Summit Snap-On event at Atlanta Dragway in 2008 - June 21, 2008
SUMMERLOVIN’: DRAG RACING PROVES TO BE A FAMILY SPORT
By: Amy Glover
(Commerce,GA – June 21) Despite thunderstorm predictions, the first day of summerand the second points race of the season was met with sunshine and eagerracers. Each class was full of competition, and many final rounds were decidedby break outs and fouls, in the face of some great runs and race vehicles thatseemed to run better broken down. Along with the turnout came racers’relatives, there to support and relish their family’s victory.
Super Pro Winner Stacey Blanton, of Jefferson, GA, pulled anear perfect package in his ’05 Undercover Dragster, running dead on with azero at 5.04. Clay Fancher (’98 Horton – Loganville, GA) would have faced a tough run with or without his breaking out (5.336 on a 5.34),which gave Blanton the win light. Blanton reports facing a dry spell since2003, having ran in 11 finals since, placing second in all, most recently against another Atlanta Dragway racer, Dennis Coover, in the Super Chevy Show three weeks ago. “I was very excited, I was shaking. “ Blanton exclaimed, reaching enthusiastically for his winner sticker. Blanton brought along the whole family, his wife Debbie, five year old son Ryan, and his one year old daughter Shannon; the children witnessing for the first time their father’s success in the fast lane. Stacey thanked his sponsors Sikkens Paint and Blanton Collision.Jim McKelvey (’96 Junk – Snellville, GA) and Robby Brown (’98 S-10 Pickup – Winder, GA) placed in the semi-final rounds.
The Pro class winner was instantly determined when Larry Chance (’68 Camaro – Canton, GA) cut a red-light,handing the win to Howard Warren (‘72 Maverick – Douglasville, GA). Howard Warren attributed his luck to his 10 year old granddaughter Megan Daniel, “I just thought my car was broke the last two runs.” Warren dialed his car up with an educated guess at 7.96 (ultimately running a 7.90), when his Maverick normally runs around 7.15. “This is my first win in five years,”Howard tells, “Hopefully this is the start of getting back on track.” Chad Brewer, from Canton, GA, placed third in his ’67 Camaro.
D.A. Streber, like Blanton, had a near perfect package for securing the Sportsman class win, two runs consecutively. Prior to the final round, he pulled a 12 thousandths package and ended the day with a 15 thousandths package. Streber recounts, “I was thinking,after my 12 thousandths package, I could use a run like that in the finals.”And so he did, with a .0123 margin of victory against the “Bounty Hunter” J.D.Burford, who defeated last weekend’s champion Mel Abney earlier in the competition. Both natives of Greenville, SC, Burford broke out in his ’07 Corvette, with a 12.97 run against his 13.00 dial-in;Streber ran dead on at 19.82 with a .006 light in his ’02 Hyundai, securing his fifth Atlanta Dragway win. Terry Turpin of Maysville, GA finished in the semi-finals with his ’07 Mustang.
The Motorcycle class faced an interesting circumstance, when Jay “Bird” Rhyne (’81 Kawasaki – Athens, GA) met with Tim Sutton (’83 Suzuki – Clermont, GA), a repeat of the last race’s final. “Tim was gunnin’ for me,” Rhyne recounted. “He broke his glasses during his bye-run into the finals.” Sutton’s determination,however, was outmatched by Rhyne’s better dial-in, Sutton running a 9.34 on a9.27 dial, against Rhyne’s 12.55 on a 12.53 dial. Rhyne’s victory allowed him to collect the bounty on himself, regardless of his Kawasaki’s clutch trouble. “My clutch was slippin’ like last time. I put a whole new clutch in it, and it was worse, it just kept on revvin’ up.” Daryl Johnsey, from Cartersville, GA, placed third in his ’82 Kawasaki.
The 13-17 Junior Dragster category was dominated by Chase Mullinax (16 – Buford, GA), putting Kelsey Lynn (14 –Marietta, GA) in second place, with the better light (.024 vs. .086) and better ET (7.91 vs. .7.93), as both raced on a 7.90 dial. “I blew three motors before this,” Chase reports. “Tim Stevens helped put the motor together, and Bill Gillen loaned the clutch; that’s why I cut good lights all day. I couldn’t have done it without them.” Chase reminisced on the finer points of triumph, “It’s been a long time, and it’s fun gettin’ wet,” in reference to the traditional cooler-dump on the weekend’s winner. Chase thanked his mom and dad, also. 13 year old Dylan Hutchins, from Monroe, GA, placed in the semi-finals.
8-12 Junior Dragster driver Becky Granneman (11 – Kennesaw, GA) ran dead on at 9.92, overcoming her late light (.141) against Chris Bowden (12 – Homer, GA), who ran 9.35 on his 9.28 dial-in.Becky’s solid run at the top end guaranteed her first-time victory, alsopossibly procured by pedigree, as Becky is the daughter of track veteran Mark Granneman, multi-time champion and race-winner. Charlie Smith (9 – McDonough, GA) was the semi-finalist.
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,including the Powerade Night of Fire on June 28, 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: Stacey Blanton ’05 Undercover Jefferson,GA 5.04 135.52 (5.04)
R/U: Clay Fancher ’98 Harton Loganville,GA 5.33 128.21 (5.34)
Semi: Jim McKelvey ’96Junk Snellville, GA
Semi: Robby Brown ’98S-10 Pickup Winder, GA
———————————————————————————————————————————————
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Howard Warren ’72 Maverick Douglasville,GA 7.90 86.85 (7.96)
R/U: Larry Chance ’68 Camaro Canton, GA 6.77 104.64 (6.73) (foul)
Semi: Chad Brewer ’67 Camaro Canton, GA
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: D.A. Streber ’02 Hyundai Greenville, SC 19.82 69.99 (19.82)
R/U: J.D. Burford ’07 Corvette Greenville, SC 12.97 106.37 (13.00)
Semi: Terry Turpin ’07Mustang Maysville, GA
———————————————————————————————————————————————
MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jay “Bird” Rhyne ’81 Kawasaki Athens, GA 12.55 100.49 (12.53)
R/U: Tim Sutton ’83 Suzuki Clermont, GA 9.34 128.09 (9.27)
Semi: Daryl Johnsey ’82 Kawasaki Cartersville,GA
———————————————————————————————————————————————
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Becky Granneman 11 Kennesaw,GA 9.92 64.31 (9.92)
R/U: Chris Bowden 12 Homer, GA 9.35 68.24 (9.28)
Semi: Charlie Smith 9 McDonough,GA
———————————————————————————————————————————————
13-17 JRDRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chase Mullinax 16 Buford,GA 7.91 76.24 (7.90)
R/U: Kelsey Lynn 14 Marietta, GA 7.93 82.42 (7.90)
Semi: Dylan Hutchins 13
By: Amy Glover
(Commerce,GA – June 21) Despite thunderstorm predictions, the first day of summerand the second points race of the season was met with sunshine and eagerracers. Each class was full of competition, and many final rounds were decidedby break outs and fouls, in the face of some great runs and race vehicles thatseemed to run better broken down. Along with the turnout came racers’relatives, there to support and relish their family’s victory.
Super Pro Winner Stacey Blanton, of Jefferson, GA, pulled anear perfect package in his ’05 Undercover Dragster, running dead on with azero at 5.04. Clay Fancher (’98 Horton – Loganville, GA) would have faced a tough run with or without his breaking out (5.336 on a 5.34),which gave Blanton the win light. Blanton reports facing a dry spell since2003, having ran in 11 finals since, placing second in all, most recently against another Atlanta Dragway racer, Dennis Coover, in the Super Chevy Show three weeks ago. “I was very excited, I was shaking. “ Blanton exclaimed, reaching enthusiastically for his winner sticker. Blanton brought along the whole family, his wife Debbie, five year old son Ryan, and his one year old daughter Shannon; the children witnessing for the first time their father’s success in the fast lane. Stacey thanked his sponsors Sikkens Paint and Blanton Collision.Jim McKelvey (’96 Junk – Snellville, GA) and Robby Brown (’98 S-10 Pickup – Winder, GA) placed in the semi-final rounds.
The Pro class winner was instantly determined when Larry Chance (’68 Camaro – Canton, GA) cut a red-light,handing the win to Howard Warren (‘72 Maverick – Douglasville, GA). Howard Warren attributed his luck to his 10 year old granddaughter Megan Daniel, “I just thought my car was broke the last two runs.” Warren dialed his car up with an educated guess at 7.96 (ultimately running a 7.90), when his Maverick normally runs around 7.15. “This is my first win in five years,”Howard tells, “Hopefully this is the start of getting back on track.” Chad Brewer, from Canton, GA, placed third in his ’67 Camaro.
D.A. Streber, like Blanton, had a near perfect package for securing the Sportsman class win, two runs consecutively. Prior to the final round, he pulled a 12 thousandths package and ended the day with a 15 thousandths package. Streber recounts, “I was thinking,after my 12 thousandths package, I could use a run like that in the finals.”And so he did, with a .0123 margin of victory against the “Bounty Hunter” J.D.Burford, who defeated last weekend’s champion Mel Abney earlier in the competition. Both natives of Greenville, SC, Burford broke out in his ’07 Corvette, with a 12.97 run against his 13.00 dial-in;Streber ran dead on at 19.82 with a .006 light in his ’02 Hyundai, securing his fifth Atlanta Dragway win. Terry Turpin of Maysville, GA finished in the semi-finals with his ’07 Mustang.
The Motorcycle class faced an interesting circumstance, when Jay “Bird” Rhyne (’81 Kawasaki – Athens, GA) met with Tim Sutton (’83 Suzuki – Clermont, GA), a repeat of the last race’s final. “Tim was gunnin’ for me,” Rhyne recounted. “He broke his glasses during his bye-run into the finals.” Sutton’s determination,however, was outmatched by Rhyne’s better dial-in, Sutton running a 9.34 on a9.27 dial, against Rhyne’s 12.55 on a 12.53 dial. Rhyne’s victory allowed him to collect the bounty on himself, regardless of his Kawasaki’s clutch trouble. “My clutch was slippin’ like last time. I put a whole new clutch in it, and it was worse, it just kept on revvin’ up.” Daryl Johnsey, from Cartersville, GA, placed third in his ’82 Kawasaki.
The 13-17 Junior Dragster category was dominated by Chase Mullinax (16 – Buford, GA), putting Kelsey Lynn (14 –Marietta, GA) in second place, with the better light (.024 vs. .086) and better ET (7.91 vs. .7.93), as both raced on a 7.90 dial. “I blew three motors before this,” Chase reports. “Tim Stevens helped put the motor together, and Bill Gillen loaned the clutch; that’s why I cut good lights all day. I couldn’t have done it without them.” Chase reminisced on the finer points of triumph, “It’s been a long time, and it’s fun gettin’ wet,” in reference to the traditional cooler-dump on the weekend’s winner. Chase thanked his mom and dad, also. 13 year old Dylan Hutchins, from Monroe, GA, placed in the semi-finals.
8-12 Junior Dragster driver Becky Granneman (11 – Kennesaw, GA) ran dead on at 9.92, overcoming her late light (.141) against Chris Bowden (12 – Homer, GA), who ran 9.35 on his 9.28 dial-in.Becky’s solid run at the top end guaranteed her first-time victory, alsopossibly procured by pedigree, as Becky is the daughter of track veteran Mark Granneman, multi-time champion and race-winner. Charlie Smith (9 – McDonough, GA) was the semi-finalist.
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,including the Powerade Night of Fire on June 28, may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com .
———————————————————————————————————————————————-
SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Stacey Blanton ’05 Undercover Jefferson,GA 5.04 135.52 (5.04)
R/U: Clay Fancher ’98 Harton Loganville,GA 5.33 128.21 (5.34)
Semi: Jim McKelvey ’96Junk Snellville, GA
Semi: Robby Brown ’98S-10 Pickup Winder, GA
———————————————————————————————————————————————
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Howard Warren ’72 Maverick Douglasville,GA 7.90 86.85 (7.96)
R/U: Larry Chance ’68 Camaro Canton, GA 6.77 104.64 (6.73) (foul)
Semi: Chad Brewer ’67 Camaro Canton, GA
———————————————————————————————————————————————
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: D.A. Streber ’02 Hyundai Greenville, SC 19.82 69.99 (19.82)
R/U: J.D. Burford ’07 Corvette Greenville, SC 12.97 106.37 (13.00)
Semi: Terry Turpin ’07Mustang Maysville, GA
———————————————————————————————————————————————
MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jay “Bird” Rhyne ’81 Kawasaki Athens, GA 12.55 100.49 (12.53)
R/U: Tim Sutton ’83 Suzuki Clermont, GA 9.34 128.09 (9.27)
Semi: Daryl Johnsey ’82 Kawasaki Cartersville,GA
———————————————————————————————————————————————
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Becky Granneman 11 Kennesaw,GA 9.92 64.31 (9.92)
R/U: Chris Bowden 12 Homer, GA 9.35 68.24 (9.28)
Semi: Charlie Smith 9 McDonough,GA
———————————————————————————————————————————————
13-17 JRDRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chase Mullinax 16 Buford,GA 7.91 76.24 (7.90)
R/U: Kelsey Lynn 14 Marietta, GA 7.93 82.42 (7.90)
Semi: Dylan Hutchins 13
posted by David @ 11:53 PM
