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

RAINS FORCE CANCELLATION OF MARCH 15 IMPORT FACE-OFF EVENT AT ATLANTA DRAGWAY

RACE DATE: March 15, 2009
EVENT: Import Face-Off event at Atlanta Dragway in 2009
by Amy Glover

(Commerce, GA March 15) The clear weather originally predicted for the March 15 Import Face-Off event did not materialize, forcing the event to be cancelled. Track manager Ray Wilkings posted a notice to that effect on the site, stating, The Import Face-Off event scheduled for Sunday, March 15th, 2009 has been cancelled due to inclement weather.

RAINS FORCE CANCELLATION OF MARCH 14 SUMMIT ET SERIES EVENT AT ATLANTA DRAGWAY

RACE DATE: March 14, 2009
EVENT: Summit ET Series event at Atlanta Dragway in 2009
by Amy Glover

(Commerce, GA March 14) Once again, inclement weather prevented Atlanta Dragway personnel from hosting a Summit ET Series event. Track manager Ray Wilkings posted a notice to that effect on the site, stating, The Year One Fast Friday event scheduled for Friday, March 13th and the Summit Racing Series event scheduled for Saturday, March 14th have been cancelled due to inclement weather. At this time, the Import Face-off event scheduled for Sunday, March 15th will take place as planned. More information on this event can be found at www.importfaceoff.net.

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 NHRA Summit Southern Nationals on April 16-April 19, 2009, may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com.