ATLANTA DRAGWAY 2008 YEAR CHAMPIONS BANQUET

by Tim Glover

Due to popular demand, Atlanta Dragway held a year end banquet to celebrate the accomplishments of its racers at the American Legion Post 127 in Buford, Georgia, on November 1, 2008. This worked out well, as there were so many ties in the points that it took a while to get the finishing order worked out after the final Summit event in September. Also, while the 2008 Summit ET champions were awarded their trophies at the conclusion of the September event, they were presented personalized champion's jackets during tonight's banquet. In addition to the champion's jackets, second through tenth place trophies were awarded to the Super Pro, Pro, Motorcycle and Sportsman class participants.

Following a social hour, a buffet dinner was served, followed by the presentation of awards.

After introducing the staff members who helped him with the program, Atlanta Dragway manager Ray Wilkings assured the crowd that bracket racing at Atlanta Dragway is still a strong program. He also said, "Atlanta Dragway had a pretty good carcount (in 2008), even with the economy." He then added, "Brackets will always be the key. If you didn't have a strong bracket program, many of the big shows would not want to come back."

He then thanked all the Atlanta Dragway employees for their work. "They are there before the racers, and are always out there, even in the heat."

Upon receiving his champion's jacket, 2008 Super Pro champion Jim McKelvey said, "I want to thank everyone for racing me clean this year. Also, I want to thank Eddie (Dumas) for not knowing how to dial Ashley's car, which kept her away from me, " he added with a smile. McKelvey's family also enjoyed another win, with daughter Maddie winning the first door prize given out.

Wilkings recognized the sponsors who helped make the season happen, including Tommy Chapman of VP Racing Fuels who helps with the racing fuel and also supplied the VP Fuel jugs as door prizes and Mike Hayes of Hayes Automotive group, who helps with many races, including the Hayes Bracket Bounty awarded each week to the individual that defeats the previous week's winner. He then mentioned how Year One helps in many ways with the week to week running of the series and Coca Cola is the official sponsor of what will be known in 2009 as the Full Throttle series.

Wilkings ended the evening thanking Steve Adams for helping with the food and use of the American Legion hall. Afterward, many of the racers were busy trying their hand at the practice tree, seeing who had the best set of reaction times.

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 2009 events, including the 29th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals on April 16-19, 2009 may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to http://www.atlantadragway.com/.