ONDA EARNS FIRST ATLANTA DRAGWAY WIN
By: Amy Glover
(Commerce, GA – June 13) After the well-known Super Chevy Show took place last weekend, regulars reclaimed their territory at tonight's Summit ET points race. The event went smoothly, with no weather barriers to speak of, and was wrapped up before sundown (meaning victory dinners could take place somewhere besides their favorite waffle joint).
Dragsters dominated the Super Pro final, with Jim Onda (Toccoa, GA) in his ’96 dragster against Tommy Motes (Loganville, GA) in his ’00 Undercover. The men were dialed closely, Onda at 4.89 and Motes at 4.93, followed by similar reaction times; Motes had a slightly better .024 green next to Onda’s .029 light. However, Motes’ dragster failed towards the top end, slowing due to mechanical issues (finishing with a 7.76 elapsed time at 48.44 mph), while Onda sped past to cross the win stripe first, in 5.09 seconds at 113.58 mph. According to Jim Onda, he “wasn’t even going to come today,” though you can be sure he was glad he did, as it was his first win at Atlanta Dragway. Onda recalled adding a new chrome radiator cap before the race – “That probably did it today,” he joked. Onda thanked his wife Dee for being there (Atlanta Dragway) all the time, although ironically, she didn’t come this once, for which he thanked his son Joey, for helping him tonight. Danny Dixon (Cleveland, GA) placed third in his ’81 Malibu.
Chad Brewer (Canton, GA), who won Pro class in the previous Summit event, topped his peers once more with his impressively reliable ’67 Camaro. Brewer was up against Jody Blalock (Commerce, GA), who raced a unique ’47 Hudson, not quite consistent enough to beat Brewer’s better package. Brewer, dialed at 7.30, left the starting line first with a .022 reaction time, followed by Blalock (dialed at 6.55), who cut a .073 light. Blalock couldn’t catch Brewer’s Camaro, which crossed first in 7.33 seconds at 91.99 mph, the Hudson slightly off the dial in 6.63 seconds at 103.21 mph. Brewer re-emphasized his gratitude to the “Mayor of Hickory Flat,” but also considered the Cub Scouts he met today a good luck charm. Scott Bullock and his Cub Scout Pack 3143, from John’s Creek (GA), visited, receiving an explanation on drag racing from Brewer earlier in the day. Clearly Brewer wasn’t just busting his chops, as this win would be his third for the 2009 Summit ET season. Randall Roop (Canton, GA) of Team Ford Thunder finished third in his ’95 Mustang GT.
J.D. “Doc” Burford (Greenville, SC) made it to his third (Summit ET series) final in a row, alongside Scott Reynolds (Cartersville, GA). Reynolds’ ’90 Formula 350 left the line first with a .020 reaction, Burford’s ’07 Corvette close behind with a .067 reaction time – however, Burford couldn’t catch Reynolds at the finish, taking 13.08 seconds on a 13.02 dial-in, at 110.38 mph. Reynolds had a tighter run, finishing with a 14.45 ET on his 14.42 prediction, at 92.90 mph, and thus became the night’s Sportsman champ. During last weekend’s event, the Super Chevy Show, Reynolds had raced Burford; Burford beating him with a .003 package (no easy task for a Sportsman car, let alone any other sort). “I got a little revenge on J.D.,” Reynolds quipped. He also thanked Russell Haskins, “for letting me use his cooler,” perhaps “what it took to make me win today.” Reynolds was all smiles, saying, “I’m just keepin’ it fun.” Mike Newby (Marietta, GA) was the Pro class semi-finalist, in his ’69 Chevelle.
The Motorcycle final was determined at the Christmas tree, with a red-light foul guaranteeing the victor. Jimmy “Cha Cha” Heisler (Woodstock, GA) left first, cutting a .088 light on his ’00 Ninja. Perhaps the anticipation was too much for Michael Tlapa (Loganville, GA), who jumpstarted the tree with a -.035 red on his ’01 Hayabusa. Tlapa rode it out, a 10.34 second run on his 10.10 dial, at 135.36 mph, while Heisler finished with a 10.64 on a 10.59 dial-in, at 123.84 mph. Heisler was feeling lucky, worried through the race that his bike was leaking and his filter would fall off, but kept it together to the last run. His hard work (burning a knuckle to fix his bike) paid off, securing his first local win since 2003. Most notably, Heisler was last year’s AMA Street ET national champion. He thanked his sponsors: Motul Oils, Vanson Leathers, Precision Cycle of North Carolina, Mattei’s Cycle Supply in New Orleans, and Brock’s Performance. Heisler was also grateful to his wife, for being his “financial sponsor, videographer, and teammate.” Joe Brown (Baldwin, GA – ’06 Suzuki) and Howard Bowman (’06 Harley – Homer, GA) were the Motorcycle semi-finalists.
Madison Lee (11 – Campobello, SC) and Wesley Mayfield (12 – Gainesville, GA) ran together in the 8-12 Junior Dragster finals. Mayfield left the line first with a decent .018 green, but was trumped by Lee’s .010 light. Mayfield’s elapsed-time was 8.94 seconds at 68.84 mph, .03 seconds faster than his 8.97 dial-in, while Lee pulled off an 8.91 ET at 73.60 mph, on her 8.90 dial. Though Mayfield broke out, handing the win to Lee, Lee earned the victory with a smooth run, also reaching third in points. Bailey Brown (12 – Forest Park, GA) was the sole semi-finalist.
The 13-17 Junior Dragster category featured the formidable Brett Bowman (17 – Homer, GA) against Jennifer Jarrett (16 – Cartersville, GA) in the final round. The two were dialed closely, Bowman at 8.02 and Jarrett at 8.04. Jarrett left the line a bit too early, launching with a -.021 red-light, Bowman following with a .095 green. Jarrett also ran 8.02 at 81.77 mph, .02 seconds quicker than her 8.04 prediction, while Bowman ran dead on his 8.02 dial-in, at 80.24 mph. Bowman is now second place in points. Chase Mullinax (17 – Buford, GA) and Jordan Thurmond (16 – Statham, GA) were the semi-finalists.
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 NIGHT OF FIRE PRESENTED BY POWERADE on June 27, 2009, may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com .
(Commerce, GA – June 13) After the well-known Super Chevy Show took place last weekend, regulars reclaimed their territory at tonight's Summit ET points race. The event went smoothly, with no weather barriers to speak of, and was wrapped up before sundown (meaning victory dinners could take place somewhere besides their favorite waffle joint).
Dragsters dominated the Super Pro final, with Jim Onda (Toccoa, GA) in his ’96 dragster against Tommy Motes (Loganville, GA) in his ’00 Undercover. The men were dialed closely, Onda at 4.89 and Motes at 4.93, followed by similar reaction times; Motes had a slightly better .024 green next to Onda’s .029 light. However, Motes’ dragster failed towards the top end, slowing due to mechanical issues (finishing with a 7.76 elapsed time at 48.44 mph), while Onda sped past to cross the win stripe first, in 5.09 seconds at 113.58 mph. According to Jim Onda, he “wasn’t even going to come today,” though you can be sure he was glad he did, as it was his first win at Atlanta Dragway. Onda recalled adding a new chrome radiator cap before the race – “That probably did it today,” he joked. Onda thanked his wife Dee for being there (Atlanta Dragway) all the time, although ironically, she didn’t come this once, for which he thanked his son Joey, for helping him tonight. Danny Dixon (Cleveland, GA) placed third in his ’81 Malibu.
Chad Brewer (Canton, GA), who won Pro class in the previous Summit event, topped his peers once more with his impressively reliable ’67 Camaro. Brewer was up against Jody Blalock (Commerce, GA), who raced a unique ’47 Hudson, not quite consistent enough to beat Brewer’s better package. Brewer, dialed at 7.30, left the starting line first with a .022 reaction time, followed by Blalock (dialed at 6.55), who cut a .073 light. Blalock couldn’t catch Brewer’s Camaro, which crossed first in 7.33 seconds at 91.99 mph, the Hudson slightly off the dial in 6.63 seconds at 103.21 mph. Brewer re-emphasized his gratitude to the “Mayor of Hickory Flat,” but also considered the Cub Scouts he met today a good luck charm. Scott Bullock and his Cub Scout Pack 3143, from John’s Creek (GA), visited, receiving an explanation on drag racing from Brewer earlier in the day. Clearly Brewer wasn’t just busting his chops, as this win would be his third for the 2009 Summit ET season. Randall Roop (Canton, GA) of Team Ford Thunder finished third in his ’95 Mustang GT.
J.D. “Doc” Burford (Greenville, SC) made it to his third (Summit ET series) final in a row, alongside Scott Reynolds (Cartersville, GA). Reynolds’ ’90 Formula 350 left the line first with a .020 reaction, Burford’s ’07 Corvette close behind with a .067 reaction time – however, Burford couldn’t catch Reynolds at the finish, taking 13.08 seconds on a 13.02 dial-in, at 110.38 mph. Reynolds had a tighter run, finishing with a 14.45 ET on his 14.42 prediction, at 92.90 mph, and thus became the night’s Sportsman champ. During last weekend’s event, the Super Chevy Show, Reynolds had raced Burford; Burford beating him with a .003 package (no easy task for a Sportsman car, let alone any other sort). “I got a little revenge on J.D.,” Reynolds quipped. He also thanked Russell Haskins, “for letting me use his cooler,” perhaps “what it took to make me win today.” Reynolds was all smiles, saying, “I’m just keepin’ it fun.” Mike Newby (Marietta, GA) was the Pro class semi-finalist, in his ’69 Chevelle.
The Motorcycle final was determined at the Christmas tree, with a red-light foul guaranteeing the victor. Jimmy “Cha Cha” Heisler (Woodstock, GA) left first, cutting a .088 light on his ’00 Ninja. Perhaps the anticipation was too much for Michael Tlapa (Loganville, GA), who jumpstarted the tree with a -.035 red on his ’01 Hayabusa. Tlapa rode it out, a 10.34 second run on his 10.10 dial, at 135.36 mph, while Heisler finished with a 10.64 on a 10.59 dial-in, at 123.84 mph. Heisler was feeling lucky, worried through the race that his bike was leaking and his filter would fall off, but kept it together to the last run. His hard work (burning a knuckle to fix his bike) paid off, securing his first local win since 2003. Most notably, Heisler was last year’s AMA Street ET national champion. He thanked his sponsors: Motul Oils, Vanson Leathers, Precision Cycle of North Carolina, Mattei’s Cycle Supply in New Orleans, and Brock’s Performance. Heisler was also grateful to his wife, for being his “financial sponsor, videographer, and teammate.” Joe Brown (Baldwin, GA – ’06 Suzuki) and Howard Bowman (’06 Harley – Homer, GA) were the Motorcycle semi-finalists.
Madison Lee (11 – Campobello, SC) and Wesley Mayfield (12 – Gainesville, GA) ran together in the 8-12 Junior Dragster finals. Mayfield left the line first with a decent .018 green, but was trumped by Lee’s .010 light. Mayfield’s elapsed-time was 8.94 seconds at 68.84 mph, .03 seconds faster than his 8.97 dial-in, while Lee pulled off an 8.91 ET at 73.60 mph, on her 8.90 dial. Though Mayfield broke out, handing the win to Lee, Lee earned the victory with a smooth run, also reaching third in points. Bailey Brown (12 – Forest Park, GA) was the sole semi-finalist.
The 13-17 Junior Dragster category featured the formidable Brett Bowman (17 – Homer, GA) against Jennifer Jarrett (16 – Cartersville, GA) in the final round. The two were dialed closely, Bowman at 8.02 and Jarrett at 8.04. Jarrett left the line a bit too early, launching with a -.021 red-light, Bowman following with a .095 green. Jarrett also ran 8.02 at 81.77 mph, .02 seconds quicker than her 8.04 prediction, while Bowman ran dead on his 8.02 dial-in, at 80.24 mph. Bowman is now second place in points. Chase Mullinax (17 – Buford, GA) and Jordan Thurmond (16 – Statham, GA) were the semi-finalists.
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 NIGHT OF FIRE PRESENTED BY POWERADE on June 27, 2009, may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com .
posted by David @ 6:33 PM
