Mancuso Takes Top Fuel Win, Local Racers Take Pro Modified and ET Wins at the Stone Mountain Harley Davidson Southern Nationals presented by Drag Specialties
By Tim Glover

(Atlanta Dragway - Commerce, GA - May 29-30) Several hundred motorcycle racers brought their Harleys to Atlanta Dragway this weekend for the Stone Mountain Harley-Davidson Southern Nationals, presented by Drag Specialties. This event was stop number five of 14 for the All Harley Drag Racing Association(AHDRA) 2004 schedule. Although the threat of rain was present all weekend, only a few minutes of action were delayed each day. Two Atlanta Dragway regulars, Junior Pippin (Pro Modified) and Scott Reynolds (ET) enjoyed victories in their classes.

Riders for the Christian Motorcycle Association "Riding for the Son" had a booth on the manufacturer's midway, passing on their message about God. They sponsored a Saturday evening and a Sunday morning service for racers and spectators. The manufacturer's midway was, as usual, a Harley enthusiast's dream. In addition to numerous leather items, metal art and chrome accessories, numerous customized and nearly stock Harleys were on sale by the weekend's sponsor, Stone Mountain Harley-Davidson. Even the spectator's parking areas looked like a Motorcycle show, with hundreds of customized Harleys. Several performance parts vendors, like Drag Specialties, S&S Proven Performance, RC Components, Vance & Hines and more had their go fast goodies available to anyone interested.

In the Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel final round, Johnny Mancuso out of Houston, TX faced another Texas racer, Mark Conner from Canyon Lake. Mancuso experienced tire shake on his '00 Weekend racer in the semis, but luck was on his side when Tracy Kile redlighted. Mancuso said his team backed off the combination a little for the finals, aiming for a 6.60 elapsed time. They nailed it with a 6.606, 200.83mph blast. Conner's bike experienced severe tire shake in the final and then spun the tires, slowing his '03 Top Fuel Harley to 12.04, 72.64mph. Mancuso was beaten by his hired gun, Steve Stordeur at the 2003 Atlanta race, but this year they met in round two, and the boss took the win when Stordeur spun the tires shortly after leaving the starting line. Tracy Kile ('01 American - Hatfield, PA) and Doug Vancil ('00 Weekend - Cedar Crest, NM) were the semi-final pair.

Kirby, OH S&S Pro Stock racer Rick Maney set a new record at the previous AHDRA race in Bakersfield (7.47 at 175mph), but said he was lucky to be in the winner's circle after experiencing Georgia humidity for the first time. His team took several rounds to find a tune up the engine was happy with, but had a good combination for the finals and won with a 7.56, 175.16mph best against 2003 Atlanta Pro Stock winner Dirk Higgins, who fell .05 seconds off his qualifying pace of 7.55 to a 7.60, 171.16mph in the final.Both finalists were great on the tree, with Maney cutting a .416 and Higgins going .425 on the reaction timers. "Anytime you can drive around Dirk Higgins you've done a good job," commented Maney. The semi-finalists were Dale Raudenbush ('01 Buell - Old Zionsville, PA) and self proclaimed senior citizen George Farrell ('02 Buell - Indianapolis, IN).

Mike Lehman took top honors in Jim's Pro Fuel with his West Palm Beach, FL based '02 Dixie machine. He met Cincinatti, OH racer John Martin in the final, and was actually second off the starting line due to a late react. However, Martin's '02 Weekend Harley lost traction and spun, forcing him to lift to an 11.23, 79.08mph pass. Lehman thundered to a 7.33, 187.05mph. Jay Turner ('98 Dixie - Whitsett, NC) had low ET and Top Speed of the meet in Pro Fuel, but lost due to a broken drive belt in the semi-finals. The other semi-final finisher was number one qualifier Jack Romine ('99 Weekend - Casa Grande, AZ).

Although Fred Collis of Star Racing & S&S set new AHDRA records in S&S Pro Gas (7.27 and 7.30 second passes at 183mph), his main agenda was preparing a Pro Stock Harley for NHRA competition. Brook McCabe out of Roanoke Rapids, NC earned the final round win light with a holeshot victory on his '99 Pro Gas bike against David Delullo, Jr's '01 Buell. Delullo, from St Marys, PA, actually ran the quicker ET, an 8.28, 160.56mph, but crossed the finish line after McCabe's 8.32, 153.75mph shot. Delullo used a giant holeshot in the semi-finals to take out Ray Phipp's Mason, OH based '02 Harley. The other semi-finalist was James Kelly ('95 Weekend - Sharpsburg, GA), whose machine broke on the starting line.

Scott Truett from Wichita, KS set the low et and the top speed numbers in Kresto Pro Drag qualifying, and to no one's surprise, also took first place for the weekend with his '03 Harley. Truett met number two plate holder Chuck Jones ('04 Derringer - Naples, FL) in the final, left the starting line first and took the finish line first with a 7.45, 163.14mph pass. Jones machine was close with 7.54, 168.70mph. Michael Mulderink ('99 Nungasser - Tinley Park, IL) actually had the faster ET in his semi-final matchup against Jones (7.51 to Jones' 7.69), but threw it away with a .205 redlight, making Mulderink the lone semi-finalist.

Atlanta Dragway's own Junior Pippin from Conyers, GA was the top player for the second year in a row in Joker Machine Pro Modified. This time, Pippin faced the number one plateholder, Cliff Dwy from Madras, OR in the final. Dwy actually had the reaction time advantage, but Pippin's 8.41 at 148.36mph was too much for Dwy's 8.58, 157.37mph effort. Pippin said he experienced some jetting and clutch problems in the first two rounds, but then had better passes for the last two rounds. He thanked his sponsors, Gene Lummus Harley Davidson, Rinehart Racing, S&S, Red Line Oil and Junior Pippin trucking for all the help. Shaun Reno ('00 Buell - Gloucester, VA) and Paul Smith ('04 Buell - Uniontown, OH) took home the semi-final portion of the purse.

J Joe Sternotti runs his Custom and Performance Cycle Center out of Blackwood, NJ and has been involved with AHDRA for several years. In 2000, he won the AHDRA Pro Modified championship, but had never won a race until today in the Rivera / Primo Street Pro class. Sternotti's '92 XL set low et and high mph marks (9.157 at 146.86mph) in qualifying, winning the pole position in the process. He then experienced his first ever AHDRA win
against Chris Schelle ('02 Lowrider - Elkhart, IN) in the final with a 9.25, 145.45mph effort. Schelle could only muster an ailing 10.76, 126.48mph pass. Schelle also had problems in the semis with a 12.47, 121.06mph pass, but his semi-final opponent, Doug Morrow ('04 Sportster - Daytona Beach, FL), had to shut off after the burnout when smoke was spotted coming off his bike (and it wasn't out the exhaust or tires). The other semi-finalist was Jordan Cruz ('98 Buell - Ft. Lauderdale, FL).

Tripp Nobles won Screamin' Eagle V-Rod during the 2003 Atlanta race, and repeated in 2004 with a decisive 10.02 at 135.04mph against Clay Wilwert from Dubuque, IN. Wilwert was quick with a 10.33, 130.94mph, but not quick enough for first place. Jim Wise ('03 V-Rod - Granger, IN) and Larry Maynhart ('02 VRSC - Swanton, OH) became the semi-final pair.

John "The Juggler" Burlynsk from Houston, TX had a rough weekend, breaking two pushrods and struggling most of the weekend to find a combination to win Dragmasters Hot Street. His work paid off, and the national record holder (10.29 seconds) enjoyed his best pass of the weekend with a 10.49, 128.03 final round pass on his '98 Buell against Bruce Croneberger III's Cressona, PA based '98 S-1 Buell, which turned in a 10.67, 128.48mph. This victory gave Burlynsk his third win in a row. He thanked Bob Drapp for his help. David Atkins ('99 Rigid Custom - Sarasota, FL) and Robert McConnell ('00
Buell - Shreveport, LA) finished their day in the semi-finals.

Canton, OH racer Dale Miller used a huge two tenths of a second holeshot advantage on his '98 S-1 Buell to secure the Red Line Oil Super Gas win. Miller crossed the finish line .021 seconds behind defending champion Willie Herschberger's Bradenton, FL based '03 Harley, but won with a 9.81, 133.05mph after Herschberger broke out with a 9.61, 131.74mph(9.70 index). Blake Holliday ('89 Custom - North Springfield, PA) took home the semi-final portion of the purse.

David Hope from Nevada, MO earned the S&S Super Sport win against G.W. Bass
('60 Sportster - Lynchburg, VA). Hope was four thousandths closer to the
10.30 index with a 10.322, 116.48mph pass, while Bass turned in an otherwise
good 10.326, 122.24mph. Hope also had a .019 second advantage at the
starting line. Defending champion, Karen Wagner (the first woman to win an
AHDRA championship - '94 Sportster - Escondido, CA) was the semi-finalist.

Old age and treachery won out over youth and enthusiasm in Performance
Corner Super Eliminator. Larry Guy from Bradenton, FL took on the
enthusiastic 20 year old Bill Lee, Jr in the final, and used a very good
10.96, 120.48mph (10.90 index) for the win. Lee, who also comes from
Bradenton, FL and is friends with Guy, was a bit tardy at the starting line,
and broke out with a 10.82, 113.21mph pass on his '00 Lightning. Pat Doyle
('98 Buell - Davenport, FL) and Cleve McConnell ('98 S-1 Buell - Shreveport,
LA) were the semi-final pair. "He's old. He needs all the wins he can get,"
commented a smiling Lee after the race.

Bill Draffin from Tampa, FL stayed busy during the last few rounds as he
made it down to the semifinals with two different Harleys, one in Screamin'
Eagle Performance (and the other in Syn3 ET). Draffin's '02 Dyna went
closer to the 11.50 index with an 11.56, 112.35mph shot. His opponent, Tim
Strissel from Annapolis, MD was a little further off the mark on his '00
Buell, running 11.62, 104.99mph. Donnie Huffman ('04 Sportster - Lakeland,
FL) and Robert McConnell ('01 Buell - Shreveport, LA) finished in the
semi-finals.

Local racer Scott Reynolds from Cartersville, GA has a highly modified
Firebird that he races in bracket races at Atlanta Dragway. He purchased an
'01 Wideglide last year, and entered his first AHDRA race this weekend in
the Syn3 ET class. He beat 2003 Atlanta winner Howard Pence by running
closer to his 12.98 dial in time with a 13.03, 96.59mph pass. Pence had the
reaction time advantage but fell off the pace to a 12.42, 105.50mph (12.20
dial). Bill Draffin (Harley - Tampa, FL) and Denson Wright (Harley -
Ellenton, FL) became the ET semi-finalists. Reynolds had a scare after
round two when he discovered he only had one cylinder working (a coil had
failed). Thanks to help from H&R Cycles (in nearby Homer, GA) owner Harold
Nash, who went out and got the ignition components he needed, Reynolds was
able to go on and win the race.

SCREAMIN EAGLE TOP FUEL BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Johnny Mancuso '00 Weekend Houston, TX 6.60 200.83
R/U: Mark Conner '03 Top Fuel Canyon Lake, TX 12.04 72.64
Semi: Doug Vancil '00 Weekend Cedar Crest, NM
Semi: Tracy Kile '01 American Cycle Hatfield, PA

S&S PRO STOCK BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Rick Maney '03 Sportster Phoenix, AZ 7.56 175.16
R/U: Dirk Higgins '01 FXR Kirby, OH 7.60 171.16
Semi: Dale Raudenbush '04 Precision Old Zionsville, PA
Semi: George Farrell '02 Buell Indianapolis, IN

JIM'S PRO FUEL BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Mike Lehman '02 Dixie W. Palm Beach, FL 7.33 187.05
R/U: John Martin '02 Weekend Mason, OH 11.23 79.08
Semi: Jay Turner '02 Dixie Whitsett, NC
Semi: Jack Romine '99 Weekend Casa Grande, AZ

S&S PRO GAS BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Brook McCabe '99 Pro Gas Roanoke Rapids, NC 8.32 153.75
R/U: David Delullo, Jr. '01 Buell St. Marys, PA 8.28 160.56
Semi: James Kelly '95 Weekend Sharpsburg, GA
Semi: Ray Phipps '02 Harley Mason, OH

KRESTO PRO DRAG BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Scott Truett '03 Harley Wichita, KS 7.45 163.14
R/U: Chuck Jones '04 Derringer Naples, FL 7.54 168.70
Semi: Michael Mulderink '99 Nungasser Tinley Park, IL
Semi:

JOKER MACH. PRO MODIFIED BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Junior Pippin '01 PM Harley Conyers, GA 8.41 148.36
R/U: Cliff Dwy '01 TSP Madras, OR 8.58 157.37
Semi: Shaun Reno '00 Buell Gloucester, VA
Semi: Paul Smith '04 Buell Uniontown, OH

RIVERA/PRIMO STREET PRO BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Joe Sternotti '92 XL Blackwood, NJ 9.25 145.45
R/U: Chris Schelle '03 Lowrider Elkhart, IN 10.76 126.48
Semi: Doug Morrow '03 Top Gun Daytona, FL
Semi: Jordan Cruz '98 Buell Ft. Lauderdale, FL

SCREAMIN' EAGLE V-ROD BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Tripp Nobles '03 V-Rod Statesville, NC 10.02 135.04
R/U: Clay Wilwert '03 V-Rod Dubuque, IN 10.33 130.94
Semi: Jim Wise '03 V-Rod Granger, IN
Semi: Larry Maynhart '02 VRSC Swanton, OH

DRAGMASTERS HOT STREET BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: John Burlynsk '98 Buell Houston, TX 10.49 128.03
R/U: Bruce Croneberger III '98 S-1 Buell Cressona, PA 10.67 128.48
Semi: David Atkins Harley Bradenton, FL
Semi: Robert McConnell '00 Buell Shreveport, LA

RED LINE OIL SUPER GAS BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: Dale Miller '98 S-1 Buell Canton, OH 9.81 133.05 (9.70)
R/U: Willie Herschberger '03 Harley Bradenton, FL 9.61 131.74 (9.70)
Semi: Blake Holliday '89 Custom North Springfield, PA
Semi:

S&S SUPER SPORT BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: David Hope '00 Harley Nevada, MO 10.32 116.48 (10.30)
R/U: G.W. Bass '60 Sportster Lynchburg, VA 10.32 122.24 (10.30)
Semi: Karen Wagner '94 Sportster Escondido, CA
Semi:

SUPER ELIMINATOR BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: Larry Guy '97 Buell Bradenton, FL 10.96 120.48 (10.90)
R/U: Bill Lee, Jr. '00 Lightning Ellenton, FL 10.82 113.21 (10.90)
Semi: Pat Doyle '98 Buell Davenport, FL
Semi: Cleve McConnell '98 S-1 Buell Shreveport, LA

SCREAMIN' EAGLE PERF. BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: Bill Draffin '02 Dynaglide Tampa, FL 11.56 112.35 (11.50)
R/U: Tim Strissel '00 Buell Annapolis, MD 11.62 104.99 (11.50)
Semi: Donnie Huffman '04 Sportster Lakeland, FL
Semi: Robert McConnell '01 Buell Shreveport, LA

SYN3 ET BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL
Win: Scott Reynolds '01 Wideglide Cartersville, GA 13.03 96.59 (12.98)
R/U: Howard Pence '93 FXR Bradenton, FL 12.42 105.50 (12.20)
Semi: Bill Draffin '00 Harley Tampa, FL
Semi: Denson Wright '00 Harley Ellenton, FL
Photos

Kurt Johnson Races to Runner-Up Finish in Topeka

Event: 16th annual O'Reilly Summer Nationals
Location: Heartland Park Topeka
Topeka, KS

Kurt Johnson combined his considerable driving skills with a strong performance by his ACDelco Cavalier to score a runner-up finish in Sunday's final eliminations of the O'Reilly Summer Nationals in Topeka, KS. It was Johnson's third final round of the 2004 season, and 53rd of his Pro Stock career.

Starting from the fifth position, Johnson used consecutive 6.84-second passes to post wins over veterans Bruce Allen and Kenny Koretsky in the first two rounds, setting the stage for a semi-final match-up with No. 1 qualifier Steve Johns. Running in the less-preferred right-hand lane, Johnson used the best reaction time of the day in the Pro Stock category at .019 seconds to leave the starting line four hundredths of a second ahead of his opponent, and never looked back, using a 6.861-second run to defeat his opponent's quicker, but losing 6.827-second effort.

For the second time in as many years at Heartland Park Topeka, Johnson would face Greg Anderson in the championship round. Despite looking into the blinding late afternoon sun from the right lane, KJ once again left the line first, powering down the quarter-mile and maintaining the lead through the first 1,000 feet. However, Johnson's 6.845-second, 201.31 mph pass fell five thousandths of second shy of holding off his rival, who posted a 6.833-second effort to gain the extremely narrow victory.

"It was just one of those racing deals. We had made a few adjustments to the clutch linkage before the semis, and I had the .019 against Johns when it was cloudy. However, the sun came out for the final, which made it harder to see the tree. It felt good when I let the clutch out, but it could have been better.

"On top of that, we made another good run, but just after the eighth-mile, it started to spin the tires and head for the wall. That may not be why we lost, but it probably didn't help.

"But even though we didn't get the trophy, we're still pretty pleased with our performance this weekend. Our ACDelco Cavalier was an absolute sweetheart to drive. We've been working non-stop to find some speed, including in qualifying where we tried something that really helped us pick it up for the final, running a 1.00 flat in sixty foot in the heat of the day.

"We'll go back to the shop and work on getting even better. I guarantee this ACDelco Cavalier will be ready to thunder in Columbus."

Qualifying: 5th, 6.871 seconds, 200.56 mph

Eliminations:
Round 1:
Kurt Johnson (.053 r.t., 6.841 seconds, 201.13 mph) defeated Bruce Allen (.033, 6.897, 200.74)
Round 2:
Kurt Johnson (.056 r.t., 6.840 seconds, 201.28 mph) defeated Kenny Koretsky (.043, 6.866, 200.77)
Semi-Finals:
Kurt Johnson (.019 r.t, 6.861 seconds, 201.04 mph) defeated Steve Johns (.058, 6.827, 201.94)
Final:
Kurt Johnson (.063 r.t., 6.845 seconds, 201.31 mph) lost to Greg Anderson (.070, 6.833, 202.30)

Next Race:
Pontiac Excitement Nationals, Columbus, Ohio, June 11-13.

Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing

WHIT BAZEMORE ON WIND TUNNEL TONIGHT

Whit Bazemore, driver of the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus, NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car points leader and Sunday's winner at the O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka, will be a guest of Dave Despain's on Wind Tunnel tonight (May 31) on SPEED Channel.

The show begins at 10 p.m. ET.

Bazemore reached his fifth final round of the last six races on Sunday in Topeka. He's won two events so far and holds the national elapsed time record of 4.713 seconds. He is also the fastest Funny Car driver on the planet, having blasted to the class's fastest speed of 333.25 mph in Joliet two weeks ago.

Judy Stropus
Don Schumacher Racing

Bernstein, Bazemore and Anderson Win the NHRA POWERade O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX

Brandon Bernstein takes over the Top Fuel points lead with his win over Doug Kalitta.

Whit Bazemore picks up another Funny Car win, this time over Eric Medlen. Bazemore extends his points lead.

Greg Anderson doubles up, winning the King Demon Crown yesterday and defeating Kurt Johnson today in the Pro Stock final. Anderson continues to lead the Pro Stock points race.
NHRA Recap

Millican, Castellana, Thomas and Gahm Win the Hooters IHRA ACDelco Nationals presented by the Richmond Times-Dispatch
IHRA Results

Pro Mods and Super Gassers at South Georgia Motorsports Park

On Saturday night, May 29, South Georgia Motorsports Park hosted the Outlaw Pro Mods and the Southeast Super Gas Association circuit. It was quite a race.

Thirteen Pro Mods attempted to qualify for the eight-car field. After the first qualifying session, Bil Clanton led qualifying with a 4.12 et with his Studebaker. The bump spot was a 4.77. After the second and final session, Clanton's 4.12 held as the number one spot, but the bump spot was lowered to a 4.48. In a real shock, last month's race winner R. E. Smith failed to qualify his ex-Mike Ashley Infinet Willys. Smith continued to run time trials all night in an effort to sort out his tire shake problem, much to the delight of the crowd. Tommy Mauney put in a rare Outlaw Pro Mod appearance, running a 4.16 in a wild wheels up effort.

Round One saw Clanton run another 4.12 to down Bob Scott in his 98 Camaro. Rodney Rosenstiel ran 4.17 in his little Opel to beat Mike Neal in the Don Stroud Studebaker. Neal ran a better 4.14 but was late off the line. John Lynam in his Little Red Corvette ran 4.17 to down Johnny Pilcher in the only nitrous car in the field. Johnny ran a respectable 4.19 in his black 63 Corvette in the losing effort. Michael Neal then raced his flamed 92 Lunima to a 4.27 over Tommy Mauney's better 4.26 in his red Willys.

In Round Two, Michael Neal ran a 4.24 to beat a quicker Bil Clanton's 4.20. Clanton was second off the line, and then broke pushrod before he could catch Neal. John Lynam then ran the evening's best times, 4.04 at 179.44 to beat Rosenstiel's game 4.21.

In the Final, Michael Neal ran 4.21 173 to beat John Lynam's 4.34 162 when Lynam got out of shape and was forced to peddle. It was a wild race enjoyed by all. The Pro Mods put on a great show, with four cars making pre-qualifying time trials, and other cars running time trials after they were eliminated.

In the Southeast Super Gas Association race, Tommy Turner's Corvette roadster downed a breaking out Tommy Thompson in his 1927 T roadster, 9.91 158 to 9.88.

In regular action, Brian Lawson in a beautiful 67 Chevy Nova beat Jeff Harrington in Pro ET. In Super Pro, Peabody Harrel's dragster won over the beautiful candy red Ivey Hutto 67 Camaro prepared by Grant Lewis. Junior Dragster was taken by Allie Alcorn over Brad Westberry in a double breakout final. Allie's 7.89 on a 7.90 was better than Brad's 10.81 on his 10.83 dial in.

Next Week is the NHRA Division 2 Lucas Oil Series points meet. This will no doubt be the largest race of the year for South Georgia Motorsports Park.

Marvin T. Smith
Photos from SGMP

Cory Mac, Bazemore and Johns #1 Qualifiers at the NHRA POWERade O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX

Cory McClenathan leads Top Fuel with a 4.513 @ 320.58, Whit Bazemore is #1 in Funny Car at 4.792 @ 323.19 and Steve Johns is leading the pack in Pro Stock with his 6.853 @ 201.10.

Greg Anderson wins the King Demon Crown over Dave Connolly. Anderson overcomes Connolly's holeshot to win by 0.0001 seconds!

Kurt Johnson ( #5 - 6.871 @ 200.56 )and Warren Johnson ( #14 - 6.903 @ 199.61 )qualify for Pro Stock final eliminations, Mark Whisnant ( #17 - 6.910 @ 198.99 ) and Barry Grant ( #23 - 6.968 @ 197.88 ) miss the cut. Whisnant's 6.910 is .001 short.
NHRA Recap

Millican, Smith, Atchison and Nobile Top Qualifiers at the Hooters IHRA ACDelco Nationals presented by the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Track records fall at Virginia Motorsports Park!
John Nobile also sets new IHRA Pro Stock speed record at 215.37.
Drag Race Central Recap

After initially qualifying on Friday, Charlie Peppers ( Pro Stock )and Eddie Ware ( Pro Mod ) failed to make the cut on Saturday. Charlie finished in the 21st position in Pro Stock with a best of 6.618 @ 213.20 and Eddie was the 21st quickest Pro Mod at 6.420 @ 215.93. Former Pro Stock racer William Parris was defeated in the first round of Top Stock.