Southern Nationals Photos by Fred Simmons

More Fred Simmons Southern Nationals Photos

Massey, Force-Hood, Anderson & Hines Take Top Pro Qualifying Spots at Atlanta Dragway

Qualifying Recap

Lucas, Force-Hood, Anderson and Hines Lead Qualifying at Atlanta Dragway

More Info

Becky Milner Passes

Sol Stewart called to inform me that Becky Milner, Ellis Milner's wife, passed away yesterday. I'll post more info as I get it.

Our condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Milner.

JOHN FORCE RACING TEAMS UP WITH ALLAN VIGIL FORD

ATLANTA, GA – Allan Vigil Ford Lincoln Mercury is providing support vehicles the weekend of April 17-19, for John Force Racing drivers, crew chiefs and executives including John Force and his drag racing daughter, Ashley Force Hood as part of a multi-faceted marketing partnership.

In addition to the Forces, who drive 310 mile-an-hour Ford Mustang Funny Cars sponsored by Castrol GTX and Castrol GTX High Mileage on the pro drag racing tour, John Force Racing also features Robert Hight, driver of the Auto Club of Southern California Mustang, and Mike Neff, driver of the Ford Drive One Mustang.

Fans who visit Allan Vigil Ford between April 10th and April 17th and test drive any Ford product will automatically be entered to win two (2) free race tickets along with the chance to meet all four JFR drivers during a special meet-and-greet.

John Force, a 14-time NHRA series champion, is a six time winner and 15-time finalist at Atlanta Dragway, site of the 29th annual NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals, the sixth event on the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle tour was excited to make this partnership happen in these economic times.

“We wanted to find a way to work with local Ford dealers this year,” Force said, “because in these hard economic times, we need to help out our sponsors in any way we can. We are proud to be a part of the Ford family and we want to encourage all our fans to go out to Allan Vigil Ford Lincoln Mercury this week and test drive a new Mustang, Flex, Edge, Fusion or other great Ford car or truck before they come out to the track to see is.”

Allan Vigil Ford Lincoln Mercury is located at 6790 Mt. Zion Boulevard, Morrow, GA 30260, (888) 542-3388, http://allanvigilford.dealerconnection.com/ .

“We are excited to be working with John Force Racing. Our goal is to raise the awareness for the Southern Nationals and hopefully bring more big events like this to Atlanta Dragway. John is a great champion and we are thrilled he will be driving our Fords during the race,” said Dennis Kerce, Allan Vigil Ford Lincoln Mercury General Manager.

Courtesy John Force Racing

Star Racing Loses Team Member

April 13, 2009, Americus, GA – Mike Espe, a 15-year employee of Star Racing, was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident Friday after work. Details are somewhat sketchy, but eyewitness reports state he was riding a friend’s street bike and lost control when the throttle possibly stuck.

Mike was an integral part of the Star team and knowledgeable in all areas of machining and engine building. Many of you may remember talking to Mike on the phone as he often took technical calls and parts orders while working in the shop. His boundless good humor brightened the lives of everyone around him. He will be greatly missed.

Mike is survived by his wife of 18 years, Tammy. He did not have life insurance. Anyone wishing to help with funeral expenses may send love offerings to Tammy Espe, C/O Star Racing, PO Box 1241, Americus GA 31709.
Friends and family may send their condolences on-line at www.raineyfuneral.com.

FURNISHED BY: STAR RACINGOWNERS: GEORGE & JACKIE BRYCE
DISTRIBUTED HERE BY: Jerry Battle

Pro Mod Heaven at South Georgia Motorsports Park

by Marvin T. Smith

Photos

It was Pro Mod heaven at SGMP on April 10-11 when the ADRL came to town for the biggest event in SGMP history. Over 130 vehicles battled for the sixteen spots in five eliminations categories before the largest crowd ever to view a drag race in south Georgia.

In Pro Extreme, Jason Scruggs led qualifying with a 3.75 second run in his new 68 Camaro followed closely by Frankie Taylor with a 3.762 in a field of over 30 cars. The bump spot was a record 3.925 for the quickest field in ADRL history. Scruggs began his trip to the final round by defeating Bil Clanton in round one (3.78 at 201), Brian Daniels in round two (3.735 at 204.85 for a new track mph record), and in a great race Quain Stott in round three with a great 3.724 (track record) at 204.29 to Stott’s game 3.77 at 198. Taylor similarly appeared to be marching through the field with a great 3.77 at 202 to beat Ken Thomas in round one, a 3.79 at 200 to beat Mike Bell in round two, but was stopped by Jason Hamstra’s holeshot win in the semi finals when Hamstra’s 3.81 at 195 beat Taylor’s better 3.808 at 201.73. Hamstra was looking equally strong with a 3.83 in round one and a 3.79 in round two. Note that all of the semifinalists were in the 3.70s in round two. Also note that eliminations saw eight runs over 200 miles per hour – a speedfest that will probably be unequalled for a long time. In the final round, favorite Scruggs shook and watched Jason Hamstra streak to a fine 3.801 at 197.45 for the win.

Pro Nitrous was also exciting. Number one qualifier Khalid Al-Balooshi ran a 3.870 at 196.33 for a potential record if he could back it up. The bump spot for the field was 4.122 as 24 cars tried to qualify. Al-Balooshi’s day ended in round 2 when he broke before backing up his record pass in qualifying. Number eight qualifier Steve Vick picked up in eliminations running a 3.96 over John DeFlorian in round one, a 3.93 at 189 to defeat Al-Balooshi in round two, and a 3.94 at 199 to defeat Johnny Pilcher in round three. On the other side of the ladder, it was all SGMP track record holder (3.84) Jim Halsey. In round one he defeated a broken Thomas Myers and ran 3.898 at 193.02, took an easy single in round two when Pat Stoken couldn’t appear, and shut off in round three after Auxier fouled. In a great final, Halsey ran 3.921 at 191 to defeat Vick’s 3.953 at 187.

In Flowmaster Extreme 10.5, Jeff Naiser qualified number one with a 4.106. Just behind was number one points man Billy Glidden at 4.111. Naser lost in the second round, but Glidden was not to be denied. He dipped into the luck bank for the first two rounds, running sub-par times but getting the wins. In the Semifinals, he found his groove and defeated number three qualifier Steve Kirk with a new ADRL record 4.083 at 175. In the finals, Glidden defeated Spiro Pappas whose new machine was getting better and better as the event went on. Glidden ran 4.09 at 176 to defeat Pappas’ 4.16 at 178.

Sixteen cars turned out for the Extreme Pro Stock field. Robert Patrick established a new ADRL record of 4.059 to lead qualifying, but shook the tires in round one to go home early. This loss opened the door for number two qualifier Brian Gahm to win. Gahm ran 4.13, 4.09, 4.07 at a new speed record 177.28 to reach the finals, where he defeated Cary Goforth with a 4.085 at 177.09 to Goforth’s losing 4.13 at 175.

The Pro Extreme Motorcycle field was the quickest in ADRL history with a 4.345 bump as approximately 40 cycles battled in qualifying. In the finals, Matt Prophit defeated brother Charlie Prophit with a great 4.23 at 170.39 when number one qualifier Charlie (4.21) was forced to slow to a 11 second run.