Snap On Tools Day at the Races at Atlanta Dragway in 2006
FATHER AND SON TEAM WIN TWO ELIMINATORS DURING SNAP ON TOOLS DAY AT THE RACES
by Tim Glover
(Commerce, GA - August 20) Father and son Mark and Jeremy Hancock were jubilant at the end of the Snap On Tools Day at the Races, held at Atlanta Dragway. They had good reason to celebrate, as they both won the eliminator class they entered. For fun, they decided to switch cars for a day. Father Mark won Super Pro in son Jeremy's 2005 M&M Dragster, and Jeremy won Sportsman class with his dad's 2001 Jeep Cherokee.
Mother Nature did let her presence be known with a dramatic lightning show, and a bit of rain. A number of racers left when the rain began, but Atlanta Dragway personnel did their best to dry the track quickly and got the show going again after the rain delay.
Snap On Tools customers Art Petry and Frank Lecuona, who work for Bill Heard Chevrolet in Union City, made the trip together and had a good outing. Petry got to show off his 14 second '83 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, powered by a modified corporate GM engine, complete with Lingenfelter Super Ram fuel injection system. Lecuona drove a pristine '95 Corvette, that still looked
new in spite of 100,000 plus miles and also covered the quarter mile in the 14 second range.
All winners received a $2000 40 inch Lock 'n Roll toolbox base, and the runner ups received a $500 Snap-On 1/2" drive cordless impact wrench. Also, 16 year old Kristin Cook from Auburn, GA, who won the burnout contest earlier in the day with her '86 Camaro, received a Snap-On cordless impact wrench.
Mark Hancock from Commerce, GA was thrilled to win Super Pro with his son's '05 M&M dragster (just moments after son Jeremy won Sportsman). Mark faced Milledgeville, GA racer Levi Archer's fast '84 Buick Regal in the final, and laid down a near perfect 5.008 second pass (5.00 dial) at 137.95mph, coupled with a .505 reaction time. Archer broke out trying to stay ahead of Hancock, with a 5.816 at 119.03mph (5.82 target). Earlier in the day, Jeremy called
Mark and actually had to persuade him to bring the dragster to the track, as Mark's original plans did not include racing. Hancock had a scare in the semi-final round against Victor Yancey, saying he lifted off the throttle early, and accidentally let Yancey take the finish line. Fortunately for Hancock, Yancey broke out by .001 seconds, rendering Yancey ('88 Camaro - Milledgeville, GA) the lone semi-finalist. "That finish line is a whole lot more complicated," exclaimed Hancock. He then added, "How about that! Father and son." He then added with a grin, "and to think, I taught him everything he knows."
"We were just going to have fun, switching cars, and running for a toolbox," said Sportsman winner Jeremy Hancock from Commerce, GA at the end of the race. Hancock chose to drive his dad's '01 Jeep Cherokee for the Snap On Tools event, which turned out to be a great decision. Hancock met Fred Markley's Austell, GA based '01 Corvette in the final, and essentially won
the race at the starting line with a .533 react. He then slammed the door of opportunity shut for Markley by nailing his dial in time of 16.02 with a 16.03 at 80.54mph. Markley's 'Vette, which had a lot of potential under the hood, broke out with a 12.88 at 88.95mph (13.50 dial). John Lawson Sr. ('68 Camaro - Jefferson, GA) and Scott Preves ('93 Lumina - Monroe, GA) were the
semi-final finishers. Hancock added, "I'm so proud of my dad. And to think, I had to talk him into racing today. Also, I want to thank my fiancée Ashley, Paula Hancock and all my friends for their support."
Jerry Hart, a master tech at Heritage Cadillac, took the Pro win against Whit Stark's Jasper, GA based '64 Dodge 330. Stark left the starting line an instant too quickly, resulting in a red light loss. Hart put the pedal to the metal in his Stockbridge, GA based '83 Camaro, and tripped the finish line beams with a decent 12.87 at 105.30mph (12.83 target). Stark also chose to run his machine on out, turning in an otherwise good10.52 at 123.03mph (10.51 dial). Long time B&M racer Tom Wallace ('66 Belvedere II - Carrollton, GA) and Randy Suttles ('81 Malibu - Elberton, GA) ended their day in the semi-final round. Hart used to race Atlanta Dragway in the '80s,
and enjoyed a couple of wins back then. He then took a long hiatus from drag racing, returning about three years ago. Today was his first outing of 2006, and his crew chief Jarret Sparks reminded him out loud that he was the one who made him get out of bed and come to the Snap On show, as Hart was considering staying home.
A large turnout of Motorcycles were also on hand for the Day at the Races. Zach Hulsey of Clermont, GA was the one who emerged on top, with his '98 Suzuki Bandit. Hulsey did not concern himself with the fact that his opponent Hershel Sorrell's '95 Suzuki ZX12 was much faster, and just settled down to the business at hand. He put a .189 second holeshot on Sorrells at the starting line, and then took advantage of that by slowing his bike to an 11.35 at 114.75mph (11.10 dial) at the finish line, crossing it .047 seconds in front of Sorrells. Sorrells was a bit off pace, carding a 9.01 at 137.44mph (8.90 dial). Greg Redd ('96 Honda - Emerson, GA) and Steve Jackson from Bogart, GA finished in the semi-finals. "I want to thank God first,"
said Hulsey. He then thanked Snap-On Tools for hosting the event. He then noted, "I've never won anything like this before." Hulsey has race two wheeled vehicles since the '80s, but did not begin drag racing motorcycles until the end of 2004.
SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mark Hancock '05 M&M dragster Commerce, GA 5.00 137.95 (5.00)
R/U: Levi Archer '84 Regal Milledgeville, GA 5.81 119.03 (5.82)
Semi: Victor Yancey '88 Camaro Milledgeville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jerry Hart '83 Camaro Stockbridge, GA 12.87 105.30 (12.83)
R/U: Whit Starks '64 Dodge 330 Jasper, GA (foul) 10.52 123.03 (10.51)
Semi: Tom Wallace '66 Belvedere II Carrollton, GA
Semi: Randy Suttles '81 Malibu Elberton, GA
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jeremy Hancock '01 Cherokee Commerce, GA 16.03 80.54 (16.02)
R/U: Fred Markley '01 Corvette Austell, GA 12.88 88.95 (13.50)
Semi: John Lawson, Sr '68 Camaro Jefferson, GA
Semi: Scott Preves '93 Lumina Monroe, GA
-----------------------------------------------
MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Zach Hulsey '98 Suzuki Bandit Clermont, GA 11.35 114.75 (11.10)
R/U: Hershel Sorrells '95 Suzuki ZX12 Hull, GA 9.01 137.44 (8.90)
Semi: Greg Redd '96 Honda Emerson, GA
Semi: Steve Jackson motorcycle Bogart, GA
by Tim Glover
(Commerce, GA - August 20) Father and son Mark and Jeremy Hancock were jubilant at the end of the Snap On Tools Day at the Races, held at Atlanta Dragway. They had good reason to celebrate, as they both won the eliminator class they entered. For fun, they decided to switch cars for a day. Father Mark won Super Pro in son Jeremy's 2005 M&M Dragster, and Jeremy won Sportsman class with his dad's 2001 Jeep Cherokee.
Mother Nature did let her presence be known with a dramatic lightning show, and a bit of rain. A number of racers left when the rain began, but Atlanta Dragway personnel did their best to dry the track quickly and got the show going again after the rain delay.
Snap On Tools customers Art Petry and Frank Lecuona, who work for Bill Heard Chevrolet in Union City, made the trip together and had a good outing. Petry got to show off his 14 second '83 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, powered by a modified corporate GM engine, complete with Lingenfelter Super Ram fuel injection system. Lecuona drove a pristine '95 Corvette, that still looked
new in spite of 100,000 plus miles and also covered the quarter mile in the 14 second range.
All winners received a $2000 40 inch Lock 'n Roll toolbox base, and the runner ups received a $500 Snap-On 1/2" drive cordless impact wrench. Also, 16 year old Kristin Cook from Auburn, GA, who won the burnout contest earlier in the day with her '86 Camaro, received a Snap-On cordless impact wrench.
Mark Hancock from Commerce, GA was thrilled to win Super Pro with his son's '05 M&M dragster (just moments after son Jeremy won Sportsman). Mark faced Milledgeville, GA racer Levi Archer's fast '84 Buick Regal in the final, and laid down a near perfect 5.008 second pass (5.00 dial) at 137.95mph, coupled with a .505 reaction time. Archer broke out trying to stay ahead of Hancock, with a 5.816 at 119.03mph (5.82 target). Earlier in the day, Jeremy called
Mark and actually had to persuade him to bring the dragster to the track, as Mark's original plans did not include racing. Hancock had a scare in the semi-final round against Victor Yancey, saying he lifted off the throttle early, and accidentally let Yancey take the finish line. Fortunately for Hancock, Yancey broke out by .001 seconds, rendering Yancey ('88 Camaro - Milledgeville, GA) the lone semi-finalist. "That finish line is a whole lot more complicated," exclaimed Hancock. He then added, "How about that! Father and son." He then added with a grin, "and to think, I taught him everything he knows."
"We were just going to have fun, switching cars, and running for a toolbox," said Sportsman winner Jeremy Hancock from Commerce, GA at the end of the race. Hancock chose to drive his dad's '01 Jeep Cherokee for the Snap On Tools event, which turned out to be a great decision. Hancock met Fred Markley's Austell, GA based '01 Corvette in the final, and essentially won
the race at the starting line with a .533 react. He then slammed the door of opportunity shut for Markley by nailing his dial in time of 16.02 with a 16.03 at 80.54mph. Markley's 'Vette, which had a lot of potential under the hood, broke out with a 12.88 at 88.95mph (13.50 dial). John Lawson Sr. ('68 Camaro - Jefferson, GA) and Scott Preves ('93 Lumina - Monroe, GA) were the
semi-final finishers. Hancock added, "I'm so proud of my dad. And to think, I had to talk him into racing today. Also, I want to thank my fiancée Ashley, Paula Hancock and all my friends for their support."
Jerry Hart, a master tech at Heritage Cadillac, took the Pro win against Whit Stark's Jasper, GA based '64 Dodge 330. Stark left the starting line an instant too quickly, resulting in a red light loss. Hart put the pedal to the metal in his Stockbridge, GA based '83 Camaro, and tripped the finish line beams with a decent 12.87 at 105.30mph (12.83 target). Stark also chose to run his machine on out, turning in an otherwise good10.52 at 123.03mph (10.51 dial). Long time B&M racer Tom Wallace ('66 Belvedere II - Carrollton, GA) and Randy Suttles ('81 Malibu - Elberton, GA) ended their day in the semi-final round. Hart used to race Atlanta Dragway in the '80s,
and enjoyed a couple of wins back then. He then took a long hiatus from drag racing, returning about three years ago. Today was his first outing of 2006, and his crew chief Jarret Sparks reminded him out loud that he was the one who made him get out of bed and come to the Snap On show, as Hart was considering staying home.
A large turnout of Motorcycles were also on hand for the Day at the Races. Zach Hulsey of Clermont, GA was the one who emerged on top, with his '98 Suzuki Bandit. Hulsey did not concern himself with the fact that his opponent Hershel Sorrell's '95 Suzuki ZX12 was much faster, and just settled down to the business at hand. He put a .189 second holeshot on Sorrells at the starting line, and then took advantage of that by slowing his bike to an 11.35 at 114.75mph (11.10 dial) at the finish line, crossing it .047 seconds in front of Sorrells. Sorrells was a bit off pace, carding a 9.01 at 137.44mph (8.90 dial). Greg Redd ('96 Honda - Emerson, GA) and Steve Jackson from Bogart, GA finished in the semi-finals. "I want to thank God first,"
said Hulsey. He then thanked Snap-On Tools for hosting the event. He then noted, "I've never won anything like this before." Hulsey has race two wheeled vehicles since the '80s, but did not begin drag racing motorcycles until the end of 2004.
SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mark Hancock '05 M&M dragster Commerce, GA 5.00 137.95 (5.00)
R/U: Levi Archer '84 Regal Milledgeville, GA 5.81 119.03 (5.82)
Semi: Victor Yancey '88 Camaro Milledgeville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jerry Hart '83 Camaro Stockbridge, GA 12.87 105.30 (12.83)
R/U: Whit Starks '64 Dodge 330 Jasper, GA (foul) 10.52 123.03 (10.51)
Semi: Tom Wallace '66 Belvedere II Carrollton, GA
Semi: Randy Suttles '81 Malibu Elberton, GA
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jeremy Hancock '01 Cherokee Commerce, GA 16.03 80.54 (16.02)
R/U: Fred Markley '01 Corvette Austell, GA 12.88 88.95 (13.50)
Semi: John Lawson, Sr '68 Camaro Jefferson, GA
Semi: Scott Preves '93 Lumina Monroe, GA
-----------------------------------------------
MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Zach Hulsey '98 Suzuki Bandit Clermont, GA 11.35 114.75 (11.10)
R/U: Hershel Sorrells '95 Suzuki ZX12 Hull, GA 9.01 137.44 (8.90)
Semi: Greg Redd '96 Honda Emerson, GA
Semi: Steve Jackson motorcycle Bogart, GA
posted by David @ 2:54 AM
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