Rain Shortens Qualifying at the NHRA POWERade CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals - Vandergriff, Burkart and Morgan are Early Pro Leaders

Bob Vandergriff ( Alpharetta, GA ) leads the Top Fuelers with a 4.615 @ 309.63, Phil Burkart is #1 in Funny car with a 4.789 @ 323.43 and Larry Morgan is on top in Pro Stock with a 6.734 @ 204.66.

Georgia Notes:
In Funny Car qualifying, Whit Bazemore is #12 ( 4.940 @ 261.93 ). Mark Whisnant is #12 ( 6.769 @ 203.98 ) and Kurt Johnson is #15 (6.782 @ 203.77)in Pro Stock. Barry Grant ( #21 - 6.795 @ 202.30 ) and Warren Johnson ( #23 - 6.798 @ 203.25 ) miss the field after day one of qualifying.

NHRA Recap

GeorgiaDragRacing.com Updated

Earlier today, I got a wild idea and decided to try it on the site.

I've updated the Photo Gallery (see the bottom of that page) and the Photo Album (see close to the top of the page) so that the newest photos added to account at Webshots.com are shown in a frame on our site.

Anyone with a relatively current browser should be able to see it, I hope. I don't know which browsers show iframes and which don't. I tested it with Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. I've added links below the frame so you can click to the page in a new window if your browser doesn't support this, or if you just prefer to do so.

Let David know if this breaks anything and I'll see about picking up the pieces.

(David, I'm going to try something on a comment to this message and see what happens. I don't know if Blogger.com will allow it or not. If it does, it might be an interesting thing to try when you post new albums to Webshots.)

2004 Old Drag Racers Reunion

Sol Stewart called tonight to assure everyone that the 2004 Old Drag Racers Reunion this weekend ( October 1 & 2, 2004 ) in Panama City, Florida will proceed as scheduled. Lots of fun and good times in a relaxed atmosphere! Don't miss it.
2003 Photos
2002 Photos

Warren Johnson Has A Roller Coaster Ride in Dallas

For only the third time in his 441-race career, Warren Johnson started from the sixteenth position at an NHRA national event, capturing the final spot on Sunday's final eliminations ladder at the O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals. His reward for this performance would be facing No. 1 qualifier Jeg Coughlin, who had reset the Texas Motorplex track record, during qualifying in the first round.

Undeterred, Johnson focused on preparing his GM Performance Parts Grand Am for eliminations, and delivered a solid 6.836-second, 203.12 mph pass, which proved to be enough to score the upset, as Coughlin slowed to 7.292-second elapsed time.

Johnson then squared off against veteran Bruce Allen in the second round. On the strength of a .035 reaction, Johnson gained a slight advantage at the starting line, and looked to advance to the semifinals. Unfortunately, his race car fought for traction on the hot and slippery racetrack, which slowed him to a 6.956-second elapsed time and allowed his opponent to overcome his lead and drive on for the win.

"It may have been a roller coaster ride today, but at least we were on the coaster while others were simply watching. We were fortunate to make a good run and get the win in the first round, after which we looked at the run and adjusted for the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, we did not compensate enough for the change in the atmospheric conditions. There were four changes you could make in one of these cars to give it more bite, and we made three. Obviously, we needed to make the fourth.

"I scrapped a lot of the high-tech data we had been using this weekend and went back to doing things the way I did three years ago. I think we're going in the right direction with this new motor combination in our GM Performance Parts Grand Am - all we need is a little more time."

Courtesy Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing

Bazemore Goes to Second Round in Texas

ENNIS, Texas (Sept. 26, 2004) - After two days of qualifying under overcast skies, track conditions at the Texas Motorplex changed once again on race day as a bright sun, hot
temperatures and humid air welcomed the competitors in eliminations for the O'Reilly NHRA Nationals.

Crew chiefs scrambled to make last-minute adjustments, including Lee Beard and the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus Funny Car team, and some even made lane swaps in the first two rounds of competition.

The driver of the Matco Tools Dodge and No. 4 qualifier Whit Bazemore met his new Don Schumacher Racing teammate Johnny Gray in the first round. Gray took off first at the starting light (.069 to .105 - .000 is perfect), but it was Bazemore taking the win light by a margin of 2.4047 seconds when Gray smoked the tires at half-track in Don Schumacher's Wonder Wagon, with a4.957/300.60 to Gray's 7.397/113.86.

In the second round, Bazemore went face to face against Del Worsham, who is knocking on Baze's door to pass him for third in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship. Bazemore had the edge at the starting light with a .097 to Worsham's .106, but the Matco Tools Dodge swerved slightly towards the left wall at about 60 ft. and Bazemore lost with an elapsed time of 4.950 seconds at 306.33 mph to Worsham's winning 4.912/316.60. Margin of victory: .0297 of a second.

Worsham ended up winning the event, which moved him into third, ahead of Bazemore, now in fourth, by 14 points.

"The Matco Tools Dodge was moving around a little bit down track," said Bazemore. "It was a disappointing loss, but we were behind a hundredth or two (of a second) from 60 feet on.

"I feel bad for the guys," he added. "The guys on this Matco Tools team have given 200 percent and it's just been a tough year for us. As good as it was at one time, it has turned into not a very good season and it's hard on everybody on the team. The people on this team are absolutely the best in the business and I'm proud to be a part of a team with them."

"We definitely made progress on our hot-weather tune-up and that's a credit to (crew chief) Lee Beard and everybody else on the team. That's always a very positive sign when you have a problem somewhere with the tune-up and you're able to fix it. It shows what kind of team you really have.

"And these guys are second to none. It didn't spin the tires. We just got outrun. We had a tiny holeshot advantage. Del is a very tough competitor and you're going to beat that team sometimes, but because they're really good, sometimes they're going to beat you, and that's how it went today."

Bazemore has won twice so far this season, 17 in his career, and has finished runner-up in the Funny Car championship twice. With four races remaining, he is 250 points behind leader John Force and still mathematically in the running to claim his first Funny Car crown."We'll go back to Chicago and try to win that race," said Bazemore of next weekend's (Oct. 1-3) CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., where he set the quickest and fastest Funny Car lap in NHRA history earlier this year of 4.713 seconds at 333.25 mph.

FUNNY CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. John Force, 1457
2. Gary Scelzi, 1229
3. Del Worsham, 1221
4. Whit Bazemore, 1207
5. Gary Densham, 1143

Courtesy Judy Stropus
DON SCHUMACHER RACING

6th Annual Buford Car Show - October 9, 2004

Details about the 6th Annual Buford Car Show can be found here. Join the fun and support a good cause.

DUNN, GORDON AND RAMSEY ENJOY FIRST ATLANTA DRAGWAY WINS

by Tim Glover
Photos

(Commerce, GA - September 25) In addition to the regular Summit action, today was the Racer's For Christ seventh annual Day at the races. The RFC people held a service at the starting line prior to competition, had a huge spread of food for all the racers under the RFC tent and gave away trophies to all the class winners and runner ups. The points races are almost over, and while some championships are locked up, the rest will have to wait until the Summit race on October 2 is in the books. Three of the four Jr. Dragster finalists were female. Buford Heavy Duncan, who has already locked up the 2004 Sport Compact championship, won the final after his competitor didn't make the call. Ashley Dumas won the High School runoff race against Cody Martin.

Gary Dunn out of Flowery Branch, GA had a string of bad luck earlier in the season, breaking no less than three engines in his truck. His luck changed after he began driving Billy Thigpen's '90 Beretta, and he won his first Atlanta Dragway race in Super Pro this evening. Dunn faced many time finalist Lloyd Kaylor's Winder, GA based '87 Regal in the final, and, although crossing the finish line behind Kaylor, got the win after Kaylor went too quick with a breakout 7.544, 89.88mph pass on a 7.55 dial in time. Dunn's winning time was 5.700, 119.95mph (5.68 dial). "Thanks to my wife, Wendy Dunn. She's been to all of my races. Also, I couldn't have done it without car owner and friend Billy Thigpen's help." The lone semi-finalist in Super Pro was David Pitman ('74 Vega - Dallas, GA). In other Super Pro news, Stacy Blanton finally outran Brad Howard, 5.07 to 5.08.

By the time the Sportsman final rolled around, an immaculately prepared red Chevrolet from Alpharetta, GA was guaranteed to win. Good friends Gordon Warren and Kenny Jett both made it to their first Atlanta Dragway Sportsman final in their first year of points racing. The one with a bit more hair on his head, Gordon Warren, got the nod with a stellar .015 react and an on the brakes 11.34, 108.92mph pass (11.27 dial) in his '67 Camaro. Jett's '67 Chevelle was a little off the pace with a 10.88, 124.93mph pass (10.80 dial). Rob Hogue ('84 Monte Carlo SS - Loganville, GA) and Shon Moxley ('71 Nova - Hiwassee, GA) were the semi-finalists. One of the first things Jett said was thanks to his wife Lauren and sons Dillon and Derek for their support. "This is kind of a bittersweet victory, having to race my friend in the final, added Warren. He then thanked his family for their support, wife Susan and children Anna and Patrick.

Defending Trophy Street champion Mel Abney from Cumming, GA won his third race for 2004. Abney's trusty '67 Camaro actually broke out, running 13.19 at 105.72mph (13.24 dial), but got the automatic win as soon as opponent Harold Wilson's Winder, GA based '74 Nova left the starting line. Wilson fouled out with a -.045 react, and then went 14.46, 93.27mph on a 14.50 target. John Snapp ('68 Charger - Conyers, GA), a frequent visitor to the late rounds, was the semi-final finisher. "I'm happy to be out here for the RFC race. This was a great day to win," added Abney.

Eleven year old Taylor Ramsey of Commerce, GA has been racing in 8-12 Jr. Dragster for three years, and enjoyed her first victory tonight after defeating Courtney Pierce (12) from McDonough, GA. Both drivers were close on the starting line and the finish line, but Ramsey's .01 over 9.37 at 68.21mph earned the win light after Pierce broke out with a close 9.07, 71.26mph pass (9.08 target). New racer Wesley Mayfield (8 - Gainesville, GA) and Justin Fancher (11 - Conyers, GA) were the semi-final trophy winners. Ramsey thanked her mom and dad, Mike and Lisa Ramsey, Mr. Gillen, Wendell and her preacher, Charles, who came and cheered her on. "This was my first win ever. It feels really good," added Ramsey.

Thirteen year old Team PTI driver Lauren Turner from Pendergrass, GA came into today's race with a 40 point lead in 13-17 Jr. Dragster, and after winning the race, left with an insurmountable 90 point lead, assuring her the 2004 championship. Turner met Bradley Myers (14 - Loganville, GA) in the final, and although she had a good package (.065 react and 8.239, 77.80mph on an 8.24 dial), the win was hers as soon as Myers left the starting line with the big red bulb glowing. Myers went on to a breakout 7.84, 81.66mph pass (7.90 dial). Taylor Griffith (14 - Homer, GA) and Chuck Hardy (14 - Hiram, GA) were the semi-final trophy earners. "I'd like to thank Randy Fain of Fain and Mitchell properties, Dad, Tara Fine Jewelers, PTI, Tony Moore, Bill Gillen and Matt Tomlinson," added Turner. She finished second in the championship points to Matt Gillen in 2002 and 2003, and exclaimed, "Oh Yes! Finally!," when asked about her 2004 championship.

PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Gary "Git 'Er" Dunn '90 Beretta Flowery Branch 5.70 119.95 (5.68)
R/U: Lloyd Kaylor '87 Regal Winder, GA 7.54 89.88 (7.55)
Semi: David Pitman '74 Vega Dallas, GA
Semi:

SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Gordon Warren '67 Camaro Alpharetta, GA 11.34 108.92 (11.27)
R/U: Kenny Jett '67 Chevelle Alpharetta, GA 10.88 124.93 (10.80)
Semi: Rob Hogue '84 Monte Carlo SS Loganville, GA
Semi: Shon Moxley '71 Nova Hiwassee, GA

TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA 13.19 105.72 (13.24)
R/U: Harold Wilson '74 Nova Winder, GA (foul) 14.46 93.27 (14.50)
Semi: John Snapp '68 Charger Conyers, GA

8-12 JR. DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Taylor Ramsey 11 Commerce, GA 9.37 68.21 (9.36)
R/U: Courtney Pierce 12 McDonough, GA 9.07 71.26 (9.08)
Semi: Wesley Mayfield 8 Gainesville, GA
Semi: Justin Fancher 11 Conyers, GA

13-17 JR. DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Lauren Turner 13 Pendergrass, GA 8.239 77.80 (8.24)
R/U: Bradley Myers 14 Loganville, GA (foul) 7.84 81.66 (7.90)
Semi: Taylor Griffith 14 Homer, GA
Semi: Chuck Hardy 14 Hiram, GA

SPORT COMPACT CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Buford Heavy Duncan '97 Cavalier Commerce, GA 18.83 72.11 (18.90)
R/U: Lloyd Shanks, Jr. '92 Prelude Pendergrass, GA (no show)

HIGH SCHOOL CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Ashley Dumas '00 Grand Cherokee Commerce, GA 15.73 85.69 (15.77)
R/U: Cody Martin '00 Ford Truck Buford, GA (foul) 16.65 78.46 (16.90)

A Strong Driving Performance Powers Kurt Johnson to Dallas Quarter-finals

Kurt Johnson faced a stiff assignment in the first round of Sunday's final eliminations at the O'Reilly Fall Nationals in Dallas, TX. Starting fourteenth, Johnson squared off against rival Greg Anderson, the defending Pro Stock champion, who had qualified in the third position and needed a single round win to clinch his second championship.

Knowing he would need a flawless performance to score the upset and advance, Johnson used one of the quickest reaction times of the round to gain a two hundredths of a second advantage, which he combined with a 6.827-second, 202.42 mph run to eliminate Anderson on a holeshot, who ran a quicker 6.813-second pass in the losing effort.

"We threw a few new things at our ACDelco Cavalier today, changing the car completely around in an attempt to stop spinning the tires down track. Fortunately, it responded, running that 6.82 when most people slowed down from what they ran in qualifying.

"It's a good feeling any time you can put the World Champion on the trailer, especially on a holeshot. I had felt pretty confident yesterday, knowing we were within a couple hundredths of him.

"It was just a good; old-fashioned drag race. I guess I've racked up enough losses against him in the last year and a half that it was bound to start swinging our way. Hopefully, it's a direction we'll keep heading in for some time."

Johnson then squared off against one of the youngest drivers in the Pro Stock category, David Connolly, who has been on a charge as of late. Once again racing without lane choice, Johnson left the starting line ahead of his opponent and powered down the track, tripping the finish line beams in 6.857 seconds with a top speed of 202.58 mph. Unfortunately, it was not enough to hold off Connolly's 6.838-second, 203.52 mph pass.

"We simply hade the misfortune of facing the quickest car in the second round, and even though we closed on the gap on him throughout the weekend that 6.85 just wasn't enough to get us to the semis. Ironically, I think we would probably have beaten anyone else in that round, but that's not the way it worked out.

"Even though we had a decent day with our ACDelco Cavalier, we still need to work on improving our speed to the eighth mile mark, because it affects our performance in the back half. It's a new problem for us, but we know it's an issue, so we'll keep working until we get it fixed."

Schumacher, Worsham and Connolly Win at the NHRA POWERade O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec

NHRA Recap