Georgia Drag Racing News

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

Saturday, January 22, 2005

More Photos of Georgia Drag Racers

I just created another album of Georgia drag racer photos at WebShots. The photos were taken by Tom and Ruth Kasch and you can view them here. Thanks for the photos, Tom!

Armstrong To Promote South Georgia Motorsports Park

SOUTH GEORGIA MOTORSPORTS PARK NEWS RELEASE
FOR RELEASE: January 22, 2005
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Shad Dean, 229-300-0842

Cecil, GA South Georgia Motorsports Park (SGMP) officials announced that veteran auto racing promoter Craig Armstrong will take the helm at the newly constructed motorsports facility on Interstate 75 north of Valdosta.

Armstrong, who has operated the NHRA’s Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia for the past three years, will join SGMP’s management team on February 1st and will concentrate initially on developing programs for the venue’s nearly completed half-mile paved oval.

Larry Dean, founder of Standard Contractors in Valdosta, and developer of the combined oval track and dragstrip facility, was enthusiastic in announcing Armstrong’s hiring.

“We have been looking for someone with experience, vision and a high standard of ethics,” Dean stated. “We found all of that in Craig Armstrong. I believe that we now have a very strong organization, and I look for great things to happen at South Georgia Motorsports Park!”

Prior to his stint with Atlanta Dragway, Armstrong was the promoter and co-owner of Portland Speedway in the Pacific Northwest for fifteen years. The historic Oregon oval track was originally constructed in 1925 and, with the exception of World War II, operated continuously for 77 years before final closure in 2002.

“Since most of my professional experience has been with an aging racetrack, I am thrilled to have a brand-new, state-of-the-art oval to promote,” Armstrong said. “There just aren’t a lot of new racetracks in the United States, so I am very grateful to the Dean family for this tremendous opportunity, and I will do everything I can to make SGMP’s speedway the premier short track of the southeast.”

Together with SGMP’s Dragway and Operations Manager, Shad Dean, Armstrong is predicting a very successful debut for the oval track.

“Our first event on the oval will be a USAR Hooters Pro Cup event on Saturday, March the 12th,” Armstrong noted. “This nationally televised series is extremely popular with race fans, so we expect to be jam-packed that night. We’re even looking into renting additional bleachers to accommodate everyone who wants to be a part of our speedway’s Grand Opening.”

Located just 32 miles north of the Florida state line in Georgia’s Cook County, SGMP has attracted racers and fans from all across South Georgia, as well as the Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Florida areas, for its NHRA drag racing events since the facility’s dragstrip opened in April of 2004. Information about current SGMP operations and racing schedules may be obtained on the track’s official website, www.sgmpracing.com.

Friday, January 21, 2005

Craig Armstrong to SGMP

After hearing the rumors of Craig Armstrong (General Manager) leaving Atlanta Dragway, I contacted him to get the straight scoop.

Craig stated that he is taking a position at SGMP, "primarily to get the 'round track' program off the ground, but also to promote the whole facility which includes an NHRA member track dragstrip. I am leaving the NHRA on the best of terms, and will continue to work closely with them while at SGMP. "

Although I'm sorry to see Mr. Armstrong leave Atlanta Dragway, I wish him the best and I'm sure that he will have great success at South Georgia Motorsports Park!

Thursday, January 20, 2005

Hemi Hurricane Artwork Needed

OK, guys and gals. Tony Bobo asked me to pass this along. Bunky and Tony Bobo are looking for a talented person to help them out with Hemi Hurricane artwork for their trailer. If you can do it, or know someone that can, please contact Tony Bobo at kntbobo@comcast.net .

Here is what Tony said: Looking for our art for the trailer. Please send this out and let me know or the guys can e-mail me . We will do something special for guy or gal's work that we use!! Thanks, Tony

NHRA Southeast Division Special Award Recipients

Thanks to Lex Dudas, Bill Holt and Julie Whitley for supplying this information from the NHRA Division 2 Banquet held 1-17-05 in Jacksonville, FL. Congratulations to all of the award recipients!

NHRA Southeast Division Special Award Recipients

Sportsman Driver of the Year: Stan Perry

ET Driver of the Year: Kelly King

Best Supporting Manufacturer: Lucas Oil

Sportsman Wrench of the Year: Ron Swearingen

SE Division Track of the Year: South Georgia Motorsports Park

SE Division Person of the Year: Mike Poole

Promoter of the Year: George Howard

Rookie of the Year: Rod Johnson

Buster Couch Award: Bobby Boyd

Bud Damron Award: Tom Ratliff

Be A Winner, Be A Member: Silver Dollar Raceway

Team Spirit Award: Music City Raceway

National Dragster Contributor of the Year: Tim Glover (Atlanta Dragway)

2004 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Professional Driver: George Breen
Sportsman Driver: Ron Traffanstedt
At Random: Jim and Alison Lee