Grubnic, Hight, Anderson and Hines Top Pro Qualifiers at the NHRA POWERade MAC Tools Gatornationals

NHRA RECAP

David Grubnic's 4.481@ 331.85 held for the #1 spot in Top Fuel while Tony Schumacher made a last ditch effort to qualify and the Army team responded with a 4th best 4.520 @ 333.95 (Top Speed and track record). Doug Kalitta (#2 - 4.488 - 325.14) and Cory McClenathan (#3 - 4.497 @ 331.00) are also qualified in the 4.40s. Chris Karamesines was in the field for much of the day, but his 4.883 was eventually bumped to the #17 position.

Team Force cars took the top three spots in Funny Car, were the only Funny Cars in the 4.70s and set new track records. Robert Hight was #1 at 4.749 @ 325.96, Eric Medlen was #2 with a 4..773 @ 326.08 and John Force was #3 with his 4.775 @ 329.42. Whit Bazemore qualified #8 with a 4.862 @ 313.26. NHRA Funny Car points leader Phil Burkhart never made a good pass and failed to qualify with a 20th best 8.123 @ 132.56.

Greg Anderson stayed on top in Pro Stock with his National Record setting performance of 6.633 @ 208.23. Georgia racers Kurt Johnson is #5 (6.671 @ 207.13)and Warren Johnson is #9 (6.683 @ 206.42). Mark Whisnant missed by the slimmest of margins as his 17th best run of 6.709 @ 206.04 actually equaled the #16 ET, but he lost the speed tie-breaker by 0.42 mph! This was the quickest NHRA Pro Stock field in history. Barry Grant ended up #22 (6.756 @ 204.73) amd Erica Enders was 24th quickest at 6.769 @ 203.85. Two Fords were attempting to qualify and they were a little off the pace. Josh King was #27 (6.897 @ 200.26) and Jim Cunningham was #28 (6.934 @ 194.93) in their Escorts.

Andrew Hines leads the quickest field in Pro Stock Bike history with his 6.991 @ 197.45. Star Racing's Chip Ellis is #8 with a 7.056 @ 187.77.

Mark Billington (Norcross) ran a career best 5.773 @ 252.88 for the 9th spot in Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Don Eberly (Brunswick) ended up #9 in Comp with his (-0.661) 8.089.

Joe LoCicero, Robert Burgin III, Grant Lewis and Everett Hill won their first round races in Super Stock Eliminator.

Congratulations to Everett Hill ( SS/L '64 Mustang -Fayetteville ,GA ) for his class win.


Eddie Ware (Marietta) had troubles in his Pro Mod Willys and finished #19 with a best of 8.138 @ 154.95.

Georgia Super Comp racers that won Round One are:
Bruce Adams (Rome)
Joe Bilancio (Lawrenceville)
Jeff Keen (Palmetto)
Jeffrey Barker (Warner Robins)

Georgia Super Gas racers that won Round One are:
Sherman Adcock Jr. (Columbus)
Ronnie Wilkerson (Buford)
Jeffrey Barker (Warner Robins)
Jimmy Fuller (Savannah)
Scotty Lyons (Douglasville)
Arnold Reed (Loganville)

Sargent Ball Field Family Fun Day and Race Car Show!

Sargent Ball Field Family Fun Day and Race Car Show!

When: April 30, 2005
Time:10Am
(Race car need to be there before 9:30)
Where: West Coweta Lil' League Ball Field

* Clowns * Cotton Candy * Race Car Show
* Dunking Booth * Consessions * Ball Jump
* Face Painting * Fun For the whole Family!!!!!!!!

For more info call T at 404-391-1107

Directions to Field :

From Newnan, go west on 16/ Alt 27, cross (small) bridge, look for fire dept. on right, take immediate left on sargent main st., cross railroad, keep left, go to 2nd street on right, just past the post office, This will be Kennon street, ball field will be on the left just a lil' down the road.

More details here, as they become available.

GeorgiaDragRacing.com is not affiliated in any way with this event and we are not responsible for the accuracy of the above information.

Hines Runs Historic "6"; Grubnic, Medlen and Anderson Other Pro Leaders at the NHRA POWERade MAC Tools Gatornationals

Records fall at Gainesville!

Andrew Hines makes the first official Pro Stock Bike run in the six second zone with a 6.991 @ 196.16 to lead qualifiyng after two sessions. The other half of the Vance & Hines team, GT Tonglet is #2 with a 7.007 @ 197.45. Star Racing's Chip Ellis is #7 with a 7.056 @ 185.52. Hines' ET and Tonglet's speed will be new NHRA records if they can back them up this weekend.

Dave Grubnic set new track records with his 4.481 @ 331.85 to set the pace in Top Fuel. Doug Kalitta is just behind with a 2nd best 4.488 @ 325.14. Legendary Chris Karamesines is at Gainesville, but had troubles and has not completed a run.

Team Force is on top in Funny Car with new track records set by Medlen and Force. Eric Medlen's 4.773 @ 326.08 is #1 and John Force's 4.775 @ 329.42 is good for the #2 spot. Whit Bazemore is currently #9 with a 5.232 @ 214.54. A lot of the fuel cars had problems with the cool temperatures and only 5 Funny Cars were in the 4s.

It didn't take very long for Greg Anderson to be back on top of Pro Stock as he ran the quickest and fastest pass in Pro Stock history during the second session. His 6.633 at 208.23 is already backed up by his first session numbers for new NHRA records. Georgia racers Kurt Johnson #4 ( #4 - 6.671 @ 207.13), Mark Whisnant (#14 - 6.731 @ 205.33) and Warren Johnson (#16 - 6.742 @ 206.28) are currently in the show with two more qualifying sessions on Saturday. Barry Grant is #18 with a best of 6.756 @ 204.49. Phoenix winner Allen Johnson is #23 with a troubled best of 7.002 @ 159.65. Media sensation Erica Enders has the 24th best run at 7.313 @ 152.95.

Mark Billington (Norcross) is #5 in Top Alcohol Funny Car after one session with his 5.831 @ 250.41.

After one round of Comp qualifying, Don Eberly (Brunswick) is #11 with a -0.589 8.161 in his C/EA Cavalier.

Several Georgia racers have qualified in Super Stock Eliminator. Final qualifying results have Joe LoCicero (Snellville) #16, Robert Burgin III (Cuthbert) #41, Grant Lewis (Jesup) #43, Everett Hill (Fayetteville) #50, Jonathan Horton (Bonaire) #68 and Woody Adcock (Columbus) #72.

NHRA Recap

IHRA and SPEED 2005 TV Package

Details

LaGrange-Troup County Dragway Website

I was just informed that LaGrange-Troup County Dragway has a new website. Take a look!

Marvin T. Smith shot this photo of Ron Krisher at the SGMP test session March 15, 2005. Ron topped all of the NHRA Pro Stocks with a best of 6.662 at 206.95

TRACK SPEED RECORD HOLDER BAZEMORE SAYS NEW RECORD A LONGSHOT

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 15, 2004) - Whit Bazemore, driver of the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus R/T Funny Car, went out on a limb last year and predicted that the 330-mph Funny Car barrier would be broken at the Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway following re-paving of the track.

His prediction proved wrong, as the cars were barely able to reach 300 mph, let alone 330. On the plus side, this enabled Bazemore to maintain the track top-speed record he established in 2003, of 324.32 mph. Since last year's event here, the 330-mph barrier been demolished, first by Bazemore's teammate Gary Scelzi (330.15 mph), then by Tony Pedregon (331.28 mph) and Bazemore himself (333.25 mph) - all at Route 66 Raceway in May 2004. The fastest NHRA Funny Car speed now stands at 333.58 mph, set by John Force at Route 66 Raceway in Oct. 2004.

So, with a year of seasoning, will Gainesville Raceway regain its reputation as one of the fastest quarter-miles on the NHRA schedule? After all, it's where the first 260-, 270- and 300-mph Top Fuel runs were made.

"The track should be better than it was last year," says Bazemore, whose career-best numbers are now 4.713 ET, 333.25 mph, "but NHRA recently lost Chad Head to the IRL who was in charge of preparing the track and he did a great job.

"I don't know if Chad is going to be in Gainesville or not. If he is, the track should definitely be better than it was last year when it received new pavement. If he isn't there then it's very likely the surface itself and the condition of the race track are going to be a question mark as far as we're concerned. It's hard to say."

Setting records, however, is not Bazemore's priority, as he enters the third race of the season fifth in points, following a semifinal finish at at the season-opener in Pomona, Calif., and a first-round win in Phoenix. Winning is atop his list."Speaking about our Matco Tools Dodge team and our own car," he says, "we definitely found a major problem that we've had that's been affecting our performance all year. Lee (Beard, crew chief) and the boys found the problem and fixed it and went out and tested the car on Monday after Phoenix and it ran a lot better. With that situation corrected I think our team stands a really good chance of performing better than we have so far this year, which has me excited."

Bazemore has 17 national events to his credit but has never won at Gainesville in his 16-year pro career. "It's a good race, it's a big race, and it's a race that we dearly would love to win. We're very motivated. But that's kind of the normal attitude for us. It doesn't matter if it's Gainesville, or East Podunk, we still want to win the race."

SCHEDULE:
On Friday, March 18, pro qualifying sessions are at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
On Saturday, March 19, pro qualifying sessions are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
On Sunday, March 20, final eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
On Sunday, March 20, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 12:30 a.m. (ET).

Also, on Sunday, March 20, ESPN2 will telecast NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET).

And, again on Sunday, March 20, ESPN2 will televise two hours of final eliminations at 5 p.m. (ET).

WHIT BAZEMORE QUICK FACTS:
* Two-time U.S. Nationals champion, 1997 and 2001
* Fifth in 2005 Funny Car point standings after two events
* Qualified No. 2 at 2004 Gatornationals, lost first round to Cory Lee
* Qualified in the top two in nine events in 2004, four times in No. 1
* No. 6 in 2004 Funny Car points, with two wins, five final rounds
* First Funny Car driver to break 325-mph barrier (U.S. Nationals 2001)
* Career quickest ET is 4.713 seconds, career fastest speed is 333.25 mph, both set at Route 66 Raceway in 2004 in what was at the time the quickest and fastest speed in Funny Car history
* 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 second twice in the Funny Car championship in 2001 and 2003, third in 1997 and '99 and has finished in the top five six times and 12 times in the top 10 since 1992
* Age 41, born in New York City, an avid cyclist, lives in Indianapolis with wife Michelle, a competitive amateur cyclist, and son Dashiell Aidan, born March 12, 2005
* 2005 is his fifth season with Don Schumacher Racing

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus

Testing at South Georgia Motorsports Park

by Marvin T. Smith
Photos

On Monday, March 14 and Tuesday, March 15, SGMP put on a Gatornationals warmup event for professional racers. Numerous Pro Stocks, Pro Mods, some IHRA cars, and even an Alcohol FC and a Pro Stock Bike turned out. The weather was in the 50s with high humidity, but the track was ready. Some awesome times were turned over the two days.

Ron Krisher turned in the most outstanding performance on Tuesday when he ran a 6.662 at 206.95. He had earlier run a 6.69 206.07. Krisher's time is almost as quick as Greg Anderson's fastest official NHRA national event time of 6.661. Larry Morgan ran a best of 6.680 at 206.04. Also in the 6.60s were V. Gaines, and Jeg Coughlin. Erica Enders, Kenny Koretsky, Allen Johnson, Bob Benza, Barry Grant, and Richie Stevens all ran in the 6.70s. Also present were Mark Pawuk, Mark Whisnant, Dave Connoloy, and Dave Northrop.

On the IHRA side, Rick Jones showed them how it is done with a new Chevy Cobalt. His Quarter Max car ran 6.42 217.39, 6.44 216, and 6.47 215! John Montecalvo had hiscar out, but had some tire shake problems.

Four Pro Mods made runs. Best was Mike Ashley at 6.30 229.51. Mike Castellana had his new Western Beef nitrous car out, but had new car problems. Quain Stott ran on Monday only. Joshua Hernandez brought out the Dr. Moon's Rage car and made some troubled runs in the mid 6s.

Chip Ellis made one run on his Pro Stock Motorcycle, but it was a good one at 7.08.

Mick Snyder ran 5.82 223.76 and 5.84 221 in his Alcohol Funny Car.

South Georgia Motorsports Park has some awesome bite as you can see from the near record times. The teams had lots of good things to say about Shad Dean's track, and I expect many of them will be back.

WJ's Wrap Sheet - Gatornationals Edition

Courtesy Jon Knapp

1. WJ's First Gatornationals - 1976
Race Car: 1976 Chevrolet Camaro
Performance: WJ Qualified Fourth, 8.80 seconds
Defeated Paul Blevins, Richie Zul, Dave Kammers Lost to Larry Lombardo

In Warren's Words: "1976 was my first full season of racing in the NHRA, and we were the proverbial low-buck operation. For example, I raced the entire year with just one motor, and didn't even build a second motor until 1977. I probably spent more for gas that year than I did on parts. Our Camaro was 400 pounds heavier than the Pintos and Monzas that the elite teams were running at the time, but we still managed to set the top speed at a lot of races, including Gainesville.

"Ironically, we faced Larry Lombardo driving Jenkins' car in the final, which was one of, if not the only, top-notch operation of the time. Even though we missed out on the win, it was still a good weekend for us, especially considering it was only our eighth race."

Notes of the time:
* The 1976 edition was only the seventh running of this now legendary race.
* This was the first final round appearance of Warren Johnson's NHRA Pro Stock career, and came in his eighth career start.
* WJ faced Larry Lombardo in the final round, who was driving the "Grumpy's Toy" Chevy Monza owned by current Dave Connolly engine builder, and fellow Pro Stock legend Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins.
* Lombardo was the No. 1 qualifier with an 8.73-second elapsed time, with Rich Simone anchoring the field with a 9.03-second effort.
* Lombardo reset the national elapsed time record for Pro Stock in the final with an 8.71-second run, while WJ and Bob Glidden established a new Top Speed mark at 156.52 mph.
* Ironically, Lombardo and Johnson would finish the year 1-2 in the championship standings, WJ's first full season in the NHRA.
* This marked the first time in four years that two Chevys had squared off in a Pro Stock final.
* The field was comprised of Chevrolet Camaros, Monzas and Vegas, Ford Pintos and Mustang IIs, a Plymouth Duster and an AMC Hornet.
* Other winners included current team owner Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, whose U.S. Army-backed Chevy Monza defeated Shirl Greer in the Funny Car final, and James Warren in Top Fuel.
* Other names of note in the 1976 field included Jerry Haas and Roy Hill in Pro Stock, as well as "TV" Tommy Ivo and current Ron Capps crew chief Ed "The Ace" McCulloch in Funny Car.

2. WJ's First Gatornationals Win - 1984
Race Car: 1984 Hurst/Olds Oldsmobile Cutlass
Performance: WJ Qualified Fourth, 7.662 seconds, 181.81 mph
Defeated John Dowey, Don Campanello, Butch Leal and Frank Iaconio

In Warren's Words: "This is one race I will always remember because I went across the finish line sideways in the final. I was driving the Cutlass (below) that I believe should have been a required element of any Pro Stock driver's training, because it had absolutely no down force. If you could drive one of those, you could get anything down the race track. In fact, we took it to the wind tunnel and found out that it actually produced 600 lbs. of lift, leading to its nickname of the "Flying Boxcar." I ran a 106-inch tire on it as opposed to the 98-inchers everyone else was using because I needed all the tire I could get.

"Back then, the grandstands did not go as far down the track as they do now, and when I cleared them, I was hit by a crosswind, which picked the car up and turned it sideways. I remember I was looking straight at Iaconio when I went through the lights. That was certainly an experience."

Notes of the time:
* This win marked the fifth of Warren's Pro Stock career, and came in his ninth final round appearance.
* This marked the quickest Pro Stock field in NHRA history, from No. 1 qualifier Lee Shepherd, who set a national elapsed time record at 7.628-seconds, to 16th qualifier Mark Yuill, who made the field with a 7.838-second run.
* Warren reset the national Pro Stock top speed record at this race with his 182.55 mph pass in the first round against Johnny Dowey.
* Johnson was the beneficiary of two red-light starts in the first two rounds, courtesy of Johnny Dowey and Don Campanello.
* The Pro Stock field was made up of WJ's sole Olds Cutlass, Chevrolet Camaros, Pontiac Trans Ams, as well as a Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Capri and Dodge Daytona.
* The National Dragster's Tricky Tipster odds maker had set WJ's chances of winning the '84 Gators at only 7-1, with Lee Shepherd the favorite at 2-1.
* Other winners that weekend included Joe Amato in Top Fuel, who defeated Gary Beck in the final, and Kenny Bernstein in Funny Car, whose Ford Tempo edged John Collins for the win.

3. WJ's Most Recent Gatornationals Win - 2000
Race Car: 2000 GM Goodwrench Service Plus Firebird
Performance: WJ Qualified First, 6.849 seconds, 200.83 mph
Defeated George Marnell, Jim Yates, Ron Krisher and Troy Coughlin

In Warren's Words: "I really don't have any specific recollections of that weekend, although looking at the numbers, I guess we ran well enough to win. That was the last year that we ran the Pontiac Firebird, and we had it pretty well dialed in. That was also our first win of the year, which is always gratifying, especially coming so early in the season. Besides, any time you can win the Gatornationals, which is traditionally one of our sport's biggest races, it is an accomplishment."

Notes of the time:
* This win was the 80th of WJ's career, as he closed in on Bob Glidden's mark of 85 national event victories, which he would surpass in Denver later that year.
* This was Warren's third straight Gatornationals crown and ninth overall, which leads all professional categories.
* WJ set both low elapsed time (6.849 seconds) and top speed (200.83 mph) of the event in capturing the No. 1 qualifying position.
* Warren and his son Kurt were the only Pro Stock drivers to record a top speed above 200 mph at this race.
* Among Warren's four elimination round wins was a holeshot defeat of Ron Krisher in the semi-finals, where WJ's .448 reaction time and 6.927-second pass allowed him to hold off Krisher's quicker 6.919-second run.
* The Pro Stock field included Pontiac Firebirds, a Chevrolet Camaro (driven by WJ's son Kurt), Dodge Avengers, Oldsmobile Cutlasses and a lone Ford Probe.
* Other professional winners included Doug Kalitta, who edged Tony Schumacher in the Top Fuel final, Jerry Toliver in Funny Car, who defeated Ron Capps in the second all-Camaro final in Funny Car history, and the late Dave Schultz in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

4. WJ's Gainesville Raceway in a Nutshell - "For a reason that still escapes me, we have always run well at Gainesville Raceway. It may have something to do with it being early in the season where our parts are still fresh, but I can't say for sure.

"It has always been a decent track, and over the years, the racing surface has steadily improved, with the concrete launching pad being extended, and the resurfacing of a couple years ago eliminating the bumps at the top end. Besides, the Gatornationals are one of the premier events on the NHRA circuit, so a win there is always special. I wouldn't say it is at the top of my list of favorites, but with as many wins as we have there, it has to rank right up there!"

Did You Know?
* WJ nine Gatornationals wins are the most by any professional driver at the legendary Florida quarter-mile, and include back-to-back wins in 1984 and 1985, three consecutive wins from 1998-2000 and four straight wins from 1991 to 1994.

WJ & The Gatornationals Have Come a Long Way Together

Courtesy Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing

GM Performance Parts Team Marks First Year with DRCE III

Sugar Hill, Ga., March 14, 2005 - When Warren Johnson arrived in Gainesville for his first Gatornationals in 1976, both he and the event were in their nascent stages. Johnson was a virtually unknown competitor from Minnesota competing in only his eighth national event, and the Florida race was entering its seventh year. However, in their first meeting, Johnson and Gainesville Raceway each showed signs of their future prominence, as the racer advanced to the first final round of his career, and the track yielded new national elapsed time and top speed records.

"One thing I remember about my first Gatornationals is that it took an entire week to dig our truck out of the snow bank in Minnesota before we left," recalls Johnson. "At the time, we were one of the true low-buck teams, racing a Camaro that was 400 pounds heavier than the Monzas and Pintos that the top teams favored, using the same engine that we would race all year.

"Even so, we set top speed for the weekend, and made it to the final against Larry Lombardo who was driving Jenkins' car, which was the top Pro Stock organization of the time. We fell shy of taking home the Wally that day, but, all things considered, it was a good weekend considering our experience and budget."

Twenty-nine years later, as the GM Performance Parts Pontiac Grand Am pilot returns to the Sunshine State for the 2005 edition of the Mac Tools Gatornationals, both driver and racetrack have become a fixture in the NHRA's POWERade Drag Racing Series. With six Pro Stock championships and 92 national event wins, WJ has made the record books his personal diary, while the "Gators" are firmly entrenched as the traditional East Coast season-opener for the straight-line set and one of the race wins every driver wants on his or her resume. Almost appropriately, Johnson enters this event with nine wins at the Florida quarter-mile, more than any other professional competitor in NHRA history.

"I'm not entirely sure why we've been so successful in Gainesville," said Johnson. "It may have something to do with being early in the year when the parts are fresh, or because we run a high-horsepower set-up and this track traditionally has taken pretty much whatever you throw at it. In any case, I'm not about to complain, and the GM Performance Parts team will look to continue that trend this weekend."

As the third stop on his "School's Out" tour, Johnson will be racing at his 26th and last Gatornationals as a full-time driver this weekend. However, he will also be celebrating a first anniversary, as it has now been one year since he first installed the DRCE III V-8 in the engine bay of his Grand Am. After battling through trying times in 2004 and an intensive off-season R&D effort, the program has shown tremendous progress in the first two races of the season.

"The biggest thing to consider when evaluating the progress of our engine program is that the DRCE II (the engine used by all other GM competitors) is essentially a refinement of the first generation DRCE, and has had 15 years of development time," explained Johnson. "Therefore, it was certainly a challenge to start with a radically new design and come up with something better within a year.

"It has been an extremely labor-intensive process, more than in either of the previous designs, and along the way, we had our share of successes and failures. The important aspect was learning from both the good and the bad experiences. "We started making real progress back in October, which continued throughout the winter. Now that it appears to be competitive, we have a direction that this particular engine wants to go in based on its innate characteristics. At this stage, we're optimistic that it's only the tip of the iceberg."

Notes on Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts Grand Am racing team entering the Mac Tools Gatornationals:
* WJ is the Top Gator in the NHRA Swamp: This will be WJ's 26th appearance at the Gatornationals. In his 24 previous starts, he has nine wins in 10 final round appearances, which is the most among all professional categories with a 53-15 elimination round record for a .779 win percentage. In addition, he has eight No. 1 qualifying performances, and a 3.4 average starting position.
* WJ's Gators Travel in Packs: WJ has scored his Gatornationals wins in groups, starting with Back-to-back wins in 1984-85, followed by four consecutive wins in 1991-1994, with his most recent three wins coming in succession in 1998-2000.
* Gainesville Raceway is #1 on WJ's list: Although WJ's nine Gatornationals wins equal the number that he has earned at Pomona Raceway, his race win percentage in Florida is higher, having scored his Gainesville victories in only 24 starts versus 46 starts at Pomona Raceway.
* One year ago: Warren qualified ninth and advanced to the quarter-finals.
* Most recent Gatornationals win: 2000, when he qualified No. 1 and defeated George Marnell, Jim Yates, Ron Krisher and Troy Coughlin en route to the 80th win of his career.
* WJ's Competitive Variety: This weekend, Warren Johnson will be racing a brand-new GM Performance Parts Pontiac Grand Am. Since making his Gatornationals debut in a Chevrolet Camaro in 1976, WJ has driven over 10 different GM models in Pro Stock competition, including Chevrolet Camaros, Oldsmobile Starfires, Cutlasses, Cutlass Calais, Cutlass Supreme, Firenzas and Pontiac Firebirds, Trans Ams and Grand Ams.

Kurt Johnson Preps for "Perfect" Performance in Gainesville

Courtesy Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing

ACDelco Team Sets Sights on Second Gatornationals Title in Three Years

Sugar Hill, Ga., March 14, 2005 - One thousandth of a second is an almost imperceptible amount of time, yet in the highly competitive world of NHRA Pro Stock racing, it looms extremely large. It can be the difference between winning and losing, between qualifying and going home early. With so little room for error, competitors must pay strict attention to every little detail.

For example, in the first two races of the 2005 POWERade Drag Racing season, Kurt Johnson's ACDelco Cavalier has consistently been one of the quickest and fastest cars in the category, qualifying second and establishing low elapsed time and top speed of the event en route to a third-place finish in Pomona, followed by a fourth-place qualifying effort in Phoenix. Even so, both he and his crew have spent the time leading up to this weekend's Mac Tools Gatornationals performing a detailed inspection of their race car.

"The fields for Pro Stock have never been tighter," detailed Johnson. "Elapsed times are dropping, speeds are rising, and almost everyone is stepping up their performance. To have any chance at winning, you have to play error-free ball.

"Therefore, we've spent the last two weeks going over our ACDelco Cavalier from nose to tail, taking it completely apart and putting it back together, checking every component to make sure it's perfect. We'd also like to get a few test runs in to complete our preparations, but that will all depend on Mother Nature. In any case, we should be in prime shape for the Gators."

As if the normal pressures of competition were not enough, the Gatornationals are the first major drag race of the year on the East Coast, and one of the best-attended by racers and fans alike. Having won this event two years ago, Johnson can attest that a win at Gainesville Raceway is one of the most cherished accomplishments in the sport, and both he and the ACDelco crew enter this year's edition prepared to double their win total at the Florida quarter-mile.

"I'm extremely confident going into Gainesville," said Johnson. "The car has been flawless, we're making good power, and I believe we have found a solution for our clutch problems, so we should be right on track.

"From what I've heard, the racing surface is better than it's ever been - flat, smooth and straight. I've been going there since 1976 when I went with my father (six-time Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson), which was my first visit to the state of Florida. As I learned then, it's always good when you can head south during the winter.

"One of the nice things about Gainesville Raceway is that it has stayed pretty much the same, and, as a result, has become one of my favorite places to race. We know the town, the back roads into the track and the good places to eat. To win the Gatornationals is very special, and every time I pull into the racetrack, it brings back a lot of good memories. We're looking to add to that list this weekend."


Notes on Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cavalier Racing team entering
the Mac Tools Gatornationals:

* KJ in Gainesville: This will be KJ's 13th appearance at the Gatornationals. In his 12 previous starts, he has one win in 2003 in two final round appearances and an 18-11 elimination round record for a .621 win percentage. In addition, he has a 5.5 average starting position with ten starts in the top half of the field.

* One year ago: Kurt qualified seventh with an elapsed time of 6.798 seconds and advanced to the quarter-finals.

* Most recent Gatornationals win: 2003, when he qualified third and defeated Mike Edwards, Mark Whisnant, Greg Anderson and Jeg Coughlin en route to the 24th win of his career.

Event Schedule:
Friday & Saturday March 18 & 19 - Two qualifying sessions at 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 20 - Pre-race ceremonies begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by
the first round of eliminations at 11:00 a.m.

Television Schedule:
Qualifying: Sunday, March 20 - 12:30 - 2:30 a.m.

Eliminations: Sunday, March 20 - 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
(Repeat) Monday, March 21 - 2:30 - 4:30 a.m.

NHRA2Day: Sunday, March 20 - 11:30 a.m. - 12 noon

(Please consult your local listings for exact times, as the schedule is subject to change.)

As Season Starts, G Squared Looks at Big Picture

Distributed by: Jerry Battle - Webmaster
www.georgia-motorsports.com

G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS
OWNERS: GEORGE BRYCE & GEORGE SMITH

NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES
PRO-STOCK MOTORCYCLE: G SQUARED S&S BUELL
RIDER: CHIP ELLIS

MEDIA CONTACT: Mickey Schultz
PHONE: 770-476-8477
E-MAIL: mschultz@bellsouth.net

36TH ANNUAL NHRA MAC TOOLS GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE RACEWAY – GAINESVILLE, FLA.
MARCH 17-20, 2005

As season starts, G Squared looks at big picture

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 14, 2005) – Sporting a new name for the class, Pro Stock Motorcycles take to the Gainesville Raceway quarter-mile March 18-20 for the 36th annual NHRA Mac Tools Gatornationals, the first of 15 events on the Pro Stock Motorcycle 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule.

One bike that will be closely watched during the season will be the G Squared S&S Buell with Chip Ellis handling the driving duties. With Ellis on board for the final four races of last year, the George Bryce- and George Smith- owned motorcycle never qualified lower than fourth, garnering two No.1 positions, and winning the AC Delco Las Vegas Nationals.

This success gave G Squared a jump start on working with other teams for the 2005 season. "Our late season success last year prompted the sale of several of these S&S power plants to new teams," said George Smith. "S&S has been busy producing these engines.

“Also, we at G Squared are very busy assisting new teams and, in particular, the Mohegan Sun team where we built a complete turnkey bike. As a result, we weren't able to do as much off season R&D as we would have liked, but I have to tell you that we were all very pleased the way the bikes performed in testing at the AHDRA Gainesville event.

“The Mohegan Sun bike, Rob Muzzy's bike and our own G Squared S&S Buell all ran 7.0's like clones. We're anxious to see how we stack up against the competition that I'm sure have been burning the midnight oil to get an edge on us."

While the talk at Gainesville will be who will be the first to break the six-second barrier, a feat several accomplished during preseason testing, the Gatornationals will be the first national event for Pro Stock Motorcycle riders to attempt to officially lay claim to being the first.

While Ellis, who recorded a 7.02 second pass at the 2004 season-ending race, will be among the favorites to record the first 6-second pass, the G Squared team will be looking at the big picture – the NHRA POWERade championship.

"We were on a roll at the end of 2004," said George Bryce. "The bike was running good and Chip was doing great. We only made a few minor improvements over the off season, and I can't wait to pick up where we left off.

Bryce’s racing philosophy is simple: No matter what everybody else is doing and what times and speeds they’re running, only G Squared has control over what G Squared is doing and as long as the G Squared motorcycle is the quickest that’s okay - - no matter the number.

He added, “Everybody is talking about who will be the first to get in the sixes, but looking at the big picture and the entire 15-race season, my focus will be on putting together consistent runs every time we go up to the line.”

Ellis, who won three championships on the AMA/Prostar circuit and was named the 2000 AMA/Prostar Rookie of the Year, is a leading candidate for the NHRA Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award, as he vies for his first NHRA POWERade championship.

“My job is to race this G Squared S&S-powered Buell as quick and fast as it will go each and every time on the track,” said Ellis. “If I do that, the six second thing will take care of itself.

"I'm looking forward to the 2005 race season. The bike ran fantastic during testing and we learned a lot. I'm ready to apply what we learned and make an A on my 'report card' every run."

With Bryce, Smith and Ken Johnson calling the tuning shots, qualifying for Ellis and the G Squared S&S Buell begins with two sessions on Friday, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and concludes with two additional sessions on Saturday also at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Ellis begins his quest for the Pro Stock Bike title on Sunday with eliminations for all classes beginning at 11 a.m. All times are local Gainesville time (ET) and subject to change at anytime.

Qualifying highlights for the NHRA Mac Tools Gatornationals can be seen on ESPN2 on early Sunday morning (Mar. 20)) from 12:30 a.m.-2:30 a.m. ESPN2 will also air same-day television coverage of eliminations from 5 until 7 p.m. on Sunday afternoon (Mar.20). Television times are Eastern Time (ET) and subject to change at anytime. Check local listings.

Gary Quinn submitted this photo of Mike Stinchcomb's Corvette bracket car. The photo was taken at Red's Drag Strip (Fairburn, GA) in the late '70s. Red's Drag Strip was formerly known as Houston Bros. Drag Strip and Ted Edwards Drag Strip before that. This track, that doubled as an airstrip, was the first drag strip in Georgia. Thanks, Gary!

Zaskowski, Zane, Biondo, Scott, Cohen, Ruff and Sellers Win at Orlando

NHRA LUCAS OIL DIVISION 2 RACE RESULTS

Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover

EVENT: Summit / Snap-On ET series event at Atlanta Dragway in 2005
FROM: Tim Glover
Photos

BAREFOOT WINS SUPER PRO, MARCUM DOUBLES, HADDON AND LASTINGER ALMOST DOUBLE

(Commerce, GA - March 12) Cold air was not a factor today, but a strong prevailing crosswind caused race officials at Atlanta Dragway to shorten the race course to the eighth mile version for all classes today. Larry Barefoot has gone two years since his last Super Pro win, and had the pleasure of racing good friend and traveling buddy Joe Haddon. Haddon, who won last week, nearly doubled up, and actually crossed the finish line .006 seconds ahead of Barefoot, but broke out too much in the process. Travis Bryant experienced carburetor troubles during time trials, but put on another carb for eliminations and went through the field to win Sportsman. The Trophy Street final featured the same two racers as last week, Steve Marcum and Ashley Dumas, with the same results. Seventeen motorcycles entered competition today for the first Motorcycle event of 2005. Two former champions, Jay Rhyne and Stewart Taft, faced off in the final. Taft's bike kept pulling the front wheel off the ground, and Rhyne took advantage of that by slowing to a 7.77 victory. Casey Free overcame clutch problems and a three year dry spell to win 13-17 Jr. Dragster. Defending champ Joshua Sisson took an uncontested 8-12 Jr Dragster win tonight after Jacquelyn Lastinger's car apparently broke a camshaft just prior to her semi-final bye run. Because she could not stage her car under power in the semis, there was no runner-up. Spectators were treated to a double shot of Top Fuel action, with Andy Kelley making passes in his Top Fuel Funny Car and John Smith making passes in his Top Fuel Dragster.

Super Pro racer Larry Barefoot of Bethlehem, GA had gone two years without a win, but was happy to meet good friend and traveling partner Joe Haddon (last week's winner) in the final. Haddon actually took the win stripe .006 seconds ahead of Barefoot, but his Oxford, GA based '66 Chevelle broke out in the process, running 6.872 at 100.18mph (6.90 dial in time). Barefoot's '65 Chevy II also broke out, but by a lesser margin, 6.758, 100.21mph (6.77 target). "It was my turn. I wasn't racing last week, so you got lucky," Barefoot told Haddon with a smile. He then thanked his wife Nancy for helping him race. "I'm not believing this. My "feetbrake" racing is paying off," said Haddon just before the final. Haddon thanked his sponsor Ricky Dalton Tire for his help. Bubba Rich ('02 Firebird - Gainesville, GA) was the lone semi-finalist.

Sportsman racer Travis Bryant from Bowman, GA experienced carburetor problems during time trials, so he was compelled to change carburetors for eliminations. He said he had trouble with reaction times at first, but with some luck and good driving he made it to the final. Unfortunately for his opponent, Chuck Conaway of Cumming, GA, Bryant saved the best for last, nailing a close to perfect .010 reaction time. Bryant then carded a 7.37, 94.60mph pass with his '68 Camaro (7.35 dial). Like Super Pro runner up Joe Haddon, Conaway took the win stripe first, but his '66 Chevy II wagon broke out with a 7.33 at 87.18mph (7.36 dial) in the process. Bryant thanked his parents Wade and Deborah and also thanked his Uncle Woody for their help with his racing. Conaway was still OK with his runner up status, mentioning his last final round appearance was in 1999. "It was work. But when you do well, it is really satisfying," added Conaway. Seventeen year old Alton Clements III ('71 Mustang - Central, SC) was the semi-final finisher. He also has a Super Pro Camaro, but said he prefers Sportsman racing.

For the second week in a row, the same faces and cars appeared in the Trophy Street final. Steve Marcum ('01 Mustang - Bogart, GA) and Ashley Dumas ('86 Monte Carlo SS - Commerce, GA) met in last week's final, where Marcum won, and then found themselves again in the final this evening. They switched their usual lanes, and ran, with Marcum taking the win again using a 9.32, 70.41mph pass (9.20 dial). Dumas was also off the mark, running 9.06 at 77.79mph (8.80 dial). "I've never done that before. That's a good way to start off a season," added a happy Marcum. Kevin Rich ('93 Explorer - Hull, GA) was the Trophy semi-finalist.

Seventeen Motorcycle racers entered the scheduled monthly Motorcycle competition at Atlanta Dragway. By evening's end, however, two former Atlanta Dragway champions squared off in the final, Athens, GA racer "Jay Bird" Rhyne ('81 Kawasaki) and Stewart Taft ('00 Kawasaki ZRX1100 - Riverview, FL). Rhyne's bike was nearly spot on with an on-the-binders 7.77, 78.09mph finish (7.75 dial). Taft's mount kept pulling the front tire off the ground, and he lost some time reeling it back in, turning in an 8.16 at 91.15mph (7.65 dial). "The Intimidator is back," announced a smiling Rhyne after the race. Lilburn, GA racer Matt Tomlinson's regular bike was broken, so he borrowed George Turner's '04 Kawasaki Ninja and finished in the semi-finals, along with Don Chavous ('00 Suzuki Hiyabusa - Buford, GA).

Seventeen year old Casey Free's Sugar Hill, GA based Jr Dragster was experiencing torque converter problems earlier in competition, but he overcame those and ended a three year winless drought with an 8.081, 80.16mph winning pass (8.13 dial) in the 13-17 Jr Dragster class. Although he did break out, his opponent, 13 year old Scott Digby from Walhalla, SC turned on the big red bulb at the starting line with a too quick react (a worse infraction), and finished runner up with an identical 8.081 at 81.46mph (7.99mph). Free thanked his mom and dad and all his sponsors, Glen Pirkle Electrical, J&S Merchandise, The Marena Group, Inc. and Personal Touch Embroidery. "Wild Kyle" Denton (15 - McDonough, GA) was the semi-final finisher.

The defending 8-12 Jr Dragster champ, eleven year old Joshua Sisson from Gainesville, GA, added a new sponsor over the winter, C.L. Landscapes and Construction Company. He got the chance to thank C.L. owners Chris and Lisa for their help in only the second race of the season. Sisson's final was uncontested, so he chose to take it easy on the motor and simply broke the staging beams under power, resulting in no time. Last week's winner, 11 year old Jacquelyn Lastinger from Lilburn was scheduled to meet Sisson in the final, since she had the semi-final bye run. Apparently, the camshaft in her engine broke before the semis, and she was unable to stage the car under its own power. This resulted in no runner up, and she was listed as a semi-finalist. Danielle Krause (14 - Peachtree City, GA) was also a semi-final finisher.

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PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Larry Barefoot '65 Chevy II Bethlehem, GA 6.75 100.21 (6.77)
R/U: Joe Haddon '66 Chevelle Oxford, GA 6.87 100.18 (6.90)
Semi: Bubba Rich '02 Firebird Gainesville, GA
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Travis Bryant '68 Camaro Bowman, GA 7.37 94.60 (7.35)
R/U: Chuck Conaway '66 Chevy II wagon Cumming, GA 7.33 87.18 (7.36)
Semi: Alton Clements III '71 Mustang Central, SC
Semi:
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TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Steve Marcum '01 Mustang Bogart, GA 9.32 70.41 (9.20)
R/U: Ashley Dumas '86 Monte Carlo Commerce, GA 9.06 77.79 (8.80)
Semi: Kevin Rich '93 Explorer Hull, GA
Semi:
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MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Jay Bird" Rhyne '81 Kawasaki Athens, GA 7.77 78.09 (7.75)
R/U: Stewart Taft '00 Kawasaki ZRX Riverview, FL 8.16 91.15 (7.65)
Semi: Matt Tomlinson '04 Kawasaki Ninja Lilburn, GA
Semi: Don Chavous '00 Suzuki Hiyabusa Buford, GA
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JR. DRAGSTER 8-12 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Joshua Sisson 11 Gainesville, GA no time (8.90)
R/U: no runner up, Jacquelyn Lastinger's car could not make call for
semi-final bye run
Semi: Jacquelyn Lastinger 11 Lilburn, GA
Semi: Danielle Krause 14 Peachtree City, GA
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JR. DRAGSTER 13-17 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Casey Free 17 Sugar Hill, GA 8.08 80.16 (8.13)
R/U: Scott Digby 13 Walhalla, SC (foul) 8.08 81.46 (7.99)
Semi: "Wild Kyle" Denton 15 McDonough, GA
Semi: