SNAP-ON TOOLS DAY AT THE RACES event at Atlanta Dragwayin 2008
SNAP-ONTOOLS RACE WRAPPED UP BEFORE STORM SETS IN
By: Amy Glover
(Commerce,GA – August 24) Though remnants of Hurricane Fay hovered over thearea, tonight’s race finished just in time for the 50% chance of rain to fallon the winners’ heads. Snap-on Day at the Races is an annual event, bringing inracers by invitation only as a thank you from their Snap-On Tools dealers. Theevent is known for its fabulous prizes, always involving Snap-On products. Thisyear the winners received a Snap-On labeled EZ-UP tent and two chairs, andrunner-ups received a Snap-On leather jacket and Snap-On Fossil watch.Semi-finalists received poker chip sets and Snap-On mugs. The event does notinclude junior dragsters in the program, and also combines the Sportsman andPro categories into one “No-Electronics” (Pro) category. The traditional burnoutcontest featured a new winner, George Banauken and his trusty Silverado. Therewas only one rain delay mid-race, which cleared up quickly for the remainder ofthe event, and thanks to the Atlanta Dragway employees efficiently speedingalong the rounds, racers were able to clear out before the downpour.
The Super Pro win was taken by MarkMilford, laying down a great run, with a dead-on dial of 6.50 in his ’71 Vega.The Canon, GA native experienced his first win this racing season. “It’s greatto be here. I’m proud to have Snap-On to do this [event]. It’s a good day.”Mark thanked his sponsor, Horton Homes. Super Pro runner-up Mike Pitman (’64Impala – Roswell, GA) wasbeaten by both reaction time (his .024 against Milford’s .023)and dial-in, running a not-so-tight 6.83 on a 6.74 dial-in. Yet making it to thefinals was satisfying for Pitman, relating his success to superstition. Mikeremarked: “I knew if I wore my Doug Herbert/Snap-On shirt I would do welltoday.” He then thanked his wife B.J. Pitman, also an Atlanta Dragway regular,for staying at home and “taking care of the rattlesnakes”. Steven Simpson (’73Vega – Moreland, GA) andEarnest Coleman (’71 Chevelle – Lithonia, GA) placedin the semi-final round.
Chad Brewer (Canton, GA) seizedthe Pro class victory, with a tight run against Danny Towe (’88 Mustang – Nicholson, GA); bothhad run one hundredth of a second slower than predicted (Chad’s 11.43on an 11.42 dial, Danny’s 11.00 on a 10.99 dial). Chad tookadvantage at the starting line, cutting a .045 green-light against Danny’s .060light, producing a .009 margin of victory, nothing less expected of thefootbrake class. Chad thankedDickie Forrester for lending the ’67 Camaro that led him to the finish line.Beaming, Chad said,“It’s just been one of those days where I could do no wrong.” The event wasTowe’s first footbrake race since 2004, and his final reaction time wasapparently his worst reaction time of the day (Perhaps Towe’s been re-hookedwith his obvious skill in the category!). Towe was assisted by Bill Crowder andBill’s son Colton. Colton wasrewarded with Towe’s Snap-On Fossil watch for helping out. Tim Polnaszek of Nicholson, GA, finishedthird in his ’84 Mustang.
Event veteran Zach Hulsey (’00Suzuki – Clermont, GA) competedto the finals for the fourth consecutive time in the Snap-On Motorcycle category.Hulsey’s numbers (10.84 on a 10.80 dial with a late .231 light) may have beencause for worry were it not for winning by default from Bogart, GA resident SteveJackson’s -.015 red-light in his ’08 Kawasaki. Zach thanked his crew chief AdamNix, and commented on the unruly weather: “I’m glad the rain held out, and I’mthankful for a good day.” Jackson commentedhe has been enjoying this event for the last four years, this one being hisfirst Snap-On final. Jay “Bird” Rhyne (’81 Kawasaki – Athens, GA) and MichaelMann (’99 Kawasaki – Demorest, GA) ended their day in third place.
Sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA),Atlanta Dragway is located just off I-85 at Exit 149 in the Banks Crossing areaof Commerce, Georgia. Information on all 2008 events,including the Hayes Automotive American Muscle Meet, presented byYear One event on July26-27, may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging onto www.atlantadragway.com .
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SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mark Milford ’71 Vega Canon,GA 6.50 101.44 (6.50)
R/U: Mike Pitman ’64 Impala Roswell, GA 6.83 100.13 (6.74)
Semi: Steven Simpson ’73 Vega Moreland, GA
Semi: Earnest Coleman ’71 Chevelle Lithonia, GA
———————————————————————————————————————————————
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chad Brewer ’67Camaro Canton, GA 11.43 115.68 (11.42)
R/U: Danny Towe ’88 Mustang Lawrenceville, GA 11.00 121.00 (10.99)
Semi: Tim Polnaszek ’84Mustang Nicholson, GA
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MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Zach Hulsey ’00 Suzuki Clermont, GA 10.84 120.72 (10.80)
R/U: Steve Jackson ’08Kawasaki Bogart, GA 9.62 142.87 (9.25) (foul)
Semi: Jay “Bird” Rhyne ’81 Kawasaki Athens, GA
Semi: Michael Mann ’99Kawasaki Demorest, GA
By: Amy Glover
(Commerce,GA – August 24) Though remnants of Hurricane Fay hovered over thearea, tonight’s race finished just in time for the 50% chance of rain to fallon the winners’ heads. Snap-on Day at the Races is an annual event, bringing inracers by invitation only as a thank you from their Snap-On Tools dealers. Theevent is known for its fabulous prizes, always involving Snap-On products. Thisyear the winners received a Snap-On labeled EZ-UP tent and two chairs, andrunner-ups received a Snap-On leather jacket and Snap-On Fossil watch.Semi-finalists received poker chip sets and Snap-On mugs. The event does notinclude junior dragsters in the program, and also combines the Sportsman andPro categories into one “No-Electronics” (Pro) category. The traditional burnoutcontest featured a new winner, George Banauken and his trusty Silverado. Therewas only one rain delay mid-race, which cleared up quickly for the remainder ofthe event, and thanks to the Atlanta Dragway employees efficiently speedingalong the rounds, racers were able to clear out before the downpour.
The Super Pro win was taken by MarkMilford, laying down a great run, with a dead-on dial of 6.50 in his ’71 Vega.The Canon, GA native experienced his first win this racing season. “It’s greatto be here. I’m proud to have Snap-On to do this [event]. It’s a good day.”Mark thanked his sponsor, Horton Homes. Super Pro runner-up Mike Pitman (’64Impala – Roswell, GA) wasbeaten by both reaction time (his .024 against Milford’s .023)and dial-in, running a not-so-tight 6.83 on a 6.74 dial-in. Yet making it to thefinals was satisfying for Pitman, relating his success to superstition. Mikeremarked: “I knew if I wore my Doug Herbert/Snap-On shirt I would do welltoday.” He then thanked his wife B.J. Pitman, also an Atlanta Dragway regular,for staying at home and “taking care of the rattlesnakes”. Steven Simpson (’73Vega – Moreland, GA) andEarnest Coleman (’71 Chevelle – Lithonia, GA) placedin the semi-final round.
Chad Brewer (Canton, GA) seizedthe Pro class victory, with a tight run against Danny Towe (’88 Mustang – Nicholson, GA); bothhad run one hundredth of a second slower than predicted (Chad’s 11.43on an 11.42 dial, Danny’s 11.00 on a 10.99 dial). Chad tookadvantage at the starting line, cutting a .045 green-light against Danny’s .060light, producing a .009 margin of victory, nothing less expected of thefootbrake class. Chad thankedDickie Forrester for lending the ’67 Camaro that led him to the finish line.Beaming, Chad said,“It’s just been one of those days where I could do no wrong.” The event wasTowe’s first footbrake race since 2004, and his final reaction time wasapparently his worst reaction time of the day (Perhaps Towe’s been re-hookedwith his obvious skill in the category!). Towe was assisted by Bill Crowder andBill’s son Colton. Colton wasrewarded with Towe’s Snap-On Fossil watch for helping out. Tim Polnaszek of Nicholson, GA, finishedthird in his ’84 Mustang.
Event veteran Zach Hulsey (’00Suzuki – Clermont, GA) competedto the finals for the fourth consecutive time in the Snap-On Motorcycle category.Hulsey’s numbers (10.84 on a 10.80 dial with a late .231 light) may have beencause for worry were it not for winning by default from Bogart, GA resident SteveJackson’s -.015 red-light in his ’08 Kawasaki. Zach thanked his crew chief AdamNix, and commented on the unruly weather: “I’m glad the rain held out, and I’mthankful for a good day.” Jackson commentedhe has been enjoying this event for the last four years, this one being hisfirst Snap-On final. Jay “Bird” Rhyne (’81 Kawasaki – Athens, GA) and MichaelMann (’99 Kawasaki – Demorest, GA) ended their day in third place.
Sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA),Atlanta Dragway is located just off I-85 at Exit 149 in the Banks Crossing areaof Commerce, Georgia. Information on all 2008 events,including the Hayes Automotive American Muscle Meet, presented byYear One event on July26-27, may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging onto www.atlantadragway.com .
———————————————————————————————————————————————-
SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mark Milford ’71 Vega Canon,GA 6.50 101.44 (6.50)
R/U: Mike Pitman ’64 Impala Roswell, GA 6.83 100.13 (6.74)
Semi: Steven Simpson ’73 Vega Moreland, GA
Semi: Earnest Coleman ’71 Chevelle Lithonia, GA
———————————————————————————————————————————————
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chad Brewer ’67Camaro Canton, GA 11.43 115.68 (11.42)
R/U: Danny Towe ’88 Mustang Lawrenceville, GA 11.00 121.00 (10.99)
Semi: Tim Polnaszek ’84Mustang Nicholson, GA
———————————————————————————————————————————————
MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Zach Hulsey ’00 Suzuki Clermont, GA 10.84 120.72 (10.80)
R/U: Steve Jackson ’08Kawasaki Bogart, GA 9.62 142.87 (9.25) (foul)
Semi: Jay “Bird” Rhyne ’81 Kawasaki Athens, GA
Semi: Michael Mann ’99Kawasaki Demorest, GA
posted by David @ 10:52 PM
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