ATLANTA DRAGWAY BANQUET HONORS MANY FIRST-TIME CHAMPIONS
By Amy Glover
Reuniting racers one last time for the 2009 season, the annual Atlanta Dragway Summit Series awards ceremony took place Nov. 21 at The American Legion post 127.
It didn’t take long to get the party started; attendees exchanged non-stop chatter over cake and hot wings. The casual atmosphere of the banquet preserved the true spirit of racing.
General manager Ray Wilkings began the ceremony with credit to Atlanta Dragway’s sponsors: VP Racing Fuels, Coca Cola, and the people at Year One, as well as all the other sponsors that keep the track going. Wilkings asked that everyone support the sponsors that support the track, and finally thanked everyone that “comes and races with us.” He also noted, “There’s a gathering of racers and there’s rain predicted tonight,” a running joke about the inclement weather that often affects the points season.
Wilkings announced that the new Saturday Insanity series would continue on in the 2010 season, noting that there would be an Open Wheel class available for the more powerful rides.
With modest beginnings, the Saturday Insanity series has given racers a new way to have some fast fun, and the top points earners have procured the honorable recognition of being among the first to place in the series.
In the 7.50 Index class, Stephen Rhoads & Ricky Page tied for third place, and Randall Roop held the runner-up position. John Norris, a Summit series regular, came out on top with 200 points total.
The 6.50 Index had no room for ties; T.J. Thomas placed third, Matt Ward earned the silver, and Joe Rampley got the gold with 170 points.
The Open Comp (Full-Bodied) class included Jimmy Mason in third, Travis Bryant and Bill Boomhower tying for second place, and Charlie McCulloch topping the ranks with a 40 point lead, having dominated the competition with two wins.
The special awards segment of the banquet recognized Atlanta Dragway racers and staff for their hard work beyond the starting line. ‘Most Improved Driver’ went to John Norris, who placed in both the Saturday Insanity series and the Summit series. Joe Haddon won ‘Most Inspirational Driver,’ for his friendship and support throughout the year. The ‘Sportsmanship Award’ went to Howard Warren, and Allen Long was recognized as the ‘High School Champion.’ Amy Gunter won ‘Employee of the Year,’ earning 100 percent of the award with 30 years of dedication towards the track.
Then came the aesthetic awards, where the cars were the stars. Paul Cavanaugh was recognized for having the best-looking motorcycle, an ’02 Hayabusa. Mel Abney’s dark blue ’67 Camaro was voted the best-looking Sportsman car. Justin Buchanan’s charcoal ’72 Nova won best-looking Pro car, and Stan Sinack’s striking red ’69 Dart won best-looking car of Super Pro.
The final portion of the awards ceremony was dedicated to the champions of the top four classes: Motorcycle, Sportsman, Pro, and Super Pro. Each champion represented the top of their class, running the most successful rounds out of the pool of competition.
Jay “Bird” Rhyne claimed his sixth Motorcycle championship, donning his new embroidered coat over his fleece winner’s jacket from ’98. Upon handing over the trophy, Wilkings remarked, “like he needs another jacket,” handing over the microphone to the “man of few words,” who took the lead by a staggering 190 points. Rhyne thanked “all the guys and girls who work at Atlanta Dragway, I appreciate it.” Surprisingly, he had no more to say. Friend and fellow competitor Tim Sutton lightheartedly warned us that it would soon “be the end of an era,” though Rhyne is ready and anxious for the next season to begin.
J.D. “Doc” Burford won the Sportsman championship, his very first after only three years of racing. The practicing medicine man thanked “all the Atlanta Dragway crew with two jobs – one during the week, and one on the weekend.” He also thanked his “fellow competitors, because we all have to show up to make it a good race.” Burford held the top position against friend Mel Abney, who was close behind all season. There’s a doctor in the House of Speed, and he’s here to stay.
Chad Brewer took home his first Pro championship. Brewer never missed a points race this season, winning a handful that sent him to the top. As always, Brewer grinned and said, “I’ve got to thank the Mayor of Hickory Flat” because “he always slapped me back into it.” He also gave a nod to the staff, “You guys did a hell of a job.” Brewer plans to stick to Pro after a solid, successful season.
Jeremy Hancock won the Super Pro championship, along with the most heartwarming speech of the night. He credited his first Super Pro title to God “for everything,” thanked his “wife, because she lets me race and doesn’t complain,” and thanked his mother-in-law Paula “because she lets me borrow money when I need it.” He then most sincerely thanked his dad: “He’s the real champ, and I hope I can be half the dad he is.” Hancock dedicated his triumph to the late Buford Heavy, and gave the trophy to Heavy’s wife Beverly. Hancock also proved his fighting spirit at the Bracket Finals, placing second in the Division 2 race.
Wilkings closed the ceremony by announcing some news regarding the 2010 season. The schedule will be posted at the end of the year, with 31 additional events – due to the success of Fast Friday, there will now be ‘Tuesday Tune-ups,’ a midweek opportunity for the curious car owner or the travelling racer. Also, the “Night of Fire” will become an all-star race, requiring competitors to hold rank in the points standings to compete at the popular event. Wilkings thanked everyone for coming, congratulated the winners, and expressed a common wish for the next season: “Maybe we’ll get some good weather next year.”
By Amy Glover
Reuniting racers one last time for the 2009 season, the annual Atlanta Dragway Summit Series awards ceremony took place Nov. 21 at The American Legion post 127.
It didn’t take long to get the party started; attendees exchanged non-stop chatter over cake and hot wings. The casual atmosphere of the banquet preserved the true spirit of racing.
General manager Ray Wilkings began the ceremony with credit to Atlanta Dragway’s sponsors: VP Racing Fuels, Coca Cola, and the people at Year One, as well as all the other sponsors that keep the track going. Wilkings asked that everyone support the sponsors that support the track, and finally thanked everyone that “comes and races with us.” He also noted, “There’s a gathering of racers and there’s rain predicted tonight,” a running joke about the inclement weather that often affects the points season.
Wilkings announced that the new Saturday Insanity series would continue on in the 2010 season, noting that there would be an Open Wheel class available for the more powerful rides.
With modest beginnings, the Saturday Insanity series has given racers a new way to have some fast fun, and the top points earners have procured the honorable recognition of being among the first to place in the series.
In the 7.50 Index class, Stephen Rhoads & Ricky Page tied for third place, and Randall Roop held the runner-up position. John Norris, a Summit series regular, came out on top with 200 points total.
The 6.50 Index had no room for ties; T.J. Thomas placed third, Matt Ward earned the silver, and Joe Rampley got the gold with 170 points.
The Open Comp (Full-Bodied) class included Jimmy Mason in third, Travis Bryant and Bill Boomhower tying for second place, and Charlie McCulloch topping the ranks with a 40 point lead, having dominated the competition with two wins.
The special awards segment of the banquet recognized Atlanta Dragway racers and staff for their hard work beyond the starting line. ‘Most Improved Driver’ went to John Norris, who placed in both the Saturday Insanity series and the Summit series. Joe Haddon won ‘Most Inspirational Driver,’ for his friendship and support throughout the year. The ‘Sportsmanship Award’ went to Howard Warren, and Allen Long was recognized as the ‘High School Champion.’ Amy Gunter won ‘Employee of the Year,’ earning 100 percent of the award with 30 years of dedication towards the track.
Then came the aesthetic awards, where the cars were the stars. Paul Cavanaugh was recognized for having the best-looking motorcycle, an ’02 Hayabusa. Mel Abney’s dark blue ’67 Camaro was voted the best-looking Sportsman car. Justin Buchanan’s charcoal ’72 Nova won best-looking Pro car, and Stan Sinack’s striking red ’69 Dart won best-looking car of Super Pro.
The final portion of the awards ceremony was dedicated to the champions of the top four classes: Motorcycle, Sportsman, Pro, and Super Pro. Each champion represented the top of their class, running the most successful rounds out of the pool of competition.
Jay “Bird” Rhyne claimed his sixth Motorcycle championship, donning his new embroidered coat over his fleece winner’s jacket from ’98. Upon handing over the trophy, Wilkings remarked, “like he needs another jacket,” handing over the microphone to the “man of few words,” who took the lead by a staggering 190 points. Rhyne thanked “all the guys and girls who work at Atlanta Dragway, I appreciate it.” Surprisingly, he had no more to say. Friend and fellow competitor Tim Sutton lightheartedly warned us that it would soon “be the end of an era,” though Rhyne is ready and anxious for the next season to begin.
J.D. “Doc” Burford won the Sportsman championship, his very first after only three years of racing. The practicing medicine man thanked “all the Atlanta Dragway crew with two jobs – one during the week, and one on the weekend.” He also thanked his “fellow competitors, because we all have to show up to make it a good race.” Burford held the top position against friend Mel Abney, who was close behind all season. There’s a doctor in the House of Speed, and he’s here to stay.
Chad Brewer took home his first Pro championship. Brewer never missed a points race this season, winning a handful that sent him to the top. As always, Brewer grinned and said, “I’ve got to thank the Mayor of Hickory Flat” because “he always slapped me back into it.” He also gave a nod to the staff, “You guys did a hell of a job.” Brewer plans to stick to Pro after a solid, successful season.
Jeremy Hancock won the Super Pro championship, along with the most heartwarming speech of the night. He credited his first Super Pro title to God “for everything,” thanked his “wife, because she lets me race and doesn’t complain,” and thanked his mother-in-law Paula “because she lets me borrow money when I need it.” He then most sincerely thanked his dad: “He’s the real champ, and I hope I can be half the dad he is.” Hancock dedicated his triumph to the late Buford Heavy, and gave the trophy to Heavy’s wife Beverly. Hancock also proved his fighting spirit at the Bracket Finals, placing second in the Division 2 race.
Wilkings closed the ceremony by announcing some news regarding the 2010 season. The schedule will be posted at the end of the year, with 31 additional events – due to the success of Fast Friday, there will now be ‘Tuesday Tune-ups,’ a midweek opportunity for the curious car owner or the travelling racer. Also, the “Night of Fire” will become an all-star race, requiring competitors to hold rank in the points standings to compete at the popular event. Wilkings thanked everyone for coming, congratulated the winners, and expressed a common wish for the next season: “Maybe we’ll get some good weather next year.”
No comments:
Post a Comment