Nostalgia AA Top Fuel & A Fuel Weekend - May 18 & 19, 2007 at Atlanta Dragway
Atlanta Speed Shop (in conjunction with ORSCA and Year One Experience) will be sponsoring a nostalgia dragster event at Atlanta Dragway (Commerce, GA) May 18th and 19th. If you know anyone that wants to compete or come out and enjoy the fun, please help us spread the word!
For information about entering the event, contact Julius Hughes at the Atlanta Speed Shop (770-534-1560 shop - 770-356-3468 cell).
Flyer
Nostalgia Nights Drag Fest at Douglas Dragway
The race will be held April 13-15, 2007. Click the link below for more information.Flyer
BAZEMORE EARNS PROVISIONAL POLE FRIDAY AT HOUSTON
News From David Powers Motorsports
CONTACT: Ted Yerzyk
BAYTOWN, Texas (March 30, 2007) – Whit Bazemore continued his smooth transition from Funny Car driver to Top Fuel racer Friday at Houston Raceway Park. The 20-time NHRA winner drove his Matco Tools dragster to the provisional No. 1 qualifying position with a stout 4.514-second elapsed time to pace the 16-car field.
The Matco Tools rail shook the tires on its first run of the weekend positioning Bazemore in the No. 17 spot. With the potential for rain looming on Saturday, champion tuner Lee Beard made the right call for Friday's second qualifying effort. The first dragster to battle the Houston Raceway Park track on Friday evening, Bazemore blistered the quarter mile in 4.514 seconds at 326.87 mph to claim the provisional pole. It was the quickest and fastest run of the opening day of action at the Houston race.
"We're glad to get the pole tonight because it may rain tomorrow," Bazemore said. "That’s a good result for the team. We come here with different emotions and you have to answer them. And we have to answer them by getting in the car. My guys are working hard, we have a great team.
"I'm really surprised it held. We struggled on the first run and that 4.51 showed the track was there. It would have taken more. I expected (Rod) Fuller to run better. This is big to have both cars in the top three. This is David's (Powers) home track and Hot Rod has a new sponsor this race, so this is good."
Top Fuel qualifying resumes with sessions scheduled for Noon and 3 p.m. (CT) at the ultra- quick Houston-area track. ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights from the 20th annual O'Reilly Spring Nationals at 7 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, March 31.
Q1 11.172 ET, 74.81 MPH No. 17
Q2 4.514 ET, 326.87 MPH No. 1
www.matcotools.com www.davidpowersmotorsports.com
WJ Sits Fifth Midway through Houston Qualifying
Contact: Jon Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.
Facing an uncertain forecast for Saturday, Friday's opening day of qualifying for the O'Reilly Spring Nationals took on added significance for the 25 Pro Stock cars on the grounds at Houston Raceway Park. With the possibility of having only two chances to make Sunday's final eliminations field, Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts GTO Racing team took full advantage of the opportunity presented. Making two solid runs, Johnson's quickest time of 6.680-seconds, which came with a 207.94 mph top speed slotted the six-time Houston winner in the fifth position midway through qualifying, sheltering him from any concerns about the weather, and allowing him to concentrate on improving should he have the chance.
"Today was a good first day. Our GM Performance Parts GTO made two decent runs, and even though our second run tonight was a little slower, it was still among the best in the left lane, which apparently wasn't as good as it was cracked up to be. Having established a solid baseline, we'll see what Mother Nature gives us tomorrow, and go forward from there. At this point, however, we seem to be in pretty good shape."
Bazemore, C. Pedregon, Coughlin and Smith Lead Pro Qualifying at the NHRA POWERade O'Reilly Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil
In the Wake of a Tragedy, The Professor Assigns Homework
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
GM Performance Parts GTO driver suggests thorough examination of Medlen incident
Sugar Hill, Ga., March 28, 2007 – This weekend, the POWERade Drag Racing Series heads to Baytown, TX for the fourth event of the 2007 season, the O'Reilly Spring Nationals. Under normal circumstances, one of the primary discussions heading into the race would concern performance, with competitors making sure their race cars would be ready to extract every ounce of performance each time down the quarter-mile.
However, in the wake of Eric Medlen’s untimely death following a testing accident in Florida, talk has deservedly concentrated on fond remembrances of the talented young racer's life. While naturally echoing the sense of loss and sadness expressed by all, GM Performance Parts GTO pilot Warren Johnson wants to make sure that the necessary lessons are learned from this tragic event.
"Wally Parks founded the NHRA over 50 years ago to provide competitors a safe place to race," said Johnson. "That premise remains in effect today. Drag racing is certainly a sport, but it is also how we make our living, so I am adamant about minimizing the risks involved. We have sadly lost one of our brightest young stars and as much as we all would like, we can’t change that. What's important now is how we move forward."
Throughout his 36-year Pro Stock career, Johnson has taken an active role in the area of racer safety. From being the first to employ the Funny Car-style roll cage in a Pro Stock race car to the energy-absorbing seat he designed a few years ago in conjunction with experts from the open-wheel racing community, "The Professor" has worked as hard at protecting competitors and fans as he has at finding horsepower. In this case, however, his goal is not to assign blame or suggest a solution. Instead, he offers a well-chosen analogy as to how he believes those in power should proceed.
"I know everyone agrees that losing even one life is totally unacceptable," stated Johnson. "Therefore, I suggest that we handle this accident, as well as any on-track incident, much like the NTSB approaches a plane crash. In other words, reconstruct the event, examining every detail no matter how minute, bringing in whatever experts are needed. Every element involved that day needs to be considered from the weather and racetrack to the car, its driver and the safety equipment, painstakingly inspecting each piece individually and together, until we find out exactly what happened.
"We may end up realizing that there was nothing we could have done better, or we could learn something new that will help in the future. In either case, the information gathered is important to preserving the safety of those involved. Doing that, while continuing to try our very best on the track this weekend, is the only way to truly honor the memory of a great kid taken from us way too soon."
Warren Johnson & the GM Performance Parts GTO Racing team
By the Numbers – O'Reilly Spring Nationals edition:
3.04 – WJ's average starting position in 23 Houston Raceway Park starts.
9 – No. 1 qualifying performances by WJ in Baytown, most recently in 2005.
6.587 – WJ's career best elapsed time (in seconds) recorded in Gainesville, FL two weeks ago.
6 – WJ wins in Baytown, more than anyone in NHRA Pro Stock, most recently in 2005
7 – WJ Houston Raceway Park final round appearances
23 – Career WJ Houston appearances entering the 2007 season
39 – WJ HRP elimination round wins, versus 17 losses for a .696 win percentage.
209.69 - WJ's career best top speed, set in Gainesville, FL two weeks ago.
2005 – Year of WJ's most recent Baytown win, when he qualified No. 1 and defeated Richie Stevens, Greg Stanfield, Dave Connolly and Jason Line.
KJ Sees Racing as Best Way to Honor Fallen Star
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
ACDelco Cobalt crew head to Houston Raceway Park saddened yet motivated
Sugar Hill, Ga., March 28, 2007 – By its very nature, the racing world is at its best when there are cars on the track. Whether making laps at Martinsville or rocketing down the quarter-mile at Houston Raceway Park both racers and fans alike will be happiest when competition resumes this weekend. However, for those involved in the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston, TX, there will be a natural reticence due to the tragic events of a week ago, where a testing accident claimed the life of young Funny Car star Eric Medlen.
Although acknowledging a sense of reluctance while preparing for this weekend's event, Kurt Johnson noted an equally strong motivation based the ACDelco Cobalt crew's responsibility to their sponsors, the fans, and even their departed comrade's memory to ensure that the fourth stop on the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule proceed as planned.
"Our sport has suffered a tremendous loss, and I'm sure there are a few of us who would rather not be racing this weekend," said Johnson. "There is no doubt that Eric Medlen will be missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to come in contact with him, and we will be keeping his family as well as the John Force Racing team in our thoughts.
"However, I believe it would be a disservice to his memory if this weekend's race was not contested as planned. Drag racing is not only a sport, it is also a business, the way we earn a living. There are many people who are depending on us to be in Houston, from sponsors who will be hosting hospitality events to the fans who have planned their vacations around this race.
"Therefore, our ACDelco Cobalt crew will be at Houston Raceway Park on Friday ready to race. Our hearts may be heavy, but the best way I can see to honor Eric is to go out and put on a great display of the sport he loved."
For more information on Kurt Johnson, ACDelco and the Drive to Win Sweepstakes, please visit www.acdelco.com .
Kurt Johnson & the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team
By the Numbers – O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals edition:
2 – KJ Houston Raceway Park wins, which came in 1999 & 2003
3 – HRP Final Round Appearances, coming in 1999, 2002 & 2003
6.613 – KJ's career best elapsed time (in seconds) recorded in October 2006 in Richmond, VA
13 – Consecutive years in which Kurt has won at least one national event, the longest active streak in Pro Stock.
15 – Top half qualifying starts for KJ in Baytown, where his average starting position is 5.47
18 – KJ Baytown starts, dating back to his rookie season in 1993
24 – KJ elimination round wins at HRP, versus 16 losses for a .600 win percentage.
209.26 - KJ's career best top speed (in mph) recorded in October 2006 in Richmond, VA
2003 – Year of KJ's most recent Houston Raceway Park win, when he qualified second and defeated Terry Adams, Ron Krisher, Jim Yates and Scott Geoffrion.
Event Schedule:
Friday, March 30: Two qualifying sessions at 3:00 & 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 31: Two qualifying sessions at 11:15 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 1: Pre-race ceremonies starting at 10:00 a.m.
First Round of Eliminations at 11:00 a.m.
Television Coverage:
Qualifying:
Saturday, March 31: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Eliminations:
Sunday, April 1: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
NHRA RaceDay:
Sunday, April 1: 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
FOUR FINALISTS ENJOY FIRST WINS AT ATLANTA DRAGWAY
FROM: Tim Glover
EVENT: Summit Snap-On event at Atlanta Dragway in 2007
(Commerce, GA - March 24) Four of the five winners in today's Summit ET Series race, Mickey Morris (Pro), D.A. Streber (Sportsman), Leighann Mayfield (13-17 Jr Dragster) and Chris Bowden (8-12 Jr Dragster) enjoyed their first Atlanta Dragway wins.
When it was suggested that his accomplishment equaled that of last week's winner Ricki Blackwell, Super Pro winner Wayne Brooks quietly said with a smile, "That's all I strived for". Brooks, who won two years ago at Atlanta Dragway with his Between, Ga. based Racetech dragster, met young racer Jeremy Hancock in the final stanza. Brooks' great .018 react made the difference, allowing him to win with an off the throttle 4.767 at 140.77mph (4.75 dial). Hancock, who lives in Commerce, nailed his dial in time of 4.83 with a 4.833, 142.07mph shot, but his .048 react placed him .016 seconds behind Brooks at the finish line. Mark Milford ('02 Racecraft dragster - Canon, Ga.) broke a ring gear during his quarterfinal pass, and ended his
day in the semi-final round. Doug Richardson ('02 Miller dragster - Ballground, GA) was the other semi-final finisher. "The track worked great, and the car was deadly," added Brooks.
In only his fifth race, Mickey Morris from Ellenwood, Ga., son of long time racer Rickey Morris (over 37 years experience), experienced his first ever win in Pro class. Mickey, in a highly modified '87 Corvette, faced multiple time track champ Jacob Rutledge in the final, and took the win with a .021 react and a breakout 6.426 at 108.27mph pass (6.45 target). Rutledge
squeezed the Christmas tree just a little too much in the final, lighting up the cherry colored foul bulb with a -0.002 second reaction time in his Hoschton, Ga. based '79 Capri. In previous action, Mickey met his father, Rickey, in the semi-final round, and any thoughts of either one cutting
slack to the other evaporated at the starting line. Rickey cut an impressive .013 reaction time with his Ellenwood based '80 Malibu, but son Mickey proved he was a quick learner, bettering his dad with an even better .007 react. Although both broke out in their semi-final matchup, Mickey did the better job, running 6.456 on a 6.46 target. Rickey broke out more with a
7.453 on a 7.47. No mercy! The other semi-final finisher was Jody Blalock ('49 Hudson - Commerce, Ga.).
D.A. Streber of Greenville, SC proved that the slowest car can also win in Sportsman action. He put the slowest allowable ET, 19.99 seconds, on his '02 Hyundai, and stuck to it all night long, winning his first Atlanta Dragway event. In the final, Chad Kennedy played into his hands by putting a 19.99 dial on his Cornelia, Ga. based '88 Mustang. Kennedy almost pulled it off, but broke out .004 seconds more than Streber with a 19.941, at 55.61mph. Streber got the nod at the top end of the track with a 19.945 at 62.47mph. Adam Blalock ('89 Mustang - Eastanollee, GA) was the lone semi-finalist.
Thirteen year old Leighann Mayfield from Gainesville is an accomplished gymnast (she has enjoyed competitive gymnastics for eight years), and began racing Jr Dragsters late in 2006. In only her seventh event, Mayfield added a 13-17 Jr Dragster winner's trophy to her arsenal by defeating Chase Mullinax (15 - Buford, Ga.) in final round action. Although both racers broke out, Mayfield did it by a lesser amount with a 7.873 at 81.12mph (7.90 dial). Mullinax had a 7.92 dial, and posted a 7.887 at 79.71mph, good for the runner up trophy. Valerie Clements (13 - Central, SC) and Ashley Riggs (15 - Madison, GA) took home a semi-finalist award. Mayfield's brother, Wesley, has won at other tracks in the past, and enjoyed his first Atlanta win last week in the younger Jr Dragster class. Her dad, Jim Mayfield, another long time racer happily exclaimed, "I don't know where she got it. She didn't get it from me!"
Ten year old Chris Bowden from Homer, Ga. made it to his first 8-12 Jr Dragster final round last week, but had to settle for a runner up trophy that time. To his family's delight, Bowden scored the big trophy today, defeating Hunter Ramsey (9 - Commerce, GA) in the final with a .01 over 8.97 at 70.71mph. Ramsey went too quick, breaking out with a 13.09 at 48.57mph (13.20 target). Last week's winner, Wesley Mayfield (10 - Gainesville, Ga.) and Ashton McCammon (10 - Gainesville, Ga.) finished in the semi-final round. Bowden's dad, Bobby, left his Pro truck at home to focus on racing Jr Dragster. He added, "I was more nervous than he was!"
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 2004 events, including the 27th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals on April 26 - 29, may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to
www.atlantadragway.com .
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SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Wayne Brooks '00 Racetech Between, GA 4.767 140.77 (4.75)
R/U: Jeremy Hancock '05 M&M dragster Commerce, GA 4.833 142.07 (4.83)
Semi: Doug Richardson '02 Miller dragster Ballground, GA
Semi: Mark Milford '02 Racecraft
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PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mickey Morris '87 Corvette Ellenwood, GA 6.426 108.77 (6.45)
R/U: Jacob Rutledge '79 Capri Hoschton, GA (foul) 7.443 92.60 (7.42)
Semi: Rickey Morris '80 Malibu Ellenwood, GA
Semi: Jody Blalock '49 Hudson Commerce, GA
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: D.A. Streber '02 Hyundai Greenville, SC 19.945 62.47 (19.99)
R/U: Chad Kennedy '88 Mustang Cornelia, GA 19.941 55.61 (19.99)
Semi: Adam Blalock '89 Mustang Eastanollee, GA
Semi:
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8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chris Bowden 10 Homer, GA 8.97 70.71 (8.96)
R/U: Hunter Ramsey 9 Commerce, GA 13.09 48.57 (13.20)
Semi: Wesley Mayfield 10 Gainesville, GA
Semi: Ashton McCammon 8 Buford, GA
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13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Leighann Mayfield 13 Gainesville, GA 7.87 81.12 (7.90)
R/U: Chase Mullinax 15 Buford, GA 7.88 79.71 (7.92)
Semi: Valerie Clements 13 Central, SC
Semi: Ashley Riggs 15 Madison, GA
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GeorgiaDragRacing.com Photo Tribute to Eric Medlen
