FINAL THREE CHAMPIONSHIPS SETTLED AT FINAL SUMMIT POINTS RACE
by Tim Glover
Photos
2004 Track Champion Photos
(Commerce, GA - October 2) The air was cool and the track was fast for the final Summit points race of 2004 at Atlanta Dragway. Although the championships in both Jr. Dragster and Sport Compact were settled in previous weeks, the remaining three classes were still open to a few racers in each class. However, by the end of round two, the championships in Trophy Street and Sportsman were settled. Super Pro was settled in round three. The 2004 Atlanta Dragway Track champions are: Lloyd Kaylor (Super Pro), Chris Carlisle (Sportsman), Steve Marcum (Trophy Street), Eric "Buford
Heavy" Duncan (Sport Compact), Joshua Sisson (8-12 Jr. Dragster) and Lauren Turner (13-17 Jr. Dragster). Prior to round one, a Run for the Money round was contested, with Dwayne Bramlett and Rob Hogue winning the pot. Brett Bowman won a WalMart gift card for doing the best in the Jr. Dragster portion of the program. Tonight was also the night for "King of the Track", where the race winners in the "big car" classes raced for a coveted "Wally" trophy. By running the closest to his dial without breaking out, Wayne Brooks won the "Wally" and the King of the Track honors. The Mallory Cup event was also contested, with the Sportsman and Super Pro Track champions facing each other in a one round runoff. Lloyd Kaylor won the 2004 Atlanta Dragway Mallory Cup.
Wayne Brooks from Between, GA enjoyed his first Atlanta Dragway win tonight against Buford, GA racer Steve Adams. Adam's '78 Malibu wagon was spot on its numbers, running 6.973, 97.95mph on a 6.97 dial, but unfortunately, left the starting line .002 seconds before the green light came on, resulting in an automatic red light. Brooks was close with his '98 Racetech dragster, running a slight breakout 5.573, 123.13mph pass (5.58 target). Bruce Mouat (dragster - TyTy, GA) and Thomas Bell ('01 Undercover dragster - Toccoa, GA) were the semi-final purse winners. "Thanks to Steve Adams (for the red light) and also thanks to Larry (for his "re-marks" on the race car)," added a very happy Brooks. 2004 Super Pro champion Lloyd Kaylor added, "I feel happy and relieved. I figured Mike Ramsey was going to win. It got kind of tense for a while."
Flowery Branch, GA racer Andy Thigpen is getting the hang of winning, taking his second win in three Summit races. Thigpen's '80 Monza was actually the second car across the finish line in the final, but Bert Chapman's Gainesville, GA based Nova broke out, running 11.28, 117.04mph on a 11.30 dial. Thigpen carded an 11.63, 114.08mph pass (11.60 dial). Greg Allen ('80 Camaro - Anderson, SC) and Bill Boomhower ('65 Belvedere - Anderson, SC) were the semi-final pair. Thigpen said he had to win at least five rounds tonight to qualify for the NHRA Division Two ET finals team, and ended up winning seven. He thanked his dad, Donny, for getting him started in racing. The newly crowned 2004 Sportsman champion, Chris Carlisle,
thanked racer Dickey Forrester for staying after him about coming to the races this year. Carlisle was the 1990 Atlanta Dragway Sportsman champion, and won the 1989 Division Two ET finals in Sportsman class.
"I've got million octane gas running through my veins. I love it. This is my first win," said Trophy Street winner Brian Wilen of Snellville, GA. Wilen has been modifying his '00 Lightning F150 truck to go faster, and was rewarded with a 13.24, 97.31mph final round win light (13.20 dial). His opponent, former champion Mardy Kennedy ('64 Econoline Pickup - Auburn, GA) was a little off the pace, running a 13.13, 102.25mph pass on a 13.06 target. Kim Booth ('02 Tahoe - Cleveland, GA) and the man who had a mathematical chance of winning the 2004 championship coming in to the last race, Clay Stancil ('72 Chevelle - Athens, GA), were the semi-final trophy
winners. Steve Marcum, the 2004 Trophy Street champion, said, "I've been trying for four years. By the grace of God, I finally got it! This is just incredible."
"Buford Heavy" Duncan thanked his evening sponsor, Hedman Hedders, for his win in Sport Compact. Duncan's '97 Cavalier actually went too quick in the final, running 19.04, 70.76mph (19.18 dial), but opponent (and second place man in the points) Terry Turpin's '03 Mitsubishi EVO broke out even more with a 12.63, 108.45mph pass (12.98 dial). "Thank God I'm still able to get out here and act a fool. Makes me think I'm still 16," said Duncan, the 2004 Sport Compact champion. "I just wish we had more competition."
Team PTI scored another win, this time in tonight's 8-12 year old Jr. Dragster final. Justin Fancher, who is ten years old and comes to the track from Conyers, GA to race, has been in six finals. Fancher earned the winner's trophy with a great 9.51, 67.40mph effort on a 9.49 target. His opponent, ten year old Bailey Denton from McDonough, GA was a bit closer on the dial in, running a .01 over 9.02, 70.47mph pass. However, Denton's slower starting line reaction time made the difference, and she had to settle for the runner up trophy. Fancher had a scare in round one when the engine let go, and entered round two with a new engine and no information on what it would run. He got lucky and won round two, and went on through the final. He thanked Randy Fain and also George Turner for all their help.
Ashton Shubert (11 - Commerce, GA) and John Gordon (9-Hiram, GA) were the semi-finalists. Joshua Sisson, the 2004 8-12 Jr. Dragster champion, dominated the season, winning seven races en route to his first championship with his Fresh Frozen Foods backed entry.
Loganville, GA racer Bradley Myers has been in three 13-17 Jr. Dragster finals in the last month, and won tonight's event against Cody Martin of Buford, GA. Myers ran either 7.90 or 7.91 in almost every round, and the final was no different with a 7.91 at 79.26mph (7.90 dial). Martin lost an engine in round three and installed an off the shelf Young Guns Motorsports engine for the next round. His team put an 8.63 dial on the side of the car, and much to their relief, won with an 8.63. Martin also ran 8.63, 74.34mph in the final (8.63 dial), but due to a .05 second holeshot by Myers, had to settle for second place. "Wild Kyle" Denton was the lone
semi-finalist. Team PTI racer Lauren Turner finished second in the 8-12 Jr. Dragster championship points to Matt Gillen in 2002 and 2003. She said, "Oh Yes! Finally!" after learning she had locked up the 2004 13-17 Jr. Dragster championship at Atlanta Dragway.
An annual final points race tradition at Atlanta Dragway is the Parent's Jr. Dragster race, where the kids become the crew chiefs and the parents take on the driving job. "Wild Bill" Gillen from Gainesville, GA has guided his son Matt to two track championships and a division championship, and won another track championship with driver Russ Glover in 1999. Tonight, he enjoyed his first win in their Valvoline backed Young Guns Motorsports entry after defeating "Mustang Oley" Lynn in the final round. Gillen's car ran three straight 8.98 second passes prior to the final. In the final, Gillen enjoyed a huge holeshot advantage over Lynn, and scrubbed off some speed to a winning 9.05, 71.71mph pass (8.97 dial). Lynn, who hails from Marietta, GA, ran 8.12, 77.04mph on an 8.09 dial. Lisa "Stretch" Sisson and "Tall Boy" Terry Shubert finished in the semi-final round. "It was fun. Real
fun. I want to thank God and my son for the win. I'm a blessed man," added Gillen. On the way home, his son Matt told him that was the best night they ever had.
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Wayne Brooks '98 Racetech dragster Between, GA 5.57 123.13 (5.58)
R/U: Steve Adams '78 Malibu wagon Buford, GA (foul) 6.97 97.95 (6.97)
Semi: Thomas Bell '01 Undercover dragster Toccoa, GA
Semi: Bruce Mouat '02 Undercover dragster Ty Ty, GA
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Andy Thigpen '80 Monza Flowery Branch, GA 11.63 114.08 (11.60)
R/U: Bert Chapman '71 Nova Gainesville, GA 11.28 117.04 (11.30)
Semi: Greg Allen '80 Camaro Anderson, SC
Semi: Bill Boomhower '65 Belvedere Walhalla, SC
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Brian Wilen '00 Lightning F150 Snellville, GA 13.24 97.31 (13.20)
R/U: Mardy Kennedy '64 Econoline pickup Auburn, GA 13.13 102.25 (13.06)
Semi: Clay Stancil '72 Chevelle Athens, GA
Semi: Kim Booth '02 Tahoe Cleveland, GA
SPORT COMPACT CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Buford Heavy Duncan '97 Cavalier Commerce, GA 19.04 70.76 (19.18)
R/U: Terry Turpin '03 Mitsubishi EVO Maysville, GA 12.63 108.45 (12.98)
8-12 JR. DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Justin Fancher 11 Conyers, GA 9.51 67.40 (9.49)
R/U: Bailey Denton 10 McDonough, GA 9.02 70.47 (9.01)
Semi: Ashton Shubert 11 Commerce, GA
Semi: John Gordon 9 Hiram, GA
13-17 JR. DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Bradley Myers 14 Loganville, GA 7.91 79.26 (7.90)
R/U: Cody Martin 15 Buford, GA 8.63 74.34 (8.63)
Semi: "Wild Kyle" Denton 14 McDonough, GA
Semi:
PARENTS JR. DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Wild Bill" Gillen indeterminate Gainesville, GA 9.05 71.71 (8.97)
R/U: "Mustang Oley" Lynn old Marietta, GA 8.12 77.04 (8.09)
Semi: "Tall Boy" Terry Shubert up there Commerce, GA
Semi: Lisa "Stretch" Sisson don't discuss Gainesville, GA
Photos
2004 Track Champion Photos
(Commerce, GA - October 2) The air was cool and the track was fast for the final Summit points race of 2004 at Atlanta Dragway. Although the championships in both Jr. Dragster and Sport Compact were settled in previous weeks, the remaining three classes were still open to a few racers in each class. However, by the end of round two, the championships in Trophy Street and Sportsman were settled. Super Pro was settled in round three. The 2004 Atlanta Dragway Track champions are: Lloyd Kaylor (Super Pro), Chris Carlisle (Sportsman), Steve Marcum (Trophy Street), Eric "Buford
Heavy" Duncan (Sport Compact), Joshua Sisson (8-12 Jr. Dragster) and Lauren Turner (13-17 Jr. Dragster). Prior to round one, a Run for the Money round was contested, with Dwayne Bramlett and Rob Hogue winning the pot. Brett Bowman won a WalMart gift card for doing the best in the Jr. Dragster portion of the program. Tonight was also the night for "King of the Track", where the race winners in the "big car" classes raced for a coveted "Wally" trophy. By running the closest to his dial without breaking out, Wayne Brooks won the "Wally" and the King of the Track honors. The Mallory Cup event was also contested, with the Sportsman and Super Pro Track champions facing each other in a one round runoff. Lloyd Kaylor won the 2004 Atlanta Dragway Mallory Cup.
Wayne Brooks from Between, GA enjoyed his first Atlanta Dragway win tonight against Buford, GA racer Steve Adams. Adam's '78 Malibu wagon was spot on its numbers, running 6.973, 97.95mph on a 6.97 dial, but unfortunately, left the starting line .002 seconds before the green light came on, resulting in an automatic red light. Brooks was close with his '98 Racetech dragster, running a slight breakout 5.573, 123.13mph pass (5.58 target). Bruce Mouat (dragster - TyTy, GA) and Thomas Bell ('01 Undercover dragster - Toccoa, GA) were the semi-final purse winners. "Thanks to Steve Adams (for the red light) and also thanks to Larry (for his "re-marks" on the race car)," added a very happy Brooks. 2004 Super Pro champion Lloyd Kaylor added, "I feel happy and relieved. I figured Mike Ramsey was going to win. It got kind of tense for a while."
Flowery Branch, GA racer Andy Thigpen is getting the hang of winning, taking his second win in three Summit races. Thigpen's '80 Monza was actually the second car across the finish line in the final, but Bert Chapman's Gainesville, GA based Nova broke out, running 11.28, 117.04mph on a 11.30 dial. Thigpen carded an 11.63, 114.08mph pass (11.60 dial). Greg Allen ('80 Camaro - Anderson, SC) and Bill Boomhower ('65 Belvedere - Anderson, SC) were the semi-final pair. Thigpen said he had to win at least five rounds tonight to qualify for the NHRA Division Two ET finals team, and ended up winning seven. He thanked his dad, Donny, for getting him started in racing. The newly crowned 2004 Sportsman champion, Chris Carlisle,
thanked racer Dickey Forrester for staying after him about coming to the races this year. Carlisle was the 1990 Atlanta Dragway Sportsman champion, and won the 1989 Division Two ET finals in Sportsman class.
"I've got million octane gas running through my veins. I love it. This is my first win," said Trophy Street winner Brian Wilen of Snellville, GA. Wilen has been modifying his '00 Lightning F150 truck to go faster, and was rewarded with a 13.24, 97.31mph final round win light (13.20 dial). His opponent, former champion Mardy Kennedy ('64 Econoline Pickup - Auburn, GA) was a little off the pace, running a 13.13, 102.25mph pass on a 13.06 target. Kim Booth ('02 Tahoe - Cleveland, GA) and the man who had a mathematical chance of winning the 2004 championship coming in to the last race, Clay Stancil ('72 Chevelle - Athens, GA), were the semi-final trophy
winners. Steve Marcum, the 2004 Trophy Street champion, said, "I've been trying for four years. By the grace of God, I finally got it! This is just incredible."
"Buford Heavy" Duncan thanked his evening sponsor, Hedman Hedders, for his win in Sport Compact. Duncan's '97 Cavalier actually went too quick in the final, running 19.04, 70.76mph (19.18 dial), but opponent (and second place man in the points) Terry Turpin's '03 Mitsubishi EVO broke out even more with a 12.63, 108.45mph pass (12.98 dial). "Thank God I'm still able to get out here and act a fool. Makes me think I'm still 16," said Duncan, the 2004 Sport Compact champion. "I just wish we had more competition."
Team PTI scored another win, this time in tonight's 8-12 year old Jr. Dragster final. Justin Fancher, who is ten years old and comes to the track from Conyers, GA to race, has been in six finals. Fancher earned the winner's trophy with a great 9.51, 67.40mph effort on a 9.49 target. His opponent, ten year old Bailey Denton from McDonough, GA was a bit closer on the dial in, running a .01 over 9.02, 70.47mph pass. However, Denton's slower starting line reaction time made the difference, and she had to settle for the runner up trophy. Fancher had a scare in round one when the engine let go, and entered round two with a new engine and no information on what it would run. He got lucky and won round two, and went on through the final. He thanked Randy Fain and also George Turner for all their help.
Ashton Shubert (11 - Commerce, GA) and John Gordon (9-Hiram, GA) were the semi-finalists. Joshua Sisson, the 2004 8-12 Jr. Dragster champion, dominated the season, winning seven races en route to his first championship with his Fresh Frozen Foods backed entry.
Loganville, GA racer Bradley Myers has been in three 13-17 Jr. Dragster finals in the last month, and won tonight's event against Cody Martin of Buford, GA. Myers ran either 7.90 or 7.91 in almost every round, and the final was no different with a 7.91 at 79.26mph (7.90 dial). Martin lost an engine in round three and installed an off the shelf Young Guns Motorsports engine for the next round. His team put an 8.63 dial on the side of the car, and much to their relief, won with an 8.63. Martin also ran 8.63, 74.34mph in the final (8.63 dial), but due to a .05 second holeshot by Myers, had to settle for second place. "Wild Kyle" Denton was the lone
semi-finalist. Team PTI racer Lauren Turner finished second in the 8-12 Jr. Dragster championship points to Matt Gillen in 2002 and 2003. She said, "Oh Yes! Finally!" after learning she had locked up the 2004 13-17 Jr. Dragster championship at Atlanta Dragway.
An annual final points race tradition at Atlanta Dragway is the Parent's Jr. Dragster race, where the kids become the crew chiefs and the parents take on the driving job. "Wild Bill" Gillen from Gainesville, GA has guided his son Matt to two track championships and a division championship, and won another track championship with driver Russ Glover in 1999. Tonight, he enjoyed his first win in their Valvoline backed Young Guns Motorsports entry after defeating "Mustang Oley" Lynn in the final round. Gillen's car ran three straight 8.98 second passes prior to the final. In the final, Gillen enjoyed a huge holeshot advantage over Lynn, and scrubbed off some speed to a winning 9.05, 71.71mph pass (8.97 dial). Lynn, who hails from Marietta, GA, ran 8.12, 77.04mph on an 8.09 dial. Lisa "Stretch" Sisson and "Tall Boy" Terry Shubert finished in the semi-final round. "It was fun. Real
fun. I want to thank God and my son for the win. I'm a blessed man," added Gillen. On the way home, his son Matt told him that was the best night they ever had.
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Wayne Brooks '98 Racetech dragster Between, GA 5.57 123.13 (5.58)
R/U: Steve Adams '78 Malibu wagon Buford, GA (foul) 6.97 97.95 (6.97)
Semi: Thomas Bell '01 Undercover dragster Toccoa, GA
Semi: Bruce Mouat '02 Undercover dragster Ty Ty, GA
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Andy Thigpen '80 Monza Flowery Branch, GA 11.63 114.08 (11.60)
R/U: Bert Chapman '71 Nova Gainesville, GA 11.28 117.04 (11.30)
Semi: Greg Allen '80 Camaro Anderson, SC
Semi: Bill Boomhower '65 Belvedere Walhalla, SC
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Brian Wilen '00 Lightning F150 Snellville, GA 13.24 97.31 (13.20)
R/U: Mardy Kennedy '64 Econoline pickup Auburn, GA 13.13 102.25 (13.06)
Semi: Clay Stancil '72 Chevelle Athens, GA
Semi: Kim Booth '02 Tahoe Cleveland, GA
SPORT COMPACT CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Buford Heavy Duncan '97 Cavalier Commerce, GA 19.04 70.76 (19.18)
R/U: Terry Turpin '03 Mitsubishi EVO Maysville, GA 12.63 108.45 (12.98)
8-12 JR. DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Justin Fancher 11 Conyers, GA 9.51 67.40 (9.49)
R/U: Bailey Denton 10 McDonough, GA 9.02 70.47 (9.01)
Semi: Ashton Shubert 11 Commerce, GA
Semi: John Gordon 9 Hiram, GA
13-17 JR. DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Bradley Myers 14 Loganville, GA 7.91 79.26 (7.90)
R/U: Cody Martin 15 Buford, GA 8.63 74.34 (8.63)
Semi: "Wild Kyle" Denton 14 McDonough, GA
Semi:
PARENTS JR. DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Wild Bill" Gillen indeterminate Gainesville, GA 9.05 71.71 (8.97)
R/U: "Mustang Oley" Lynn old Marietta, GA 8.12 77.04 (8.09)
Semi: "Tall Boy" Terry Shubert up there Commerce, GA
Semi: Lisa "Stretch" Sisson don't discuss Gainesville, GA
posted by David @ 1:41 AM
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