Georgia Drag Racers Featured in Drag Racing Action Magazine
The November 2005 issue of Drag Racing Action magazine has a 6 page feature article about second generation Georgia drag racers Sherman Adcock, Jr., Woody Adcock and David Tatum III. The title of the article is "Peach State Posse" - The Valvoline Quadruple and was written by Randy Fish. Pick up a copy, it's a good read. Hey, I must be getting old - I used to watch these guys' dads race! Congratulations to a well deserving group of racers!
ADRL FLOWMASTER Racensur.com Sunshine Drags
by Marvin T. SmithMore Photos Added!South Georgia Motorsports Park, August 19-20, 2005 -The ADRL brought back their exciting Pro Modified doorslammer action to South Georgia Motorsports Park for their second big event this year. A large crowd braved high heat and humidity to see fifty-one cars attempted to qualify for what surely must be one of the largest Pro Mod races ever held. The format for this event was somewhat unusual. There was a TLR AMS Pro Mod Challenge race as part of the series usually contested as an "exhibition" category at select National Hot Rod Association national events. Drivers were competing for a purse and series points. This category races a full quarter mile. Twenty-seven cars attempted to make the sixteen car field. There was also a Pro Extreme class for Outlaw Pro Mods that ran the one-eighth mile. Fourteen cars tried to qualify for the eight car field. Then there was the Pro Nitrous category limited to nitrous oxide-assisted pro mods which also raced on the one-eighth mile. Ten cars vied for the eight car field. This was an amazing event, with cars from as far away as California and Alberta, Canada.
After three rounds of qualifying, Troy Critchley led the AMS field with a fine 6.201 at 226. Nine cars ran in the 6.20s, with the final spot being secured by Terry Leggett at 6.400. Thomas Patterson ran a stunning (especially considering the conditions) 230.25 in his 41 Willys for what must be one of the fastest times ever recorded by a car using this body style.
The Pro Extreme field was led by John Lynam's Lil Red Vette at 3.995 185.59 which was amazing in the heat. Mike Neal, Bil Clanton, Jason Scruggs, Todd Bauknecht, Michael Neal, Herman Sheppard, and Toney Russell completed the field with the bump at 4.133.
Pro Nitrous was led by Shannon Jenkins at 4.10 182.18. Johnny Pilcher, Dan Parker, Keith Baker, James Hancock, Rex Kelley, Doug Patton, and Jerry Bridgforth completed the field with the bump at 4.371.
During qualifying, the rained out Belle Rose, Louisiana ADRL race was finished. South Georgia Motorsports Park has become the rain date capitol of the world, having just completed two rained out NHRA Division Two events two weeks ago. The Belle Rose winners at SGMP included John Lynam over Mike Neal in Don Stroud's Studebaker in Pro Extreme, and Shannon Jenkins over Keith Baker in Pro Nitrous. The AMS series was not contested at Belle Rose.
In SGMP AMS/TLR racing round one, Troy Critchley (6.30) beat Terry Leggett (6.57), Jay Payne (6.42) beat Mike Bell (6.35) on a big holeshot, Mike Ashley (6.29) beat Joey Martin (11.48), Troy Coughlin (6.29) beat Eddie Ware (6.39), Thomas Patterson (6.27) beat B. Seward in the ex-Roy Hill Mustang (6.33) and ran another 230 mph, Chip King beat Frankie Taylor with low e.t. of the round at 6.26, Josh Hernandez (6.29) beat Doug Palmer (6.47), and Kirk Kuhns (6.30) beat Glen Kerunsky. In round two, Payne (6.27) beat Critchley (6.32), Ashley (6.28) beat his teammate Coughlin (6.27) on a holeshot, Patterson beat Chip King on a holeshot (6.28 to 6.26), and Hernandez beat Kuhns (6.34/foul) with the round’s low e.t. of 6.22. In the semi-finals, Ashley beat Payne 6.23 to 6.24, and Hernandez beat Patterson 6.24 to 6.27. In the finals, Hernandez beat Ashley with a 6.20 228 to Mike’s 6.22 229. This event featured some of the best Pro Mod racing ever, with most runs in the 6.20s. Hernandez had been the runner-up in Pro Extreme at the June ADRL event, so he made up for it this time out.
Pro Extreme also had great racing all evening. In round one, Lynam (4.02) beat Russell (4.11), Scruggs (4.02) beat Bauknecht(4.21), Mike Neal ran 4.05 at 180 to beat Sheppard's 4.08,and Bil Clanton ran 4.05 to beat Michael Neal's 4.15. In Round Two, Lynam used a 4.005 to beat Scruggs' 4.23, and Mike Neal fouled away a fine 3.99 to lose to Bil Clanton's 4.04 at 176. In the finals, heavily favored John Lynam slipped to a 4.10 and lost to Bil Clanton's 4.05 175. Clanton owns South Georgia Motorsports Park this year, having also won the big June ADRL event. The Clanton team had a hard time, changing the rear end three times on the way to the winner's circle. They earned this win. Hats off to the Rome, Georgia group.
The Pro Nitrous cars put on a great show. In round one, Jenkins used a 4.10 to beat Bridgforth's 66 Shelby Rent-a-Racer at 4.37, Keith Baker ran 4.20 to beat Hancock's 4.24, Johnny Pilcher used a 4.17 to beat Patton's 4.29, and Dan Parker used a 4.19 to beat Kelley's 4.26. Top speed was set by Jenkins at 182. In the semi-finals, Jenkins ran a fine 4.08 182 to waste Keith Baker's troubled 4.40 at only 140. Parker ran a 4.14 at 177 to beat a very close Johnny Pilcher's 4.15 at 175. In the finals, heavily favored Shannon Jenkins lost on a holeshot to Dan Parker's 4.17 at 175. Jenkins ran his slowest time of the race at 4.15 179 in his losing effort. Parker is from Columbus, Georgia, so a second category went to a Georgia team.
Several turbo cars tried to qualify for the AMS race, including Mike Moran from Michigan, Annette Summer from South Carolina, and John Gullet from Florida. Although they failed to qualify, they put on a great show. Herman Sheppard's beautiful 68 Camaro was selected as the Best Appearing Car. His car was beautiful, but having Tiffany Furman back him up didn’t hurt either.
An eighth mile bracket race was also held in conjunction with the event. In Footbrake, Roger Kelly's yellow Camaro beat fouling Tony Holland in is Maverick. In Super Pro action, ChrisWeaver's Pinto beat fouling Roger Mann's Camaro after some strong dragsters bit the dust. Tiffany Furman completed her license and drove a dragster during the event.
This was easily the biggest Pro Mod event held this year to date. The cars, the stars, the track, the spectators, and the full moon were all in alignment. The ADRL brought in Brian Lohnes from New England Dragway, Epping, New Hampshire to do the announcing. His voice added much to the event. Kenny Nowling of the ADRL promised to return next year and to try to have a race date when it would not be quite as hot. You don’t want to miss any of the ADRL action. Check out Dragstock 2 in South Carolina later this fall.
BAZEMORE EXITS EARLY IN CLOSE RACE AGAINST TEAMMATE CAPPS
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Aug. 21, 2005) - Whit Bazemore lost a close contest against his teammate Ron Capps in the first round of Funny Car eliminations today at the O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park.
The No. 10 qualifier and driver of the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus Funny Car didn't have the luxury of lane choice in that round on a track that exceeded 130 degrees in temperature and with the area under a heat index approaching 110 degrees.
Bazemore launched just .011 of a second later than Capps and gave the crowd a close race to the finish, but it was Capps in front at the line with a winning 5.143-second elapsed time at 280.78 mph to Bazemore's 5.230/272.56. The margin of victory was a tight .0988 of a second.
"The Matco Tools Dodge actually did perform the way we wanted it to, so it's a good sign," said Bazemore. "We struggled a little bit. The desire and the commitment from everybody here on this team is tremendous. It's second to none. At the end of the day that's what it takes to be successful and that's what we have over here on the Matco Tools Dodge team.
"I know it's a cliche, but you find your true value when the chips are down and you find what you and your team are made of.
That's where we are right now. We're going to find out what we're made of because we're struggling.
"I'm not a hundred percent happy with the job I did, but the car went down the race track and ran relatively well in the heat, but we got outrun.
"If we'd had this run yesterday (in qualifying) we'd have been in a better position for today, but we didn't. So we went up there and ran what we ran and got outrun. That's OK."
Bazemore holds on to seventh place in POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car points.
Next on the schedule is the prestigious U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Aug. 31-Sept. 5.
FUNNY CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Robert Hight, 1134
2. Ron Capps, 1104
3. Gary Scelzi, 1099
4. John Force, 1087
5. Eric Medlen, 1063
6. Tommy Johnson Jr., 990
7. Whit Bazemore, 896
8. Cruz Pedregon, 863
9. Del Worsham, 831
10. Tony Pedregon, 792
Chip Ellis struggles in heat at Memphis
Courtesy Jerry Battle
Qualified: # 6(7.183 seconds at 183.97 mph)
Eliminations:
Round 1: Ellis (8.439/110.94) lost to Shawn Gann (7.336/180.02)
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (August 21, 2005) - In an early exit, on a day that saw the heat index reach 110-degrees and the track temperature push 130-degrees, Chip Ellis, driver of the G Squared S&S-powered Buell, failed to make it past the opening round of eliminations at the 18th annual NHRA O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals.
In what appeared to be a repeat of Ellis' run last weekend at Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway in round two, Shawn Gann left first on Ellis and never looked back. Gann crossed the finish line in 7.336 seconds on a hot, slippery track. Ellis followed with a 8.439 elapsed time down the Memphis Motorsports Park quarter-mile.
Unofficially, Ellis leaves the O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals No. 6 in the NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle point standing. He now has 621 points.
Fuller, Medlen, Anderson and Hines Win the NHRA POWERade O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals presented by Pennzoil
Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover
Photos(Commerce, GA - August 20) After finishing the rain delayed August 13 finals, racers settled in for a hot day of racing. After the conclusion of time trials, a special ceremony was held at the starting line to recognize two Team PTI crew members who are serving in the Armed Forces. Chris Kinsey (National Guard) is being re-deployed to Baghdad, and Tim Morris is going to Marine boot camp next week. "Tim was like a son to me. I'm going to miss him," added Team PTI owner George Turner. Many other racers came to the ceremony to thank them for their contribution to our freedom.
Super Pro winner Joe Haddon from Oxford, GA dedicated his race win to Charlie's mom (his engine builder's mother). Haddon said he had been having problems with spinning in his '67 Chevelle that he won the first race of 2005 with, so he decided to bring out "Old Faithful", his immaculate H&R Race Cars prepped '67 Chevy II. Haddon ran dead on his dial in five out of seven rounds, including the final, where he tapped the brakes to a 6.679 at 103.17mph (6.67 dial). Final round opponent Steve Adams of Buford, GA had an identical react, .017 seconds, but his '78 Malibu wagon ran just a few thousandths more over the dial, carding a 7.044 at 96.85mph (7.03 target). Today was door car day in Super Pro, as only two dragsters remained when the field was down to seven cars. They were promptly dispatched in the quarterfinals, leaving only door cars from the semi-finals on to the finish. The semi-final finishers were Michael Bruce ('78 Malibu - Covington, GA) and Larry Barefoot ('65 Chevy II - Bethlehem, GA).
For the second race in a row, defending Sportsman champion Chris Carlile found his '69 Camaro in the final round. This time, he faced engine builder Ed Nalley from Maysville, GA. Carlile took the advantage right from the starting line down to the win stripe, posting a 10.44 at 120.65mph pass (10.41 dial). Nalley's '74 Vega broke out with a 10.05 at 134.93mph (10.07 dial) trying to catch Carlile. "It's amazing what can happen when you drive scared," added Carlile. His win also increased his points lead over Chuck Conaway, who still remains in second place. The Sportsman semi-finalists were Stephen Moore ('73 Duster - Winder, GA) and Lonnie Peplau ('96 Mustang - Acworth, GA).
Former Trophy Street champ Mardy Kennedy returned to the winner's circle in Trophy Street action. Kennedy face Lonnie Cothran's Buford, GA based '76 Corvette in the final, and used his "Banana Boat" '64 Econoline pickup to take the win, carding a close 13.25 at 99.92mph (13.23 dial). Cothran broke out by a narrow .012 second margin with a 15.978 at 85.77mph. Woody Bryant ('82 Camaro - Bowman, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. "I want to thank the good Lord for the health and ability to do this. I also want to thank those young men who are going to fight for our freedom. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be able to do this," added Kennedy.
"This has been a long time coming," said Ashton Shubert from Commerce, GA, the 12 year old winner in 8-12 Jr Dragster. Shubert enjoyed a slim .003 second reaction time advantage over Wesley Mayfield (9 - Gainesville, GA) and then bookended the race with a .01 over 9.20 at 71.91mph win. Mayfield broke out with an 11.93 at 53.51mph (11.98 target). Joshua Sisson (11 - Gainesville, GA) and Bailey Denton (11 - McDonough, GA) earned the semi-finalist trophy. Shubert thanked her mom, dad, Jason, and David Young for their help and support. This was Shubert's first win since the March 19 Drag News All Star race held earlier in the season.
"A whole year of racing, and we finally got it right," exclaimed Bill Gillen, the happy father of 13-17 Jr Dragster winner Matt Gillen (13 years old - Gainesville, GA). Gillen faced Danielle Krause (14 - Peachtree City, GA), who was in her second final of the day (having finished runner up in the August 13 rain delayed event earlier in the day). Krause actually had the reaction time advantage, but her car went too quick on the big end of the track, resulting in an 8.48, 76.37mph breakout loss (8.53 dial). Gillen's Valvoline car nailed its dial in time of 7.98 with a 7.983 at 81.85mph. Team PTI racer Lauren Turner (14 - Pendergrass, GA) finished her
day in the semi-final round. "The Lord blesses us when we least expect it," added Gillen. Matt thanked his mom and dad, Mike Gruber of Valvoline and the guys at OneCNC for their help.
(Rain Delayed August 13 Summit Race Notes)
Ashley Dumas ('86 Monte Carlo SS - Commerce, GA) enjoyed the win in the rain delayed August 13 Trophy Street final after opponent Randy Franklin ('86 Chevy Truck - Loganville, GA) was unable to make it to the track today. Dumas stuck a 13.70 dial on the window, and eased the car to a 14.25 at 93.04mph. Kevin Rich was the lone semi-finalist.
After the final, 8-12 Jr Dragster winner Joshua Sisson's dad, Barry, said, "Thank the Lord for a great year so far. It's not anything we're doing." Sisson had an easy win after opponent Jacquelyn Lastinger's car broke a crankshaft shortly after leaving the starting line. Seeing Lastinger (12 - Lilburn, GA) in trouble, Sisson chose to lift early in the run to ensure victory, and coasted to a 9.41 at 55.93mph win (9.00 dial). Lastinger's car only made it to the 60 foot mark. Ashley Snelgrove earned the semi-finalist trophy.
The smile on August 6 winner Taylor Griffith's face grew even larger after winning his second race in a row; this time against Danielle Krause (14 - Peachtree City, GA). Griffith enjoyed a sizable reaction time advantage, and was glad to have it after his car slowed to a 9.46 at 68.26mph (9.34 dial). Krause's machine also slowed, carding an 8.59 at 75.80mph (8.40 dial). Team PTI racer Jake Swaim (15 - Jefferson, GA) was the lone semi-final finisher. "I was happy to be able to capitalize on the momentum we had," added father Scott Griffith.
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Joe Haddon '67 Chevy II Oxford, GA 6.67 103.17 (6.67)
R/U: Steve Adams '78 Malibu Wagon Buford, GA 7.04 96.85 (7.03)
Semi: Michael Bruce '78 Malibu Covington, GA
Semi: Larry Barefoot '65 Chevy II Bethlehem, GA
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chris Carlile '69 Camaro Canton, GA 10.44 120.65 (10.41)
R/U: Ed Nalley '74 Vega Maysville, GA 10.05 134.93 (10.07)
Semi: Stephen Moore '73 Duster Winder, GA
Semi: Lonnie Peplau '96 Mustang Acworth, GA
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TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mardy Kennedy '64 Econoline pickup Auburn, GA 13.25 99.92 (13.23)
R/U: Lonnie Cothran '76 Corvette Buford, GA 15.97 85.77 (15.99)
Semi: Woody Bryant '82 Camaro Bowman, GA
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8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Ashton Shubert 12 Commerce, GA 9.20 71.91 (9.19)
R/U: Wesley Mayfield 9 Gainesville, GA 11.93 53.51 (11.98)
Semi: Joshua Sisson 11 Gainesville, GA
Semi: Bailey Denton 11 McDonough, GA
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13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Mad Matt" Gillen 13 Gainesville, GA 7.98 81.85 (7.98)
R/U: Danielle Krause 14 Peachtree City, GA 8.48 76.37 (8.53)
Semi: Lauren Turner 14 Pendergrass, GA
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RAIN DELAYED AUGUST 13 RESULTS
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TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Ashley Dumas '86 Monte Carlo SS Commerce, GA 14.25 93.04 (13.70)
R/U: Randy Franklin '86 Chevy Truck Loganville, GA unable to return
Semi: Kevin Rich '93 Exploder Hull, GA
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8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Joshua Sisson 11 Gainesville, GA 9.41 55.93 (9.00)
R/U: Jacquelyn Lastinger 12 Lilburn, GA broke (9.05)
Semi: Ashley Snelgrove 11 Dahlonega, GA
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13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Taylor Griffith 14 Homer, GA 9.46 68.26 (9.34)
R/U: Danielle Krause 14 Peachtree City, GA 8.59 75.80 (8.40)
Semi: Jake Swaim 15 Jefferson, GA
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