Southeastern Dragway 50th Anniversary Race Rescheduled to August 6
Thanks to the efforts of promoter Donnie Reeves and Southeastern Dragway Track Operator Gene Fuller, a great turnout of race cars and spectators were on hand for the Southeastern Dragway 50th Anniversary Race. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and the event was rained out just as the funny cars were pulling into the staging lanes for the first round. The event has been rescheduled for August 6, 2005 and ticket stubs from July 9 will be honored for admission.
Two funny cars did make checkout runs earlier in the afternoon. Dennis Salzwimmer's Rubber City Thunder blown alcohol Monza that is driven by Chris Gerber made a crowd pleasing run and a little later John "Bodie" Smith made the initial checkout pass in Virgil Hartman's Sasquatch blown nitro Trans Am. The nitro fueled machine really got the fans pumped up and wanting more, even though Smith didn't make a full pass. Yes, the crowd (the largest at Southeastern Dragway in many years) was ready for the funny cars to put on a show that hadn't been seen at Dallas in a long time!
Several floppers were in the pits including blown nitro, blown alcohol, a jet funny and Mitch King's AA/FA. I was happy to see several Georgia drag racing legends in attendance, too. Hubert Platt, Roosevelt Johnson and Frank Oglesby were guys that I watched race at Dallas 35 years ago!
As many of you know, there is an ongoing situation that could have severe consequences for the Dallas area drag strip when it is all said and done. Original builder and owner Marvin "Red" Jones passed away earlier this year and it is questionable if the drag strip will continue to operate or the property will be sold for development. The answer should be known within the next few weeks. If this track is closed, it will be the last of the original five Atlanta area drag strips (and the first purpose built strip) to cease operations. I've spent many days at the Dallas track and seen many drag racing superstars race there. It would be a real shame to lose Southeastern Dragway and I'll be very sad if it happens. I know that Gene Fuller has put his heart and soul into this drag strip for many years and I'd like to thank him, the Hardy family and all of the track personnel for all their hard work and dedication over the years.
The August 6th race could potentially be the last race ever held at Southeastern International Dragway (this is still the name of the track although it is now known as Southeastern Dragway). I'm sure Donnie and Gene are going to put on a hell of a show - don't miss it, this may be your last chance to visit this historic track. If this is the last race at Dallas, what better way to go out than have nitro funny cars burn up the Dallas track one more time! We'll have a party either way - BE THERE!
Photos from Southeastern Dragway July 9, 2005
Two funny cars did make checkout runs earlier in the afternoon. Dennis Salzwimmer's Rubber City Thunder blown alcohol Monza that is driven by Chris Gerber made a crowd pleasing run and a little later John "Bodie" Smith made the initial checkout pass in Virgil Hartman's Sasquatch blown nitro Trans Am. The nitro fueled machine really got the fans pumped up and wanting more, even though Smith didn't make a full pass. Yes, the crowd (the largest at Southeastern Dragway in many years) was ready for the funny cars to put on a show that hadn't been seen at Dallas in a long time!
Several floppers were in the pits including blown nitro, blown alcohol, a jet funny and Mitch King's AA/FA. I was happy to see several Georgia drag racing legends in attendance, too. Hubert Platt, Roosevelt Johnson and Frank Oglesby were guys that I watched race at Dallas 35 years ago!
As many of you know, there is an ongoing situation that could have severe consequences for the Dallas area drag strip when it is all said and done. Original builder and owner Marvin "Red" Jones passed away earlier this year and it is questionable if the drag strip will continue to operate or the property will be sold for development. The answer should be known within the next few weeks. If this track is closed, it will be the last of the original five Atlanta area drag strips (and the first purpose built strip) to cease operations. I've spent many days at the Dallas track and seen many drag racing superstars race there. It would be a real shame to lose Southeastern Dragway and I'll be very sad if it happens. I know that Gene Fuller has put his heart and soul into this drag strip for many years and I'd like to thank him, the Hardy family and all of the track personnel for all their hard work and dedication over the years.
The August 6th race could potentially be the last race ever held at Southeastern International Dragway (this is still the name of the track although it is now known as Southeastern Dragway). I'm sure Donnie and Gene are going to put on a hell of a show - don't miss it, this may be your last chance to visit this historic track. If this is the last race at Dallas, what better way to go out than have nitro funny cars burn up the Dallas track one more time! We'll have a party either way - BE THERE!
Photos from Southeastern Dragway July 9, 2005
posted by David @ 11:47 PM
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