Georgia Drag Racing News

Information about Georgia drag racing history, personalities, activities and events from GeorgiaDragRacing.com.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

LET’S ADD TO THE EXCITEMENT!!! ATTENTION DRAG RACERS!!!

Special two week points race for all drag racing divisions including Domestic, Truck, Sport Compact and regular point divisions!

Racing the next two Friday nights (August 21 and August 28) has an added bonus offered to the top drivers in ALL DRAG RACING DIVISIONS!

The top drivers in accumulated points the next two Friday nights (August 21 and August 28) will receive two FREE tickets to the NASCAR Nationwide Series Degree V12 race ‘under the lights’ on Saturday, September 5th ($100 value). It does not matter if you have raced all season at Friday Night Drags, a few times this season or if this would be your first time racing, the driver with the most points over the next two race nights will win the tickets!

All drivers competing the next two Friday nights (August 21 and August 28) will also be eligible to win a pair of FREE tickets, FREE pit passes and FREE pre-race concert tickets for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pep Boys Auto 500 race ‘under the lights’ on Sunday, September 6th (package of $500 value). This will be a random drawing conducted at the driver’s meeting on Friday, August 28. You must be present to win.

Drivers in the season point races will receive points towards the overall season point totals as well as towards this special two week series. The current top ten in points are listed below. Remember the top seven drivers present will lock into the Championship Ladder scheduled for the final night of the season. The final spot will be filled by the winning driver on September 11th. All divisions will run Championship Ladders on September 11th.

****Special note to the competitors in the Tuner class: The Legends Cars will now run in the Pro Four division****

ATTENTION SHOW-N-SHINE PARTICIPANTS!!!

All event winners this summer are invited to participate in the Pep Boys Auto 500 pre-race car show on the front stretch!

One of the most popular attractions at the 2008 Pep Boys Auto 500 was the pre-race car show. NASCAR drivers, crew members and team owners enjoyed the display of our Friday Night Drags & Show-N-Shine winners located on the front stretch prior to the race. Atlanta Motor Speedway is excited to announce the return of this prestigious event.

Once again, all the winners from the past weeks at the Friday Night Drags & Show-N-Shine along with the winners the next two Friday nights (August 21 and August 28) will be eligible to participate with this special showcase. Those choosing to participate will be allowed to display their vehicle on the front stretch during the pre-race ceremonies of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pep Boys Auto 500. This historical event will mark the first time in Atlanta Motor Speedway history a NASCAR race has run ‘under the lights’ and on Labor Day weekend.

You can still win your way into this FUN and EXCITING car show! All you have to do is take home the top prize during the next two Friday nights (August 21 and August 28).

More information about the pre-race car show will be available at the Show-N-Shine the next two weekends. See Trey Sanders and his staff when visiting the show on Friday night.
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NASCAR TICKET SPECIALS AVAILABLE FOR FRIDAY NIGHT DRAG FANS & PARTICIPANTS

Grab your tickets to the biggest NASCAR show in speedway history as we ‘turn on the lights’ Labor Day weekend!

The fans, drivers, crew members and participants of the Friday Night Drags & Show-N-Shine have to opportunity to snare their tickets to the upcoming Labor Day weekend NASCAR events the next two Friday nights (August 21 and August 28). Atlanta Motor Speedway invites everyone to join in on the historical weekend of racing with some great ticket specials. All of these tickets will be available for purchase the next two Friday nights (August 21 and August 28) at the Gate 15/Will Call box office where our fans buy passes for the Friday Night Drags & Show-N-Shine.

BRING KIDS TO THE RACES!!!

Saturday, September 5th – NASCAR Nationwide Series Degree V12 300

Buy one ticket for $30 and bring all the kids (12 & under) you want for FREE!!!

Make plans to bring the whole family and experience stock car racing ‘under the lights’ at Atlanta Motor Speedway!

Plus, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice and qualifying! Fan Experience Display Lot! Speed TV Stage! Live Music! And more!

BE A PART OF HISTORY!!!

Sunday, September 6th – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pep Boys Auto 500

Tickets as low as $39. Student tickets for only $19.

Earnhardt Grandstand (Go Junior!!!) is available for only $88 (limited quantity remains).

Pre-Race Concert tickets (Diamond Rio & Jason Michael Carrol) along with driver introduction stage access for $39.

First race ‘under the lights’ in Atlanta Motor Speedway history!


Super Pro

1. Frank Taylor…21

2. Billy Clevenger…18

3. Bobby Daniel…14

4. Gary Thomas…7

4. Arnie Cobb…7

6. Mike Miller…5

7. Gary Barnes…2

8. three tied with 1 point



Pro

1. Tony Morse…17

2. Eddie Chapman…13

2. David Sisk…13

4. David Harbin…10

4. Matt Mayber…10

6. Kerry Carden…7

6. John Bonner…7

8. Mark White…6

9. Al Baker…4

10. Mark Kingerski…4



Street Outlaw

1. Chris Stripling…24

2. Rick Gaddis…18

3. Jerritt Scott…13

4. Jeff Coker…11

5. Keith Johnson…4

6. Richard Stovall…3

7. Donald Wiles…2

7. Russell Raines…2

9. six tied with 1 point



Sportsman

1. Russell Johnson…21

2. Bill Hatfield…15

3. Mark Harris…12

3. David Stover…12

5. Rudy Roddy…11

6. Greg Adamek…10

7. Charles Street…9

8. Richard Riggi…8

8. Scott Bates…8

8. Jeremy Rhodes…8



Truck Advanced

1. Chuck Poole…21

2. Bill Patrick…20

3. Terry Queen…13

4. Dwayne Bethune…12

5. William Hudgins…11

6. James Hames…10

6. James Barnes…10

8. Cliff McBurnett…7

9. Meeks…6

9. Darlie Oryl…6



Domestic Advanced

1. Heath Maddock…18

1. Curtis Teal…18

1. Howard Wolf…18

4. Stephen Defayette…15

5. Brian Rice…11

5. Tommy McArthur…11

7. John Vise…9

8. four drivers tied with 6 points



Pro Four

1. Nicolas Feliciano…23

2. Mike Chambers…12

2. Luis Roman…12

4. Billy Russell…4

5. Darrin Ray…3

6. Jeff Ianitello…3

7. five drivers with 2 points



Tuner

1. Jose Samniego…17

2. Miami Capellan…9

2. Cristain Santos…9

2. Billy Stevenson…9

5. Patrick Stansell…8

6. Michael Martin…5

6. Juan Bonilla-Vincent…5

6. Brian Reel…5

9. Tony Taylor…4

9. Kirk Duncan…4



Super Bike

1. Michelle Ewing…26

2. Robin Malcom…14

3. Kevin Connolly…13

4. Demon Lewis…11

5. Keith Johnson…9

5. Shannon Shelton…9

5. Gary Myers…9

5. Mason Mecure…9

9. Justin Barlow…7

9. Calon Bailey…7



ATV

1. Brad Brand…25

2. Rodney Tolbert…17

3. Gregger Boyd…12

4. Charles Armstrong…11

5. Lynsey Insinnia…10

6. Bryan Cronan…9

6. Jesse Parker…9

8. David Brand…7

8. Jeffery Dorsey…7

10. Jason Hydrick…10



Super Pro

1. Frank Taylor…21

2. Billy Clevenger…18

3. Bobby Daniel…14

4. Gary Thomas…7

4. Arnie Cobb…7

6. Mike Miller…5

7. Gary Barnes…2



Cruiser & Dirt Bike

1. Jacob Wallace…21

2. Roger Wallace…14

3. Chuck Thomas…10

4. Jordan Collins…7

4. Micah Patrick…7

6. Buddy Patrick…6

6. Nick Ingram…6

8. Mark Templeton…4

9. five tied with 3 points


The full point standings for all divisions will be posted this Friday, August 21 at the Goodyear Concession Stand in the infield.


SEE YOU THIS FRIDAY NIGHT FOR SOME GREAT FAMILY FUN AT AFFORDABLE PRICES!!!

Ted Austad

Event Promotions Coordinator

Atlanta Motor Speedway

http://www.atlantamotorspeedway.com/

FATHER SON FINAL, NORRIS NICKS WIN

By: Amy Glover

(Commerce, GA – August 1) Tonight’s Saturday Insanity brought out more numbers than ever to Atlanta Dragway. Despite spots of rain throughout the week, the track had perfect weather conditions for the race.

Last Saturday Insanity’s 6.50 Index semi-finalist, Matt Ward (Fair Play, SC), made it to the final this time in his ’69 Camaro, to race against the most recent 6.50 Index winner, Matt Bates (Loganville, GA), in a ’70 Datsun. Both Matts staged for the run, but Ward left a little too soon, with a -.002 red light, automatically signing the win over to Bates, who cut a more agreeable .021 green light. Ward ran it out in 6.51 seconds at 107.14 mph, while Bates finished with flair, running dead-on the 6.50 index, at 89 mph. Bates felt exhilarated by the run: “[Matt Ward]’s a good guy – I’m lucky, I tell you.” Bates recounted a terrifying first round, his steering wheel falling off during the run, but like a trooper, Bates bought back in to the competition. He thanked his dad and his “good luck charm” “Grasshopper” Lee, and credited his comic poses (for the winner photos) to his girlfriend Karen. Mardy Kennedy (Auburn, GA) was the 6.50 Index semi-finalist, in a ’67 Camaro.

John Norris (Royston, GA) and Woody Bryant (Bowman, GA) had a Camaro duel in the 7.50 Index final, Norris reacting first with a .010 light in his ’86 model against Bryant’s .044 light in the ’82 edition. The two were neck-and-neck until the very end, Norris crossing first (thanks to his deadly reaction time) with a 7.54 ET at 87.20 mph, Bryant following closely with a 7.51 ET at 90.84 mph, giving a .008 margin-of-victory for Norris, as well as the only foul-free final of the evening. Norris was happy to have such a good run with Woody: “We come up together, and have wanted to run each other in a final for a while.” Norris thanked Woody, Wade Bryant Automotives, Mason Racing, and Atlanta Dragway. Gerry Williams (’73 Dodge – Snellville, GA) finished in the semi-final round.

Charlie McCulloch (’98 Cobra – Kennesaw, GA), Open Comp winner of the last two Saturday Insanity events, was taken out in the semi-finals by Travis Bryant (’68 Camaro – Bowman, GA). Bryant was set to race his father Wade Bryant (’73 Camaro – Bowman, GA), who had the bye run into the finals. Unfortunately, Bryant Sr.’s transmission failed during the bye run, making for a solo performance in the Open Comp final. A disappointed but still triumphant Bryant Jr. reacted with a .016 light, and ran a 6.35 ET on a 6.34 dial-in, at 108.13 mph. “I’ve been racing for six years, and we’ve been hoping for a final. I hate that we didn’t get to run each other,” Bryant lamented, “but he was running better than me earlier today.” Bryant Jr. also noted they had run each other in the second time trial, both cutting perfect .000 lights – the day was clearly theirs. Bryant thanked his dad for all his work on the car, and Mark Milford, who “helped get the car straightened out.”

Cumming resident Blaine Aldridge made it to the final round in the Old School category, racing his ’87 Regal against Dewayne Stiles (Winder, GA) in a ’91 Mustang. Stiles got a bit trigger happy at the Christmas tree, launching before its activation. The foul gave Aldridge an instant win light; Aldridge made a .100 reaction, finishing in 5.70 seconds at 124.04 mph. Originally present for the test and tune part of Saturday Insanity, Aldridge was told about the Old School class: “It was right up my alley. I came out to have fun, in a real car.” Aldridge has also won a few races as a 6.0 Outlaw in ORSCA, adding to his record his first Old School win. He thanked Rob’s Racing for all his chassis work and tune-ups, and gave special thanks to Bud. Tracy Simmons (’88 Mustang – Danielsville, GA) and Wesley Anglin (’51 Ford Truck – Carlton, GA) ended their evening in the semi-final round.

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 MIDNIGHT MADNESS TUNERFEST SHOOTOUT EVENT on August 8, 2009, may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to
www.atlantadragway.com .

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6.50 INDEX CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX

Win: Matt Bates ’70 Datsun Loganville, GA 6.50 89.00 (6.50)

R/U: Matt Ward ’69 Camaro Fair Play, SC 6.51 107.14 (6.50) (foul)

Semi: Mardy Kennedy ’67 Camaro Auburn, GA

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7.50 INDEX CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX

Win: John Norris ’86 Camaro Royston, GA 7.54 87.20 (7.50)

R/U: Woody Bryant ’82 Camaro Bowman, GA 7.51 90.84 (7.50)

Semi: Gerry Williams ’73 Dodge Snellville, GA

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OPEN COMP CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN

Win: Travis Bryant ’68 Camaro Bowman, GA 6.35 108.13 (6.34)

R/U: Wade Bryant ’73 Camaro Bowman, GA (broke)

Semi: Charlie McCulloch ’98 Cobra Kennesaw, GA

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OLD SCHOOL CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH

Win: Blaine Aldridge ’87 Regal Cumming, GA 5.70 124.04

R/U: Dewayne Stiles ’91 Mustang Winder, GA (foul)

Semi: Tracy Simmons ’88 Mustang Danielsville, GA

Semi: Wesley Anglin ’51 Ford Truck Carlton, GA