Herbert, Capps and Anderson #1 Pro Qualifiers at the NHRA POWERade O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec
posted by David @ 11:51 PM
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Hoyt Grimes and Pete Robinson to be Inducted into the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Hoyt Grimes & Family and Pete Robinson's family for the two legendary drag racers upcoming induction into the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. I've known about this for a little while, but was under the impression that the information wasn't supposed to be released yet. There couldn't be anyone more deserving than these two Georgia drag racers and I feel they should have been inducted before now, but the circle track racers have more influence in this group. Pete and Hoyt were good friends and it's fitting that they are inducted at the same time!
Hoyt Grimes is in his early 80s and still going strong, but sadly, Pete Robinson lost his life in a Top Fuel crash at Pomona in 1971.
More Hoyt Grimes Info
More Pete Robinson Info
Mickey Swims is another 2005 Georgia Racing Hall of Fame inductee that has a drag racing connection - he is the former owner of Cumming Drag Strip. He currently owns the oval track in Woodstock, GA. I don't follow that type of racing these days, but it used to be called Dixie Speedway and may still be.
The induction ceremony will be held October 21 at the old Thunder Road complex in Dawsonville, GA.
The other 2005 Georgia Racing Hall of Fame inductees are:
Gene Felton
Ted Chester
Speedy Morelock
Bud Lunsford
Ernie Moore
Hoyt Grimes is in his early 80s and still going strong, but sadly, Pete Robinson lost his life in a Top Fuel crash at Pomona in 1971.
More Hoyt Grimes Info
More Pete Robinson Info
Mickey Swims is another 2005 Georgia Racing Hall of Fame inductee that has a drag racing connection - he is the former owner of Cumming Drag Strip. He currently owns the oval track in Woodstock, GA. I don't follow that type of racing these days, but it used to be called Dixie Speedway and may still be.
The induction ceremony will be held October 21 at the old Thunder Road complex in Dawsonville, GA.
The other 2005 Georgia Racing Hall of Fame inductees are:
Gene Felton
Ted Chester
Speedy Morelock
Bud Lunsford
Ernie Moore
Congratulations to all of the 2005 Georgia Racing Hall of Fame Inductees!
posted by David @ 12:37 AM
Herbert, Capps and Anderson Lead Pro Qualifying at the NHRA POWERade O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec
Bruce Allen and Ken Koretsky crashed in the second round of Pro Stock qualifying. No update has been given on their condition, but both were conscious and alert when transported to the hospital. Hopefully, both of these well liked drag racers will be OK.
Jay Payne runs a 6.010 @ 238.38 for the top spot in Pro Mod.
NHRA Friday Recap
Jay Payne runs a 6.010 @ 238.38 for the top spot in Pro Mod.
NHRA Friday Recap
posted by David @ 12:04 AM
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Here is Tommy Smith's last drag car ( As far as I know) at the 1970 Atlanta $10,000 where it later burned to the ground. The car was decaled as a Dodge Demon, but in reality it was a Plymouth Duster body. Thanks to Marvin T. Smith for sharing this photo.
posted by David @ 2:30 AM
This Mike Ditty photo is of Tom (or Tommy) Smith's "Hemi Power" Super Stock Barracuda. Tommy went on to drive nitro funny cars for a year or so until his Demon burned to the ground at the 1970 Atlanta $10,000 race at Atlanta Speed Shop Dragway (October 1970). I'm still trying to obtain contact information for Tommy Smith, so if you know how to reach him, please let me know.
posted by David @ 2:24 AM
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
A Drag Racing Hall of Fame for the East Coast
By Jim Hill (Crane Cams & 2004 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame Member)
It is hardly a secret that the sport of drag racing set its earliest roots in California. Sources peg the year at about 1938 or 1939, perhaps even earlier, but just as the new shoots began to reach skyward, the dark clouds of war postponed such frivolities as the hot rodders found themselves in uniform, off to fight for their country's survival.
It was during that time of war that these same young men acquired new knowledge and skills that they would utilize for the design, building and competition of automobiles. They returned with their skills vastly improved in the ways to make engines roar and chassis handle the power produced. In the process they met other military servicemen with an equal thirst for the thrill of speed in a machine built, maintained and driven with their own hands. It was from this that a nationwide, coast to coast hot rodding culture was spawned.
Why then, did the hot rodding sport, and ultimately that offshoot of drag racing become so identified with California, when there was as much activity happening "back east"? The answer lies within the media coverage of the sport and its embryonic creation. Perhaps even more pointedly, "the media" pretty much consisted of one Robert E. Petersen and his fledgling Trend Publishing Company. Notably, the title of HOT ROD MAGAZINE, first published in 1948, and edited in the Los Angeles area, established California as the place where hot rodding and soon drag racing, was "happening". From the onset, Petersen's realm of editorial coverage focused on Southern California, and this quickly, if unintentionally, led his readers to assume that hot rodding was indeed a California invention.
Since then hot rodding and drag racing blossomed to become far more than a mere weekend diversion, a "hobby" for restless young men. In the half century since it's beginning - on both east and west coasts - hot rodding and drag racing has become a major motorsports activity and spawned an industry that now boasts a more than $1 billion dollar contribution to the nation's economy.
All well and good, except that there remained, until a scant four years ago, very little recognition for the contributions to this sport and industry made by those from "The Right Coast". Perhaps the only exception to this is the outstanding Museum of Drag Racing, founded and operated by drag racing legend Don Garlits, and his national Drag Racing Hall of Fame, which chooses its annual inductees from candidates whose careers occurred on both east and west coasts.
But four years ago, in 2002, one individual gathered about her a small yet determined group of eastern based drag racers, media types and fans and formed the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame. The site chosen for this pioneering effort, Henderson, North Carolina, was selected because of the efforts of one Nancy Wilson, a devoted fan of drag racing and Director of the Vance County Tourism Department. Nancy provided the location and the official support of the Vance County officials who were keen on the prospects of having such an organisation make its home in their community.
Along those lines Ms. Wilson and her colleagues created the entire East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame weekend. Held each year in mid-October, this event has grown to become one of the Southeast"s largest car shows. The show part of the weekend literally closes down the main street of Henderson, forming a pedestrian mall that showcases several hundred rods, muscle cars, antique vehicles and race cars for a crowd of nearly 20,000 eager spectators. Each year's list of honored inductees gather on Friday evening at two different Henderson hotels to enjoy cocktails and re-establish old friendships and racing rivalries from days past. A massive cruise-in that same night gives the car show participants the opportunity to show off their rides and return to the hallowed cruising scene of the 1950's and 60's.
On Sunday, at the Vance-Granville Civic Center, the inductees are gathered for recognition and formal entrance into immortality within the East Coast based drag racing community. There old photographs, stories and memories are shared for those on hand as well as those who are honored posthumously.
This year's East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame spans the weekend of October 14-16. Host hotels The Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Jameson Inn all report they are booked to capacity and registrations for the car show have again surpassed previous records! The 2005 Hall of Fame inductee list includes Dave Reitz, Frank Spittle, Sherman Sligh, Harold Dutton, Randy Payne, Jack Musilli, Jim Amos, Tony Feil, Ed Eaton, George Reese, Gene Fulton, Steve Bagwell, John Livingston, Clayton Harris, Tony Russo, and the "First Lady" of the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame, Nancy Wilson.
Other awards to be presented are the Jungle Jim Liberman Award, to Bob Banning, the "Jack Approved" Award, this year presented to the Robert L. Blake family and Posthumous Awards, honoring Clayton Harris and Tony Russo. The Motorsports Pioneer Award will be presented to "Cotton" Owens. Beginning with this 2005 edition of the Hall of Fame, a special "Motorsports Statesman" award is to be presented to a specially selected individual whose contributions to drag racing, not necessarily as a participant, warrant specific recognition. The first recipient has been named as Wally Parks, the first editor of Hot Rod Magazine and founder of the National Hot Rod Association. Hereafter, this annual award will be called "The Wally Parks Motorsports Statesman Award".
Additional details on the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame weekend (Oct. 14-16) are available at http://www.eastcoastdragtimeshalloffame.com/, or by calling the Vance County Tourism Department at 252/438-2222 or 1-866-438-4565.
It is hardly a secret that the sport of drag racing set its earliest roots in California. Sources peg the year at about 1938 or 1939, perhaps even earlier, but just as the new shoots began to reach skyward, the dark clouds of war postponed such frivolities as the hot rodders found themselves in uniform, off to fight for their country's survival.
It was during that time of war that these same young men acquired new knowledge and skills that they would utilize for the design, building and competition of automobiles. They returned with their skills vastly improved in the ways to make engines roar and chassis handle the power produced. In the process they met other military servicemen with an equal thirst for the thrill of speed in a machine built, maintained and driven with their own hands. It was from this that a nationwide, coast to coast hot rodding culture was spawned.
Why then, did the hot rodding sport, and ultimately that offshoot of drag racing become so identified with California, when there was as much activity happening "back east"? The answer lies within the media coverage of the sport and its embryonic creation. Perhaps even more pointedly, "the media" pretty much consisted of one Robert E. Petersen and his fledgling Trend Publishing Company. Notably, the title of HOT ROD MAGAZINE, first published in 1948, and edited in the Los Angeles area, established California as the place where hot rodding and soon drag racing, was "happening". From the onset, Petersen's realm of editorial coverage focused on Southern California, and this quickly, if unintentionally, led his readers to assume that hot rodding was indeed a California invention.
Since then hot rodding and drag racing blossomed to become far more than a mere weekend diversion, a "hobby" for restless young men. In the half century since it's beginning - on both east and west coasts - hot rodding and drag racing has become a major motorsports activity and spawned an industry that now boasts a more than $1 billion dollar contribution to the nation's economy.
All well and good, except that there remained, until a scant four years ago, very little recognition for the contributions to this sport and industry made by those from "The Right Coast". Perhaps the only exception to this is the outstanding Museum of Drag Racing, founded and operated by drag racing legend Don Garlits, and his national Drag Racing Hall of Fame, which chooses its annual inductees from candidates whose careers occurred on both east and west coasts.
But four years ago, in 2002, one individual gathered about her a small yet determined group of eastern based drag racers, media types and fans and formed the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame. The site chosen for this pioneering effort, Henderson, North Carolina, was selected because of the efforts of one Nancy Wilson, a devoted fan of drag racing and Director of the Vance County Tourism Department. Nancy provided the location and the official support of the Vance County officials who were keen on the prospects of having such an organisation make its home in their community.
Along those lines Ms. Wilson and her colleagues created the entire East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame weekend. Held each year in mid-October, this event has grown to become one of the Southeast"s largest car shows. The show part of the weekend literally closes down the main street of Henderson, forming a pedestrian mall that showcases several hundred rods, muscle cars, antique vehicles and race cars for a crowd of nearly 20,000 eager spectators. Each year's list of honored inductees gather on Friday evening at two different Henderson hotels to enjoy cocktails and re-establish old friendships and racing rivalries from days past. A massive cruise-in that same night gives the car show participants the opportunity to show off their rides and return to the hallowed cruising scene of the 1950's and 60's.
On Sunday, at the Vance-Granville Civic Center, the inductees are gathered for recognition and formal entrance into immortality within the East Coast based drag racing community. There old photographs, stories and memories are shared for those on hand as well as those who are honored posthumously.
This year's East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame spans the weekend of October 14-16. Host hotels The Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Jameson Inn all report they are booked to capacity and registrations for the car show have again surpassed previous records! The 2005 Hall of Fame inductee list includes Dave Reitz, Frank Spittle, Sherman Sligh, Harold Dutton, Randy Payne, Jack Musilli, Jim Amos, Tony Feil, Ed Eaton, George Reese, Gene Fulton, Steve Bagwell, John Livingston, Clayton Harris, Tony Russo, and the "First Lady" of the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame, Nancy Wilson.
Other awards to be presented are the Jungle Jim Liberman Award, to Bob Banning, the "Jack Approved" Award, this year presented to the Robert L. Blake family and Posthumous Awards, honoring Clayton Harris and Tony Russo. The Motorsports Pioneer Award will be presented to "Cotton" Owens. Beginning with this 2005 edition of the Hall of Fame, a special "Motorsports Statesman" award is to be presented to a specially selected individual whose contributions to drag racing, not necessarily as a participant, warrant specific recognition. The first recipient has been named as Wally Parks, the first editor of Hot Rod Magazine and founder of the National Hot Rod Association. Hereafter, this annual award will be called "The Wally Parks Motorsports Statesman Award".
Additional details on the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame weekend (Oct. 14-16) are available at http://www.eastcoastdragtimeshalloffame.com/, or by calling the Vance County Tourism Department at 252/438-2222 or 1-866-438-4565.
posted by David @ 11:40 PM
2005 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame & Reunion October 14-16 at Henderson, NC
It's hard to believe a year has gone by, but it's almost time for Nancy Wilson's annual East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame & Reunion. This event has really grown into a BIG event! A huge car show (over 700 great classics, muscle cars, street rods, drag cars, etc.last year) on the streets of downtown Henderson, NC, entertainment and the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony will make you glad you attended! This is a must-see event. I hope to see you there!
East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame website
2004 Photos
2004 Photos #2
2004 Photos #3
2004 Article
2003 Photos
2003 Article
2002 Photos
2002 Article
East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame website
2004 Photos
2004 Photos #2
2004 Photos #3
2004 Article
2003 Photos
2003 Article
2002 Photos
2002 Article
posted by David @ 11:38 PM
Classic shot of Huston Platt's Dixie Twister Camaro funny car by Fred Simmons.
posted by David @ 10:47 PM
Monday, October 03, 2005
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:
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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
CAPPS WINS HIS SECOND NHRA FUNNY CAR EVENT OF YEAR IN CHICAGO
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
JOLIET, Ill. (Oct. 2, 2005) - Ron Capps collected his second NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car win of the season, the 16th of his career, in high style today, taking out some heavy hitters along the way and vaulting himself back in the middle of the championship chase.
The driver of the Brut Dodge Stratus R/T Funny Car, in his first season with Don Schumacher Racing, reached his sixth final round of the year at the Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals, the 36th of his career, and is now back up to third in points, just 45 points out of the lead. The California native is also only two points behind John Force, in second place.
Capps struggled to qualify in the top half of the field, but pulled out his career-best numbers in the final round of qualifying (4.732/329.02) to qualify No. 8. He admits to not having the quickest and fastest car out here, but reliability, consistency and excellent driving skills counted for more today.
In an important first-round match-up against title contender Robert Hight, Capps played payback as he defeated the John Force teammate who beat him in the first round in Reading, Pa., with a 4.751/328.54 to the rookie's 4.778/327.27.
No. 1 qualifier Cruz Pedregon was his next victim in the quarterfinal, as Capps dismissed a tire-smoking Pedregon with a 4.796/324.20.
In the semifinal Capps went head to head with 13-time champion and another championship contender, John Force, and sent him packing with a winning 4.784/328.30 to Force's 4.796/326.95.
The final round saw Reading, Pa., winner Tony Pedregon go up in smoke, handing the victory to Capps, whose car never faltered all day, with another superb, steady pass of 4.760/327.82.
"It seems like a dream," he said in the winner's circle. "The day went by so quick. It was a matter of having faith."
As for his semifinal win over Force, "I call him the Godfather," he said. "Force is the man; he always will be. Hopefully (teammate and points leader Gary) Scelzi is going to be the man next year or maybe we will be. We have three races left. If you can't get up racing John Force you don't need to be out here. And he brings everything out of you and when you get up there and you light the pre-stage light the world comes to a stop.
"And you're always looking out the window because you know he's going to maybe come around you. That was a huge win."
The NHRA-mandated rev limiter was a factor in the final, according to Capps. "It's worse at the rev limiter. At about the 1000-ft. mark it sounds like a Diesel truck hitting the Jake brake. It just goes prrrrrrrr and it stops pulling and you're at the mercy of the guy coming at you. You just don't know what to do. You feel like you need to go out and pedal like Fred Flintstone or something. Your head hits the dash and you're just kind of out there waiting for the finish line to hurry up, hurry up and get here. It got there first (for me)."
As for the championship, "At this point in the game you need to make points. Coming in here it was 16 rounds, four races, and that's what we needed. Reading, unfortunately, didn't give us the track under us to give a (winning) battle with Hight. Well, we pulled him again and I think it was just destiny. We weren't throwing out the high .60s in the Brut Dodge and everybody was setting low ET of the world (in qualifying), but Ace (crew chief Ed McCulloch) is battling health problems. He's going to be OK, but I could see it running him down a little bit. But I knew yesterday in the heat when we ran a .75 and a .73 that he had his game on for race day.
"But it got cool out on race day and I thought, Oh, boy, especially in the final round, but, I tell you what, it's a matter of faith, and Ace did what it took and it's just a great feeling."
"Just fantastic," said team owner Don Schumacher on his team's double win today with Capps and Tony Schumacher. "We did it in 2003 with Tony and Whit Bazemore. It's just great. I have nine teams, only seven of them here. I'd like to have had seven winners. That would be the perfect day for me. That's not going to happen. It's a great day to have Ron and Tony both win out here at Route 66. I couldn't ask for much more than that.
"To have Ron right back up in the hunt for the championship the first year with me is terrific. Ace is fighting some battles with his health, but he's doing a great job. He's keeping his spirits up, his strength up. Our prayers and thoughts are with him all the time."
Ace had a philosophical take on the win: "This is how it's supposed to be. It's awfully hard to get here. Getting here is a lot of fun. It's great moving up in points when they may have sort of counted us out. We're not done yet. But we're still not preaching what we're going to do; we'll just go do the best we can do."
Contact: Judy Stropus
JOLIET, Ill. (Oct. 2, 2005) - Ron Capps collected his second NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car win of the season, the 16th of his career, in high style today, taking out some heavy hitters along the way and vaulting himself back in the middle of the championship chase.
The driver of the Brut Dodge Stratus R/T Funny Car, in his first season with Don Schumacher Racing, reached his sixth final round of the year at the Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals, the 36th of his career, and is now back up to third in points, just 45 points out of the lead. The California native is also only two points behind John Force, in second place.
Capps struggled to qualify in the top half of the field, but pulled out his career-best numbers in the final round of qualifying (4.732/329.02) to qualify No. 8. He admits to not having the quickest and fastest car out here, but reliability, consistency and excellent driving skills counted for more today.
In an important first-round match-up against title contender Robert Hight, Capps played payback as he defeated the John Force teammate who beat him in the first round in Reading, Pa., with a 4.751/328.54 to the rookie's 4.778/327.27.
No. 1 qualifier Cruz Pedregon was his next victim in the quarterfinal, as Capps dismissed a tire-smoking Pedregon with a 4.796/324.20.
In the semifinal Capps went head to head with 13-time champion and another championship contender, John Force, and sent him packing with a winning 4.784/328.30 to Force's 4.796/326.95.
The final round saw Reading, Pa., winner Tony Pedregon go up in smoke, handing the victory to Capps, whose car never faltered all day, with another superb, steady pass of 4.760/327.82.
"It seems like a dream," he said in the winner's circle. "The day went by so quick. It was a matter of having faith."
As for his semifinal win over Force, "I call him the Godfather," he said. "Force is the man; he always will be. Hopefully (teammate and points leader Gary) Scelzi is going to be the man next year or maybe we will be. We have three races left. If you can't get up racing John Force you don't need to be out here. And he brings everything out of you and when you get up there and you light the pre-stage light the world comes to a stop.
"And you're always looking out the window because you know he's going to maybe come around you. That was a huge win."
The NHRA-mandated rev limiter was a factor in the final, according to Capps. "It's worse at the rev limiter. At about the 1000-ft. mark it sounds like a Diesel truck hitting the Jake brake. It just goes prrrrrrrr and it stops pulling and you're at the mercy of the guy coming at you. You just don't know what to do. You feel like you need to go out and pedal like Fred Flintstone or something. Your head hits the dash and you're just kind of out there waiting for the finish line to hurry up, hurry up and get here. It got there first (for me)."
As for the championship, "At this point in the game you need to make points. Coming in here it was 16 rounds, four races, and that's what we needed. Reading, unfortunately, didn't give us the track under us to give a (winning) battle with Hight. Well, we pulled him again and I think it was just destiny. We weren't throwing out the high .60s in the Brut Dodge and everybody was setting low ET of the world (in qualifying), but Ace (crew chief Ed McCulloch) is battling health problems. He's going to be OK, but I could see it running him down a little bit. But I knew yesterday in the heat when we ran a .75 and a .73 that he had his game on for race day.
"But it got cool out on race day and I thought, Oh, boy, especially in the final round, but, I tell you what, it's a matter of faith, and Ace did what it took and it's just a great feeling."
"Just fantastic," said team owner Don Schumacher on his team's double win today with Capps and Tony Schumacher. "We did it in 2003 with Tony and Whit Bazemore. It's just great. I have nine teams, only seven of them here. I'd like to have had seven winners. That would be the perfect day for me. That's not going to happen. It's a great day to have Ron and Tony both win out here at Route 66. I couldn't ask for much more than that.
"To have Ron right back up in the hunt for the championship the first year with me is terrific. Ace is fighting some battles with his health, but he's doing a great job. He's keeping his spirits up, his strength up. Our prayers and thoughts are with him all the time."
Ace had a philosophical take on the win: "This is how it's supposed to be. It's awfully hard to get here. Getting here is a lot of fun. It's great moving up in points when they may have sort of counted us out. We're not done yet. But we're still not preaching what we're going to do; we'll just go do the best we can do."
posted by David @ 12:10 AM
SCELZI EXTENDS POINTS LEAD IN CHICAGO
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
JOLIET, Ill. (Oct. 2, 2005) - The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship continues to be a pot-boiler, as the top-five positions changed once again following today's Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway. The only thing that didn't change was the leader.
To put it concisely, after losing to Tony Pedregon in the semifinal, Gary Scelzi leaves the track with a 43-point lead, following a first-round loss by Robert Hight, a second-round exit of Eric Medlen, and a semifinal dismissal of John Force. Scelzi's teammate Ron Capps jumped into third after winning his second event of the year.
The new order: Scelzi, Force, Capps, Hight and Medlen.
Scelzi first defeated Mike Ashley (4.773/325.06 to 4.820/325.45), then Del Worsham (4.773/325.06 to 4.830/322.34) before he met up with Reading, Pa., winner Pedregon in the semis. Pedregon took off with a .065 light to Scelzi's even .100. It was close, but it was Pedregon first across the finish line with a 4.770/319.90 to Scelzi's losing 4.772/326.71.
"I'm not trying to make this Funny Car championship chase so close," said Scelzi, with a laugh.
"There's no question about it. Tony has really run well this whole weekend. When I saw Capps go 4.796 in his semifinal win against John Force, I put it in thin to try to get lane choice again (in the final) and I had a .100 flat light, which is good. Tony rolled it in, had a .065. It was a hell of a drag race.
"As long as you keep leaving the races with more points than you had when you got here, you're doing your job. Yeah, we're making it exciting for everybody. It looks like we're starting to make a little distance, and that's a good thing."
Next up is the re-scheduled O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas, Texas, Oct. 7-9, 2005.
FUNNY CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Gary Scelzi, 1326
2. John Force, 1283
3. Ron Capps, 1281
4. Robert Hight, 1256
5. Eric Medlen, 1226
6. Tommy Johnson Jr., 1135
7. Whit Bazemore, 1075
8. Tony Pedregon, 1054/1074
9. Del Worsham, 1032
10. Cruz Pedregon, 931
Contact: Judy Stropus
JOLIET, Ill. (Oct. 2, 2005) - The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship continues to be a pot-boiler, as the top-five positions changed once again following today's Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway. The only thing that didn't change was the leader.
To put it concisely, after losing to Tony Pedregon in the semifinal, Gary Scelzi leaves the track with a 43-point lead, following a first-round loss by Robert Hight, a second-round exit of Eric Medlen, and a semifinal dismissal of John Force. Scelzi's teammate Ron Capps jumped into third after winning his second event of the year.
The new order: Scelzi, Force, Capps, Hight and Medlen.
Scelzi first defeated Mike Ashley (4.773/325.06 to 4.820/325.45), then Del Worsham (4.773/325.06 to 4.830/322.34) before he met up with Reading, Pa., winner Pedregon in the semis. Pedregon took off with a .065 light to Scelzi's even .100. It was close, but it was Pedregon first across the finish line with a 4.770/319.90 to Scelzi's losing 4.772/326.71.
"I'm not trying to make this Funny Car championship chase so close," said Scelzi, with a laugh.
"There's no question about it. Tony has really run well this whole weekend. When I saw Capps go 4.796 in his semifinal win against John Force, I put it in thin to try to get lane choice again (in the final) and I had a .100 flat light, which is good. Tony rolled it in, had a .065. It was a hell of a drag race.
"As long as you keep leaving the races with more points than you had when you got here, you're doing your job. Yeah, we're making it exciting for everybody. It looks like we're starting to make a little distance, and that's a good thing."
Next up is the re-scheduled O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas, Texas, Oct. 7-9, 2005.
FUNNY CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Gary Scelzi, 1326
2. John Force, 1283
3. Ron Capps, 1281
4. Robert Hight, 1256
5. Eric Medlen, 1226
6. Tommy Johnson Jr., 1135
7. Whit Bazemore, 1075
8. Tony Pedregon, 1054/1074
9. Del Worsham, 1032
10. Cruz Pedregon, 931
posted by David @ 12:06 AM
WJ is Just Too Fast in Joliet Semifinals
Contact: Jon Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.
After qualifying eighth for Sunday's final eliminations of the Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals, Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts GTO Racing team knew they would need to pick up their game in order to challenge for the win. As expected, the crew responded, posting one of the quickest times in the first round at 6.766 seconds to defeat long-time rival Jim Yates.
This set the stage for a second-round encounter with current Pro Stock points leader Greg Anderson, who was the No. 1 qualifier. Even without the benefit of lane choice, Johnson took the measure of his former team member, using a stellar .028 reaction time to gain the advantage by over two hundredths of a second at the starting line and then powering away, with The Professor's 6.749-second, 204.48 mph pass outdistancing Anderson's 6.763 second, 203.28 mph effort.
The final obstacle between Johnson and his 149th final round was newcomer Erica Enders. Despite WJ making his best run of the day, rocketing through the quarter-mile in 6.748-seconds with a top speed of 205.07 mph, it went for naught, as he left the starting line six thousandths of a second early, handing the automatic win to his young opponent.
Despite the initial disappointment, Johnson was able to find several positives from his weekend at Route 66 Raceway.
"We've been working on improving our reaction times, and tried something during the first two rounds in qualifying. We had .40 lights there, so we knew we were moving in the right direction. We then changed it a little bit more for today, and it seemed like it helped even further. Unfortunately, we must have gone just a bit too far in the semis.
"Our weekend may have ended too early, but we're encouraged by today's performance. We had been working on finding what this GM Performance Parts GTO needed to run, and feel we we are heading in the right direction, as evidenced by our being one of the quicker cars in eliminations. Clearly we've put a gap between ourselves and some other cars - now it’s a matter of trying to squeak another hundredth or two out of it.
"I believe we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We'll stay here tomorrow and test, and hopefully get headed in the right direction, which should put us in good shape for the rest of the season."
TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.
After qualifying eighth for Sunday's final eliminations of the Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals, Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts GTO Racing team knew they would need to pick up their game in order to challenge for the win. As expected, the crew responded, posting one of the quickest times in the first round at 6.766 seconds to defeat long-time rival Jim Yates.
This set the stage for a second-round encounter with current Pro Stock points leader Greg Anderson, who was the No. 1 qualifier. Even without the benefit of lane choice, Johnson took the measure of his former team member, using a stellar .028 reaction time to gain the advantage by over two hundredths of a second at the starting line and then powering away, with The Professor's 6.749-second, 204.48 mph pass outdistancing Anderson's 6.763 second, 203.28 mph effort.
The final obstacle between Johnson and his 149th final round was newcomer Erica Enders. Despite WJ making his best run of the day, rocketing through the quarter-mile in 6.748-seconds with a top speed of 205.07 mph, it went for naught, as he left the starting line six thousandths of a second early, handing the automatic win to his young opponent.
Despite the initial disappointment, Johnson was able to find several positives from his weekend at Route 66 Raceway.
"We've been working on improving our reaction times, and tried something during the first two rounds in qualifying. We had .40 lights there, so we knew we were moving in the right direction. We then changed it a little bit more for today, and it seemed like it helped even further. Unfortunately, we must have gone just a bit too far in the semis.
"Our weekend may have ended too early, but we're encouraged by today's performance. We had been working on finding what this GM Performance Parts GTO needed to run, and feel we we are heading in the right direction, as evidenced by our being one of the quicker cars in eliminations. Clearly we've put a gap between ourselves and some other cars - now it’s a matter of trying to squeak another hundredth or two out of it.
"I believe we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We'll stay here tomorrow and test, and hopefully get headed in the right direction, which should put us in good shape for the rest of the season."
posted by David @ 12:02 AM
Sunday, October 02, 2005
KJ's Up and Down Day Ends in Joliet Quarterfinals
Contact: Jon Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.
Despite qualifying tenth, ACDelco Cobalt pilot Kurt Johnson was quietly optimistic entering Sunday's final eliminations of the Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals in Joliet, IL. Their competitive performance on Saturday, when the weather conditions closely matched those encountered on race day, had the entire team looking to go rounds and challenge for their second win at Route 66 Raceway.
Their confidence seemed well founded in the first round, when Johnson combined a lightning-quick .002 reaction time with the quickest elapsed time of the round at 6.752-seconds with a top speed of 204.45 mph to eliminate Allen Johnson.
This set the stage for a second round encounter with rival Jason Line. Once again, Johnson was first off the line, with his .024 reaction time giving the second-generation racer over one hundredth of a second advantage. Unfortunately, even though he was able to record the third quickest time of the round at 6.760 seconds, it was not enough to hold off his opponent's 6.746-second pass, which was quickest for the round, edging KJ at the line by a mere three thousandths of a second.
"We just didn’t run the number. I had him by eleven thousandths on the tree, and came up three thousandths short at the finish line. Certainly, our ACDelco Cobalt looked good in the first round, but we know they (Line) would come out strong in the second round, and they did, driving around us at the top end.
"Even so, we're happy that we ran better in eliminations than we did in qualifying, and I drove well, so everyone did their job today. We were on track, but that round was like a final at any other race. It would have been nice to have it, especially since Dad took out Greg at the same time, which would have allowed us to gain some points.
"However, we're not going to dwell on it. We're just going to put today behind us, regroup and head on to Dallas, and see if we can get ourselves back to the winner's circle."
TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.
Despite qualifying tenth, ACDelco Cobalt pilot Kurt Johnson was quietly optimistic entering Sunday's final eliminations of the Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals in Joliet, IL. Their competitive performance on Saturday, when the weather conditions closely matched those encountered on race day, had the entire team looking to go rounds and challenge for their second win at Route 66 Raceway.
Their confidence seemed well founded in the first round, when Johnson combined a lightning-quick .002 reaction time with the quickest elapsed time of the round at 6.752-seconds with a top speed of 204.45 mph to eliminate Allen Johnson.
This set the stage for a second round encounter with rival Jason Line. Once again, Johnson was first off the line, with his .024 reaction time giving the second-generation racer over one hundredth of a second advantage. Unfortunately, even though he was able to record the third quickest time of the round at 6.760 seconds, it was not enough to hold off his opponent's 6.746-second pass, which was quickest for the round, edging KJ at the line by a mere three thousandths of a second.
"We just didn’t run the number. I had him by eleven thousandths on the tree, and came up three thousandths short at the finish line. Certainly, our ACDelco Cobalt looked good in the first round, but we know they (Line) would come out strong in the second round, and they did, driving around us at the top end.
"Even so, we're happy that we ran better in eliminations than we did in qualifying, and I drove well, so everyone did their job today. We were on track, but that round was like a final at any other race. It would have been nice to have it, especially since Dad took out Greg at the same time, which would have allowed us to gain some points.
"However, we're not going to dwell on it. We're just going to put today behind us, regroup and head on to Dallas, and see if we can get ourselves back to the winner's circle."
posted by David @ 11:56 PM
Schumacher, Capps and Line Win the NHRA POWERade Ameriquest Mortgage Nationals
Schumacher wins and sets new ET record, Capps wins-Scelzi extends funny car points lead and Erica Enders is RU in Pro Stock.
NHRA Recap
NHRA Recap
posted by David @ 11:37 PM
