THIGPEN AND BASKIN FIRST TIME WINNERS AT ATLANTA DRAGWAY
by Tim Glover
Photos: http://community.webshots.com/album/181326329zsgdaU
(Commerce, GA -August 28) Sportsman racer Andy Thigpen finished licensing his new Super Pro dragster a few moments prior to winning his first ever Sportsman race. 8-12 year old Jr. Dragster racer Valerie Clements, who won the NHRA Jr. Dragster Challenge last week, waited an hour and a half for new racer Kaitlyn Baskin to get her Denny's rental Jr. Dragster fixed, and was a good sportsman after being defeated by Baskin, who became the first ever rental car driver to win a race. Fans and racers were treated to several Top Fuel Dragster passes today. Joel Collins, part owner of the Colhart Motorsporst Top Fueler, made NHRA license passes, assisted by Funny Car racer Richard Hartman and Top Fuel racer John Smith. Henry Snelgrove won Super Pro Run for the $ (5.180 on 5.18), Paul Schultz won the Sportsman portion (13.091 on 13.09) and Jackie Lastinger won in Jr. Dragster Run for the $ (8.902 on 8.90).
Conyers, GA racer J.D. Reid, the Atlanta Dragway / NHRA 50th Anniversary race winner, ended a winless drought at Atlanta Dragway when he defeated B.J. Pitman's Roswell, GA based '89 Tin Man dragster in the Super Pro final. Reid did break out just a little with his Best Appearing and Best Engineered award winning '02 Undercover dragster, running 5.169, 134.78mph on a 5.17 dial. However, Pitman broke out more, running 5.262, 131.09 on her 5.28 target. Mike Holman, driving his wife's wheelstanding, nearly 4000 lb 1974 Buick Century Luxus, made it all the way to the semi-final round. J.D. Reid thanked Jeff Wilkerson of Wilkerson Racing Engines, his mom and dad, son Corey and Motes Auto Service. "This is my first win with this new car. The win gave me a confidence boost I've been needing," added Reid.
Sportsman racer Andy Thigpen from Flowery Branch, GA finished licensing his new Super Pro dragster a few moments prior to winning his first ever Sportsman race. Thigpen used a holeshot advantage in his '80 Monza to take out two time Sportsman champion Rob Hogue in the almost heads up, double breakout final. Thigpen went 11.726, 114.26mph on an 11.74 dial, and Hogue's Loganville, GA based '84 Monte Carlo SS ran 11.723, 116.51mph on an 11.75 dial. "I'm just happy. It's about time, said the tired six time finalist. Yeah, and it happens right when I'm moving up to Super Pro," added Thigpen. He plans to continue racing his Monza through the end of the year, but said the car is for sale. Chris Carlisle ('68 Camaro - Canton, GA) made his second semi-final appearance in as many races.
Mike Newby from Marietta, GA has been in five 2004 Atlanta Dragway Trophy Street finals, and won his second tonight against Steve Marcum. Newby's final round .06 second reaction time advantage and a very close 14.129, 94.77mph (14.13 dial) in his show quality '69 Chevelle earned the victory in the double breakout final. Marcum broke out worse in his Bogart, GA based '01 Mustang, 14.737, 94.94 mph pass (14.77 dial). "I'd like to thank my wife, Anita, and son John Michael for supporting my habit," added a happy Newby. Adam Stratton ('73 Maverick - Madison, GA), was last week's Trophy Street runner up and this week's lone semi-finalist.
Eleven year old Central, SC racer Valerie Clements, who won the NHRA Jr. Dragster Challenge last week, waited an hour and a half for new racer Kaitlyn Baskin of Temple, GA to get her rental Jr. Dragster fixed for the 8-12 Jr. Dragster final. Clements demonstrated good sportsmanship after being defeated by the twelve year old Baskin, who became the first ever rental car driver to win a race. Baskin's machine went 16.19, 38.73mph on its 16.02 target, but got the win after Clements broke out with an 8.93, 72.65mph (8.97 dial) trying to catch Baskin. Joshua Sisson (10 - Gainesville, GA) and Justin Fancher (11 - Conyers, GA) were the semi-final trophy winners. The Baskin family thanked the Clements for waiting and everyone who helped get the car fixed. They then said they looked forward to coming back.
Thirteen year old Team PTI driver Lauren Turner from Pendergrass, GA has met "Wild Kyle" Denton of McDonough, GA in the 13-17 Jr. Dragster finals the last three weeks. Turner made it two out of three this time after defeating Denton, increasing her points lead from 30 to 40 points over Denton. Turner put down a good 8.10, 78.96mph pass (8.08 dial). Denton crossed the finish line first, but was just a little too quick with a breakout 8.04, 76.65mph pass (8.06 dial). Turner's brother, Johnny (15 - Pendergrass, GA) was the semi-final finisher. "I'd like to thank Randy Fain of Fain and Mitchell properties, Dad, Tara Fine Jewelers, PTI, and Bill Gillen, who loaned us the proper belt for our new torque converter," said Turner.
A division of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Atlanta Dragway is located just off I-85 at Exit 149 in the Banks Crossing area of Commerce, Georgia. Information on all 2004 events, including the Hayes Mopar Meet, may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com.
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: J.D. Reid '02 Undercover dragster Conyers, GA 5.169 134.78 (5.17)
R/U: B.J. Pitman '89 Tin Man dragster Roswell, GA 5.262 131.09 (5.28)
Semi: Mike Holman '74 Buick Century Covington, GA
Semi:
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Andy Thigpen '80 Monza Flowery Branch, GA 11.72 114.26 (11.74)
R/U: Rob Hogue '84 Monte Carlo SS Loganville, GA 11.72 116.51 (11.75)
Semi: Chris Carlisle '68 Camaro Canton, GA
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mike Newby '69 Chevelle Marietta, GA 14.129 94.77 (14.13)
R/U: Steve Marcum '01 Mustang Bogart, GA 14.737 94.94 (14.77)
Semi: Adam Stratton '73 Maverick Madison, GA
8-12 JR. DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Kaitlyn Baskin 12 Temple, GA 16.19 38.73 (16.02)
R/U: Valerie Clements 11 Central, SC 8.93 72.65 (8.97)
Semi: Justin Fancher 11 Conyers, GA
Semi: Joshua Sisson 10 Gainesville, GA
13-17 JR. DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Lauren Turner 13 Pendergrass, GA 8.10 78.96 (8.08)
R/U: "Wild Kyle" Denton 14 McDonough, GA 8.04 76.65 (8.06)
Semi: Johnny Turner 15 Pendergrass, GA
by Tim Glover
Photos: http://community.webshots.com/album/181326329zsgdaU
(Commerce, GA -August 28) Sportsman racer Andy Thigpen finished licensing his new Super Pro dragster a few moments prior to winning his first ever Sportsman race. 8-12 year old Jr. Dragster racer Valerie Clements, who won the NHRA Jr. Dragster Challenge last week, waited an hour and a half for new racer Kaitlyn Baskin to get her Denny's rental Jr. Dragster fixed, and was a good sportsman after being defeated by Baskin, who became the first ever rental car driver to win a race. Fans and racers were treated to several Top Fuel Dragster passes today. Joel Collins, part owner of the Colhart Motorsporst Top Fueler, made NHRA license passes, assisted by Funny Car racer Richard Hartman and Top Fuel racer John Smith. Henry Snelgrove won Super Pro Run for the $ (5.180 on 5.18), Paul Schultz won the Sportsman portion (13.091 on 13.09) and Jackie Lastinger won in Jr. Dragster Run for the $ (8.902 on 8.90).
Conyers, GA racer J.D. Reid, the Atlanta Dragway / NHRA 50th Anniversary race winner, ended a winless drought at Atlanta Dragway when he defeated B.J. Pitman's Roswell, GA based '89 Tin Man dragster in the Super Pro final. Reid did break out just a little with his Best Appearing and Best Engineered award winning '02 Undercover dragster, running 5.169, 134.78mph on a 5.17 dial. However, Pitman broke out more, running 5.262, 131.09 on her 5.28 target. Mike Holman, driving his wife's wheelstanding, nearly 4000 lb 1974 Buick Century Luxus, made it all the way to the semi-final round. J.D. Reid thanked Jeff Wilkerson of Wilkerson Racing Engines, his mom and dad, son Corey and Motes Auto Service. "This is my first win with this new car. The win gave me a confidence boost I've been needing," added Reid.
Sportsman racer Andy Thigpen from Flowery Branch, GA finished licensing his new Super Pro dragster a few moments prior to winning his first ever Sportsman race. Thigpen used a holeshot advantage in his '80 Monza to take out two time Sportsman champion Rob Hogue in the almost heads up, double breakout final. Thigpen went 11.726, 114.26mph on an 11.74 dial, and Hogue's Loganville, GA based '84 Monte Carlo SS ran 11.723, 116.51mph on an 11.75 dial. "I'm just happy. It's about time, said the tired six time finalist. Yeah, and it happens right when I'm moving up to Super Pro," added Thigpen. He plans to continue racing his Monza through the end of the year, but said the car is for sale. Chris Carlisle ('68 Camaro - Canton, GA) made his second semi-final appearance in as many races.
Mike Newby from Marietta, GA has been in five 2004 Atlanta Dragway Trophy Street finals, and won his second tonight against Steve Marcum. Newby's final round .06 second reaction time advantage and a very close 14.129, 94.77mph (14.13 dial) in his show quality '69 Chevelle earned the victory in the double breakout final. Marcum broke out worse in his Bogart, GA based '01 Mustang, 14.737, 94.94 mph pass (14.77 dial). "I'd like to thank my wife, Anita, and son John Michael for supporting my habit," added a happy Newby. Adam Stratton ('73 Maverick - Madison, GA), was last week's Trophy Street runner up and this week's lone semi-finalist.
Eleven year old Central, SC racer Valerie Clements, who won the NHRA Jr. Dragster Challenge last week, waited an hour and a half for new racer Kaitlyn Baskin of Temple, GA to get her rental Jr. Dragster fixed for the 8-12 Jr. Dragster final. Clements demonstrated good sportsmanship after being defeated by the twelve year old Baskin, who became the first ever rental car driver to win a race. Baskin's machine went 16.19, 38.73mph on its 16.02 target, but got the win after Clements broke out with an 8.93, 72.65mph (8.97 dial) trying to catch Baskin. Joshua Sisson (10 - Gainesville, GA) and Justin Fancher (11 - Conyers, GA) were the semi-final trophy winners. The Baskin family thanked the Clements for waiting and everyone who helped get the car fixed. They then said they looked forward to coming back.
Thirteen year old Team PTI driver Lauren Turner from Pendergrass, GA has met "Wild Kyle" Denton of McDonough, GA in the 13-17 Jr. Dragster finals the last three weeks. Turner made it two out of three this time after defeating Denton, increasing her points lead from 30 to 40 points over Denton. Turner put down a good 8.10, 78.96mph pass (8.08 dial). Denton crossed the finish line first, but was just a little too quick with a breakout 8.04, 76.65mph pass (8.06 dial). Turner's brother, Johnny (15 - Pendergrass, GA) was the semi-final finisher. "I'd like to thank Randy Fain of Fain and Mitchell properties, Dad, Tara Fine Jewelers, PTI, and Bill Gillen, who loaned us the proper belt for our new torque converter," said Turner.
A division of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Atlanta Dragway is located just off I-85 at Exit 149 in the Banks Crossing area of Commerce, Georgia. Information on all 2004 events, including the Hayes Mopar Meet, may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com.
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: J.D. Reid '02 Undercover dragster Conyers, GA 5.169 134.78 (5.17)
R/U: B.J. Pitman '89 Tin Man dragster Roswell, GA 5.262 131.09 (5.28)
Semi: Mike Holman '74 Buick Century Covington, GA
Semi:
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Andy Thigpen '80 Monza Flowery Branch, GA 11.72 114.26 (11.74)
R/U: Rob Hogue '84 Monte Carlo SS Loganville, GA 11.72 116.51 (11.75)
Semi: Chris Carlisle '68 Camaro Canton, GA
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mike Newby '69 Chevelle Marietta, GA 14.129 94.77 (14.13)
R/U: Steve Marcum '01 Mustang Bogart, GA 14.737 94.94 (14.77)
Semi: Adam Stratton '73 Maverick Madison, GA
8-12 JR. DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Kaitlyn Baskin 12 Temple, GA 16.19 38.73 (16.02)
R/U: Valerie Clements 11 Central, SC 8.93 72.65 (8.97)
Semi: Justin Fancher 11 Conyers, GA
Semi: Joshua Sisson 10 Gainesville, GA
13-17 JR. DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Lauren Turner 13 Pendergrass, GA 8.10 78.96 (8.08)
R/U: "Wild Kyle" Denton 14 McDonough, GA 8.04 76.65 (8.06)
Semi: Johnny Turner 15 Pendergrass, GA
posted by David @ 9:31 PM
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