WAGNER FAMILY IN PRO AND SPORTSMAN FINALS, FATHER WINS NATIONAL DRAGSTER CHALLENGE IN PRO CLASS
RACE DATE: July 21, 2007
FROM: Tim Glover
EVENT: National Dragster Challenge and RFC day at Atlanta Dragway in 2007
(Commerce, GA - August 4) Racers enjoyed several events within an event today at Atlanta Dragway, in spite of the expected hot and humid August weather. The annual National Dragster Challenge and the OReilly Jr Drag Racing League Challenge was held along with the annual Racers For Christ (RFC) day. The Sons of Thunder Outreach Ministries set up shop near the
staging lanes, inviting everyone over for lunch. Alongside the Sons of Thunder, a band from the North Henry Baptist Church was making a joyful, if somewhat raucous, noise to the Lord.
National Dragster Challenge winners were awarded a pewter "Wally" trophy, a smaller version of the same trophy that NHRA national and divisional event winners receive. OReilly Jr Drag Racing League Challenge winners were awarded a Racebricks collectible car. In addition, RFC awarded trophies to each winner and runner up in competition.
The Wagner family enjoyed a great day of racing, with father Pete Wagner taking the Pro win. One of Wagner's sons, Jeff, also enjoyed a runner up finish in Sportsman. A 1967 Camaro was present in all three "Big Car" final rounds, with two of them taking the win light. Also, a red light start (leaving before the green starting light comes on) determined the winner in four of the five final rounds contested today, with the younger Jr Dragster finalists being the only pair leaving the starting line with both green lights glowing.
"I'll be 60 in December, and this weather is telling on me! If there had been two more rounds, I don't know if I would have made it," exclaimed Super Pro winner Kenny Brown. Brown has been chasing gremlins in his Roswell, GA based '67 Camaro for two months, and finally narrowed it down to the distributor cap, coil or rotor (he replaced all three). The immediate reward was a final round win light against Loganville, GA racer Clay Fancher's Team PTI dragster, which left the starting line too early, leaving the cherry colored bulb glowing. Brown posted a flat out and 5.90 at 115.59mph for the win (5.93 dial), and Fancher's '98 Horton dragster put a 5.38 at 127.57mph (5.37 target) on the scoreboards. Doug Richardson ('02 Miller dragster -
Ballground, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. "This is my first one (Wally). Thank you very much," added Brown. Fancher noted, "I didn't get the silver one, but I got this nice shiny gold one! (the RFC trophy)"
Pete Wagner won his first drag race since 1978, and also enjoyed winning his first ever "Wally" trophy. (Wagner gave up racing in the '80s to raise a family with his wife Sharon.) Wagner's Jefferson, GA based '71 Demon was actually a bit too quick in the final round, putting a breakout 7.74 at 89.04mph on the scoreboards (7.77 dial), but the win was his the moment Dickey Forrester ('67 Camaro - Hickory Flat, GA) left the starting line .005 seconds early, lighting up the dreaded tomato colored foul bulb. Forrester's mount went on to a 6.55 at 105.04mph (6.53 dial). Howard Warren ('72 Maverick - Douglasville, GA) ended his day in the semi-final round. A humble Wagner first said he wanted to give all the glory to God. He then thanked his beautiful and understanding wife Sharon for helping make his win happen. "I've been brainwashing these kids into liking the sport," added Wagner, whose sons also race.
Cumming, GA racer Mel Abney pulled off his second Sportsman win in a row with his '67 Camaro, this time against another Wagner family member, Jeff. Wagner's Jefferson, GA based '03 Neon was just too quick on the starting line, and left the red light glowing on the "Christmas Tree" as a reward. Abney, who reacted to Wagner's car leaving the line, was also actually too
quick (-.021 react), but the rule in NHRA is the first or worst, and Wagner red-lit first. Wagner posted a slight breakout 13.22 at 105.06mph (13.25 dial) and Abney slowed a bit to a 13.30 at 106.39mph (13.18 dial). "This is wild. It's the third time I've won the Wally!," said Abney. "My wife's been complaining about having to dust too many trophies," he added with a smile. Hank Wilhelm ('00 Chevy truck - Commerce, GA) and Sid Hopper ('73 Plymouth - Gainesville, GA) were the semi-finalist pair.
Sixteen year old Danielle Krause from Peachtree City, GA also won for the second time in a row, in 13-17 Jr Dragster class. Krause, who still holds the Outlaw 330 record of 4.231 seconds, received the instant win light the moment her opponent, Harvey Snelgrove (15 - Dahlonega, GA) left the starting line with the foul light glowing. Krause went on to a breakout win of 7.95
at 82.60mph (8.04 dial), and Snelgrove also broke out slightly with an 8.08 at 81.32mph (8.09 target). Ashley Snelgrove (13 - Dahlonega, GA) and Kyle Denton (17 - McDonough, GA) were the semi-finalists. Krause thanked her sponsors, PHP and PAI for their help. Her happy father added, "That girl's been on a roll."
Twelve year old Dylan Hutchins from Monroe, GA earned the 8-12 Jr Dragster win against Cole Wood (9 - Jefferson, GA) in the only all green light final round of the day. Hutchins' dad had been having a tough time trying to dial the car all day, and it was off again in the final, breaking out with an 8.93 at 71.73mph (8.99 dial). However, Wood's machine broke out even more, with a 13.03 at 48.68mph (13.10). Wesley Mayfield (11 - Gainesville, GA) and Mitchell Hennessee (12 - Dallas, GA) earned the semi-finalist trophy. Hutchins thanked Kenny Faust and Robert Meeker of Comcast for their help. He then thanked his family and Bill Gillen for their help with his win. "He did his job driving, we did the dialing, and pulled it off," his dad 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 http://www.atlantadragway.com/ .
------------------------------------------------
SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Kenny Brown '67 Camaro Roswell, GA 5.90 115.59 (5.93)
R/U: Clay Fancher '98 Horton dragster Loganville, GA
(foul) 5.38 127.57 (5.37)
Semi: Doug Richardson '02 Miller dragster Ballground, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Pete Wagner '71 Demon Jefferson, GA 7.74 89.04 (7.77)
R/U: Dickey Forrester '67 Camaro Hickory Flat, GA (foul)6.55 105.04 (6.53)
Semi: Howard Warren '72 Maverick Douglasville, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA 13.30 106.39 (13.18)
R/U: Jeff Wagner '03 Neon Jefferson, GA (foul) 13.22 105.06 (13.25)
Semi: Sid Hopper '73 Plymouth Gainesville, GA
Semi: Hank Wilhelm '00 Chevy truck Commerce, GA
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dylan Hutchins 12 Monroe, GA 8.93 71.73 (8.99)
R/U: Cole Wood 9 Jefferson, GA 13.03 48.68 (13.10)
Semi: Wesley Mayfield 11 Gainesville, GA
Semi: Mitchell Hennessee 12 Dallas, GA
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Danielle Krause 16 Peachtree City, GA 7.95 82.60 (8.04)
R/U: Harvey Snelgrove 15 Dahlonega, GA (foul) 8.08 81.32 (8.09)
Semi: Ashley Snelgrove 13 Dahlonega, GA
Semi: Kyle Denton 17 McDonough, GA
FROM: Tim Glover
EVENT: National Dragster Challenge and RFC day at Atlanta Dragway in 2007
(Commerce, GA - August 4) Racers enjoyed several events within an event today at Atlanta Dragway, in spite of the expected hot and humid August weather. The annual National Dragster Challenge and the OReilly Jr Drag Racing League Challenge was held along with the annual Racers For Christ (RFC) day. The Sons of Thunder Outreach Ministries set up shop near the
staging lanes, inviting everyone over for lunch. Alongside the Sons of Thunder, a band from the North Henry Baptist Church was making a joyful, if somewhat raucous, noise to the Lord.
National Dragster Challenge winners were awarded a pewter "Wally" trophy, a smaller version of the same trophy that NHRA national and divisional event winners receive. OReilly Jr Drag Racing League Challenge winners were awarded a Racebricks collectible car. In addition, RFC awarded trophies to each winner and runner up in competition.
The Wagner family enjoyed a great day of racing, with father Pete Wagner taking the Pro win. One of Wagner's sons, Jeff, also enjoyed a runner up finish in Sportsman. A 1967 Camaro was present in all three "Big Car" final rounds, with two of them taking the win light. Also, a red light start (leaving before the green starting light comes on) determined the winner in four of the five final rounds contested today, with the younger Jr Dragster finalists being the only pair leaving the starting line with both green lights glowing.
"I'll be 60 in December, and this weather is telling on me! If there had been two more rounds, I don't know if I would have made it," exclaimed Super Pro winner Kenny Brown. Brown has been chasing gremlins in his Roswell, GA based '67 Camaro for two months, and finally narrowed it down to the distributor cap, coil or rotor (he replaced all three). The immediate reward was a final round win light against Loganville, GA racer Clay Fancher's Team PTI dragster, which left the starting line too early, leaving the cherry colored bulb glowing. Brown posted a flat out and 5.90 at 115.59mph for the win (5.93 dial), and Fancher's '98 Horton dragster put a 5.38 at 127.57mph (5.37 target) on the scoreboards. Doug Richardson ('02 Miller dragster -
Ballground, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. "This is my first one (Wally). Thank you very much," added Brown. Fancher noted, "I didn't get the silver one, but I got this nice shiny gold one! (the RFC trophy)"
Pete Wagner won his first drag race since 1978, and also enjoyed winning his first ever "Wally" trophy. (Wagner gave up racing in the '80s to raise a family with his wife Sharon.) Wagner's Jefferson, GA based '71 Demon was actually a bit too quick in the final round, putting a breakout 7.74 at 89.04mph on the scoreboards (7.77 dial), but the win was his the moment Dickey Forrester ('67 Camaro - Hickory Flat, GA) left the starting line .005 seconds early, lighting up the dreaded tomato colored foul bulb. Forrester's mount went on to a 6.55 at 105.04mph (6.53 dial). Howard Warren ('72 Maverick - Douglasville, GA) ended his day in the semi-final round. A humble Wagner first said he wanted to give all the glory to God. He then thanked his beautiful and understanding wife Sharon for helping make his win happen. "I've been brainwashing these kids into liking the sport," added Wagner, whose sons also race.
Cumming, GA racer Mel Abney pulled off his second Sportsman win in a row with his '67 Camaro, this time against another Wagner family member, Jeff. Wagner's Jefferson, GA based '03 Neon was just too quick on the starting line, and left the red light glowing on the "Christmas Tree" as a reward. Abney, who reacted to Wagner's car leaving the line, was also actually too
quick (-.021 react), but the rule in NHRA is the first or worst, and Wagner red-lit first. Wagner posted a slight breakout 13.22 at 105.06mph (13.25 dial) and Abney slowed a bit to a 13.30 at 106.39mph (13.18 dial). "This is wild. It's the third time I've won the Wally!," said Abney. "My wife's been complaining about having to dust too many trophies," he added with a smile. Hank Wilhelm ('00 Chevy truck - Commerce, GA) and Sid Hopper ('73 Plymouth - Gainesville, GA) were the semi-finalist pair.
Sixteen year old Danielle Krause from Peachtree City, GA also won for the second time in a row, in 13-17 Jr Dragster class. Krause, who still holds the Outlaw 330 record of 4.231 seconds, received the instant win light the moment her opponent, Harvey Snelgrove (15 - Dahlonega, GA) left the starting line with the foul light glowing. Krause went on to a breakout win of 7.95
at 82.60mph (8.04 dial), and Snelgrove also broke out slightly with an 8.08 at 81.32mph (8.09 target). Ashley Snelgrove (13 - Dahlonega, GA) and Kyle Denton (17 - McDonough, GA) were the semi-finalists. Krause thanked her sponsors, PHP and PAI for their help. Her happy father added, "That girl's been on a roll."
Twelve year old Dylan Hutchins from Monroe, GA earned the 8-12 Jr Dragster win against Cole Wood (9 - Jefferson, GA) in the only all green light final round of the day. Hutchins' dad had been having a tough time trying to dial the car all day, and it was off again in the final, breaking out with an 8.93 at 71.73mph (8.99 dial). However, Wood's machine broke out even more, with a 13.03 at 48.68mph (13.10). Wesley Mayfield (11 - Gainesville, GA) and Mitchell Hennessee (12 - Dallas, GA) earned the semi-finalist trophy. Hutchins thanked Kenny Faust and Robert Meeker of Comcast for their help. He then thanked his family and Bill Gillen for their help with his win. "He did his job driving, we did the dialing, and pulled it off," his dad 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 http://www.atlantadragway.com/ .
------------------------------------------------
SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Kenny Brown '67 Camaro Roswell, GA 5.90 115.59 (5.93)
R/U: Clay Fancher '98 Horton dragster Loganville, GA
(foul) 5.38 127.57 (5.37)
Semi: Doug Richardson '02 Miller dragster Ballground, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Pete Wagner '71 Demon Jefferson, GA 7.74 89.04 (7.77)
R/U: Dickey Forrester '67 Camaro Hickory Flat, GA (foul)6.55 105.04 (6.53)
Semi: Howard Warren '72 Maverick Douglasville, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA 13.30 106.39 (13.18)
R/U: Jeff Wagner '03 Neon Jefferson, GA (foul) 13.22 105.06 (13.25)
Semi: Sid Hopper '73 Plymouth Gainesville, GA
Semi: Hank Wilhelm '00 Chevy truck Commerce, GA
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dylan Hutchins 12 Monroe, GA 8.93 71.73 (8.99)
R/U: Cole Wood 9 Jefferson, GA 13.03 48.68 (13.10)
Semi: Wesley Mayfield 11 Gainesville, GA
Semi: Mitchell Hennessee 12 Dallas, GA
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Danielle Krause 16 Peachtree City, GA 7.95 82.60 (8.04)
R/U: Harvey Snelgrove 15 Dahlonega, GA (foul) 8.08 81.32 (8.09)
Semi: Ashley Snelgrove 13 Dahlonega, GA
Semi: Kyle Denton 17 McDonough, GA
posted by David @ 10:28 PM
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