Ken Grant sweeps Summit Bracket Series at South Georgia Motorsports Park
November 18, 2007
By Marvin T. Smith
It was a big, two-day Summit Series bracket race at South Georgia Motorsports Park. Over 200 cars packed the track for the race under perfect Fall weather conditions. Ken Grant was the biggest winner for the two day event, sweeping the Pro category on both Saturday and Sunday. Oddly enough, Franky Bishop was runner-up both days. The racing was close. On Sunday, Grant used a starting line advantage (.021 to .072) to beat Bishop as both ran .015 off their dial ins. In an all-dragster Sunday Super Pro final, Brendon George took the win over Glenn Newmans when Newmans broke out by .001 seconds. Saturday’s Super Pro race was won by Todd Ewing. In a hard-fought battle of Junior Dragsters, Brian Chason ran a 7.93 on his 7.91 dial to beat Matt Cook who ran 12.00 on his 11.94 dial. Cook had the reaction time advantage, but couldn’t run his number. The next big event at South Georgia Motorsports Park is the National Dragster Challenge on Saturday, December 29. The event features Wally trophies and $2,000 to Super Pro winner, $1,000 to the Pro winner, $250 to the Sportsmen winner, and $50 for the winner in two Junior Dragster classes (8-12 years and 13 and up). Look for full information on the track’s new web site http://www.racesgmp.com/ .
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BELL,FORRESTER, ABNEY, COOVER, LASTINGER, HUTCHINS AND WOOD HONORED AT 2007 ATLANTA DRAGWAY SUMMIT SERIES AWARDS BANQUET
EVENT: Atlanta DragwayChampions Award Banquet
by Tim Glover
(Commerce,GA – November 17) Atlanta Dragway racers and their families came together again to honor their members, at the Georgia Mountain Center in Gainesville, GA. After the social hour, RFC Chaplain Lloyd Shanks opened the event with a prayer, and then presented bibles to four Atlanta Dragway Junior Dragster racers, Alex Krause, Clayton Wood, Cole Wood and Ashton McCammon, who came to the Lord earlier in the season.
After the buffet dinner, track manager Ray Wilkings got things going by giving away a lot of door prizes, donated by sponsors to all in attendance. Some of the prizes included VP Fuel jugs, tee shirts, caps, hand cleaner, bungee cords, and even a DVD player.
Wilkings then opened the awards ceremony by announcing news about NHRA. He also told everyone the track surface is being completely replaced, with new concrete past the eighth mile mark, and new asphalt for the remainder of the racing surface. The concrete and asphalt will be in place by the end of December, and the finishing will be done by the end of February. He then announced news about three new big events coming in 2008, including the NOPI nationals, Pinks All-Out, and the return of the Million Dollar Race.
He recognized the sponsors who helped make the 2007 season possible, including VP Fuels, Hayes Family Dealerships, Year One, Coca Cola, Summit Racing Equipment, OReilly Auto Parts, North Georgia Tractor, American Janitorial, Waste Management, RPM Truck& Trailer Sales, Tanger Outlets and Mr. Bill’s Souvenirs. He then thanked the track employees, who are the ones standing out in the hot sun all day making the race happen. He ended the introduction by thanking all the wives, girlfriends, husbands, boyfriends and family members who give up their weekends to help their loved ones race.
Participants in the OReilly Jr Drag Racing program were recognized first. The Jr Dragster program is actually composed of three different categories, 8-9 year old, 10-12 and13-17 year old. The top finishers in each program were then recognized at that time, except for the champions, who were recognized later in the evening. The Jr Dragster Qualifying Shootout winners were announced, with Dalton Rogers winning the 8-9 year class, Dylan Hutchins taking 10-12 and Morgan Wood, Kelsey Lynn and Jacquelyn Lastinger sharing the spot in 13-17.
The top finishers (except for the champions) in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle were then recognized for their accomplishments. Two perfect runs were made at Atlanta Dragway in 2007. (A perfect run is when the driver has a perfect .000 reaction time and the car goes exactly on its dial in time.) Joe Rampley was the first, followed two weeks later by J.D. Reid.
The special awards were then announced. Jeremy Hancock (Super Pro – ’05 M&M dragster), Bill Boomhower (Pro – ’65 Belvedere), Mel Abney (Sportsman – ’67 Camaro), Paul Cavanaugh (Motorcycle – ’02 Suzuki Hayabusa) and Chase Mullinax (Jr Dragster) were name as winners in the Best Appearing Car categories.
Wesley Mayfield was awarded the Junior Dragster Sportsmanship award and Bobby Bowden was named the Junior Dragster Parent of the Year in the Junior Dragster program. Jeremy Hancock was given the “big car” Sportsmanship award, and his wife Ashley Hancock was named Most Improved driver. J.D. Burford, a medical doctor who races in both Pro (finished fifth in the 2007 points) and Sportsman (finished sixth in the 2007 points) was given the Most Inspirational award. Wayne Roberts, the guy who gives everyone their ET slip after the run, was announced as the 2007 Atlanta Dragway Employee of the Year.
The end of the evening’s ceremony was reserved for the 2007 Atlanta Dragway track champions. All the champions received a champion’s jacket and a large trophy commemorating their achievement. Cole Wood (8-9 Jr Dragster) was called first to the podium to receive his award. He thanked his mom, dad, uncles, cousins and entire family that helped. Dylan Hutchins (10-12 Jr Dragster) was next. Hutchins thanked his dad, family, Bill Gillen and Mike, Debby and John who let him make some much needed passes. Jacquelyn Lastinger (13-17 Jr Dragster) came next. Lastinger thanked God, her mom and dad, brothers and grandparents for allowing her to enjoy that lifestyle.
Young Ryan Coover won the 2007 Motorcycle championship. He thanked his mom and dad for getting him into drag racing. He also thanked his girlfriend for supporting his passion. Mel Abney (Sportsman) came to the podium next, and thanked the Atlanta Dragway staff and his fellow competitors for making each week enjoyable. He then thanked his wife for allowing him to skip his chores and go racing. Dickey Forrester has been racing for 39 years, winning many races, and was announced as the 2007 Pro champion. He first competed in a 4000 lb Pontiac Catalina (which he still owns) and said he has enjoyed every bit and is looking forward to the next season. “That’s one for the AARP crowd,” he added with a smile.Thomas Bell (Super Pro) was the final recipient, and added, “I may be the most outspoken person here, but hey, someone has to do it.” He thanked his wife, crewmembers Freddie and Angie Lewis and Ed Nalley for their help. He also thanked Max King racing and Mark Milford for letting him use the “deadly green Vega” earlier in the season when his dragster was out of commission.
Ray Wilkings then closed out the evening by thanking everyone for coming out to the banquet, and added he looked forward to seeing everyone next year.
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 2008 events maybe obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to http://www.atlantadragway.com/ .
