Kalitta, Force, Anderson and Ellis Lead Day Two of Pro Qualifying at the NHRA POWERade 50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
- Force breaks Funny Car track record with a 4.749
- Andrew Hines wins the K&N Filters NHRA Pro Bike Klash presented by eHomeCredit Corp
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NHRA Recap: http://www.nhra.com/2004/events/race18/index.html
Georgia team news:
- Bob Vandergriff, Jr. continues to struggle in Top Fuel as his best ( 5.152 @ 196.93 ) is only good enough for the #24 position.
- Whit Bazemore is #6 in Funny Car after the third ( of 5 ) qualifying session with a best of 4.860 @ 296.44.
- Warren Johnson runs 6.830 @ 201.67 to qualify #11 in Pro Stock. Mark Whisnant hangs on to to the #16 position with a 6.844 @ 201.22 in his PiranaZ Chevy. Kurt Johnson was bumped out in the third session and is currently #19 at 6.852 @ 201.46. Barry Grant is still having problems and is #33 ( 6.950 @ 198.79 ).
- S&S Racing's Chip Ellis goes to the top of Pro Stock Bike with a #1 qualifying effort of 7.137 @ 185.69 mph.
- Comp Eliminator racer Don Eberly loses in round one to Charlie Stewart. Charlie suffered a top end crash in his Corvette, but was not injured.
- Joe LoCicero ( GT/CA class winner - # 58 ) and Everett Hill ( SS/L class RU - #87 ) qualify for the 128 car Super Stock Eliminator.
- Butch Payne ( C/FIA class winner ) wins in round one and two of Stock Eliminator. Tom Stevenson loses in round two.
- David Tatum, III and Sherman Adcock, Jr. win their round two races in Super Comp. Bruce Adams loses in round two.
- Sherman Adcock, Jr. also wins his round two match in Super Gas. David Watson, Ronnie Wilkerson and Jimmy Ayers lose in round two.
D. Kalitta, Densham, Line and Tonglet Lead Pro Qualifying at the NHRA POWERade 50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
Details: http://www.nhra.com/2004/events/race18/index.html
News about Georgia teams at Indy:
- Bob Vandergriff ( Alpharetta, GA ) is currently in the 17th position in Top Fuel with a 5.152 @ 196.93.
- Former Atlanta resident Whit Bazemore is #4 in Funny Car ( 4.860 @ 295.92 ).
- Mark Whisnant ( Stockbridge, GA ) is #12 in Pro Stock at 6.850 @ 200.83. Kurt Johnson ( Sugar Hill, GA ) is #14 ( 6.852 @ 200.56 ), while Warren Johnson ( Sugar Hill, GA - #24 - 6.903 @ 200.11 ) and Barry Grant ( Dahlonega, GA - #32 - 7.060 @ 197.28 ) are not currently qualified.
- Star Racing's new rider Chip Ellis is #2 in Pro Stock Bike with a 7.201 @ 184.27.
- Don Eberly ( Brunswick, GA ) is the sole Georgia qualifier in the 64 car Comp Eliminator field, qualifying with a 55th best -0.490 ( 8.290 ) in his F/AA '03 Cavalier. Van Puckett ( Monroe, GA -#69 -0.394 ) and Richard Larsen ( Tyrone, GA -#71 -0.378 ) fail to qualify for the tough field.
- Super Stock racer Joe LoCicero ( Snellville, GA ) won the GT/CA class trophy and Everett Hill ( Fayetteville, GA ) was runner-up in SS/L. After three qualifying sessions, Joe was #54 and Everett was #107 in the 128 car Super Stock field.
- Butch Payne ( Rome, GA ) won the C/FIA ( Stock Eliminator ) class trophy and is qualified #88 in Stock Eliminator with a 10.922 ( -1.078 ) in his '97 Firebird. Tom Stevenson ( Flowery Branch, GA ) is also qualifed in the 128 car Stock Eliminator field with a 89th best 11.222 ( -1.078 ) with his G/SA '69 Nova.
- In Super Comp, David Tatum, III ( Palmetto, GA ), Bruce Adams ( Rome, GA ) and Sherman Adcock, Jr. ( Columbus, GA ) are first round winners.
- In Super Gas, David Watson ( Atlanta, GA ), Ronnie Wilkerson ( Buford, GA ), Jimmy Ayers ( Newnan, GA ) and Sherman Adcock, Jr. ( Columbus, GA ) are first round winners.
Kurt Johnson Set for Winning Weekend at "The Big Go" - ACDelco Racing Team looks for third Mac Tools U.S. Nationals win
Sugar Hill, Ga., September 1, 2004 - This weekend, millions of Americans will celebrate Labor Day, the traditional three-day period that marks the end of summer. Some will head to the beaches, others will gather for cookouts, while students will enjoy a final respite before heading back to school. Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cavalier Racing team will be among those on the road, traveling north to Indianapolis, IN.
However, there will be little relaxation involved, as the veteran crew will be looking to score a win at the biggest stop on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series circuit, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. This year, the event takes on even greater significance, as this will be the 50th edition of the race affectionately known as "The Big Go".
"Labor Day weekend means only one thing - the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis," said Johnson. "If you're a drag racer, you'll be at Indianapolis Raceway Park this weekend. I have been coming here for most of my life, first to accompany my father and now with the ACDelco Cavalier, and the fact that this year is the 50th makes it even more exciting.
"Although we treat this as just another race, you look at the entry list and see 47 cars and the increased purse, as well as all the fans and manufacturers in attendance and it shows just how big Indianapolis is. Everyone brings their 'A' game to Indy, and it's up to us to figure out how to be better than all of them. We've done it twice, and now we're looking to put a third U.S. Nationals trophy on the mantle in Sugar Hill.
"Unlike many of his rivals, Johnson opted not to participate in last week's pre-race test session at IRP, preferring instead to focus on extracting additional horsepower from their massive 500 cubic-inch powerplants. With the combination of a solid notebook on the racing surface at the Indiana quarter-mile and a handle on their race car chassis' set-up, the second-generation driver knows any gains made under the hood will do more to enhance their chances for success this weekend than time spent on the track.
"The ACDelco crew is ready to go for Indy," stated Johnson. "We didn't test for a couple reasons. First, the track conditions will be different from what they were in testing because of the NHRA's national event track preparation, as well as the number of cars racing on it. We negotiated it pretty well a year ago, and have a solid game plan heading into the race.
"In addition, we're comfortable with the tune-up on our ACDelco Cavalier. We know we were a little too aggressive at the last race, so we'll pick up where we left off there and go forward.
"Looking at the computer, we've been making pretty good runs. Therefore, to pick up our performance, the first thing to look at is the thing making all the noise - the engine. As the saying goes, there's no substitute for horsepower, so we've been camped out in the dyno room seeing what we can find. Even though we haven't incorporated all the changes we have planned, we've made some gains, so I'm confident we'll be in good shape. We'll find out when we let the clutch out. After all, it's the U.S. Nationals, and winning the 50th would be even more special."
Kurt Johnson's U.S. Nationals line score:
Races Wins Finals No. 1 qualifiers Rounds Won Rounds Lost Pct.
11 2 3 2 18 9 .667
Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cavalier Racing Team Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Fast Facts:
o This will be Kurt's 12th U.S. Nationals
o Kurt won the U.S. Nationals in 1996 and 1997, and was the runner-up one year ago.
o Kurt has an 18-9 elimination round record at IRP, for a .667 win percentage.
o Kurt holds the Indianapolis Raceway Park elapsed time track record at 6.778 seconds, which he set one year ago.
o In his 11 previous races in Indianapolis, KJ has two No. 1 qualifying performances in 1997 and 2003, and has only four starts outside the top half.
Courtesy Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
"The Professor" Looks Back on His 28 Years at Indy - A U.S. Nationals Q & A with WJ
In 1971, a young Minnesotan named Warren Johnson quietly made his NHRA ProStock debut at the U.S. Nationals, qualifying his Camaro 28th in the 32-carfield, and eventually falling to Don Grotheer in the first round.Thirty-three years later, Johnson returns to Indianapolis Raceway Park as one of the legends of the POWERade Drag Racing Series, with six championships and 92 national event wins to his credit.
As "The Professor of Pro Stock" prepared his GM Performance Parts Grand Am for his 29th appearance at the NHRA's biggest race, he took time to reflect back on his stellar career at the race affectionately known as "The Big Go", as well as his chances for winning this year's 50th edition:
Q: What makes the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals so special?
WJ: First of all, it's located in Indianapolis, which is acknowledged as the motorsports capital of the world. It has been the home of theIndianapolis 500 since Ray Harroun took the first checkered flag in 1911, and this year it is where we will celebrate the 50th running of the U.S.Nationals. More than any other city, Indianapolis is synonymous with racing.
In addition, the timing of the race being held on Labor Day weekend, as well as the unusual format of three days of qualifying followed by final eliminations on Monday help to distinguish it from the other races. Factor in one of the largest fields we will see all year, and it all combines to make the U.S. Nationals the biggest event on the NHRA schedule, and the one race every driver and team wants to win.
Q: Talk about making your Pro Stock debut at the 1971 U.S. Nationals
WJ: In 1971, I was still trying to decide if I wanted to pursue a full-time career in motorsports. Since there were only about eight national events on the schedule at that time, I figured I might as well see what their biggest race was like, so I entered the U.S. Nationals to test the waters and see if there was a future in it for me.
Since that first venture was more in the form of entertainment than business, we weren't concerned about having the luxurious accommodations of the full-time pros. Besides, we didn't want to waste any money since we were really trying to evaluate the feasibility of racing for a living, so we camped out in tents.
There was a group of racers that had come down from Minnesota, and we had our own little area in the campground. It may not have been a five-star resort, but we made the best of it. After all, everyone has to start somewhere.
Q: What was that first Pro Stock car like?
WJ: I drove a 1970 Camaro at my first U.S. Nationals. It was the second one delivered in the state of Minnesota. I picked it up at a dealership inVirginia, MN, drove it straight to the shop in Fridley, tore it apart and built what I thought was a race car. I offset almost the entire cost of the car by selling the parts that I took off, including the drivetrain.
Needless to say, it was pretty rudimentary compared to the top cars of the time. Pro Stock was in its infancy, and we didn't really build what I would consider a real race car until a year or two later. Even so, that first car served its purpose. We qualified and raced Don Grotheer in the first round - not too bad for a country bumpkin!
Q: Talk about your first U.S. Nationals win
WJ: My first Indianapolis win came in 1984, when I was driving the "FlyingBoxcar" - a 1984 Olds Cutlass. That was one race car that everyone who was interested in racing in Pro Stock should have been required to drive. It had absolutely no down force in the rear, which made it feel like you were driving in the rain every time down the track.
It was a pretty exciting moment for our race team, because the U.S.Nationals was already acknowledged as the biggest race on the NHRA schedule, and to win it was the beginning of it all. I beat Bob Glidden in the final, who was in his heyday at the time, and being able to beat on what was considered his home track only added to the special nature of the moment.
Q: Do you have a favorite U.S. Nationals round win?
WJ: If I had to single one round out as the most special, it would have to be my win by one thousandth of a second over Scott Geoffrion in the 1993 final. It came at the height of our rivalry with the Dodge boys, as well as at the biggest drag race of the year.
We were fairly certain their cars had some questionable performance enhancements at that time, and to beat them by a thousandth was absolutely perfect. I'm fairly certain that defeat ground on them for quite some time, which only added to our enjoyment.
Q: Talk about your favorite U.S. Nationals race
WJ: My most memorable U.S. Nationals moment encompasses all the wins. Period. Everyone wants to remember the first one, but every one of my six wins was just as important. In fact, after scoring the first win, the rest of them seemed harder to get.
But if forced to choose just one, it would have to be when we won with the GM Goodwrench/Superman car in 1999. When you consider the circumstances, namely that it was the biggest race of the year, and we were part of a once in a lifetime promotion with DC comics, that win has to rank up near the top among my most memorable wins anywhere.
Ironically, our weekend included a very Clark Kent-like experience where I changed out of my fire suit in the team van on the way to the airport. I had broken a valve off in the cylinder head of my best engine during my first qualifying pass on Friday night, so I flew home and fixed it. Although that seems extreme, I basically did what I had to in order to win. The way I look at it, you're expected to win, they just don't tell you how, so I took it upon myself, and fortunately, everything fell into place.
Q: Compare your 1970 Camaro to your 2004 GM PP Grand Am
WJ: That 1970 Camaro was as technologically advanced as a Model T when compared to our current GM Performance Parts Grand Am. Basically, the Camaro would be the equivalent of today's Super Stockers.
Of course, you have to consider how these cars have evolved over the past thirty years. As the performance level in Pro Stock escalated, so did the level of sophistication of the race car. Those first Pro Stock cars, such as that Camaro, were nothing more than modified production cars with bigger engines, which by comparison is really crude to the sophisticated, purpose-built machines we use today. However, in both cases, we built a car based on what the rules would allow.
Q: What is your biggest disappointment at Indy?
WJ: Losing to Mike Edwards in the final round in 1998. Of course, hindsight is always 20/20, but at that point in time, the track had not yet received its most recent resurfacing, and we neglected to factor in that we needed to switch to the right hand lane late in the day. We had Mike covered in performance, and I left on him, but we shook the tires and got loose in second gear, and that's all she wrote.
However, in retrospect, that came just after Mike had lost his team owner and good friend John Kight, and he dedicated that win to him, so maybe it was all right after all.
Q: Is a driver's resume complete without a U.S. Nationals title?
WJ: Certainly not. A drag racer's resume is never recognized as being complete without winning the U.S. Nationals. It's reminiscent of the situation in NASCAR, where people have won championships, but do not consider their career whole without a win in the Daytona 500. In order to have the total package, you have to have the U.S. Nationals "Wally" in your trophy case, and I'm fortunate enough to have six.
Q: What is the biggest difference between the U.S. Nationals in 1971 and 2005?
WJ: Personally, I was in awe at my first U.S. Nationals at the spectacle of NHRA drag racing. This year, however, I will arrive at Indianapolis Raceway Park realizing this is the biggest race on our schedule, but approaching it the same as I would any of the other 22 events on the circuit.
As far as the NHRA is concerned, I would have to say the advancements in safety, both in the cars and the race track, is the most significant difference. Even though the speeds in all categories are significantly faster than what they were in 1971, I believe we are actually safer now than we were 30 years ago.
Q: Who was your toughest opponent over your career at Indy?
WJ: I would have to say Bob Glidden. Indianapolis Raceway Park was his home track, where he did a lot of testing, which gave him a home court advantage. In addition, when I raced against him at the U.S. Nationals he was in his prime. If you were able to beat him there, it was a major accomplishment.
Q: What is your outlook for the 50th U.S. Nationals?
WJ: I expect to do pretty well. We've had a little time to work on our GM Performance Parts Grand Am, which has allowed us to shore up any weak spots we may have had. We'll know for certain when we let the clutch out on our first qualifying run, but I'm confident we will be in the mix throughout theweekend.
Q: What would winning the 50th U.S. Nationals mean to you?
WJ: Certainly, any time you are able to win Indy, it's special, and this year would not be any different. However, to be able to add the 50th U.S.Nationals to our wins at the 30th, 40th and 45th editions certainly sounds enchanting. After all, it seems appropriate that we have the complete set, and we have our sights set on accomplishing just that this weekend.
Warren Johnson's U.S. Nationals line score:
Races Wins Finals No. 1 qualifiers Rounds Won Rounds Lost Pct.
28 6 8 8 41 22 .651
Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts Racing TeamMac Tools U.S. Nationals Fast Facts:
o Warren Johnson made his Pro Stock debut at the 1971 U.S. Nationals, wherehe qualified 28th (in a starting field of 32), but lost to Don Grotheer in the first round.
o This will be WJ's 29th U.S. Nationals, which is only one less than the ProStock's division's history at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The "factory hotrods" made their Indy debut in 1970.
o WJ has six U.S. Nationals wins in eight final round appearances, which is the most among all active NHRA professional drivers, and third all-time behind Bob Glidden's nine and Don Garlits' eight wins.
o WJ won the U.S. Nationals in 1984, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1999, and was the runner-up in 1988 and 1998.
o WJ won the 30th, 40th and 45th edition of the U.S. Nationals.
o Throughout his career, WJ has posted a 41-22 elimination round record at the U.S. Nationals, for a .651 win percentage.
o In his 28 previous races, Warren has eight No. 1 qualifying performances, and has only four starts outside the top five.
Event Schedule:
Qualifying:
Friday, September 3: One session at 6:15 p.m.
Saturday, September 4: Two sessions at 1:15 & 6:15 p.m.
Sunday, September 5: Two sessions at 11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m.
Eliminations: Monday, September 6:Pre-race ceremonies and driver's introduction start at 10:00 a.m.,followed by the first round of eliminations at 11:00 am
TV Schedule:
Qualifying Highlights:
Saturday, September 4: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. (ESPN2)
Sunday, September 5: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Sunday, September 5: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. (ESPN2)
Final Eliminations Coverage:
Early Rounds - Monday, September 6: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.. (ESPN2)
Final Rounds - Monday, September 6: 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. (ESPN2)
NHRA2Day: Sunday, September 5: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon (ESPN2)
(Note: All TV times are Eastern. Please check your local listings forupdated air times, as they are subject to change.)
TWO-TIME U.S. NATIONALS CHAMP BAZEMORE STEPS UP HIS GAME FOR BIG WEEKEND
INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 31, 2004) - Whit Bazemore was a 16-year-old professional photographer with full media credentials when he witnessed his first U.S. Nationals in 1979. That was the 25th anniversary of this prestigious event and this weekend marks the 50th running of the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Bazemore, who lives in Indianapolis, barely comprehends the fact that not only has his dream of racing a Funny Car come true, but that he'll be competing this weekend at IRP as a two-time U.S. Nationals champion. "Being a part of this race 25 years later is a huge honor for me and is something I am really proud of," he says.
Taking home trophies at the U.S. Nationals in 1997 and in 2001 were milestones in Bazemore's 16-year pro NHRA career, and a third victory this weekend as well as a move up from third in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car rankings are the goals of his Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus team and crew chief Lee Beard.
"The U.S. Nationals is by far my favorite race of the year and it's a race obviously that means the most to win," says Bazemore, who is 243 points out of first place, 23 points behind teammate Gary Scelzi in second, and just two points ahead of Del Worsham in fourth, "so I'm really looking forward to having the weekend start on Friday.
"Our Matco Tools team is coming into Indy with renewed confidence following successful testing last week and we know that a win at the 50th U.S. Nationals would help make this season one of our best.
"Having said that, Indy is the toughest race on the schedule, so, in order to win, everyone on the Matco Tools team and every part of the car has to be 110 percent. It's the kind of challenge we love to tackle head-on and we know that most of our competitors will be making the same strong effort that we're going to make.
"Indy is one of the hardest races to win because - almost impossibly - everyone's able to raise his game just that little bit more than normal," adds Bazemore, who posted the fastest and quickest Funny Car pass in NHRA history this year, 4.713 at 333.25 mph, "and you think that you are always giving 110 percent all year. But when you come to Indy you somehow find that extra concentration and you find that extra performance in the race car that's hard to find anywhere else.
"And I think it's because winning Indy means more than winning any other race. So, believe it or not, you want it more. And you find more ways to perform head to head at the highest level.
"Bazemore is also qualified No. 3 for the $100,000 bonus event on Sunday, the Skoal Showdown, and will face Tim Wilkerson in the first of three rounds.
"Indy is always billed and looked upon as the biggest race of the year, the most prestigious single race to win," says crew chief Lee Beard, who has won the U.S. Nationals three times as a crew chief, "and therefore it would mean a great deal to me.
"I think that when people look back at a season, there are a few things they remember about it. They remember who won the championship, who won Indy and who won the Showdown. Everything else seems to be in second or third. People forget who won Atlanta or Topeka. No matter how bad of a season a team has, if you're able to pull off a win here at Indy, it turns into a spectacular season for you."
Professional qualifying has one round on Friday, Sept. 3, at 6:15 p.m., two on Saturday, Sept. 4, at 1:15 and 6:15 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 5, pro qualifying continues at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., with Skoal Showdown eliminations at 12:30, 2:15, and 4 p.m. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 6.
On Saturday, Sept. 4, ESPN2 will televise one hour of early qualifying highlights at 8 p.m. (ET). On Sunday, Sept. 5, ESPN2 will televise NHRA 2Day, a half-hour event preview show at 11:30 a.m. (ET). Also on Sunday, Sept. 5, ESPN will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 1 p.m. (ET) and three hours of qualifying highlights and the Skoal Showdown at 5 p.m. (ET).
On Monday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 will televise a special edition of NHRA 2Day celebrating 50 years of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at 11 a.m. (ET). Also on Monday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of early round eliminations at 11:30 a.m. (ET) and three hours of final eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
WHIT BAZEMORE QUICK FACTS:
* Two-time U.S. Nationals champion, 1997 and 2001
* Quickest and fastest Funny Car driver in NHRA history: 4.713-second ET (national record) at 333.25 mph
* Qualified No. 3 at 2003 U.S. Nationals, lost first round to Cruz Pedregon
* Has qualified in the top two in nine events so far in 2004
* No. 3 in NHRA Funny Car points after 17 races, with two wins, five final rounds
* First Funny Car driver to break 325-mph barrier (U.S. Nationals 2001)
* 2003 Funny Car points runner-up
* Won three times in 2003, runner-up five times
* Has 17 career Funny Car event wins
* Took the 2003 championship chase to penultimate race in Las Vegas in an exciting final round against eventual champion Tony Pedregon
* Was also second in the NHRA Funny Car championship in 2001, third in 1997 and '99 and has finished in the top five six times and 11 times in the top 10 since 1992
* Age 41, born in New York City, an avid cyclist, lives in Indianapolis with wife Michelle, a semi-pro cyclist
* 2004 is his fourth season with Don Schumacher Racing
DON SCHUMACHER RACING TEAM DRIVERS' PAST SUCCESSES AT U.S. NATIONALS:
Winners:
Funny Car:
Whit Bazemore, 2001, 1997
Don Schumacher, 1970
Top Fuel:
Gary Scelzi, 1998
Tony Schumacher, 2003, 2002, 2000
Pro Stock Bike:
Angelle Savoie, 2002, 2001
Antron Brown, 2000
Pro Stock:
Larry Morgan, 1989
Runners-Up:
Funny Car:
Whit Bazemore, 2000
Johnny Gray, 2003
Top Fuel:
Tony Schumacher, 1996
Pro Stock Bike:
Angelle Savoie, 1999, 1998
Pro Stock:
Larry Morgan, 1992, 1991, 1990
Courtesy Judy Stropus
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
G Squared Motorsports returns at Indy with new rider
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS
PRO-STOCK BIKE:
G2/S&S/STAR RACING BUELL
MEDIA CONTACT: Mickey Schultz
PHONE: 770-476-8477
E-MAIL: mschultz@bellsouth.net
Courtesy Jerry Battle
CLERMONT, Ind. (August 31, 2004) – Having missed the last four races following NHRA-imposed weight increase on the V-Twins, G Squared Motorsports, owned by George Bryce and George Smith, returns to action at the 50th annual NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals with a new rider, Chip Ellis.
“George Smith and I, in cooperation with S&S Cycle, have invested over three years in the development of the G2/S&S/Star Racing Buell,” explained Bryce. “We were happy with the performance of the Buell after its debut at Columbus. I know it’s old news, but several races later we were “rewarded” for our three years of development and hard work on the Buell with a rule change by NHRA adding 40-pounds, which made us weigh 15 pounds more than the Suzukis. That was the proverbial, ‘Straw that broke the camel’s back.’
As a result the team missed Denver, Sonoma, Brainerd and Memphis while they regrouped. Not being in the points chase, G2 used the time to continue to get their racing program back on track and develop their product for sale to potential NHRA and AHDRA customers.
“We decided to go back to a rebuilding stage. We worked closely with S&S to make changes that were needed on the motorcycle and to develop more horsepower. George Smith and I now feel that we’ve picked up the necessary performance and horsepower to carry the extra 40-pounds,” said Bryce.
“At the same time we were working on the motorcycle, we were also working on a new plan to put a permanent rider on the bike rather than the short-term program under which we had been working. As a result, G2 Motorsports has hired Chip Ellis to ride the Buell beginning at Indy. Chip is the type of rider that’s good on a lot of different types of motorcycles and we feel that we’re fortunate to have him as part of the future of G2 Motorsports.”
Chip Ellis, who holds AMA/Prostar championships in both Funnybike and Formula Superbike, has already joined G Squared Motorsports and will be aboard the G2/S&S/Star Racing Buell at Indy.
Ellis competed for G Squared Motorsports at the recently completed AHDRA race at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn. Aboard the G Squared S&S #46 Tribute Street Pro Bike, Ellis, in his first AHDRA race, not only set a new national record but also won the Street Pro class.
His run of 8.995-seconds in the semifinals and record run of 8.963-seconds in the final round were the first runs ever in the 8-second range in the AHDRA history books for the Street Pro class. He also went to the finals in the E.T. class at this same event.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to join George Bryce, George Smith and G2 Motorsports,” said Ellis. “I’ve always wanted to run in NHRA Pro Stock (motorcycle).
“George Bryce’s 50th birthday is on Monday and the finals of the 50th anniversary U.S. Nationals are on Monday. I would love to give George a win on his birthday. That’s a high goal to set, especially in my first NHRA race, but to do it would be awesome.
“Competition will be great. All the bikes that run NHRA are good. I’m excited about Indy being my debut race and my first order of business will be to get qualified and after that go rounds.”
Ellis, who currently lives in Salisbury, North Carolina, plans on moving wife Kathy and daughter McKenzie to Americus, Ga., in the near future.
George Smith is excited about Ellis being on board and the newfound performance gains. “We (the G Squared/ Star Racing crew and the S&S guys) are excited that we're going to be able to make Indy,” said Smith. “This is the 50th anniversary of the "big show" and we were afraid we couldn't get ready in time. Ken Johnson and our new rider Chip Ellis have done a great job with the bike making a lot of little improvements, which will hopefully add up to better performance.
“Chip has been remarkable riding our Street Pro and E.T. bikes in the AHDRA sanction but he hasn't gotten any seat time on the Pro-Stocker. But he's very versatile and a quick study who's gone fast on other bikes, so I'm not worried.
“The S&S guys have stepped up their engine development program and will be delivering two new engines Thursday night in time for us to install one for the Friday qualifying round. They've found us some more power so it's time to put it to the track and see what happens.
“I'm especially glad we're returning so we can celebrate my partner George Bryce's 50th birthday while at the 50th Indy running. We've got a great team and great equipment and we're looking forward to winning."
“We’re all fired up now. We’re rejuvenated. We feel we’ve got more power at every strategic point. We have more power with the motorcycle, driver and chassis setup. The 50th U.S. Nationals is a good time and a good place for us to come out and get our program back on track,” concluded Bryce.
G2 begins their pursuit of the Pro Stock Bike title at the NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals when professional qualifying starts on Friday evening (September 3) at Indianapolis Raceway Park with one session scheduled for 6:15 p.m. and ending with two sessions each on Saturday (September 4) at 1:15 and 6:15 p.m. and Sunday (September 5) at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Final eliminations for all classes get underway on Monday, Labor Day (September 6) at 11 a.m. These times are subject to change and reflect Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Jackie Bryce
Bryce's Star Racing, Inc.
G Squared Motorsports, Inc.
229-924-0031 Office
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
SMALLWOOD WINS 'HAYES SPORT COMPACT CHALLENGE' FINALE; TURPIN CLAIMS CHAMPIONSHIP
Courtesy Tim Glover
BANKS CROSSING, GA Terry Turpin of Maysville was Runner-Up in the Hayes Sport Compact Challenge season finale during Year One Fast Friday on August 27th, but parlayed his points lead into a 2004 championship for the ten-event series aboard a super-quick 2003 Mitsubishi EVO.
Hot on Turpin's heals was Flowery Branch racer Shane Smallwood, who started the series late in the season in yet another '03 EVO, and managed to win the final Hayes Sport Compact Challenge race on Atlanta Dragway's quarter-mile dragstrip.
"I'll get this (championship) from you next year," a grinning Smallwood remarked to Turpin after the final pass on Friday night. "This was just a blast, and I can't wait for next year's Hayes Sport Compact Challenge to start!"
Turpin was consistent all season, winning four of the ten scheduled events on his way to the 2004 championship. Turpin will receive a special leather champion's jacket for his efforts, compliments of the Hayes Family Dealerships in Lawrenceville, Gainesville and Cornelia.
"I really wanted to finish the season with a win tonight," Turpin said. "But I have to say that it's always a lot of fun, even when I don't get the win light. Shane (Smallwood) is really good, and that's given us a lot of close finishes this year. Coming off the line on that last run, I knew I wasn't going to beat him 'cause he left hard and pulled away quick."
"I'll be back next year, that's for sure," Turpin concluded.
Earlier, in Year One Power Hour action, Dewayne Stiles of Buford ran the quarter-mile in 11.003 seconds at 127.22 MPH in his ultra-fast 1991 Mustang to take home two Year One $50 Gift Certificate Vouchers. Driving a 1986 Chevy Monte Carlo, Hoschton racer John Zuro earned the third $50 voucher for the Best Reaction Time, a nearly perfect .002, in the 9-10 PM 'Power Hour' competition for street-legal cars and pickup trucks.
The next Year One Fast Friday program is scheduled for Friday, September 24, and will feature another round of the 'Power Hour' in addition to grudge matches and time runs. Gates will open at 6:00 PM for both racers and spectators, with racing action beginning at 6:45. In the meantime, an open test & tune night has been scheduled for Friday, September 10, which is part of the 20th Annual Hayes "Mopar vs. The World" Weekend. Gates will open at 5:00 PM on that evening, and all 'Fast Friday' racers and fans are welcome.
Sponsored by Year One Automotive Restoration in Braselton, along with the Hayes Family Dealerships in Lawrenceville, Gainesville and Cornelia, Atlanta Dragway's 'Fast Friday' show is primarily an opportunity for drivers of street-legal vehicles to "race the strip, not the street." Racecars and motorcycles are also welcome for Test & Tune and grudge match racing on most Friday nights through November 19, and spectators are encouraged to cheer on their favorites.
2004 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
HAYES SPORT COMPACT CHALLENGE
ATLANTA DRAGWAY
(FINAL - As of 8/28/04)
2004 CHAMPION - Terry Turpin, 12
2. Shane Smallwood, 10
3. TIE - Charlie Bass, 7
Jeremy Wade, 7
5. Jason Crowe, 5
6. Jason Mooney, 4
7. TIE - Peter Heu, 3
Alan Wallhausen, 3
9. TIE - Keith Fortner, 2
Steven Feren, 2
David Draz, 2
Jay Cerboraz, 2
Ritha Kim, 2
David Thai, 2
Jeff Cherry, 2
Katina Turpin, 2
17. TIE - John Vang, 1
Kris Adams, 1
Troy Keyes, 1
Isaac Agular, 1
Halex Green, 1
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Craig Armstrong (706) 654-1898
