Hayes Southeastern Mopar Meet at Atlanta Dragway
RACE DATE: September 8, 2007
FROM: Tim Glover
TALLEY NEARLY DOUBLES, MOPAR SWEEPS ALL BUT SUPER PRO AT HAYES MOPAR MEET 2007
(Commerce, GA - September 8) The 23rd annual Hayes Southeastern Mopar Meet 2007 was enjoyed again by thousands of spectators and several hundred racers. The racing action in six of the nine classes on the schedule (the other three were SRT and two Jr Dragster classes) featured a "Mopar versus the World" format, in which all makes of vehicles were welcome to compete. For the first time, Mopar took all the wins but one, and Dennis Brothers runner upped in that class (Super Pro) with his '71 Demon. "Big Earl" Talley nearly pulled off a double win with his '03 Dodge RAM, winning Sportsman and finishing runner-up in Diesel Bracket.
Two days of action were barely enough for Mopar fans to enjoy everything the event had to offer. Friday was a set up day for many vendors, followed by an open test and tune and grudge racing session beginning in the late afternoon. Saturday was the main event for participants.
Mopar Pro Stock racers Richie "The Kid" Stevens and Allen Johnson were on site, meeting and greeting the fans, signing autographs, posing for pictures and making passes down the track before they left for their next race. Les Shockley's "Super Shockwave" twin Pratt & Whitney jet engine powered truck wowed the crowd with flame throwing 200+ mph passes. The Freestyle Motocross Team featured three riders doing jumps and stunts, going over 30 feet high in the air between the ramps. There was even a radio controlled race car event set up next to the awards tent for the younger (and older also) fan's enjoyment.
Thirty eight class winners were awarded trophies in the Mopar Car Show, held on the grounds near the staging lanes. Warren Fulmer from Zephyr Hills, Fla. entered his ultra fast 11 second '03 SRT Neon in both the show and the race and was rewarded with a semi-final finish in the SRT Shootout. No Mopar car show is complete without a winged car, and Buford, Ga. resident Steve Stoke's '70 Superbird, powered by a 440 Super Commando engine, was a prime example. One of the cooler older model cars on display was Phyllis Gilbert's "Ole Blue" '33 Dodge. Just before the main race began, car show participants were invited to make a parade lap down the return road in front of the grandstands with their vehicles, giving fans in the stands a close up look of their machinery in motion.
The Hayes Wholesale Parts booth was located on the manufacturer's midway, which stretched down the track behind the grandstands for nearly a quarter mile. Many different Mopar parts, both new, used, and thoroughly used, were available for sale in the swap meet. Year One had a very sharp display of their restoration parts, including a restified 505 powered '69 Roadrunner
convertible. Goodmark industries had a project car featuring some of their restoration sheetmetal. Mopar Direct Connection brought a large display, including three different Hemi crate engines and a 440 Super Commando crate engine.
Dave Dunbar brought his Diesel Performance Motorsports Dynojet Chassis Dyno to the event again, giving free dyno pulls on a first come, first serve basis, courtesy of Hayes Family Dealerships.
Pritchett Tire sponsored the burnout contest again for 2007, where contestants attempted to create the biggest smokescreen possible with their vehicle. The Minnette family from Hiwassee, GA took another victory with their 5000 pound '76 Dodge Sportsman van, featuring a new ram air system and 3.55 rear gears. John Minette was the pilot this time, as his wife Dianne has retired from competition. Pritchett Tire awarded them four new tires for their efforts.
The Car Corral held many available-for-sale Mopars, including the '65 "Country Cuda" Plymouth Barracuda campaigned for nearly twenty years by Amos Martin. The car is conservatively set up for 6.70s in the eighth mile and 10.60s in the quarter mile course. He said there was over $50,000 invested, but he was selling it for $25,000. "I'm past 70 now. I need to let somebody else play with it now," Martin added.
Only one Mopar remained by the quarter-final round of Super Pro, but Dennis Brothers prevailed until the final with his Byrom, Ga. based '71 Demon. However, Bubba Rich from Gainesville, Ga. took the win with his '02 Firebird, courtesy of a 5.326 at 132.44mph pass (5.31 dial) after Brothers went just a bit too quick, breaking out with a 6.793 at 100.06mph (6.80
dial). John Smith ('72 Vega - Bowersville, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. Prior to their final round matchup, Rich told Brothers "If you're still here (in the final) in a door car, you deserve the Mopar bonus (awarded to winner and runner up if they are driving a Mopar product)". Brothers was OK with the runner up position, mentioning he did the same thing over the Memorial Day weekend earlier this season during the Southern Mopar Club event at Southeast Georgia Motorsports Park.
Five of the six cars remaining by the Pro quarter-final round were Mopars, ensuring a good day for them. Brad Bauman from New Smyrna Beach, Fla. bought his '69 Dodge Dart new, and began racing it in 1970. Bauman used his skills to help win, reacting with a telepathic .001 second time. His car fell off to an 11.40 at 118.49mph, but by then the race was his after Gerald Wright of Ballground, GA went red with a -.005 second time. Wright's "under construction" (it still needs painting) '71 Plymouth Scamp was otherwise right on the money, posting a 10.91 at 121.99mph (10.90 target). Dave Blevins ('70 Dodge Dart -Alpharetta, Ga.) won the semi-finalist portion of the purse. "Thanks to my crew, Hope, Jeff and Sarah," added Bauman.
Sportsman also featured an all Mopar final, with "Big Earl" Talley of Bowling Green, KY claiming victory with his '03 Dodge RAM truck. Because of his holeshot (a better reaction time) advantage, Talley was able to scrub off a bit of time at the big end of the track, carding the winning 13.42 at 97.46mph pass (13.31 dial). John Snapp from Conyers, Ga., broke out with his
'68 Charger, going 13.66 at 95.97mph (13.69 target). Snapp has raced his Charger in every Mopar show since 2000, when he began competing. Newly crowned Atlanta Dragway Sportsman champion Mel Abney ('67 Camaro - Cumming, Ga.) ended his day in the semi-final round. Talley won the Diesel Bracket Shootout in 2005, won Pro in 2006 (at the Mopar show), and has now added a Sportsman win to his resume in 2007. "I'm going to have to run Super Pro
here next year," Talley commented.
The 13-17 Jr Dragster final featured the same contestants and virtually identical elapsed times as the 2006 final, but different winners. A red light start determined the victory again, but this time "Mad Matt" Gillen of Gainesville, Ga. was the beneficiary of Chase Mullinax's too-quick react of -.013 seconds. Gillen was on his game with his Motivational Tubing car, carding a 7.935 at 83.36mph (7.90 dial), and Mullinax took the stripe with a virtually identical 7.936 second time at 81.87mph (7.90 dial) in his Buford, Ga. based racecar. Both Gillen and Mullinax celebrated their 16th birthday this week. Knowing that his car needed some tuning adjustments coming into first round, Gillen went ahead and made the changes, even though he was aware the changes could also hurt. However, his call was spot on, as he went 7.904 on a 7.90 dial for the first round win. Brittany "Glitterjaws" Harper (14 - Meansville, Ga.) and Jordan Thurmond (15 - Statham, Ga.) earned the semi-finalist trophies. This was Gillen's third final and second win in
three years. Gillen first thanked God. He then thanked Tim and Arlen from Motivational Tubing, Roy Whaley, and his dad. He then added that he missed his team mates Barry and Joshua Sisson.
Similar to the older final, the 8-12 year old Jr Dragster finalists were nearly wired together at the starting and the finish line. Wesley Mayfield (11 - Gainesville, Ga.) enjoyed winning with his brand new car, which posted an 8.978 at 71.52mph (8.96 dial). His opponent, Dylan Hutchins (12 - Monroe, Ga.) was close, but second across the stripe with an 8.975 at 71.11mph. Dylan Kent (12 - Acworth, Ga.) was the semi-final finisher. Hutchins' mom added with a smile that Wesley could also thank her for getting the dial-in time on Dylan's car wrong. Mayfield's dad then added, "I got lucky one time and dialed ours right." Hutchins is currently the 8-12 points leader in Atlanta Dragway's weekly Summit ET Series program.
Kevin Meredith from Bowling Green, KY earned bragging rights in the DHRA (Diesel Hot Rod Association) Pro-Street Diesel class after defeating Micky Davis of Pelham, Ga courtesy of a better reaction time. Making it even more exciting was their finish was one of the fastest and closest of all the classes contested. Although Davis' '96 Dodge RAM was perfect on the 10.50
index with a 10.500 elapsed time (at 125.13mph), he crossed the top end stripe a mere .006 seconds behind Meredith's '01 "Caged Fury" '01 Dodge RAM. Meredith's machine was also close to the index with a 10.525 at 121.03mph. Jimmy Dale Smith ('98 Dodge RAM - Danville, KY).
The DHRA Quick Diesel class returned for 2007, with its 12.00 second index. Jim "Lucky Dog" Layden from Glenwood City, Wisconsin had to settle for runner up in the 2006 race because he was the second person across the finish line. He was second across the win stripe again in 2007, but this time it was because he "treed" opponent Matt Wells Jr ('94 Dodge RAM 2500 -
Middleburg, Fla.) at the starting line with a better reaction time, which helped cause Wells to break out with an 11.965 at 113.03mph. Layden posted the winning time of 12.08 at 113.92mph with his '94 Dodge RAM, which he drives to the racetrack. Bruce Block ('04 Dodge RAM - White Pigeon, MI) ended his day in the semi-final round.
The DPM (Diesel Performance Motorsports) Diesel Shootout features street driven diesel trucks that are still very quick. K.J. "El Destructo" Kitchens from Bowling Green, KY enjoyed taking the top spot with his '06 Dodge RAM against his neighbor, "Big Earl" Talley, also from Bowling Green. The DHRA announcer exclaimed, "He's a bracket racing machine!" This win was Kitchens' fourth Diesel Shootout win in a row. Kitchens' "El Destructo" tag came from a past event where three of the four trucks Kitchens was racing experienced dramatic failures, even though his truck owner said they were not his fault. Talley, who claimed the Sportsman win a few minutes earlier, almost doubled up with his '03 Dodge RAM, but a slightly tardier reaction time put him .005 seconds behind Kitchens at the finish line with a 13.304 at 98.80mph (13.28
dial). Kitchens winning ET was 13.051 at 99.70mph (13.02 target). Joel Greathouse ('06 Dodge RAM - Oakland, KY) was the semi-final finisher.
The SRT Shootout featured some really fast factory iron. Chris Moore from Greenville, SC recently purchased his Hemi powered SRT-8 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and came to the Mopar show just to see what was happening. After arriving, he got the bug to try his machine out on the track, so he had to go to a nearby outlet store and purchase the required long pants. He then rented a helmet, jumped in, and proceeded to win. Moore is not a complete stranger to going fast, as he claims several Outlaw Pro motorcycle titles, and his other car is a supercharged '99 Dodge Viper GTS. Moore met Jeff Wagner ('03 Dodge Neon - Jefferson, Ga.) in the final, and used a slightly better react coupled with a .01 over 13.591 at 87.91mph (13.58 dial) to defeat Wagner's 13.43 at 105.70mph (13.23 dial). In the 2006 event, Wagner was one of the SRT semi-finalists, and for 2007, Warren Fulmer ('03 Neon - Zephyr Hills, Fla.) got to claim the semi-final finisher "honors".
A special thanks also goes to the Lake City Cruisers and the North Georgia Mopar Club for all their help in making the 23rd annual Hayes Southeastern Mopar Meet 2007 a success.
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 2006 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: Bubba Rich '02 Firebird Gainesville, GA 5.32 132.44 (5.31)
R/U: Dennis Brothers '71 Demon Byrom, GA 6.79 100.06 (6.80)
Semi: John Smith '72 Vega Bowersville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Brad Bauman '69 Dodge Dart New Smyrna Bch, FL 11.40 118.49 (11.14)
R/U: Gerald Wright '71 Plymouth Scamp Ballground, GA
(foul) 10.91 121.99 (10.90)
Semi: Dave Blevins '70 Dodge Dart Alpharetta, GA
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Big Earl" Talley '03 Dodge RAM Bowling Green, KY 13.42 97.46 (13.31)
R/U: John Snapp '68 Charger Conyers, GA 13.66 95.97 (13.69)
Semi: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Wesley Mayfield 11 Gainesville, GA 8.978 71.52 (8.96)
R/U: Dylan Hutchins 12 Monroe, GA 8.975 71.11 (8.90)
Semi: Dylan Kent 12 Acworth, GA
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Mad Matt" Gillen 16 Gainesville, GA 7.935 83.36 (7.90)
R/U: Chase Mullinax 16 Buford, GA (foul) 7.936 81.87 (7.90)
Semi: Brittany "Glitterjaws" Harper 14 Meansville, GA
Semi: Jordan Thurmond 15 Statham, GA
-----------------------------------------------
DHRA PRO-STREET TRUCK HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Kevin Meredith '01 Dodge RAM Bowling Green, KY 10.525 121.03 (10.50)
R/U: Micky Davis '96 Dodge RAM Pelham, GA 10.500 125.13 (10.50)
Semi: Jimmy Dale Smith '98 Dodge RAM Danville, KY
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
DHRA QUICK DIESEL TRUCK HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: Jim "Lucky Dog" Layden '94 Dodge RAM Glenwood City,
WI 12.08 113.92 (12.00)
R/U: Matt Wells Jr '94 Dodge RAM Middleburg, FL 11.96 113.03 (12.00)
Semi: Bruce Block '04 Dodge RAM
-----------------------------------------------
DPM DIESEL SHOOTOUT TRUCK HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: KJ "El Destructo" Kitchens '06 Dodge RAM Bowling Green,
KY 13.05 99.70 (13.02)
R/U: "Big Earl" Talley '03 Dodge RAM Bowling Green, KY 13.30 98.80 (13.28)
Semi: Joel Greathouse '06 Dodge RAM Oakland, KY
-----------------------------------------------
SRT CLASS CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chris Moore '07 Grand Cherokee Greenville, SC 13.59 87.91 (13.58)
R/U: Jeff Wagner '03 Dodge Neon Jefferson, GA 13.43 105.70 (13.23)
Semi: Warren Fulmer '03 Dodge Neon Zephyr Hills, FL
Semi:
FROM: Tim Glover
TALLEY NEARLY DOUBLES, MOPAR SWEEPS ALL BUT SUPER PRO AT HAYES MOPAR MEET 2007
(Commerce, GA - September 8) The 23rd annual Hayes Southeastern Mopar Meet 2007 was enjoyed again by thousands of spectators and several hundred racers. The racing action in six of the nine classes on the schedule (the other three were SRT and two Jr Dragster classes) featured a "Mopar versus the World" format, in which all makes of vehicles were welcome to compete. For the first time, Mopar took all the wins but one, and Dennis Brothers runner upped in that class (Super Pro) with his '71 Demon. "Big Earl" Talley nearly pulled off a double win with his '03 Dodge RAM, winning Sportsman and finishing runner-up in Diesel Bracket.
Two days of action were barely enough for Mopar fans to enjoy everything the event had to offer. Friday was a set up day for many vendors, followed by an open test and tune and grudge racing session beginning in the late afternoon. Saturday was the main event for participants.
Mopar Pro Stock racers Richie "The Kid" Stevens and Allen Johnson were on site, meeting and greeting the fans, signing autographs, posing for pictures and making passes down the track before they left for their next race. Les Shockley's "Super Shockwave" twin Pratt & Whitney jet engine powered truck wowed the crowd with flame throwing 200+ mph passes. The Freestyle Motocross Team featured three riders doing jumps and stunts, going over 30 feet high in the air between the ramps. There was even a radio controlled race car event set up next to the awards tent for the younger (and older also) fan's enjoyment.
Thirty eight class winners were awarded trophies in the Mopar Car Show, held on the grounds near the staging lanes. Warren Fulmer from Zephyr Hills, Fla. entered his ultra fast 11 second '03 SRT Neon in both the show and the race and was rewarded with a semi-final finish in the SRT Shootout. No Mopar car show is complete without a winged car, and Buford, Ga. resident Steve Stoke's '70 Superbird, powered by a 440 Super Commando engine, was a prime example. One of the cooler older model cars on display was Phyllis Gilbert's "Ole Blue" '33 Dodge. Just before the main race began, car show participants were invited to make a parade lap down the return road in front of the grandstands with their vehicles, giving fans in the stands a close up look of their machinery in motion.
The Hayes Wholesale Parts booth was located on the manufacturer's midway, which stretched down the track behind the grandstands for nearly a quarter mile. Many different Mopar parts, both new, used, and thoroughly used, were available for sale in the swap meet. Year One had a very sharp display of their restoration parts, including a restified 505 powered '69 Roadrunner
convertible. Goodmark industries had a project car featuring some of their restoration sheetmetal. Mopar Direct Connection brought a large display, including three different Hemi crate engines and a 440 Super Commando crate engine.
Dave Dunbar brought his Diesel Performance Motorsports Dynojet Chassis Dyno to the event again, giving free dyno pulls on a first come, first serve basis, courtesy of Hayes Family Dealerships.
Pritchett Tire sponsored the burnout contest again for 2007, where contestants attempted to create the biggest smokescreen possible with their vehicle. The Minnette family from Hiwassee, GA took another victory with their 5000 pound '76 Dodge Sportsman van, featuring a new ram air system and 3.55 rear gears. John Minette was the pilot this time, as his wife Dianne has retired from competition. Pritchett Tire awarded them four new tires for their efforts.
The Car Corral held many available-for-sale Mopars, including the '65 "Country Cuda" Plymouth Barracuda campaigned for nearly twenty years by Amos Martin. The car is conservatively set up for 6.70s in the eighth mile and 10.60s in the quarter mile course. He said there was over $50,000 invested, but he was selling it for $25,000. "I'm past 70 now. I need to let somebody else play with it now," Martin added.
Only one Mopar remained by the quarter-final round of Super Pro, but Dennis Brothers prevailed until the final with his Byrom, Ga. based '71 Demon. However, Bubba Rich from Gainesville, Ga. took the win with his '02 Firebird, courtesy of a 5.326 at 132.44mph pass (5.31 dial) after Brothers went just a bit too quick, breaking out with a 6.793 at 100.06mph (6.80
dial). John Smith ('72 Vega - Bowersville, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. Prior to their final round matchup, Rich told Brothers "If you're still here (in the final) in a door car, you deserve the Mopar bonus (awarded to winner and runner up if they are driving a Mopar product)". Brothers was OK with the runner up position, mentioning he did the same thing over the Memorial Day weekend earlier this season during the Southern Mopar Club event at Southeast Georgia Motorsports Park.
Five of the six cars remaining by the Pro quarter-final round were Mopars, ensuring a good day for them. Brad Bauman from New Smyrna Beach, Fla. bought his '69 Dodge Dart new, and began racing it in 1970. Bauman used his skills to help win, reacting with a telepathic .001 second time. His car fell off to an 11.40 at 118.49mph, but by then the race was his after Gerald Wright of Ballground, GA went red with a -.005 second time. Wright's "under construction" (it still needs painting) '71 Plymouth Scamp was otherwise right on the money, posting a 10.91 at 121.99mph (10.90 target). Dave Blevins ('70 Dodge Dart -Alpharetta, Ga.) won the semi-finalist portion of the purse. "Thanks to my crew, Hope, Jeff and Sarah," added Bauman.
Sportsman also featured an all Mopar final, with "Big Earl" Talley of Bowling Green, KY claiming victory with his '03 Dodge RAM truck. Because of his holeshot (a better reaction time) advantage, Talley was able to scrub off a bit of time at the big end of the track, carding the winning 13.42 at 97.46mph pass (13.31 dial). John Snapp from Conyers, Ga., broke out with his
'68 Charger, going 13.66 at 95.97mph (13.69 target). Snapp has raced his Charger in every Mopar show since 2000, when he began competing. Newly crowned Atlanta Dragway Sportsman champion Mel Abney ('67 Camaro - Cumming, Ga.) ended his day in the semi-final round. Talley won the Diesel Bracket Shootout in 2005, won Pro in 2006 (at the Mopar show), and has now added a Sportsman win to his resume in 2007. "I'm going to have to run Super Pro
here next year," Talley commented.
The 13-17 Jr Dragster final featured the same contestants and virtually identical elapsed times as the 2006 final, but different winners. A red light start determined the victory again, but this time "Mad Matt" Gillen of Gainesville, Ga. was the beneficiary of Chase Mullinax's too-quick react of -.013 seconds. Gillen was on his game with his Motivational Tubing car, carding a 7.935 at 83.36mph (7.90 dial), and Mullinax took the stripe with a virtually identical 7.936 second time at 81.87mph (7.90 dial) in his Buford, Ga. based racecar. Both Gillen and Mullinax celebrated their 16th birthday this week. Knowing that his car needed some tuning adjustments coming into first round, Gillen went ahead and made the changes, even though he was aware the changes could also hurt. However, his call was spot on, as he went 7.904 on a 7.90 dial for the first round win. Brittany "Glitterjaws" Harper (14 - Meansville, Ga.) and Jordan Thurmond (15 - Statham, Ga.) earned the semi-finalist trophies. This was Gillen's third final and second win in
three years. Gillen first thanked God. He then thanked Tim and Arlen from Motivational Tubing, Roy Whaley, and his dad. He then added that he missed his team mates Barry and Joshua Sisson.
Similar to the older final, the 8-12 year old Jr Dragster finalists were nearly wired together at the starting and the finish line. Wesley Mayfield (11 - Gainesville, Ga.) enjoyed winning with his brand new car, which posted an 8.978 at 71.52mph (8.96 dial). His opponent, Dylan Hutchins (12 - Monroe, Ga.) was close, but second across the stripe with an 8.975 at 71.11mph. Dylan Kent (12 - Acworth, Ga.) was the semi-final finisher. Hutchins' mom added with a smile that Wesley could also thank her for getting the dial-in time on Dylan's car wrong. Mayfield's dad then added, "I got lucky one time and dialed ours right." Hutchins is currently the 8-12 points leader in Atlanta Dragway's weekly Summit ET Series program.
Kevin Meredith from Bowling Green, KY earned bragging rights in the DHRA (Diesel Hot Rod Association) Pro-Street Diesel class after defeating Micky Davis of Pelham, Ga courtesy of a better reaction time. Making it even more exciting was their finish was one of the fastest and closest of all the classes contested. Although Davis' '96 Dodge RAM was perfect on the 10.50
index with a 10.500 elapsed time (at 125.13mph), he crossed the top end stripe a mere .006 seconds behind Meredith's '01 "Caged Fury" '01 Dodge RAM. Meredith's machine was also close to the index with a 10.525 at 121.03mph. Jimmy Dale Smith ('98 Dodge RAM - Danville, KY).
The DHRA Quick Diesel class returned for 2007, with its 12.00 second index. Jim "Lucky Dog" Layden from Glenwood City, Wisconsin had to settle for runner up in the 2006 race because he was the second person across the finish line. He was second across the win stripe again in 2007, but this time it was because he "treed" opponent Matt Wells Jr ('94 Dodge RAM 2500 -
Middleburg, Fla.) at the starting line with a better reaction time, which helped cause Wells to break out with an 11.965 at 113.03mph. Layden posted the winning time of 12.08 at 113.92mph with his '94 Dodge RAM, which he drives to the racetrack. Bruce Block ('04 Dodge RAM - White Pigeon, MI) ended his day in the semi-final round.
The DPM (Diesel Performance Motorsports) Diesel Shootout features street driven diesel trucks that are still very quick. K.J. "El Destructo" Kitchens from Bowling Green, KY enjoyed taking the top spot with his '06 Dodge RAM against his neighbor, "Big Earl" Talley, also from Bowling Green. The DHRA announcer exclaimed, "He's a bracket racing machine!" This win was Kitchens' fourth Diesel Shootout win in a row. Kitchens' "El Destructo" tag came from a past event where three of the four trucks Kitchens was racing experienced dramatic failures, even though his truck owner said they were not his fault. Talley, who claimed the Sportsman win a few minutes earlier, almost doubled up with his '03 Dodge RAM, but a slightly tardier reaction time put him .005 seconds behind Kitchens at the finish line with a 13.304 at 98.80mph (13.28
dial). Kitchens winning ET was 13.051 at 99.70mph (13.02 target). Joel Greathouse ('06 Dodge RAM - Oakland, KY) was the semi-final finisher.
The SRT Shootout featured some really fast factory iron. Chris Moore from Greenville, SC recently purchased his Hemi powered SRT-8 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and came to the Mopar show just to see what was happening. After arriving, he got the bug to try his machine out on the track, so he had to go to a nearby outlet store and purchase the required long pants. He then rented a helmet, jumped in, and proceeded to win. Moore is not a complete stranger to going fast, as he claims several Outlaw Pro motorcycle titles, and his other car is a supercharged '99 Dodge Viper GTS. Moore met Jeff Wagner ('03 Dodge Neon - Jefferson, Ga.) in the final, and used a slightly better react coupled with a .01 over 13.591 at 87.91mph (13.58 dial) to defeat Wagner's 13.43 at 105.70mph (13.23 dial). In the 2006 event, Wagner was one of the SRT semi-finalists, and for 2007, Warren Fulmer ('03 Neon - Zephyr Hills, Fla.) got to claim the semi-final finisher "honors".
A special thanks also goes to the Lake City Cruisers and the North Georgia Mopar Club for all their help in making the 23rd annual Hayes Southeastern Mopar Meet 2007 a success.
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 2006 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: Bubba Rich '02 Firebird Gainesville, GA 5.32 132.44 (5.31)
R/U: Dennis Brothers '71 Demon Byrom, GA 6.79 100.06 (6.80)
Semi: John Smith '72 Vega Bowersville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Brad Bauman '69 Dodge Dart New Smyrna Bch, FL 11.40 118.49 (11.14)
R/U: Gerald Wright '71 Plymouth Scamp Ballground, GA
(foul) 10.91 121.99 (10.90)
Semi: Dave Blevins '70 Dodge Dart Alpharetta, GA
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Big Earl" Talley '03 Dodge RAM Bowling Green, KY 13.42 97.46 (13.31)
R/U: John Snapp '68 Charger Conyers, GA 13.66 95.97 (13.69)
Semi: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Wesley Mayfield 11 Gainesville, GA 8.978 71.52 (8.96)
R/U: Dylan Hutchins 12 Monroe, GA 8.975 71.11 (8.90)
Semi: Dylan Kent 12 Acworth, GA
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Mad Matt" Gillen 16 Gainesville, GA 7.935 83.36 (7.90)
R/U: Chase Mullinax 16 Buford, GA (foul) 7.936 81.87 (7.90)
Semi: Brittany "Glitterjaws" Harper 14 Meansville, GA
Semi: Jordan Thurmond 15 Statham, GA
-----------------------------------------------
DHRA PRO-STREET TRUCK HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Kevin Meredith '01 Dodge RAM Bowling Green, KY 10.525 121.03 (10.50)
R/U: Micky Davis '96 Dodge RAM Pelham, GA 10.500 125.13 (10.50)
Semi: Jimmy Dale Smith '98 Dodge RAM Danville, KY
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
DHRA QUICK DIESEL TRUCK HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: Jim "Lucky Dog" Layden '94 Dodge RAM Glenwood City,
WI 12.08 113.92 (12.00)
R/U: Matt Wells Jr '94 Dodge RAM Middleburg, FL 11.96 113.03 (12.00)
Semi: Bruce Block '04 Dodge RAM
-----------------------------------------------
DPM DIESEL SHOOTOUT TRUCK HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: KJ "El Destructo" Kitchens '06 Dodge RAM Bowling Green,
KY 13.05 99.70 (13.02)
R/U: "Big Earl" Talley '03 Dodge RAM Bowling Green, KY 13.30 98.80 (13.28)
Semi: Joel Greathouse '06 Dodge RAM Oakland, KY
-----------------------------------------------
SRT CLASS CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chris Moore '07 Grand Cherokee Greenville, SC 13.59 87.91 (13.58)
R/U: Jeff Wagner '03 Dodge Neon Jefferson, GA 13.43 105.70 (13.23)
Semi: Warren Fulmer '03 Dodge Neon Zephyr Hills, FL
Semi:
posted by David @ 10:25 PM
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