 Camaro Anderson, SC 10.70 119.30 (10.68)
R/U: Dickey Forrester '68 Firebird Canton, GA 10.62 124.90 (10.59)
Semi: Joe Haddon '67 Chevy II Oxford, GA
---------------------------------------
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Steve Marcum '01 Mustang Bogart, GA 14.71 92.30 (14.69)
R/U: Jimmy Mason '94 Firebird Canon, GA 14.25 97.67 (14.30)
Semi: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA
-------------------------------------------
SPORT COMPACT CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jodee Lee '00 Malibu Cornelia, GA 16.89 79.16 (16.84)
R/U: Terry Turpin '03 Mitsubishi Evo Maysville, GA 13.37 103.64 (13.10)
Semi: Buford Heavy '97 Cavalier Homer, GA
-------------------------------------------
JR. DRAGSTER 8-12 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Mad Matt" Gillen 12 Gainesville, GA 8.95 72.50 (8.93)
R/U: Justin Fancher 10 Conyers, GA 9.27 69.14 (9.26)
Semi: Bailey Denton 10 McDonough, GA
-------------------------------------------
JR. DRAGSTER 13-17 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Wild Kyle" Denton 14 McDonough, GA 7.99 79.35 (7.98)
R/U: Lauren Turner 13 Pendergrass, GA 8.30 77.11 (8.32)
Semi: Johnny Turner 15 Pendergrass, GA
Semi: Danielle Krause 13 Peachtree City, GA
by Tim Glover
Photos
(Commerce, GA -July 10) In addition to racing for Summit points, racers in
all the "big car" classes had an added incentive to win during tonight's
National Dragster Challenge race. Each class winner received an NHRA
""Wally"" (a special trophy awarded by NHRA to National Dragster Challenge
event winners). In addition to the National Dragster Challenge, the three
remaining classes from the Ingles / Powerade Night of Fire race were
completed.
Earlier in the day, during time trials, Super Pro racer Jesse Young's day
was not going quite as planned. The rear end housing on his Danielsville,
GA based dragster gave up, rendering his car useless. He then asked Joe
Rampley if he could borrow Rampley's second car, which was still at home in
Gainesville. After a moment, Rampley, who is not in the Summit Points
chase, told Young to go ahead and use his 2000 Undercover dragster, which
was already at the track. Young, who had never even sat in Rampley's
dragster before, took to it easily, and ended up facing former track
champion Mike Ramsey's Commerce, GA based '81 Don Ness Camaro in the final.
Both drivers actually red lighted, Ramsey with a .497 and Young with a .477,
but fortunately for Young, Ramsey had the slower dial in time of 5.67
seconds, making his the first infraction. Ramsey went on to a 5.69,
121.31mph pass, while Young got the win light and the "Wally" with a 5.01,
137.53mph effort (5.04 dial). Young, who has already won a "Wally",
presented it to Rampley in appreciation for his help. Kim Ellington's
husband, Eric, earned his way to a semi-final finish in the slightly
modified '65 Chevrolet C10 pickup his father bought new, along with Billy
Thigpen, the top 2004 Summit points earner in Super Pro ('97 Undercover
dragster - Flowery Branch, GA).
Sportsman winner Greg Allen brought his daughter Chelsea along today, and
earned a "Wally" for winning his second race of the year with his Anderson,
SC based '80 Camaro. Allen met veteran racer Dickey Forrester from Hickory
Flat, and used a telepathic .516 second react to get the win, running a
brake tapping 10.70, 119.30mph pass (10.68 dial) to Forrester's 10.62,
124.90mph effort in his '68 Firebird (10.59 target). Allen pointed out that
his last name is part of the event, (chALLENge). He then mentioned that he
wasn't even supposed to come today. He thanked his wife Shannon and son
Grayson for letting him come out to race on what was supposed to be
Shannon's day out. Allen also moved into second place in the Sportsman
points. Joe Haddon ('67 Chevy II - Oxford, GA) was the lone semi-finalist.
"I was just lucky," said Bogart, GA racer Steve Marcum about his first 2004
Trophy Street win and first ever "Wally" win. Marcum had made it to the
rain delayed Night of Fire semi-finals earlier in the day with his '01
Mustang, and went on to win the big one against Jimmy Mason from Canon, GA.
Marcum took a holeshot advantage at the starting line and turned it into a
win with a 14.71, 92.30mph pass (14.69 dial). Mason's '94 Firebird broke
out trying to catch Marcum with a 14.25, 97.67mph effort (14.30 dial).
Marcum said he finished runner up in the 2003 King of the Track race, and
when thinking about the "Wally" earlier today he told himself, "It's mine!"
2003 Trophy Street champion Mel Abney ('67 Camaro - Cumming, GA) was the
semi-final finisher.
A new player entered the ranks of the Sport Compact racers at Atlanta
Dragway. Jodee Lee, raced for a while in Trophy Street and was 2002 Rookie
of the Year. For this race, she borrowed a 2000 Malibu from friend Brandy
Edmonds, and became the first female winner of Sport Compact at Atlanta
Dragway. Lee faced Terry Turpin from Maysville, GA in the final, and turned
on the win light against the fastest Sport Compact competitor with a 16.89,
79.16mph pass (16.85 dial). Turpin's machine fell off the pace to 13.37,
103.64mph (13.10 dial). Points leader Eric "Buford" Duncan ('97 Cavalier -
Homer, GA) was the semi-final finisher.
Twelve year old "Mad Matt" Gillen of Gainesville, GA continued his comeback
in 8-12 Jr. Dragster with a defeat of Team PTI racer Justin Fancher (10 -
Conyers, GA). Gillen's reacts were in the fives all day, and the car was on
a rail, starting the day with an 8.944 pass and finishing with an 8.958,
72.50mph effort (8.93 dial). Fancher's machine was spot on, 9.27, 69.14mph
(9.26 dial), but Gillen's .525 react was too much to overcome. "I think
he's back to his old self. God blessed us with a wonderful day," said
Gillen's dad, Bill. Matt added that his thoughts and prayers were for the
health of fellow competitor and current points leader Joshua Sisson's dad,
Barry. Bailey Denton (10 - McDonough, GA) earned the semi-final trophy.
Bailey Denton's older brother, "Wild Kyle" Denton (14 - McDonough, GA) was
still tired after arriving home Friday from a trip to Panama City. That
didn't stop him from enjoying a rematch from a month ago against Team PTI
racer Lauren Turner. The results were the same as the June 12 race, with
Denton taking the win. Turner actually had a phenomenal reaction time of
.513 seconds to Denton's .542, but she crossed the finish line .018 seconds
too soon, breaking out with an 8.302, 77.11mph effort (8.32 dial). Denton
was close, running 7.99, 79.35mph on his 7.98 dial. "I couldn't tell if I
was past her," added Denton. Team PTI racer Johnny Turner (15 -
Pendergrass, GA) and Danielle Krause (13 - Peachtree City, GA) were the
semi-final trophy winners.
Six cars remained in Trophy Street competition when the Night of Fire race
was called on June 26. Mike Newby from Marietta, GA has been in three 2004
Trophy Street finals prior to this event, and won the Night of Fire trophy
after defeating Athens, GA racer Clay Stancil, another multi time finalist.
Newby had the best final round reaction time of the entire day with a .504,
and although his show quality '69 Chevelle broke out with a 14.399, 93.80mph
pass (14.40 dial), Stancil's not so show quality '71 Chevelle broke out even
more with a 14.09, 93.97mph effort on a 14.17 second dial. Newby said he
thought he was doing well for the season. Steve Marcum ('01 Mustang -
Bogart, GA) was the semi-final trophy winner.
Young Harvey Snelgrove (12 - Dahlonega, GA) won the 8-12 year old Jr.
Dragster Night of Fire trophy after defeating current points leader Joshua
Sisson (10 - Gainesville, GA) with a close 9.62, 63.79mph pass (9.60 dial).
Sisson actually crossed the finish line first, but broke out with an 8.97,
72.34 mph pass (8.98 dial). Kelsey Lynn (10 - Marietta, GA) and Justin
Fancher (10 - Conyers, GA) took home semi-final trophies for their efforts.
Sixteen year old Alton Clements III moved up from Jr. Dragster class to a
Super Pro Camaro for the 2004 season, but a broken engine had him sidelined.
Rather than sit out the Night of Fire, he and his family chose to race
their Jr. Dragster again. However, as soon as they ran the car, the motor
broke. After a quick ten minute thrash installing an engine they borrowed
from Bill Gillen, Clements was back on track, and went on to win the special
Night of Fire trophy for the 13-17 year old Jr. Dragster class. "Thank God
for Bill Gillen and his motor magic," exclaimed Clements. He then added
that every time they have borrowed something from Gillen they went on to win
the race, including his first ever Jr. Dragster race where he borrowed an
entire car from Gillen. Clements defeated Team PTI racer Johnny Turner in
the final with a Super Pro style react, .510 seconds. He then pedaled the
car to an 8.43, 72.48mph pass (8.35 dial). Turner broke out with an 8.74,
72.53mph (8.77 dial). Bradley Myers (15 - Loganville, GA) and Kyle Denton
(14 - McDonough, GA) won the semi-final trophy.
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jesse Young '00 Undercover Danielsville, GA 5.01 137.53 (5.04)
R/U: Mike Ramsey '81 Camaro Commerce, GA (foul) 5.69 121.31 (5.67)
Semi: Billy Thigpen '97 Undercover Flowery Branch, GA
Semi: Eric Ellington '65 Chevy C10 Conyers, GA
---------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Greg Allen '80 Camaro Anderson, SC 10.70 119.30 (10.68)
R/U: Dickey Forrester '68 Firebird Canton, GA 10.62 124.90 (10.59)
Semi: Joe Haddon '67 Chevy II Oxford, GA
---------------------------------------
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Steve Marcum '01 Mustang Bogart, GA 14.71 92.30 (14.69)
R/U: Jimmy Mason '94 Firebird Canon, GA 14.25 97.67 (14.30)
Semi: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA
-------------------------------------------
SPORT COMPACT CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jodee Lee '00 Malibu Cornelia, GA 16.89 79.16 (16.84)
R/U: Terry Turpin '03 Mitsubishi Evo Maysville, GA 13.37 103.64 (13.10)
Semi: Buford Heavy '97 Cavalier Homer, GA
-------------------------------------------
JR. DRAGSTER 8-12 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Mad Matt" Gillen 12 Gainesville, GA 8.95 72.50 (8.93)
R/U: Justin Fancher 10 Conyers, GA 9.27 69.14 (9.26)
Semi: Bailey Denton 10 McDonough, GA
-------------------------------------------
JR. DRAGSTER 13-17 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Wild Kyle" Denton 14 McDonough, GA 7.99 79.35 (7.98)
R/U: Lauren Turner 13 Pendergrass, GA 8.30 77.11 (8.32)
Semi: Johnny Turner 15 Pendergrass, GA
Semi: Danielle Krause 13 Peachtree City, GA
posted by David @ 9:31 PM
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