Georgians at the Gatornationals
by Marvin T. Smith
Photos
When David Dilbeck obtained media credentials for me to cover the Gatornationals this year, he asked me to write a Georgia perspective on the event. So here goes.
I commuted down to the race from Valdosta on Friday and Sunday. Friday was pretty easy, but Sunday was a massive traffic jam. As I inched toward the track, I finally came in range of the track radio station broadcast of the announcer. The first thing I heard was Stock Eliminator, and the first car I remember was Butch Payne from Rome, Georgia. Unfortunately Butch broke the driveshaft and was out of the event in round two or three. Was this a harbinger of things to come?
In Top Fuel, Georgia hope Bob Vandergriff was qualified in the 12 spot. This put him up against female phenom Hillary Will in round one. Vandergriff tattooed Will at the line and posted a fine 4.522 at 326.08 to take the win. Score one for the Georgians. In Round two, Vandergriff faced David Grubnic. Again, Vandergriff got the starting line advantage by .022 seconds, but his car let him down as he slowed to a 7.722 elapsed time at 119.37 mph. Vandergriff headed back to Georgia, while Grubnic went on to claim the event win.
Georgia's favorite in the Funny Car field was ex-Atlantan Whit Bazemore. Bazemore had qualified a strong second at 4.769 at 321.88 mph. In round one, Baze faced Cruz Pedregon. Cruz took a slight starting line advantage, then both competitors went up in smoke. When the smoke cleared, Cruz took the win and another Georgia hopeful was out.
In Pro Stock, only Warren Johnson made the field of the three Georgians who made qualifying attempts. WJ landed in the 14th spot, a very bad showing for him, but better than son KJ, who failed to make the cut. To complete the bad weekend for the Johnsons, WJ was beaten by Larry Morgan in Round One. Although WJ ran a fine 6.683, Morgan beat him off the line and had a better 6.676.
Georgia's favorite Pro Stock Motorcycle rider, Chip Ellis, qualified a strong number four with a 7.059 192.26. In round one, Chip eliminated Mike Berry who fouled with a strong 7.090 run. In round two, Ellis ran a good 7.175 (most bikes slowed down in round two when the sun got hot on the track), but lost to Angelle Sampey’s .003 rt holeshot win. To add insult, Sampey ran only 7.182. At least Chip can say he was beaten by the eventual event winner just like Bob Vandergriff.
In Pro Mod, Georgia's Eddie Ware qualified 13th and lost in Round One to Shelly Payne. Ware was debuting a new car, and it slowed to a 7.48 120mph losing effort. When he gets his new Camaro sorted out, beware!
Georgia's only win came from Super Comp driver Sherman Adcock. Sherman won the event over Jason Wood, brother of last year’s Gatornationals champ Lindsey Wood. Sherman's 8.907 166 beat Wood’s close 8.91 175. Florida-based Wood races a lot in south Georgia, so this was almost an all Georgia final.
Also of note at this year's Gatornationals was a Cacklefest event for restored race cars that are push started like they were in the 60s, then allowed to idle on track until they run out of fuel. For those of us who remember the old days, this is a moving nostalgic event. Participating from Georgia was Valdostan Denny Fenstermaker with his son Cody driving their restored Roger Gates top fuel dragster. Cody handled the push start like a pro and added greatly to the show.
NHRA Recap
Photos
When David Dilbeck obtained media credentials for me to cover the Gatornationals this year, he asked me to write a Georgia perspective on the event. So here goes.
I commuted down to the race from Valdosta on Friday and Sunday. Friday was pretty easy, but Sunday was a massive traffic jam. As I inched toward the track, I finally came in range of the track radio station broadcast of the announcer. The first thing I heard was Stock Eliminator, and the first car I remember was Butch Payne from Rome, Georgia. Unfortunately Butch broke the driveshaft and was out of the event in round two or three. Was this a harbinger of things to come?
In Top Fuel, Georgia hope Bob Vandergriff was qualified in the 12 spot. This put him up against female phenom Hillary Will in round one. Vandergriff tattooed Will at the line and posted a fine 4.522 at 326.08 to take the win. Score one for the Georgians. In Round two, Vandergriff faced David Grubnic. Again, Vandergriff got the starting line advantage by .022 seconds, but his car let him down as he slowed to a 7.722 elapsed time at 119.37 mph. Vandergriff headed back to Georgia, while Grubnic went on to claim the event win.
Georgia's favorite in the Funny Car field was ex-Atlantan Whit Bazemore. Bazemore had qualified a strong second at 4.769 at 321.88 mph. In round one, Baze faced Cruz Pedregon. Cruz took a slight starting line advantage, then both competitors went up in smoke. When the smoke cleared, Cruz took the win and another Georgia hopeful was out.
In Pro Stock, only Warren Johnson made the field of the three Georgians who made qualifying attempts. WJ landed in the 14th spot, a very bad showing for him, but better than son KJ, who failed to make the cut. To complete the bad weekend for the Johnsons, WJ was beaten by Larry Morgan in Round One. Although WJ ran a fine 6.683, Morgan beat him off the line and had a better 6.676.
Georgia's favorite Pro Stock Motorcycle rider, Chip Ellis, qualified a strong number four with a 7.059 192.26. In round one, Chip eliminated Mike Berry who fouled with a strong 7.090 run. In round two, Ellis ran a good 7.175 (most bikes slowed down in round two when the sun got hot on the track), but lost to Angelle Sampey’s .003 rt holeshot win. To add insult, Sampey ran only 7.182. At least Chip can say he was beaten by the eventual event winner just like Bob Vandergriff.
In Pro Mod, Georgia's Eddie Ware qualified 13th and lost in Round One to Shelly Payne. Ware was debuting a new car, and it slowed to a 7.48 120mph losing effort. When he gets his new Camaro sorted out, beware!
Georgia's only win came from Super Comp driver Sherman Adcock. Sherman won the event over Jason Wood, brother of last year’s Gatornationals champ Lindsey Wood. Sherman's 8.907 166 beat Wood’s close 8.91 175. Florida-based Wood races a lot in south Georgia, so this was almost an all Georgia final.
Also of note at this year's Gatornationals was a Cacklefest event for restored race cars that are push started like they were in the 60s, then allowed to idle on track until they run out of fuel. For those of us who remember the old days, this is a moving nostalgic event. Participating from Georgia was Valdostan Denny Fenstermaker with his son Cody driving their restored Roger Gates top fuel dragster. Cody handled the push start like a pro and added greatly to the show.
NHRA Recap
posted by David @ 10:25 PM
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