Championship Awards Banquet at Atlanta Dragway in 2006
VP RACING FUELS / SUMMIT SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS BANQUET PRESENTED BY SNAP-ON TOOLS
by Tim Glover
(November 18) After another year of racing hard with their friends and competitors, Atlanta Dragway racers and their families met at the Emerald Pointe Resort and Conference Center in Buford, GA to enjoy each other's company for the final time in 2006. They came to see their peers awarded for their 2006 accomplishments at the VP Racing Fuels / Summit Series
Championship Awards Banquet, presented by Snap-On Tools.
After an invocation by Racers for Christ pastor Lloyd Shanks, everyone enjoyed a great dinner, followed by dozens of door prizes, including shop rags, Year One hats and gift certificates, Channel-lock tools, VP Fuel jugs, Ruby Tuesday and Applebees' gift certificates and much, much more.
After track manager Ray Wilkings finished handing out the door prizes, he thanked all of the Atlanta Dragway crew for all their hard work that made the banquet possible. He also thanked his wife Darlene for supporting him during the long hours he spent at the track, along with all the wives and significant others who also supported their partners in racing.
Wilkings gave a special thanks to all the supporting sponsors, including, but not limited to, Snap-On Tools, VP Racing Fuels, Commerce Nova Cinemas, Holiday Inn Express Braselton, American Janitorial Supplies, Community Bank and Trust, Coca-Cola, Year One, Emerald Pointe Resort & Conference Center, Hayes Family Dealerships, Ruby Tuesday, Applebee's and Mr. Bill's Souvenirs.
Wilkings recognized some people in attendance, Buford and Beverly Duncan, for all their contributions and help providing VP Racing Fuels to racers at the track. He then recognized Emmett and Lynn Miller of Snap-On Tools, who provided the huge Snap-On Tools base cabinets to the champions in the grown up racers classes, including Motorcycle, Sportsman, Pro and Super Pro.
Wilkings then announced the championship awards, beginning with the racers of tomorrow, the Jr Dragster racers. All the participants were recognized, including racers in the 12.90 (8-9 years old), 8.90 (10-12 years old) and 7.90 (13-17 years old) classes. There were 42 Junior Dragster racers who attended on a weekly basis during the 2006 season. Wilkings thanked their parents, especially the moms, who helped out on a weekly basis with pot luck dinners. He then mentioned Atlanta Dragway won the team spirit award at the recent Jr Dragster national event.
Wilkings recognized all the top 2006 finishers in the other racing classes, including Motorcycle, Sportsman (street tires and mufflers), Pro (no electronics) and Super Pro (electronics allowed).
Special awards were then given out, beginning with Most Improved Driver, which was awarded to Jr Dragster graduate Ashley Dumas, who debuted her dragster this year, and enjoyed a good season. Staging Lanes Director Debbie Blackwell was given a standing ovation following the announcement that she was again selected Employee of the Year. Blackwell handled the tough job with a smile all season, keeping things moving smoothly in the lanes. Following are the rest of the special awards recipients:
Sportsmanship Award - Stan Sinack
Jr. Sportsmanship Award - Kyle Denton
Jr. Dragster Parents of the Year - The Lastingers
Most Inspirational Award - Robert Wilbanks
Best Looking Junior Dragster - tied between Valerie Clements and Chase Mullinax
Best Looking Car - Sportsman - Mel Abney
Best Looking Bike - Motorcycle - Paul Cavanaugh
Best Looking Car - Pro - Bill Boomhower
Best Looking Car - Super Pro - tied between Joe Haddon and Joe Rampley
Attention was then given to the 2006 champions in each class. The first recipient was Cole Wood, the 8-9 year old Jr Dragster champion. Wood made a short speech, "Thanks to my dad." Blake Griffith, the newly crowned 10-12 year old Jr Dragster champ, thanked God first, saying the season would not be possible without Him. He then thanked his family, sponsors and the
Atlanta Dragway crew. Griffith was followed by the 13-17 year old champ, Kyle Denton. Denton also thanked God for keeping everyone safe. He then thanked his parents and grandparents for all the hard work and custom parts that kept his car going all season. He said he would never forget the parade of golf carts coming toward him after he received the 2006 championship.
"But those are good looking 'scratches'," said 2006 Motorcycle champ Paul Cavanaugh, who also won the Best Looking Bike award after he came to the podium. He then mentioned he bought his 2002 Suzuki Hayabusa a year ago, and came to the track figuring he would get beaten, but determined to give it a try. Although he did not win a race during the regular points season, he did earn his first win during the Fall Bracket Bash held in October.
2006 Sportsman champion Chad Brewer was next on stage. Brewer, who raced previously at the now defunct Southeastern International Dragway, thanked all the Atlanta Dragway crew for his season. "I had a blast. The Sportsman guys are great to race with," said Brewer.
Chris Carlile repeated his 2005 performance by winning the 2006 Pro points series, being crowned as champion again. He thanked all the tech guys and Atlanta Dragway workers for putting up with all the hassles they go through during an event. He then thanked his sister, Jessie DiMattina, who has been his biggest cheerleader since he began racing. "It's been great," added Carlile.
"Let's hear it for Thomas Bell," said Wilkings as he announced the final champion, 2006 Super Pro champ Thomas Bell. Bell thanked God for giving him the opportunity to come every week and "goof off". He then thanked the group of people who made it possible, his wife Tammy, his mom, Ed Nalley (engines) and his crew, Angie and Freddie Lewis, who kept the car race ready all year. "All I had to do was get in the car, let go of the button, and take care of the finish line," added Bell. He then thanked Hoosier for his "gollywhopper" tires.
Wilkings thanked everyone for coming and supporting Atlanta Dragway. He then told everyone about how the Atlanta Dragway team did during the recent NHRA / Summit Division Two ET finals. As a team, Atlanta Dragway came in fourth out of 18 teams. Wilkings mentioned one always enthusiastic racer, Kevin Rich, who made it deep into competition by getting to the fifth round, giving the team some of the valuable points needed to finish in fourth place.
Wilkings wrapped up the banquet by announcing that contrary to the rumors floating around, Atlanta Dragway was not sold. He then told everyone in attendance to check the website in January for the new schedule. "Yes, we will be back in 2007. It's the place to race," he added.
Sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Atlanta Dragway is located just off I-85 at Exit 149 in the Banks Crossing area of Commerce, Georgia. Information on all 2007 events may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com .
by Tim Glover
(November 18) After another year of racing hard with their friends and competitors, Atlanta Dragway racers and their families met at the Emerald Pointe Resort and Conference Center in Buford, GA to enjoy each other's company for the final time in 2006. They came to see their peers awarded for their 2006 accomplishments at the VP Racing Fuels / Summit Series
Championship Awards Banquet, presented by Snap-On Tools.
After an invocation by Racers for Christ pastor Lloyd Shanks, everyone enjoyed a great dinner, followed by dozens of door prizes, including shop rags, Year One hats and gift certificates, Channel-lock tools, VP Fuel jugs, Ruby Tuesday and Applebees' gift certificates and much, much more.
After track manager Ray Wilkings finished handing out the door prizes, he thanked all of the Atlanta Dragway crew for all their hard work that made the banquet possible. He also thanked his wife Darlene for supporting him during the long hours he spent at the track, along with all the wives and significant others who also supported their partners in racing.
Wilkings gave a special thanks to all the supporting sponsors, including, but not limited to, Snap-On Tools, VP Racing Fuels, Commerce Nova Cinemas, Holiday Inn Express Braselton, American Janitorial Supplies, Community Bank and Trust, Coca-Cola, Year One, Emerald Pointe Resort & Conference Center, Hayes Family Dealerships, Ruby Tuesday, Applebee's and Mr. Bill's Souvenirs.
Wilkings recognized some people in attendance, Buford and Beverly Duncan, for all their contributions and help providing VP Racing Fuels to racers at the track. He then recognized Emmett and Lynn Miller of Snap-On Tools, who provided the huge Snap-On Tools base cabinets to the champions in the grown up racers classes, including Motorcycle, Sportsman, Pro and Super Pro.
Wilkings then announced the championship awards, beginning with the racers of tomorrow, the Jr Dragster racers. All the participants were recognized, including racers in the 12.90 (8-9 years old), 8.90 (10-12 years old) and 7.90 (13-17 years old) classes. There were 42 Junior Dragster racers who attended on a weekly basis during the 2006 season. Wilkings thanked their parents, especially the moms, who helped out on a weekly basis with pot luck dinners. He then mentioned Atlanta Dragway won the team spirit award at the recent Jr Dragster national event.
Wilkings recognized all the top 2006 finishers in the other racing classes, including Motorcycle, Sportsman (street tires and mufflers), Pro (no electronics) and Super Pro (electronics allowed).
Special awards were then given out, beginning with Most Improved Driver, which was awarded to Jr Dragster graduate Ashley Dumas, who debuted her dragster this year, and enjoyed a good season. Staging Lanes Director Debbie Blackwell was given a standing ovation following the announcement that she was again selected Employee of the Year. Blackwell handled the tough job with a smile all season, keeping things moving smoothly in the lanes. Following are the rest of the special awards recipients:
Sportsmanship Award - Stan Sinack
Jr. Sportsmanship Award - Kyle Denton
Jr. Dragster Parents of the Year - The Lastingers
Most Inspirational Award - Robert Wilbanks
Best Looking Junior Dragster - tied between Valerie Clements and Chase Mullinax
Best Looking Car - Sportsman - Mel Abney
Best Looking Bike - Motorcycle - Paul Cavanaugh
Best Looking Car - Pro - Bill Boomhower
Best Looking Car - Super Pro - tied between Joe Haddon and Joe Rampley
Attention was then given to the 2006 champions in each class. The first recipient was Cole Wood, the 8-9 year old Jr Dragster champion. Wood made a short speech, "Thanks to my dad." Blake Griffith, the newly crowned 10-12 year old Jr Dragster champ, thanked God first, saying the season would not be possible without Him. He then thanked his family, sponsors and the
Atlanta Dragway crew. Griffith was followed by the 13-17 year old champ, Kyle Denton. Denton also thanked God for keeping everyone safe. He then thanked his parents and grandparents for all the hard work and custom parts that kept his car going all season. He said he would never forget the parade of golf carts coming toward him after he received the 2006 championship.
"But those are good looking 'scratches'," said 2006 Motorcycle champ Paul Cavanaugh, who also won the Best Looking Bike award after he came to the podium. He then mentioned he bought his 2002 Suzuki Hayabusa a year ago, and came to the track figuring he would get beaten, but determined to give it a try. Although he did not win a race during the regular points season, he did earn his first win during the Fall Bracket Bash held in October.
2006 Sportsman champion Chad Brewer was next on stage. Brewer, who raced previously at the now defunct Southeastern International Dragway, thanked all the Atlanta Dragway crew for his season. "I had a blast. The Sportsman guys are great to race with," said Brewer.
Chris Carlile repeated his 2005 performance by winning the 2006 Pro points series, being crowned as champion again. He thanked all the tech guys and Atlanta Dragway workers for putting up with all the hassles they go through during an event. He then thanked his sister, Jessie DiMattina, who has been his biggest cheerleader since he began racing. "It's been great," added Carlile.
"Let's hear it for Thomas Bell," said Wilkings as he announced the final champion, 2006 Super Pro champ Thomas Bell. Bell thanked God for giving him the opportunity to come every week and "goof off". He then thanked the group of people who made it possible, his wife Tammy, his mom, Ed Nalley (engines) and his crew, Angie and Freddie Lewis, who kept the car race ready all year. "All I had to do was get in the car, let go of the button, and take care of the finish line," added Bell. He then thanked Hoosier for his "gollywhopper" tires.
Wilkings thanked everyone for coming and supporting Atlanta Dragway. He then told everyone about how the Atlanta Dragway team did during the recent NHRA / Summit Division Two ET finals. As a team, Atlanta Dragway came in fourth out of 18 teams. Wilkings mentioned one always enthusiastic racer, Kevin Rich, who made it deep into competition by getting to the fifth round, giving the team some of the valuable points needed to finish in fourth place.
Wilkings wrapped up the banquet by announcing that contrary to the rumors floating around, Atlanta Dragway was not sold. He then told everyone in attendance to check the website in January for the new schedule. "Yes, we will be back in 2007. It's the place to race," he added.
Sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Atlanta Dragway is located just off I-85 at Exit 149 in the Banks Crossing area of Commerce, Georgia. Information on all 2007 events may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com .
posted by David @ 11:22 PM
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