FRIDAY NIGHT DRAGS & SHOW-N-SHINE UPDATE

Two weeks remain in the regular season for the Friday Night Drags presented by AC Delco. There will be points races this Friday, August 15th along with the points championship events slated for Friday, August 22nd. The following Friday (August 29th) will only be used if we lose one of the remaining nights to rain. Drag racing and show-n-shine will also be a part of the AC Delco Street Drag Nationals weekend and the Super Chevy Show weekend.

Motorcycles have been added to the Friday Night Drags line-up for the remainder of the regular season. The motorcycles will be allowed to drag race on both August 15th and August 22nd. They will also be welcome to compete at the AC Delco Street Drag Nationals on September 19th and 20th. All motorcycle competitors must wear a minimum of denim pants while drag racing.

This Friday (August 15) will be the Chevy Showcase. All Chevy competitors are encouraged to come and participate in both drag racing and the show-n-shine. Each manufacturer has had a special night of competition this season and this Friday is the night for the bow tie brigade. We will also have the information for this October’s Super Chevy Show.

The points championship will be decided during the final two Friday nights. Points will be awarded to all competitors each Friday night. The top three drivers in each points division will be honored and presented awards this fall. The top six will also lock into the AC Delco Street Drag Nationals Championship Bracket Race. The current top 10 in points is listed below.

Tony Morse currently leads the Pro Division points. Billy Clevenger can catch Morse, but will need to be among the finalists the next couple of weeks. Bobby Daniel’s final round runner-up spot has pulled him within one of Clevenger for the second place position in the Pro points. Arnie Cobb, Alan Kidd and Frank Taylor can still make a run at the top three. The top six will lock into the top six seeds at the AC Delco Street Drag Nationals.

Pro: 1-Tony Morse (13) 2-Billy Clevenger (10) 3-Bobby Daniel (9) 4-Arnie Cobb (7) 5-Alan Kidd (6) 5-Frank Taylor (6) 7-Danny Lowry (5) 8-Dave Sisk (4) 9-Ronnie Richardson (3) 9-Wayne Boggs (3) 9-Tony King (3)

John Bonner took over the points lead this past Friday night in the Street Outlaw division. Bonner slipped past Danny Lowry by edging out Jeff Coker in the main event. These three drivers will fight it out over the next two point nights to decide the point’s champion for the Street Outlaw. The top six drivers in the points will lock into the top six seeds at the AC Delco Street Drag Nationals.

Street Outlaw: 1-John Bonner (15) 2-Danny Lowry (13) 3-Jeff Coker (11) 4-Lee Williams (6) 4-Daryl Stiles (6) 6-Thomas Griffin (5) 7-David Sammons (4) 7-Ross Cole (4) 9-Steven Kidd (3) 10-Donald Wiles, Rannie Fletcher, Mike Varner & Steve Morris tied with 2.

Bill Hatfield leads a log jam of competitors in the Sportsman division. Hatfield has nearly locked the points title within the division, but second place through eighth place is a jumbled mess with the outcome to be decided within the next two Friday nights. The top six drivers in the points will lock into the top six seeds at the AC Delco Nationals.

Sportsman: 1-Bill Hatfield (16) 2-Jerritt Scott (10) 2-Joey Stone (10) 2-Jeremy Rhodes (10) 2-Mark Harris (10) 6-Greg Adamek (9) 6-Johnny Sims (9) 8-Russell Raines (8) 9-Richard Riggi, Richard Goldsharfe and John Morris tied with 6.

Mike Chambers continues to defend his points title from 2007 in the Pro Four division. Chambers leads Matt Baade as they head into the final two Friday night points races. The race for the top six is a lot closer as fifteen competitors have a shot at making the bracket prior to the AC Delco Street Drag Nationals weekend.

Pro Four: 1-Mike Chambers (13) 2-Matt Baade (10) 3-Tommy Gillepin (7) 4-Jason Miller (6) 5-Tony Taylor (5) 6-Chris Santos (4) 6-Rafael Velaquez (4) 6-Michael Martin (4) 9-Vincent Varela, Juan Colmenero and Mike Navarino are tied with 3.

John Schwarz and Cliff McBurnett will fight it out for second place in the Truck division point standings. Dwayne Bethune has locked up the points title and the number one seed for 2008. Several drivers are close to snaring a top six finish and the lock for the nationals championship bracket.

Trucks: 1-Dwayne Bethune (18) 2-John Schwarz (12) 2-Cliff McBurnett (12) 4-Mike Kidd (9) 5-George Swan (8) 6-Adam Cason (7) 7-TJ Johnson (5) 8-Anthony Cotton, Nat Brown, James Hames, Jason Kinard and Nicolas Feliciano are tied with 4.

The most popular division this season is also the most competitive as thirty drivers remain within striking distance of a guaranteed spot in the AC Delco Street Drag Nationals. Mike Munoz leads the points, but several drivers are ready to pounce during the final two weeks of points racing.

Domestic Advanced: 1-Mike Munoz (10) 2-John Vise (7) 2-Chris Rawls (7) 2-Neil Skipper (7) 5-Tim McArthur (6) 5-Mike Cameron (6) 5-Lewis Hinton (6) 5-Donald Mays (6) 5-Brian Rice (6) 10-Tim Johnson, Tommy McArthur, John Morgan, Tony Goforth, Clark Hamby, Curtis Teal and Heath Maddock are tied with 5.

There will also be racing in the ATV, Domestic, Tuners and Motorcycle divisions during the final two nights of racing in August. These divisions will also be on the racing card for a championship bracket at the AC Delco Street Drag Nationals. All vehicles are invited to compete on Friday, August 15 and August 22.

For a complete list of the point standings for Friday Night Drag presented by AC Delco, visit http://www.atlantamotorspeedway.com/ .



Two big events are planned for September and October for Friday Night Drag competitors and fans.


The AC Delco Street Drag Nationals – September 19 and 20 (camping available at the speedway – 770-946-4211)

Friday, September 19

Full Night of Drag Racing – The divisional winners receive trophies and the seventh seed for the Championship Bracket. Open for all competitors. Race into the Show!!!

Full Show-N-Shine Competition – Awards for all classes; Speedway Cruise; Front Stretch Car Show.

National Audio Competition (Media Center Lot) – The first day of a national points championship competition

FIREWORKS! FIREWORKS! FIREWORKS!



Saturday, September 20

Full Day of Drag Racing – The divisional winners receive trophies and the eighth seed for the Championship Bracket. Open for all competitors. Race into the Show!!!

Full Show-N-Shine Competition – Awards for all classes; Speedway Cruise; Front Stretch Car Show and the Best of Show weekend awards.

National Audio Competition (Media Center Lot) – The final day of a national points championship competition.

Burn-Out Contest – Who can do the best burn-out to the starting line? Decided by fan applause!

More activities and special attractions to be announced!



Championship Bracket Race – follows the afternoon competition!

All drag racing divisions will have an eight team bracket. The top six seeds are determined by the season point standings. The seventh seed comes from Friday nights competition and the eighth seed is decided during Saturday’s competition. Divisions that did not run a point series during the summer schedule will have their eight seeds decided by their total poins for the weekend (Friday/Saturday competitions). The competition on Friday and Saturday is open to any competitor, new entry, one time entry or any driver that did not make the top six in points. You can race your way into the competition on Friday, September 19 or Saturday, September 20.



The races will be run as quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals according to the brackets. The bracket championship winners will receive championship hardware with the runner-up also receiving a trophy. Other prizes may be added.



The Super Chevy Show – October 3, 4 and 5 (camping available at the speedway – 770-946-4211)

Visit http://www.superchevyshow.com/ for more information.

More info will be available at Friday Night Drags presented by AC Delco.



SHOW-N-SHINE CAR SHOW

Don’t forget that the weekly show winners will be invited to be a part of the newly created car show at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event this October. The Show-N-Shine winners will be showcased along the front straightaway during the pre-race activities on Sunday, October 26. The showcase of award winning vehicles will be on display throughout the pre-race ceremonies including the introduction of the 43 car starting field for the Pep Boys Auto 500. This will be an exciting end to a great season of Show-N-Shine fun. There are two weeks remaining for you to claim your spot in this special car show at one of Georgia’s largest sporting events of the year.


If you are looking for photos from Friday Night Drags, the Show-N-Shine or the Speedway Cruise, visit http://www.speedpics.net/ . Tom Francisco has been snapping some fantastic photos of the fun and excitement of Friday Night Drags presented by AC Delco.



Friday Night Drags presented by AC Delco (ticket prices and schedule)

Spectators - $7 (children six and under admitted for FREE)

Drag Competitors or Show-N-Shine Entry (includes admission for driver) - $20

Combo Ticket for Drag/Show - $30

Infield Gates Open at 6pm. Drag Practice Runs at 6:15pm. Grandstand Opens at 6:30pm. Show-N-Shine Parade at 8:20pm. Show Awards at 8:55pm. Drag Race Eliminations begin at 9:15pm.


For more information, visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com and click on the icon for Friday Night Drags presented by AC Delco.


Ted Austad

Event Promotions Coordinator
Atlanta Motor Speedway
770-946-3954 office
http://www.atlantamotorspeedway.com/

Inaugural Heads Up Havoc titles to Barker, Stevenson, Strickland, and Mann

Photo Album

South Georgia Motorsports Park August 9

by Marvin T. Smith

South Georgia Motorsports Park began its new heads-up racing series this August, after the July event was rained out. Heads Up Havoc features a King of the Strip category for Pro Mod and Top Sportsman cars, a Drag Radial class, and a 6.0 and 7.0 index classes. For dial your own bracket racers, there is an Open Comp category. This series features eighth mile racing.

King of the Strip action was hot and heavy, as cars battled to get into the eight car field. Ralph Edelen was the number one qualifier with a 4.296 167.45, matching his qualifying position at the rained-out July event. In Round One, Michael Neal beat Mark Roberts, but a top end mishap took both cars out of competition. Jeffery Barker beat Clarence Cloud in a close race, 4.35 to 4.37. Edelen took out Casey Vickers who fouled, and Keith Holton beat Larry Edelen. In Round 2, Barker singled when Neal could not return, and Edelen beat Holton with a fine 4.293. In the finals, Jeffery Barker took a huge starting line advantage, .008 to .243 and held on for the holeshot victory when his 4.35 held off Edelen’s 4.28.

This event was the debut of the Outlaw Drag Radial class. Seven cars make the call for eliminations. Will Stevenson of Gainesville, Florida was the class of the field, making consistent runs in the low 4.90s to take the win. In the final, Stevenson ran a 4.937 at 151 mph to defeat Chad Henderson’s 5.13 at 140.

Fifteen cars battled for the 6.0 Index class. Jack Dunham was the low qualifier, but went out in round one. Michael Strickland took the class win with runs of 6.06, 6.05, a perfect 6.000 in round three, and a final 6.02 to beat James Williams’s 6.05.

Twenty-seven cars battled for the 7.0 Index class. Denise Buckner was the low qualifier, but she lost in Round 2. In the finals, Roger Mann defeated Brandon Wood in a classic drag race. Mann took the starting line advantage of only .001 seconds (.015 to .016) and held on to win with a 7.002 over Wood’s 6.994.

In the Open Comp class for dial-your-own bracket racing, 51 cars battled over six rounds. In the final, Ken Grant ran 6.46 on his 6.37 dial to take the win over James Williams’ 6.33 on a 6.29 dial. Grant’s hole shot advantage (.017 rt to .095) was the key.

Kurt Johnson Powers to an Impressive Win in Brainerd

Contact: Jon Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.


August 10, 2008, Brainerd, MN – Minnesota native Kurt Johnson scored his third win of the 2008 POWERade Drag Racing season in impressive fashion on Sunday, taking home the Pro Stock title at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, MN. Starting second, Johnson and his ACDelco Cobalt were clearly the class of the field on race day, leaving the starting line first and posting the low elapsed time in each of the four rounds of eliminations. It was the 39th national event win of his career, and fourth at Brainerd International Raceway, tying him with his father Warren Johnson, Bruce Allen and Lee Shepherd for the most by a Pro Stock competitor at the Minnesota quarter-mile.

“The ACDelco Cobalt crew had a great day today,” said Johnson. “As close as the competition is in Pro Stock, any time you can leave on all four opponents, out run them and come out with the trophy, you’ve accomplished something. Every round we ran today was like a final, and to be able to beat teams and drivers of the caliber of Yates, Edwards, Coughlin and Connolly says a lot about our team. It just feels awesome.

“It’s always great to win here in Minnesota. I don’t know what it is about Brainerd, but we always seem to do well here – I guess the track just suits my style. We also had a lot of family and friends on hand throughout the weekend to cheer us on, which makes it even better. You always want to show off for them, and I can tell you they’re all having a good time right now.”

After qualifying second, Johnson emphatically staked his claim for the win in the first round, resetting the Brainerd elapsed time track record with a 6.648-second time and 207.62 mph top speed to defeat veteran Jim Yates. He continued his quarter-mile mastery in the subsequent two rounds, eliminating Mike Edwards and defending Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin.

The final obstacle between Johnson and his home state winner’s circle was noted leaver David Connolly, who had won the last race in Sonoma two weeks ago. Knowing he would need a complete performance in order to take home the trophy, KJ combined a lightning-quick .014 reaction time with a 6.671-second, 207.05 mph pass to outdistance his opponent and score the win.

“Our ACDelco Cobalt wasn’t where we needed it to be at first, but we kept working on it, and it just got faster and faster,” said Johnson. “We made some good calls on the tune-up, kept a good eye on the racetrack all weekend, and it all worked out in our favor. It was the fastest car out here today, and anytime you have that, it makes the driver feel a lot better. It was a tremendous effort by the whole team.”

Johnson also wanted to recognize the efforts of a fellow Minnesotan who had come to the team’s assistance in the last month. Following the unexpected departure of a crewmember prior to the start of the Western Swing, Fridley native Brian Strait, who had gone to high school with KJ joined the team on an interim basis, performing whatever duties necessary. Even though the team welcomed Rob Charmello to the crew at this race, Strait still made the trip from his current home in Las Vegas to help coach the team’s latest addition.

“Brian has been my friend for a long time, and has always been there when I needed him,” stated Johnson. “He came through for us in Denver, Seattle and Sonoma, and once we found Rob, who will need a little training but we believe is going to be good, Brian came up here and coached him, letting Justin (crewmember Belfance) and myself concentrate on doing our jobs, giving us more time to be perfect. We always talk about the hat dance teams do in the winner’s circle, and it was great to get to do it with him and the rest of the ACDelco crew here today.”

Finally, Johnson’s performance allowed him to move up one position in the POWERade points standings, ascending to second while simultaneously gaining ground on the points leader. With only two races remaining before the start of the NHRA’s playoff season, the second-generation racer has his sights set on regaining the top position.

“It feels good to gain ground in the points standings,” said Johnson “There’s a bonus of thirty points for the leader going into the Countdown to One, and we’re after that, because they could be huge at the end of the year. For now, we’re just going to keep trying our best, and see how it all works out.

“This win is in the books, and after taking a little time to celebrate tonight, this ACDelco Cobalt crew will put it behind us and focus on doing whatever it takes to do this all over again five days from now in Reading.”

POWERade Drag Racing Series Standings (as of 8/10/08):

1. Greg Anderson 1164

2. Kurt Johnson 1108

2. Jason Line 1054

3. Jeg Coughlin 1017

5. Allen Johnson 933