Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover
FORRESTER AND BROWN MAKE IT TWO WINS IN A ROW AT FINAL SUMMIT ET EVENT
by Tim Glover
Photos
(Commerce, GA - October 1) For some Atlanta Dragway racers, today's race was the end of the line for their 2005 drag racing season. For others, it signified they had qualified for the Summit ET Finals, where the best bracket racers in the Southeast US will converge on South Georgia Motorsports Park to determine who will be deemed the best of the best. The ET Finals will be held the weekend of October 14-16. Although the ET race season is done, there are a number of Year One Fast Fridays remaining on the 2005 Atlanta Dragway schedule, along with the Southern Super Heavy Shootout on November 5, and the Year One Outlaw 10.5 series event on November 19-20.
All the track champions were crowned tonight. They 2005 Atlanta Dragway Track Champions are: Tommy Motes (Super Pro, a.k.a. "Dragster Boy" to his friends), Chris Carlile (Sportsman), Mardy Kennedy (Trophy Street), Jay Rhyne (Motorcycle), Joshua Sisson (8-12 Jr Dragster) and Lauren Turner (13-17 Jr Dragster. Three of the champions, Sisson, Turner and Carlile, won their championship for the second year in a row. Rhyne and Kennedy are also previous title holders at Atlanta Dragway.
The first winners of the day were the Run for the Money winners, in a one round, closest to the dial wins event. B.J. Pitman, the early Super Pro leader in 2005 won in Electronics allowed in her dragster with a 5.203 on a 5.20 dial. David Speed (not Spade) from Highlands, NC earned the No Electronics bonus with his '72 Nova by carding a 7.251 (7.25 dial).
The "Mayor of Hickory Flat", Dickey Forrester, continued his strong season ending charge in Sportsman, winning for the second race in a row. Forrester raced Chuck Conaway, who led the points early in the season, in the final round. Forrester enjoyed a sizable reaction time advantage with his Hickory Flat, GA based '68 Firebird, and scrubbed off some speed at the big end, putting a 7.07 at 90.57mph on the win side scoreboard (7.01 dial). Conaway's Cumming, GA based ex NHRA stocker '66 Chevy II wagon was close to the mark, with a 7.25 at 94.12mph (7.23 dial). Ed Nalley of Maysville, GA finished his year fourth in points by making it to the semi-final round with his '76 Vega. By winning Sportsman, Forrester was briefly tied for first place in points with Chris Carlile, forcing a one round runoff.
Although points leaders in most classes had their championship virtually locked up coming in to the event, not all of them got to breathe easy until after the final event was in the books. "I just wanted to make him (Chris Carlile) "pucker up", said Sportsman racer Dickey Forrester. Forrester is a good friend and was also Carlile's mentor many years ago. "He wandered up like a lost puppy in late 1986," added Forrester. He then said, "If I had to lose to someone, I'm glad it's Chris. At least we kept it in Hickory Flat." Defending champion Chris Carlile had a virtually insurmountable five round lead (there are usually six or seven rounds in Sportsman) coming in to today's event. Forrester had to win every round, and Carlile had to go out early in competition to force a runoff; and as luck would have it (for Forrester, that is), that is what happened. However, Carlile prevailed, and in the one round runoff, Carlile parlayed a .510 second react and a dead on 6.488 at 109.60mph into the 2005 Sportsman championship. Forrester was also close to the mark, with a .536 react and a .005 second under 7.015 at 97.67mph (7.02 dial).
Kenny Brown from Roswell, GA also won for the second week in a row. He had to work Saturday morning at his business, KB Contractors, but was able to come play this afternoon with the Super Pro contingent at Atlanta Dragway. Brown put a 5.75 dial in on his Tommy Motes built '67 Camaro and didn't have to change it throughout the race. In fact, he posted a 5.76 on the scoreboards for the final six rounds, and, in spite of a sub par react, got the win in the final round against Stacy Blanton with a 5.760 at 113.86mph (5.75 dial). Blanton left the starting line with his Jefferson, GA based '05 Undercover dragster .007 seconds too soon, resulting in the dreaded tomato colored bulb coming on. Seeing that Brown already had the win, Blanton chose
to save his parts, and coasted to a 10.56 at 43.90mph (5.20 dial). Thomas Bell ('05 Undercover dragster - Toccoa, GA) finished in the semi-final round for the second week in a row, and was joined today by Mark Hancock ('05 M&M dragster - Commerce, GA). "Man, I am wore out! The old man struck again," said a happy Brown. Stacy Blanton said his main goal today was to take over second place (he came in to the event tied for third, four rounds behind Gary Dunn). He did that and was also happy to see friend Brian Smith qualify for the Atlanta Dragway ET Finals team.
Mike Puckett of Norcross, GA won the first Trophy Street race in 2003 with his V6 powered '90 Thunderbird, and said he has been working toward a win ever since. He broke the streak by taking the win against another Trophy Street veteran, John Snapp ('68 Charger - Conyers, GA), winning the last race of 2005. Puckett took advantage of a huge holeshot and slowed his car to an 8.54, 82.08mph at the win stripe (8.40 target). Snapp crossed the stripe with a .03 over 8.87 at 77.96mph (8.84 dial). Former track champion Mel Abney ('67 Camaro - Cumming, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. "It's been a looooong time coming. It sure feels good to be back in the win column again," said Puckett.
Fourteen year old Chase Mullinax from Buford, GA has been racing for a grand total of two whole weeks. However, that didn't stop him from taking the 13-17 Jr Dragster win against James Marsh Jr (15 - Anderson, SC). Mullinax's mom, Karen, was the one who persuaded their team to put an 8.98 dial in time on their car (Chase wanted to put on an 8.97 dial). The car responded well, running 8.981 at 71.49mph. Marsh turned on the big red bulb, and no time was recorded for him. "Wild Kyle" Denton, who ended his year second in the points, was the single semi-finalist. When Mullinax was eight years old, he won the national Tennessee Walkers championship (one
horsepower). With more than 30 horsepower now, he said it was definitely more fun.
Twelve year old Ashton Shubert of Commerce, GA has been on a tear since mid season. She was running middle of the pack in points earlier in the year, and due to a strong run at the end, including three final round appearances in the last three races, finished the year second place in the points. Shubert won tonight's event against the newly crowned champion, Joshua Sisson (12 - Gainesville, GA). Shubert did a better job this time at the starting line, which she turned into a win after posting a 9.12 at 71.81mph (9.09 target). Sisson's car ran a bit closer, but second across the stripe, 8.95 at 70.71mph (8.93 goal). Cole Wood (8 - Jefferson, GA) was the semi-final trophy winner. Shubert thanked her mom and dad and David Young for their help. Sisson's dad, Barry, said he was glad one of his sponsors, Chris Little of C.L. Landscaping, could be there to watch Joshua Sisson sew up the 2005 championship. "Dadgumit, I have a good driver. He's dedicated and really into it," added Barry Sisson about his son Joshua.
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Kenny Brown '67 Camaro Roswell, GA 5.76 113.86 (5.75)
R/U: Stacy Blanton '05 Undercover Jefferson, GA (foul) 10.56 43.90 (5.20)
Semi: Mark Hancock '05 M&M dragster Commerce, GA
Semi: Thomas Bell '05 Undercover Toccoa, GA
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dickey Forrester '68 Firebird Hickory Flat, GA 7.07 90.57 (7.01)
R/U: Chuck Conaway '66 Chevy II wagon Cumming, GA 7.25 94.12 (7.23)
Semi: Ed Nalley '76 Vega Maysville, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mike Puckett '90 Thunderbird Norcross, GA 8.54 82.08 (8.40)
R/U: John Snapp '68 Charger Conyers, GA 8.87 77.96 (8.84)
Semi: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Ashton Shubert 12 Commerce, GA 9.12 71.81 (9.09)
R/U: Joshua Sisson 12 Gainesville, GA 8.95 70.71 (8.93)
Semi: Cole Wood 8 Jefferson, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chase Mullinax 14 Buford, GA 8.98 71.49 (8.98)
R/U: James Marsh 15 Anderson, SC red light, no time (8.15)
Semi: Kyle Denton 15 McDonough, GA
Semi:
by Tim Glover
Photos
(Commerce, GA - October 1) For some Atlanta Dragway racers, today's race was the end of the line for their 2005 drag racing season. For others, it signified they had qualified for the Summit ET Finals, where the best bracket racers in the Southeast US will converge on South Georgia Motorsports Park to determine who will be deemed the best of the best. The ET Finals will be held the weekend of October 14-16. Although the ET race season is done, there are a number of Year One Fast Fridays remaining on the 2005 Atlanta Dragway schedule, along with the Southern Super Heavy Shootout on November 5, and the Year One Outlaw 10.5 series event on November 19-20.
All the track champions were crowned tonight. They 2005 Atlanta Dragway Track Champions are: Tommy Motes (Super Pro, a.k.a. "Dragster Boy" to his friends), Chris Carlile (Sportsman), Mardy Kennedy (Trophy Street), Jay Rhyne (Motorcycle), Joshua Sisson (8-12 Jr Dragster) and Lauren Turner (13-17 Jr Dragster. Three of the champions, Sisson, Turner and Carlile, won their championship for the second year in a row. Rhyne and Kennedy are also previous title holders at Atlanta Dragway.
The first winners of the day were the Run for the Money winners, in a one round, closest to the dial wins event. B.J. Pitman, the early Super Pro leader in 2005 won in Electronics allowed in her dragster with a 5.203 on a 5.20 dial. David Speed (not Spade) from Highlands, NC earned the No Electronics bonus with his '72 Nova by carding a 7.251 (7.25 dial).
The "Mayor of Hickory Flat", Dickey Forrester, continued his strong season ending charge in Sportsman, winning for the second race in a row. Forrester raced Chuck Conaway, who led the points early in the season, in the final round. Forrester enjoyed a sizable reaction time advantage with his Hickory Flat, GA based '68 Firebird, and scrubbed off some speed at the big end, putting a 7.07 at 90.57mph on the win side scoreboard (7.01 dial). Conaway's Cumming, GA based ex NHRA stocker '66 Chevy II wagon was close to the mark, with a 7.25 at 94.12mph (7.23 dial). Ed Nalley of Maysville, GA finished his year fourth in points by making it to the semi-final round with his '76 Vega. By winning Sportsman, Forrester was briefly tied for first place in points with Chris Carlile, forcing a one round runoff.
Although points leaders in most classes had their championship virtually locked up coming in to the event, not all of them got to breathe easy until after the final event was in the books. "I just wanted to make him (Chris Carlile) "pucker up", said Sportsman racer Dickey Forrester. Forrester is a good friend and was also Carlile's mentor many years ago. "He wandered up like a lost puppy in late 1986," added Forrester. He then said, "If I had to lose to someone, I'm glad it's Chris. At least we kept it in Hickory Flat." Defending champion Chris Carlile had a virtually insurmountable five round lead (there are usually six or seven rounds in Sportsman) coming in to today's event. Forrester had to win every round, and Carlile had to go out early in competition to force a runoff; and as luck would have it (for Forrester, that is), that is what happened. However, Carlile prevailed, and in the one round runoff, Carlile parlayed a .510 second react and a dead on 6.488 at 109.60mph into the 2005 Sportsman championship. Forrester was also close to the mark, with a .536 react and a .005 second under 7.015 at 97.67mph (7.02 dial).
Kenny Brown from Roswell, GA also won for the second week in a row. He had to work Saturday morning at his business, KB Contractors, but was able to come play this afternoon with the Super Pro contingent at Atlanta Dragway. Brown put a 5.75 dial in on his Tommy Motes built '67 Camaro and didn't have to change it throughout the race. In fact, he posted a 5.76 on the scoreboards for the final six rounds, and, in spite of a sub par react, got the win in the final round against Stacy Blanton with a 5.760 at 113.86mph (5.75 dial). Blanton left the starting line with his Jefferson, GA based '05 Undercover dragster .007 seconds too soon, resulting in the dreaded tomato colored bulb coming on. Seeing that Brown already had the win, Blanton chose
to save his parts, and coasted to a 10.56 at 43.90mph (5.20 dial). Thomas Bell ('05 Undercover dragster - Toccoa, GA) finished in the semi-final round for the second week in a row, and was joined today by Mark Hancock ('05 M&M dragster - Commerce, GA). "Man, I am wore out! The old man struck again," said a happy Brown. Stacy Blanton said his main goal today was to take over second place (he came in to the event tied for third, four rounds behind Gary Dunn). He did that and was also happy to see friend Brian Smith qualify for the Atlanta Dragway ET Finals team.
Mike Puckett of Norcross, GA won the first Trophy Street race in 2003 with his V6 powered '90 Thunderbird, and said he has been working toward a win ever since. He broke the streak by taking the win against another Trophy Street veteran, John Snapp ('68 Charger - Conyers, GA), winning the last race of 2005. Puckett took advantage of a huge holeshot and slowed his car to an 8.54, 82.08mph at the win stripe (8.40 target). Snapp crossed the stripe with a .03 over 8.87 at 77.96mph (8.84 dial). Former track champion Mel Abney ('67 Camaro - Cumming, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. "It's been a looooong time coming. It sure feels good to be back in the win column again," said Puckett.
Fourteen year old Chase Mullinax from Buford, GA has been racing for a grand total of two whole weeks. However, that didn't stop him from taking the 13-17 Jr Dragster win against James Marsh Jr (15 - Anderson, SC). Mullinax's mom, Karen, was the one who persuaded their team to put an 8.98 dial in time on their car (Chase wanted to put on an 8.97 dial). The car responded well, running 8.981 at 71.49mph. Marsh turned on the big red bulb, and no time was recorded for him. "Wild Kyle" Denton, who ended his year second in the points, was the single semi-finalist. When Mullinax was eight years old, he won the national Tennessee Walkers championship (one
horsepower). With more than 30 horsepower now, he said it was definitely more fun.
Twelve year old Ashton Shubert of Commerce, GA has been on a tear since mid season. She was running middle of the pack in points earlier in the year, and due to a strong run at the end, including three final round appearances in the last three races, finished the year second place in the points. Shubert won tonight's event against the newly crowned champion, Joshua Sisson (12 - Gainesville, GA). Shubert did a better job this time at the starting line, which she turned into a win after posting a 9.12 at 71.81mph (9.09 target). Sisson's car ran a bit closer, but second across the stripe, 8.95 at 70.71mph (8.93 goal). Cole Wood (8 - Jefferson, GA) was the semi-final trophy winner. Shubert thanked her mom and dad and David Young for their help. Sisson's dad, Barry, said he was glad one of his sponsors, Chris Little of C.L. Landscaping, could be there to watch Joshua Sisson sew up the 2005 championship. "Dadgumit, I have a good driver. He's dedicated and really into it," added Barry Sisson about his son Joshua.
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Kenny Brown '67 Camaro Roswell, GA 5.76 113.86 (5.75)
R/U: Stacy Blanton '05 Undercover Jefferson, GA (foul) 10.56 43.90 (5.20)
Semi: Mark Hancock '05 M&M dragster Commerce, GA
Semi: Thomas Bell '05 Undercover Toccoa, GA
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dickey Forrester '68 Firebird Hickory Flat, GA 7.07 90.57 (7.01)
R/U: Chuck Conaway '66 Chevy II wagon Cumming, GA 7.25 94.12 (7.23)
Semi: Ed Nalley '76 Vega Maysville, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mike Puckett '90 Thunderbird Norcross, GA 8.54 82.08 (8.40)
R/U: John Snapp '68 Charger Conyers, GA 8.87 77.96 (8.84)
Semi: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Ashton Shubert 12 Commerce, GA 9.12 71.81 (9.09)
R/U: Joshua Sisson 12 Gainesville, GA 8.95 70.71 (8.93)
Semi: Cole Wood 8 Jefferson, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chase Mullinax 14 Buford, GA 8.98 71.49 (8.98)
R/U: James Marsh 15 Anderson, SC red light, no time (8.15)
Semi: Kyle Denton 15 McDonough, GA
Semi:
posted by David @ 12:51 AM
<< Home