POINTS LEADERS DOMINATE COMPETITION, WAGNER ENJOYS FIRST WIN
(Commerce, GA – October 9) The Saturday Insanity championships still hung in the balance for tonight's race, waiting to be claimed by whoever did their best during the final 2010 Saturday Insanity event. Congratulations to the 2010 Saturday Insanity champions; Stan Sinack (6.50 Index – 360 points), Shane Williams (7.50 Index – 370 points) and John Norris (Open Comp – Full Body – 380 points). A tip of the hat goes to the 2010 second place points finishers; David Brand (6.50 Index – 280 points), Ricky Page (7.50 Index 300 points) and Chad Brewer who tied with Eric Smith for second in Open Comp – Full Body at 350 points. The following racers came in third in their class, David Smith in 6.50 Index and Randall Roop (7.50 Index).
6.50 Index points leader Stan Sinack ('69 Dart—Lilburn, GA) made his way to the 6.50 Index finals, securing his top rank with several round wins. Sinack met another David (his past final round competitors being 6.50 points contenders David Brand and David Smith), Suwanee's David Lee in a '70 Nova. Lined up and ready to go, Sinack lifted off with a .047 reaction time. Lee jumped after with a .090 green light, and held down the gas in a desperate chase for the finish. Lee caught up with Sinack, but broke out with a 6.44 elapsed time at 114.36 mph; Sinack won the double breakout with a 6.47 elapsed time at 104.50 mph. "It feels good," Sinack said, "I'm glad I could do well at heads up racing." And well he did, winning four out of the past five Saturday Insanity races. "Big thanks to Ed Nalley and Bill Boomhower for helping me all year getting ready between rounds, and I thank my wife for letting me come here." Tim Barton ('67 Corvette—Cumming, GA) and Michael Goodwin ('73 Dart—Jefferson, GA) finished in the semi-finals.
Shane Williams ('99 Mustang—Knoxville, TN), 7.50 Index points leader, perhaps tempted fate or felt secure in missing out on the previous Saturday Insanity event. Competitors caught up but Williams still held the lead, and came tonight to defend his title to the final round. Williams staged his silver and blue Mustang against David Beatenbo (Bowman, GA) in a '67 Camaro. Beatenbo's Chevy charged ahead with a .011 reaction time, before Williams's Ford cut a .026 green light. Williams sped by Beatenbo for the winning numbers, a 7.53 second run at 89.23 mph, faster than Beatenbo's 7.58 second run at 83.48 mph. Williams felt nervous starting the day, "There was a lot of pressure, but it's been some of the best competition this year—everyone's had their game face on." Williams was cheered on by his girlfriend Holly and her daughter Abby, and thanked "Tim Matherly at MV Performance for the good tune-up." Randall Roop ('66 Mustang—Canton, GA) place in the semi-final round.
In the Open Comp/Full-Bodied class, Steve Wagner (Jefferson, GA) was set on kill mode in his blue '71 Duster, against Travis Bryant (Bowman, GA) in a wine '68 Camaro. Wagner, who held the tree handicap with an 8.45 dial-in next to Bryant's 6.31 prediction, geared up for the third amber bulb. Wagner killed the tree with an .002 reaction before Bryant tailed him with an otherwise great .016 green light. Bryant never caught up, running out in 6.35 seconds at 108.52 mph—Wagner claimed victory with an 8.48 second run at 76.99 mph, securing his first drag race win with a .02 margin-of-victory. "I thank God—it was nothing I did," Wagner humbly stated. Wagner also thanked his dad "for teaching me what to do and what not to do." He's had ten years of drag racing with his dad and brothers, usually participants, who didn't attend tonight—Wagner remarked, "I'm not going to call my dad, he wouldn't believe me!" It's a good way to end the season with a first win, and Wagner added, "I'm looking forward to coming back next year." Woody Bryant ('82 Camaro—Bowman, GA) finished third.
Extra congratulations are in order for Atlanta Dragway regulars who competed in last weekend's Division II finals at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Cecil, GA. Phil Owens (Super Pro), Allen Long (High School), and Bailey Denton (13-17 Junior Dragsters) won the Division Two championship Wally in their respective categories. Thanks to their efforts and those of Team Atlanta Dragway, the track came in third out of twelve competing teams.
6.50 HEADS-UP CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: Stan Sinack '69 Dart Lilburn, GA 6.47 104.50 (6.50)
R/U: David Lee '70 Nova Suwanee, GA 6.44 114.36 (6.50)
Semi: Tim Barton '67 Corvette Cumming, GA
Semi: Michael Goodwin '73 Dart Jefferson, GA
7.50 HEADS-UP CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: Shane Williams '99 Mustang Knoxville, TN 7.53 89.23 (7.50)
R/U: David Beatenbo '647 Camaro Bowman, GA 7.58 83.48 (7.50)
Semi: Randall Roop '66 Mustang Canton, GA
OPEN COMP CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Steve Wagner '71 Duster Jefferson, GA 8.48 76.99 (8.45)
R/U: Travis Bryant '68 Camaro Bowman, GA 6.35 108.52 (6.31)
Semi: Woody Bryant '82 Camaro Bowman, GA
