Georgia Drag Racing News

Information about Georgia drag racing history, personalities, activities and events from GeorgiaDragRacing.com.

Saturday, October 30, 2004

Gunderson, Snyder, Eaton, Dennis, McCarthy and Davis are Top Qualifiers at the NHRA Division 2 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Gainesville Raceway

G Squared Motorsports in Penalty Box at Vegas

Courtesy Jerry Battle

LAS VEGAS (October 29, 2004) – Last weekend G Squared Motorsports (G2), owned by George Bryce and George Smith, took part in an AHDRA motorcycle event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

This weekend as the team attempted to return to action at the fourth annual NHRA ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals, which got underway today, they were informed by the NHRA Competition Department that they had to sit out Friday’s two qualifying sessions.

The reason: A rule that states that a contestant at an NHRA national cannot test/run on the same track at which the national event is being held within seven days of the event – thus, the penalty.

“We didn’t realize exactly how that rule worked,” said Bryce. “I thought you couldn’t rent the track and do testing prior to a national event. We even sent out a press release last week saying we were going to the AHDRA race to show our NHRA wares to attract potential buyer and by competing attract potential sponsors for 2005.

“We were successful on the track and took deposits on several NHRA combinations. But when we got here this weekend, it was a big surprise to me that they weren’t going to let us qualify today. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day. We served our time today. We’ve learned from it. Now, we’ll move on.”

With George Bryce and Ken Johnson calling the tuning shots and Chip Ellis aboard the G2/S&S/Star Racing Buell, G2 will have two sessions remaining on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. to make the 16-bike field. Eliminations for all classes will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday. All times are local Las Vegas time and subject to change at anytime.

G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS
OWNERS: GEORGE BRYCE & GEORGE SMITH
PRO-STOCK BIKE: G2/S&S/STAR RACING BUELL
RIDER: CHIP ELLIS
MEDIA CONTACT: Mickey Schultz

S. Kalitta, Medlen, Line and Tonglet Lead Qualifying at the NHRA POWERade ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals

Billes Wins AMS Pro Mod Challenge

Las Vegas- Al Billes' 6.233 @ 226.96 defeats Shannon Jenkins' 6.253 @ 224.02 in the final.
More Info

Thursday, October 28, 2004

2004 Old Drag Racers Reunion & Hall of Fame Video

I had a chance to watch Frank Moye's 2004 Old Drag Racers Reunion video recently and I think most drag racing fans would like to have this one. Even if the Hall of Fame ceremony isn't your cup of tea, the bench racing/war stories told by Billy Jacobs, Randy Payne, Sol Stewart, FE Bob Fermier and others in a round table type discussion is worth the price of the video! An audio-only interview with the late Emmitt "Rattlesnake" Austin is a definite bonus. The videos are over three hours long and the price is $15 plus $2 S/H. Send check or money order to:

Moye Photography
4343 Warm Springs Road #604
Columbus, GA 31909

Photos are also available of the 2004 Hall of Fame inductees.
2003 Old Drag Racers Reunion videos are still available for $15 plus $2 S/H.

Additional Photos from ORSCA race at Atlanta Dragway

Here are some really nice photos from the ORSCA race by John Fore.

Kurt Johnson Likes His Odds in Las Vegas

ACDelco Cavalier Racing team looks to capture the win at their sponsor's race

Sugar Hill, Ga., October 25, 2004 - Every participant in the POWERade Drag Racing Series has certain events among the twenty three on the schedule which, for one reason or another, take on added significance. For example, it could be an event where a driver has experienced success in the past, or a track that is located close to the team's shop.

For Pro Stock standout Kurt Johnson, this weekend's stop at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is such a race, as he will have the unique distinction of racing his ACDelco Pro Stock Cavalier at his sponsor's event.

"I always look forward to the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals," said Johnson. "First of all, it's encouraging to see ACDelco put such an effort into drag racing, not only with our racing team, but with their sponsorship of this race. Every year they work extremely hard to make this a great event. For example, this year we'll have Boyd Coddington as the Grand Marshal and a hot rod show on Sunday.

"In addition, they always bring a big group of customers to the track, giving us our own personal cheering section, which is pretty cool. Of course, that does add some pressure, starting with that crucial Friday night run, when you want to make sure and get a spot for Sunday. In that situation, it's up to us to rise to the occasion."

Even though the Nevada quarter-mile is located several thousand miles away from the Johnson's team headquarters in Sugar Hill, GA, a review of the second-generation racer's performance shows he has adapted quite well to racing in the desert. With three final round appearances in the last three races there, he has come within mere thousandths of a second of reaching the winner's circle. Realizing the significance of capturing the victory at their sponsor's event, Johnson and his talented crew have worked tirelessly over the last two and a half weeks to make sure their race car is in peak condition.

"Naturally, our primary goal at this race is to reward the people who have supported us by putting the ACDelco Cavalier in the winner's circle," stated Johnson. "We feel we have a pretty good handle on the track in Las Vegas, having run well there in the past, including pre-season testing and the spring race.

"We've come close to winning a couple times, but for one reason or another, just missed closing the deal. I'm not saying The Strip owes us one, but I feel we're overdue. One thing is certain, however. If we do win, we'll be in the best place in the world to celebrate.

"However, we know it takes the complete package to win. From the race car to the driver and the crew, everyone has to do their job to the best of their abilities. Unfortunately, we won't know until Sunday afternoon if we've been successful, but I certainly wouldn't go betting against us. After all, we have a lot of people counting on us, and we're not about to disappoint them."

Facts on Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Racing Team entering the ACDelco NHRA Las Vegas Nationals:
* KJ Is a High Roller in Las Vegas: This will be Kurt's 9th appearance at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he has three final round appearances (at the last three races in Las Vegas), a No. 1 qualifying performance at the 2002 ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals, and an 11-7 elimination round record for a .611 win percentage.
* Will KJ Reverse his Vegas "Curse"?: KJ has advanced to the final round in each of the last three races run in Las Vegas, but has yet to capture the win.
* Winning percentage: Kurt's .645 elimination round winning percentage (372-207) ranks 10th among all active NHRA professional drivers.
* National event wins: Kurt's 28 national event victories ties him for 14th on the all-time NHRA professional win list, and tie him for fourth on the all-time Pro Stock win list. Kurt's most recent win came at this year's Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals in Phoenix, AZ.
* Career best elapsed time: 6.716 seconds, Englishtown, NJ. 2003
* Career best top speed: 206.61 mph, Englishtown, NJ. 2003

Warren Johnson Heads to Las Vegas in Search of the Missing Link

Gains made during two-week hiatus has GM Performance Parts team looking forward to ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals

SUGAR HILL, GA., October 25, 2004 - Throughout his stellar NHRA Pro Stock career, GM Performance Parts Grand Am driver Warren Johnson has amassed 92 national event wins, the most by any driver in the history of this highly competitive division. A review of "The Professor's" record further exemplifies the extent of his success, as these victories have come over a span of 22 years at 24 different racetracks, including five that are no longer a part of the POWERade Drag Racing Series.

In fact, of the twenty speedplants on the 2004 schedule, WJ has pulled into the winner's circle at all but one, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It is an oversight that he hopes to correct this weekend, as the straight-liners head to the Nevada desert for the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals.

"We enter every race to win, so there really is no added motivation based on the success or lack of success we may had at a particular track," said Johnson. "Our primary concern as we prepare for any event is what set-up we will want to use.

"At one time, I know I had won a national event at every track on the NHRA circuit, and kept pace even as new tracks were added. Phoenix was a thorn in my side for quite some time, but I finally took care of it in 1998. The only one that has eluded me so far is Las Vegas, and I don't want to win there just because I haven't, but because our competitive mindset is to win every race.

"However, before Johnson and his veteran crew can think of winning on Sunday, they must first find a way to tame the tricky Las Vegas racing surface during qualifying. In this spectacular facility's four short years in the NHRA, WJ has experienced both ends of the competitive spectrum, with two final round appearances in 2000 and 2002, as well as a few shorter outings.

"The combination of the elevation and the microscopic humidity normally encountered at Las Vegas require a tune-up unlike any other on the circuit," stated Johnson. "I really haven't raced under those conditions very often, and, as a result, on occasion our tune-up might have been a little off. Of course, we have been to two final rounds there, so we have good notes to work from.

"With two weekends off prior to this event, the team was able to go over their race car thoroughly, perform some much need research and development work, and get in a few days of testing. It proved to be a labor-intensive but productive period that has the six-time Pro Stock champion looking forward to the weekend.

"We had been banking on having three weeks before this race, but we lost one due to the rainout in Reading," said Johnson. "As a result, we have been putting in 14-15 hour days at the shop trying to make up for it. I think we are now in better shape than we have been since the first two or three races of the year. I believe we are at the point of being extremely competitive, and if we do everything right, our GM Performance Parts Grand Am will have a shot at the win.

"Finally, I find it amusing that final eliminations will be held on Halloween. We seem to have had the company of ghost and gremlins for a good part of the season, so I doubt I'll be spooked this weekend."

Facts on Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts Racing Team entering The ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals:

* WJ Targets Vegas Win: This will be Warren's ninth NHRA Pro Stock national event appearance at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he has two final round appearances in 2000 and 2002, and a 8-7 elimination round record for a .533 win percentage.
* It's that time again: WJ's two final round appearances have come at two year intervals, starting with the inaugural event in 2000, and again at the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals in 2002. It has now been two years - could another Vegas final be in store this weekend?
* Winning Streak: Warren Johnson is looking to extend a streak where has won at least one race a year for 22 consecutive years, which is the longest in NHRA history.
* No. 1 in National event wins: WJ's 92 national event victories are the most ever in the history of the Pro Stock division and place him second on the all-time NHRA win list. His most recent win came at Maple Grove Raceway one year ago at the 2003 Lucas Oil Nationals.
* Career best elapsed time: 6.715 seconds, Englishtown 2003
* Career best top speed: 205.69 mph, Englishtown 2003

Courtesy Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing

STRONG SEASON FINISH ON BAZEMORE'S HIT LIST

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 26, 2004) - Last year at the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals Whit Bazemore was in a fierce fight for the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship against Tony Pedregon. It came down to a dramatic final-round match-up for the pair. Bazemore launched with an early lead in his Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus. Both drivers then smoked their tires, but Pedregon smoked his less, allowing him to win the race and the crown.

Despite their year-long acrimonious rivalry, the two hugged at the finish line, as emotions ran high for both.

Bazemore entered the 2004 season as a favorite to win his first Funny Car championship. It was looking good early on, as the Indianapolis resident took over the points lead at the eighth event and held it through the 10th, following five final-round appearances and two wins. The second half of the season, however, turned out to be more challenging and Bazemore finds himself battling for second place in the Funny Car championship instead of first, as the season winds down to the last two events - the ACDelco Nationals this weekend, and the Pomona, Calif., Automobile Club of Southern California Finals on Nov. 14.

"It has been a tough year, especially the last half," said Bazemore, who is fourth in the rankings, 141 points out of second place and 105 points behind his teammate Gary Scelzi in third. John Force needs only to qualify in Las Vegas to collect his 13th Funny Car championship.

"Typically Vegas is a very good track for us. We've had success here," he said of his three runner-up finishes and two No. 1 qualifiers at The Strip."We're coming here with really high hopes. It's imperative for us to do well here.

"While we're not in the championship fight like we were last year, we have the same type of pressure on us. And that pressure comes from having to finish the year on a good note and trying to turn the momentum around to carry us through the off-season on a high.

"Not to mention that we've got to not only try to take on our teammate Gary Scelzi and Del Worsham for second, but we've got to really watch the guys behind us who are coming on strong.

"Eric Medlen is just six points behind Bazemore, and Gary Densham is 19. The chase for second place in the Funny car championship remains only among Worsham, Scelzi, Bazemore, Medlen and Densham.

"The last two races are every bit as important this year as they were lastyear, just for different reasons," Bazemore said. "We're fired up. We've hadtwo weeks off. We're very, very motivated and we're looking forward tostarting qualifying on Friday."

SCHEDULE: On Friday, Oct. 29, pro qualifying sessions are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 30, they continue at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Budweiser Shootout has rounds at noon, 1:45 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, Oct. 31, final eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
* Saturday, Oct. 30, 30 minutes of Budweiser Shootout coverage at 6:30 p.m.(ET) on ESPN2
* Saturday, Oct. 30, 90 minutes of qualifying coverage at 10:30 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2
* Sunday, Oct. 31, NHRA 2Day, half-hour preview show at noon (ET) on ESPN2
* Sunday, Oct. 31, three hours of eliminations coverage at 7 p.m. (ET) onESPN2

WHIT BAZEMORE QUICK FACTS:
* Two-time U.S. Nationals champion, 1997 and 2001
* Qualified No. 6 at 2003 ACDelco NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas, runner-up toTony Pedregon
* Has qualified in the top two in nine events so far in 2004
* No. 4 in NHRA Funny Car points after 21 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

Courtesy Judy Stropus
Don Schumacher Racing

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

KIRK SHATTERS OUTLAW 10.5 RECORD AND WINS, LOCAL RACER HAUSE WINS 7.0 CLASS AT ORSCA RACE

by Tim Glover
Photos

(Commerce, GA - October 23-24) As they did in March, the Outlaw Racing Street Car Association (ORSCA) show at Atlanta Dragway was packed full of wildly overpowered "street" cars setting new records by the round and putting the front wheels way up in the sky on a regular basis. ORSCA events are run "southern style" on an eighth mile course. Records were broken almost by the pass. In qualifying, the Outlaw 10.5 record was set and reset not once, but four times. Jack Barfield, the current record holder, set the bar at 4.615. Steve Kirk, who was first in the 4.60s, quickly took the luster off that accomplishment with a first ever for ORSCA 4.598, 159.46mph blast. Tim Lynch came back with a 4.591 in the round three qualifier. Not to be outdone, Kirk's car owner Rex Green pulled out all the stops and moved the record down to a stunning 4.568 at 160.73mph! Billy Smith took the top spot in the EZ Street field with a 5.43 second pass, and Darren Hoyle locked up the top spot in Limited Street with a 4.91 second effort. Saturday was qualifying day for all classes except Top Eliminator, which had a separate race each day. Sunday got off to a good start with the Racers For Christ Service, but rains wet the track overnight, and it took a while to dry the racing surface. Everything was wide open by 1:00pm, and the rest of the day went well. Promoter Johnny Fenn was pleased with the way the race ran, thanking Atlanta Dragway for a great track surface and "Quick" Vandiver, the ORSCA race director, for running the race smoothly and professionally.

Pro Modified featured the fastest cars on the grounds, thrilling spectators with very low four second passes. Although not the fastest, Joey Martin from Milton, FL was first to the finish line each time it counted. Martin's '41 Willys carded a 4.99, 102.97mph victory against Rex Kelley's '63 split window Corvette in the final. Kelley got just a bit too anxious, and left the starting line before the tree was activated, resulting in a foul start. Johnny Pilcher 9'63 Corvette - Chancellor, AL) and Terry Housley ('41 Willys - Lenoir City, TN) were the semi-final pair. Ed Marx, a former Top Alcohol racer, brought his brand new NHRA Pro Stock '05 Cavalier to test, making half track passes.

The first winner of the weekend was Saturday Top Eliminator winner Ed Nalley from nearby Maysville, GA, who still couldn't believe he had won the race with his Footbrake '76 Vega. The Top Eliminator format paired the winner of the Footbrake field versus the winner of the Super Pro field in the final. Nalley faced Mike Holman's show quality '70 Buick GSX in the final, and saw the win light pop on in his lane the moment Holman left the starting line. Holman had switched off his delay box during the previous pass, and had forgotten to turn it back on, causing his car to leave the starting line almost the same time as Nalley. Nalley went a little quicker than his 6.48 dial, with a 6.42, 107.56mph pass. Holman lifted to a 7.20, 72.31mph pass (6.27 dial). "I figured my chances to win were slim and none! I wish my wife Diane was here to see it," added Nalley. Terrence Arrowood ('70 Nova - Hiwassee, GA) and Thomas Bell ('01 Undercover dragster - Toccoa, GA) were the semi-finalists.

A Footbrake racer almost won Sunday's Top Eliminator final, missing it by just .0007 seconds. Cindy William's hubby, Gerry, recently bought Jesse Young's '89 Horton dragster, and earned his first win against Toby Barnes from Palmetto, GA. Barnes was driving a '70 GTO, which went 7.70, 89.83mph on its 7.68 target. Williams' Snellville, GA based dragster crossed the finish line first by .0007 seconds, running 5.09 at 133.25mph on a 5.06 dial. For the second day in a row, Terrence Arrowood ('70 Nova - Hiwassee, GA) finished in the semi-final round. Jeremy Hancock ('95 S&W dragster - Commerce, GA) was the other semi-final finisher.

Steve Kirk, Jr. set and reset the Outlaw 10.5 record during qualifying with his Rex Green owned '68 Camaro SS, lowering the record from 4.615 to 4.598 to 4.568 at 160.73mph in qualifying. He met the number two qualifier, Tim Lynch of Woodstock, GA in Sunday's Outlaw 10.5 final and took the finish line by a huge margin against Lynch. Kirk's Monroe, GA based racer put down a 4.69, 156.57mph pass, while Lynch lifted off the throttle to a 6.71, 71.11mph effort. Kirk then had his hands full at the end of his run. The steering arm broke off the right front spindle the moment he took his foot off the throttle. Kirk held on, bringing the car to a safe stop. In the winner's circle, Rex Green added, "This is an expensive trophy." Kirk thanked David Young of Atlanta Dragway for the great track preparation. "It takes an excellent track to put that kind of number down (4.568 seconds) with a 10.5 inch tire," he added. His wife Lynne and daughter Brooke also enjoyed watching his win. Terry Robbins of Mooresboro, NC made it to the semi-final round in the March ORSCA race with his now retired '67 Chevy II, and repeated the feat in this race with his new ride, an '02 Camaro. The other semi-final finisher was Lance Styck ('04 Mustang - Americus, GA).

Several of the racers in the Limited Street class were faster than most Super Pro dragsters. Darren Hoyle secured the number one spot late Saturday with his Hickory, NC based '69 Camaro, running a phenomenal 4.910 seconds. He backed off the pace a little during eliminations, and made it all the way to the final round. Unfortunately for Hoyle, an apparent nitrous explosion ended his day when he hit the throttle in the final. His opponent, John Iannuzzi ('67 Camaro - Lithonia, GA) "cruised" on down the track to a leisurely 5.77, 134.42mph win. Iannuzzi said he burned a hole in his number eight piston during round one, effectively turning his engine into a smoky seven cylinder powerplant for the remainder of the day. "Even a bald dog gets lucky sometime. Thanks to Bryan Renfroe. I couldn't have done this without him," stated Iannuzzi. Shannon Ragsdale had such a huge wheelstand in his '95 Corvette during the Saturday qualifying session that all four wheels came off the ground and damaged the fronts when the car came back to earth. The Marietta, GA racer just borrowed some extra wheels and came back racing. Ragsdale was one of the semi-final finishers. Terry Woodson ('81 Z-28 - White, GA) was the other semi-final finisher.

Although Billy Smith's Rossville, GA based '72 Nova qualified number one in EZ Street, Thomas Taylor of Mt. Holly, NC took first place at the end of Sunday's action with his '88 Mustang. Smith had to run Taylor in the semi-finals, but lost when his car went in to an eight mile long wheelstand, tripping the finish line timers with his rear wheels. Near half track, his front end was so high in the air it looked like his car was ready to flip over backward! Taylor crossed the final round finish line slightly ahead of long time racer Ed Lavender's '86 Mustang. Smith carded a 5.65, 126.87mph pass, while Lavender was close with a 5.67, 121.74mph. Smith was one of the semi-finalists and Jerry Plemmons ('74 Nova - Old Fort, NC) was the other. "I loved the track. It was a good race. That was a much needed win," said Taylor.

David Harvey from Richmond Hill, GA was a semi-final finisher in the March race with his '84 Trans Am, and went all the way to the 6.0 Heads Up winner's circle tonight, courtesy of a 6.04, 113.40mph pass. (His opponent, Matt Davis ('68 Camaro - Acworth, GA) did make it easier for him by leaving the starting line .003 seconds before the tree was activated.) Davis went on to a 6.07, 117.71mph pass. Trent Sanders of Gainesville, GA was the number one qualifier Saturday, but finished Sunday eliminations in the semi-finals with his '70 Nova. Marty Collier ('73 Nova - Griffin, GA) also earned the semi-final portion of the purse.

One of Atlanta Dragway's Sportsman racers took the top spot in the 7.0 Heads Up eliminations. Al Hause from Grayson, GA nailed the 7.0 index with his '70 Cutlass 442 W30 several times during eliminations. Although he was a little off in the final, running a 7.05, 97.82mph pass, the win light was his the instant opponent George Bolton left the starting line with the big red tomato colored bulb glowing. Bolton's Trinity, AL based '67 Chevy II reacted with a -.016 react and then recorded an otherwise great 7.03, 95.34mph pass. Making Hause's first 7.0 Heads Up win even sweeter was his niece Morgan won her soccer game Saturday by two goals, which she scored, his stepmother Bobbie Hause won her golf tournament on Sunday and his dad
Jerry finished second in his golf tournament. Steve Kiesel ('80 Spirit - Covington, GA) and Ken Buckner ('69 Camaro - Ellaville, GA) finished in the semi-final round.

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 may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com.

------------------------------------------------
OUTLAW 10.5 CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Steve Kirk, Jr. '68 Camaro SS Monroe, GA 4.69 156.57
R/U: Tim Lynch '02 Mustang Woodstock, GA 6.71 71.11
Semi: Terry Robbins '02 Camaro Mooresboro, NC
Semi: Lance Styck '04 Mustang Americus, GA
------------------------------------------------
LIMITED STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: John Iannuzzi '67 Camaro Lithonia, GA 5.77 134.42
R/U: Darren Hoyle '69 Camaro Hickory, NC broke - no time
Semi: Terry Woodson '81 Camaro Z/28 White, GA
Semi: Shannon Ragsdale '95 Corvette Marietta, GA
------------------------------------------------
EZ STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Thomas Taylor '88 Mustang Mt. Holly, NC 5.65 126.87
R/U: Ed Lavender '86 Mustang Gordon, GA 5.67 121.74
Semi: Billy Smith '71 Nova Rossville, GA
Semi: Jerry Plemmons '74 Nova Old Fort, NC
------------------------------------------------
6.0 HEADS UP CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: David Harvey '84 Trans Am Richmond Hill, GA 6.04 113.40 (6.00)
R/U: Matt Davis '68 Camaro Acworth, GA 6.07 117.71 (6.00)
Semi: Trent Sanders '70 Nova Gainesville, GA
Semi: Marty Collier '73 Nova Griffin, GA
------------------------------------------------
7.0 HEADS UP CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: Al Hause '70 Cutlass 442 W30 Grayson, GA 7.05 97.82 (7.00)
R/U: George Bolton '67 Chevy II Trinity, AL (foul) 7.03 95.34 (7.00)
Semi: Steve Kiesel '80 AMC Spirit Covington, GA
Semi: Ken Buckner '69 Camaro Ellaville, GA
------------------------------------------------
SATURDAY TOP ELIMINATOR CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Ed Nalley '76 Vega Maysville, GA 6.42 107.56 (6.48)
R/U: Mike Holman '70 Buick GSX Covington, GA (foul) 7.20 72.31 (6.27)
Semi: Terrence Arrowood '70 Nova Hiwassee, GA
Semi: Thomas Bell '01 Undercover dragster Toccoa, GA
------------------------------------------------
SUNDAY TOP ELIMINATOR CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Gerry Williams '89 Horton dragster Snellville, GA 5.09 133.25 (5.06)
R/U: Toby Barnes '70 GTO Palmetto, GA 7.70 89.83 (7.68)
Semi: Terrence Arrowood '70 Nova Hiwassee, GA
Semi: Jeremy Hancock '95 S&W dragster Commerce, GA
------------------------------------------------
PRO MODIFIED CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Joey Martin '41 Willys Milton, FL 4.99 102.97
R/U: Rex Kelley '63 Corvette Hueytown, AL (foul - no time)
Semi: Johnny Pilcher '63 Corvette Chancellor, AL
Semi: Terry Housley '41 Willys Lenoir City, TN
------------------------------------------------

Sunday, October 24, 2004

2004 Old Drag Racers Reunion Video Available

Frank Moye has informed GeorgiaDragRacing.com that he is offering a video from Sol and Anne Stewart's Old Drag Racers Reunion held earlier this month in Panama City, Florida. The videos are over three hours long and the price is $15 plus $2 S/H. Send check or money order to:

Moye Photography
4343 Warm Springs Road #604
Columbus, GA 31909

Photos are also available of the 2004 Hall of Fame inductees.
2003 Old Drag Racers Reunion videos are still available for $15 plus $2 S/H.

'OUTLAWS' AND STREET LEGAL RACERS MIX WELL DURING ATLANTA DRAGWAY 'FAST FRIDAY' SHOW

Courtesy Tim Glover

BANKS CROSSING, GA With pleasant fall weather prevailing, the 2004 "Year One Fast Friday" series at Atlanta Dragway brought together an interesting mix of fans and racers for the Friday, October 22nd show. Event set-up for the Saturday-Sunday Outlaw Racing Street Car Association meet brought out many new racecars, fans and vendors to the popular dragstrip, and gave "Fast Friday" regulars the opportunity to see super-fast Outlaw 10.5 and Pro Modified cars make passes on the quarter-mile. The "Outlaws", in turn, were intrigued with the heated street-legal Year One Power Hour competition.

Driving a very consistent 2004 Chevy, Deano Franklin of Buford, GA drilled the Christmas Tree with a .012 for Best Reaction Time of the 9:00-10:00 PM Power Hour, taking home a $50 Year One Gift Certificate voucher. Aboard a surprisingly quick 1987 Buick, Bobby Potts of Rabun Gap ran the Quickest ET (10.650 seconds) and Fastest Pass (128.14 MPH) in the nightly competition for strictly street-legal cars and pickups, picking up two $50 Year One Gift Certificate vouchers, and high praise from his peers.

Sponsored by Year One in Braselton, along with the Hayes Family Dealerships in Lawrenceville, Gainesville and Baldwin, 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 Friday nights through November 19th at "Georgia's House of Speed."

The next Year One Fast Friday program is scheduled for Friday, October 29th, with gates opening at 6:00 PM for both racers and spectators, and the Hayes Halloween Costume Drags scheduled to kick off at 6:45.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Craig Armstrong (706) 423-9265

ATLANTA DRAGWAY TO HOST HALLOWEEN COSTUME DRAGS

Courtesy Tim Glover
(BANKS CROSSING, GA) Atlanta Dragway will be the host the second annual Hayes Halloween party this Friday night, October 29th, as the "Halloween Costume Drags" take center stage at Georgia's House of Speed TM.. Scheduled as an addition to the dragstrip's Year One Fast Friday grudge night program, the holiday event will offer cash prizes for the best adult and child costumes, as well as plenty of Halloween candy for children.

"Last year's Halloween party event was very well received," said track General Manager Craig Armstrong. "A lot of our 'Fast Friday' racers and fans, along with their kids, asked us to do it again this year, and with the help of the Hayes Family Dealerships, Year One and the Wal-Mart Superstore in Banks Crossing, we were able to make that happen.

"Spectators who normally pay $10 to watch a Year One Fast Friday show may enjoy "free admission" by picking up a special coupon at any of the four Hayes dealerships in Lawrenceville, Gainesville or Baldwin and showing up in costume at Atlanta Dragway on Friday evening. Year One Automotive Restoration in Braselton will also be on hand with Gift Certificates, t-shirts and other prizes, and Wal-Mart Halloween candy will be provided for the youngsters.

The Hayes Family Dealerships are also posting cash awards for the Best Halloween Costume: $100 for Adults (13 and older) and $50 for Children (12 and younger). The Adult "runner-up" will receive $50, while second place in Children's costumes will be awarded $25.

Gates will open for everyone at 6 PM on Friday evening, with drag racing and other festivities beginning at 6:45. Street-legal vehicles are $20 to race, while racecars and trailered vehicles are $30. General Admission for spectators is $10, and Children ages 6-12 pay just $5. As with virtually all Atlanta Dragway events, Kids ages 5 and under are Free with a paid adult.

Located just off 1-85 at Exit 149 in the Banks Crossing area of Commerce, Atlanta Dragway's Fast Friday show is primarily an opportunity for drivers of street legal cars, trucks and motorcycles to "race the strip, not the street." Racecars and racing bikes are also welcome for Test & Tune and grudge match racing on most Friday nights through November 19th.

Additional information on Atlanta Dragway events may be obtained by calling the track's business office (706-335-2301 or 770-682-3782) or online at the official website for the dragstrip (www.atlantadragway.com).

For More Information, Contact: Craig Armstrong (706) 423-9265