Georgians at the Gators

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It wasn't the best year for Georgians at the NHRA Gatornationals in 2009. Although some twenty-seven racers from our state entered the event, none walked away with the coveted Wally.

Since Bob Vandergriff is sitting out Top Fuel at the moment, Georgia has no local hero to cheer for. In the finals, Larry Dixon put the Al-Anabi Alan Johnson top fueler in the winner's circle with a win over Cory McClenathan.

We likewise have no Georgian in Funny Car. Bob Tasca III beat last year's winner Tony Pedregon. Tasca was also the number one qualifier.

In Pro Stock, Warren Johnson failed to qualify, but Kurt Johnson qualified number 4 and lost round two to eventual winner Jason Line. Line beat Allen Johnson's Mopar in the final on a holeshot.

With the George Bryce team currently sidelined, Georgia's only hope in Pro Stock Bike, Junior Pippen, qualified number 15, but lost in Round 1 to eventual winner Hector Arana. In the finals, Arana beat Matt Smith.

Georgia's Roger Burgess qualified number 1 in Pro Mod, but lost in round two to eventual winner Mike Castellana in a close race, 6.05 to the winning 6.01. Burgess did have the top speed of the Pro Mods at 243.55. Castellana bead Al-Anabi teammate Burton Auxier in the final, 6.04 to 6.17.

Gainesville's Steve Harker was the Georgia hope in Top Alcohol Funny Car. Harker qualified an impressive third, and went to the final round where he fell short of stopping the onslaught of Frank Manzo. Manzo dominated with low et and top speed of the class. Harker smoked the tires in the final, but would have been hard pressed to stop Manzo's final 5.52 at 262 mph.

No Georgians entered Top Alcohol Dragster. Duane Shields took the win.

Competition Eliminator had three Georgia qualifiers, Grant Lewis (Q15), Don Eberly (Q28), and Van Puckett (Q30). Eberly went the farthest in the field, losing round three when he failed to show. The win went to Florida's David Eaton.

In Super Stock, Jeff Adkinson qualified the best of four Georgians in 6th place. David Simmons of Suwannee lasted until round 4. Eventual winner was Herbie Hull.

Stock saw six Georgians in the 73 car field. Brandon Wood of Thomasville was the most successful, losing in Round 3. Scott Helms claimed the title.

Nine Georgians entered Super Comp. David Miller, Scott Lyons, Arnold Reed, and Jerry Sosebee all won Round 1. Miller and Lyons lost Round 2, Reed lost Round 3, and Sosebee lost Round 5 to the eventual event winner Brian Forrester.

So this year the best Georgians could do was Steve Harker's runner-up in Top Alcohol Funny Car and Roger Burgess' number one qualifier spot in Pro Mod. Congratulations to Steve, Roger, and all of our Georgia racers for giving it their best shot. Next year let's bring home the Wallys!

Marvin T. Smith