Revised Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover
MOTES INCREASES SUPER PRO LEAD WITH BORROWED CAR, POINTS LEADERS WIN THREE OF FIVE CLASSES
Photos
(Commerce, GA - September 17) All classes ran on the eighth mile course today at Atlanta Dragway, in preparation for the upcoming ET finals. There was drama in the Super Pro pits when points leader Tommy Motes' dragster broke for the second time in two weeks. However, his friends jumped in, and as it turns out, helped him all the way to the winner's circle. Russ Glover won the Super Pro portion of Run for the Money for the second week in a row with
his Hedman Hedders / Team PTI dragster. The current points leaders won three of the five classes contested today, in Super Pro, Sportsman and 13-17 Jr Dragster.
Tommy Motes' 1992 Undercover dragster was good to him earlier in the season, but it broke during last week's Hayes Mopar Meet, and then broke again in time trials today. Veteran Super Comp racer and former champion J.D. Reid came to the rescue, however, and offered Motes the use of his award winning '02 Undercover dragster. Motes had never sat in the car before, but apparently the experience of both Reid and Motes paid off, as Motes pulled off the win against another veteran, "Smoky Joe" Smith of Lawrenceville, GA. Smith's reaction time was uncharacteristically late in the final, which Motes took full advantage of, carding a winning 5.19 at 131.19mph (5.13 dial). Smith's car was right on, but second across the stripe at the big end, running 5.134 at 133.68mph (5.13 dial). Motes told Smith, "I was a nervous wreck!" Smith, who has won many rounds, and gone far in Division Two action, including second place in Super Gas in 1999, simply said, "I just screwed up. No excuses." Gary Adams' Carnesville, GA based '33 Willys made it to the semi-final round, along with now retired "Fireman Joe" Rampley ('79 Malibu - Gainesville, GA). Mathematically, Motes can still be caught, but the prospect for second place Gary Dunn catching him is dimming quickly, with only two Summit / Snap-On events left on the 2005 schedule.
Defending Sportsman champion Chris Carlile has been a frequent visitor to the Sportsman winner's circle in the last two months, and true to form, he came back again. His Canton, GA based '69 Camaro was a little vulnerable in the final, but the race was over before he even left the starting line, when Alpharetta, GA racer Kenny Jett left the cherry colored bulb glowing at the starting line with his '67 Chevelle. Carlile had put a 6.73 dial on his car, but ran 6.78 at 104.28 mph, and Jett had placed a 6.78 dial on his machine, but carded a 6.73 at 102.83 mph. Retired engineer Dickey Forrester, sometimes referred to as the "Mayor of Hickory Flat", finished in the semi-final round, along with Terrence Arrowood ('72 Nova - Hiwassee, GA). Carlile has a solid lead, and is a strong contender for the 2005 championship.
John Oliver from Buford, GA makes rounds with his '99 Durango in Trophy Street, and was in the final during last week's Mopar Meet. He went one better today against Hank Wilhelm from Commerce, GA, taking the win stripe away from Wilhelm's Chevy Z71 pickup. Oliver trimmed just a little bit of ET off his 10.33 goal, carding a 10.39 at 67.89mph. Wilhelm's truck broke out with a 11.20 at 60.68 (11.22 target), but was still the second vehicle to cross the finish line. Former champion and recent National Dragster Challenge winner Mel Abney ('67 Camaro - Cumming, GA) was the lone semi-finalist.
Two former Jr Dragster champions ended up facing each other in the 13-17 Jr Dragster final round. Team PTI racer and current 13-17 Jr Dragster points leader Lauren Turner from Pendergrass, GA met rival "Mad Matt" Gillen of Gainesville, GA in the final. This time, the 14 year old Turner ran a touch closer to her number than Gillen, who recently turned 14 years old. Her racecar put an 8.059 at 79.47 mph on the scoreboard for the final round. Gillen's Valvoline car was close with an 8.163 at 79.82 mph (8.10 dial). Turner thanked her entire team PTI, her parents, Fain & Mitchell properties and Tara Fine Jewelry. During the race, her crew discovered a crack in the engine block, but her Young Guns motor held together just fine for the race. Gillen thanked God, his mama, and Valvoline. Thomas Davis-Cox (15 - Buford, GA) was the semi-final trophy winner. Turner's win put her in a 100 point lead ahead of Matt Gillen and Kyle Denton, with two events left.
Ten year old Dylan Hutchins and his family enjoyed visiting the 8-12 year old Jr Dragster winner's circle for the very first time, after getting past multi time winner Ashton Shubert (12- Commerce, GA) in the final round. Hutchins had a good pass, running 9.08 at 71.70 mph (9.05 target), but Shubert made it easier for him by turning on the dreaded red light, with a slightly too quick reaction time. Shubert chose to run her car on out, posting a breakout 9.08 at 72.69 mph (9.11 target). Hutchins thanked his mom and dad, Angie, Freddie, Ralph Beam and Bill Gillen for their help and support this year. Blake Griffith ( Homer, GA) took home a semi-finalist trophy for his efforts.
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Tommy Motes '02 Undercover Loganville, GA 5.19 131.19 (5.13)
R/U: "Smoky Joe" Smith '00 Undercover Lawrenceville, GA 5.13 133.68 (5.13)
Semi: Joe Rampley '79 Malibu Gainesville, GA
Semi: Gary Adams '33 Willys Carnesville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chris Carlile '69 Camaro Canton, GA 6.78 104.28 (6.73)
R/U: Kenny Jett '67 Chevelle Alpharetta, GA 6.73 102.83 (6.78)
Semi: Dickey Forrester '68 Firebird Hickory Flat, GA
Semi: Terrence Arrowood 72 Nova Hiwassee, GA
-----------------------------------------------
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: John Oliver '99 Durango Buford, GA 10.39 67.89 (10.33)
R/U: Hank Wilhelm '00 Chevy Z71 Commerce, GA 11.20 60.68 (11.22)
Semi: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dylan Hutchins 10 Monroe, GA 9.08 71.70 (9.05)
R/U: Ashton Shubert 12 Commerce, GA 9.08 72.69 (9.11)
Semi: Blake Griffith 11 Homer, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Lauren Turner 14 Pendergrass, GA 8.05 79.47 (8.00)
R/U: "Mad Matt" Gillen 13 Gainesville, GA 8.16 79.82 (8.10)
Semi: Thomas Davis-Cox 15 Buford, GA
Sanctioned by 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 2005 events may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to http://www.atlantadragway.com/.
Photos
(Commerce, GA - September 17) All classes ran on the eighth mile course today at Atlanta Dragway, in preparation for the upcoming ET finals. There was drama in the Super Pro pits when points leader Tommy Motes' dragster broke for the second time in two weeks. However, his friends jumped in, and as it turns out, helped him all the way to the winner's circle. Russ Glover won the Super Pro portion of Run for the Money for the second week in a row with
his Hedman Hedders / Team PTI dragster. The current points leaders won three of the five classes contested today, in Super Pro, Sportsman and 13-17 Jr Dragster.
Tommy Motes' 1992 Undercover dragster was good to him earlier in the season, but it broke during last week's Hayes Mopar Meet, and then broke again in time trials today. Veteran Super Comp racer and former champion J.D. Reid came to the rescue, however, and offered Motes the use of his award winning '02 Undercover dragster. Motes had never sat in the car before, but apparently the experience of both Reid and Motes paid off, as Motes pulled off the win against another veteran, "Smoky Joe" Smith of Lawrenceville, GA. Smith's reaction time was uncharacteristically late in the final, which Motes took full advantage of, carding a winning 5.19 at 131.19mph (5.13 dial). Smith's car was right on, but second across the stripe at the big end, running 5.134 at 133.68mph (5.13 dial). Motes told Smith, "I was a nervous wreck!" Smith, who has won many rounds, and gone far in Division Two action, including second place in Super Gas in 1999, simply said, "I just screwed up. No excuses." Gary Adams' Carnesville, GA based '33 Willys made it to the semi-final round, along with now retired "Fireman Joe" Rampley ('79 Malibu - Gainesville, GA). Mathematically, Motes can still be caught, but the prospect for second place Gary Dunn catching him is dimming quickly, with only two Summit / Snap-On events left on the 2005 schedule.
Defending Sportsman champion Chris Carlile has been a frequent visitor to the Sportsman winner's circle in the last two months, and true to form, he came back again. His Canton, GA based '69 Camaro was a little vulnerable in the final, but the race was over before he even left the starting line, when Alpharetta, GA racer Kenny Jett left the cherry colored bulb glowing at the starting line with his '67 Chevelle. Carlile had put a 6.73 dial on his car, but ran 6.78 at 104.28 mph, and Jett had placed a 6.78 dial on his machine, but carded a 6.73 at 102.83 mph. Retired engineer Dickey Forrester, sometimes referred to as the "Mayor of Hickory Flat", finished in the semi-final round, along with Terrence Arrowood ('72 Nova - Hiwassee, GA). Carlile has a solid lead, and is a strong contender for the 2005 championship.
John Oliver from Buford, GA makes rounds with his '99 Durango in Trophy Street, and was in the final during last week's Mopar Meet. He went one better today against Hank Wilhelm from Commerce, GA, taking the win stripe away from Wilhelm's Chevy Z71 pickup. Oliver trimmed just a little bit of ET off his 10.33 goal, carding a 10.39 at 67.89mph. Wilhelm's truck broke out with a 11.20 at 60.68 (11.22 target), but was still the second vehicle to cross the finish line. Former champion and recent National Dragster Challenge winner Mel Abney ('67 Camaro - Cumming, GA) was the lone semi-finalist.
Two former Jr Dragster champions ended up facing each other in the 13-17 Jr Dragster final round. Team PTI racer and current 13-17 Jr Dragster points leader Lauren Turner from Pendergrass, GA met rival "Mad Matt" Gillen of Gainesville, GA in the final. This time, the 14 year old Turner ran a touch closer to her number than Gillen, who recently turned 14 years old. Her racecar put an 8.059 at 79.47 mph on the scoreboard for the final round. Gillen's Valvoline car was close with an 8.163 at 79.82 mph (8.10 dial). Turner thanked her entire team PTI, her parents, Fain & Mitchell properties and Tara Fine Jewelry. During the race, her crew discovered a crack in the engine block, but her Young Guns motor held together just fine for the race. Gillen thanked God, his mama, and Valvoline. Thomas Davis-Cox (15 - Buford, GA) was the semi-final trophy winner. Turner's win put her in a 100 point lead ahead of Matt Gillen and Kyle Denton, with two events left.
Ten year old Dylan Hutchins and his family enjoyed visiting the 8-12 year old Jr Dragster winner's circle for the very first time, after getting past multi time winner Ashton Shubert (12- Commerce, GA) in the final round. Hutchins had a good pass, running 9.08 at 71.70 mph (9.05 target), but Shubert made it easier for him by turning on the dreaded red light, with a slightly too quick reaction time. Shubert chose to run her car on out, posting a breakout 9.08 at 72.69 mph (9.11 target). Hutchins thanked his mom and dad, Angie, Freddie, Ralph Beam and Bill Gillen for their help and support this year. Blake Griffith ( Homer, GA) took home a semi-finalist trophy for his efforts.
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Tommy Motes '02 Undercover Loganville, GA 5.19 131.19 (5.13)
R/U: "Smoky Joe" Smith '00 Undercover Lawrenceville, GA 5.13 133.68 (5.13)
Semi: Joe Rampley '79 Malibu Gainesville, GA
Semi: Gary Adams '33 Willys Carnesville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chris Carlile '69 Camaro Canton, GA 6.78 104.28 (6.73)
R/U: Kenny Jett '67 Chevelle Alpharetta, GA 6.73 102.83 (6.78)
Semi: Dickey Forrester '68 Firebird Hickory Flat, GA
Semi: Terrence Arrowood 72 Nova Hiwassee, GA
-----------------------------------------------
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: John Oliver '99 Durango Buford, GA 10.39 67.89 (10.33)
R/U: Hank Wilhelm '00 Chevy Z71 Commerce, GA 11.20 60.68 (11.22)
Semi: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dylan Hutchins 10 Monroe, GA 9.08 71.70 (9.05)
R/U: Ashton Shubert 12 Commerce, GA 9.08 72.69 (9.11)
Semi: Blake Griffith 11 Homer, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Lauren Turner 14 Pendergrass, GA 8.05 79.47 (8.00)
R/U: "Mad Matt" Gillen 13 Gainesville, GA 8.16 79.82 (8.10)
Semi: Thomas Davis-Cox 15 Buford, GA
Sanctioned by 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 2005 events may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to http://www.atlantadragway.com/.
posted by David @ 9:51 PM
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