(Commerce, GA – April 30) A great turnout of racers enjoyed the first annual Pro Tree Index Race, put on by Atlanta Dragway to go along with the new Index classes added to the Lucas Oil Divisional series. The Bryant family from Bowman, GA had a lot to celebrate today, with dad Wade winning the 11.0 Index class. Son Travis Bryant enjoyed a close runner up finish in 10.0 Index and Travis' uncle Woody Bryant finished runner up in 12.0 Index. All classes featured close finishes, with the victory in three classes coming down to a few thousandths of a second (the largest margin of victory was 0.0091 seconds). The 12.0 final was settled early by a red light.
Test and tuners also enjoyed a good outing. James Noel, a long time Atlanta Dragway racer, debuted his new Super Gas '69 Mustang, and immediately ran close to the 9.90 Super Gas Index with a 9.83 followed by a 9.95. Because he doesn't have any grade points in the Super Gas car for the upcoming Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals on May 13-15, his next outing with it will be at the Lucas Oil Series event at Atlanta Dragway on May 20-22.
10.0 Index winner Stan Sinack is no stranger to the winner's circle, and added another one to his resume today against Travis Bryant from Bowman, GA. Bryant's '68 Camaro actually crossed the finish line first by 0.0091 seconds, but went too quick, posting a 9.98 second pass at 127.76 mph on the 10.00 Index. Sinack's Lilburn, GA based '69 Dart won the event with a great 10.01 at 132.57mph. Chris Vanairsdale ('67 Chevelle – Buford, GA) and Hank Wilhelm ('70 Corvette – Commerce, GA) finished in the semi-final round. Sinack thanked friend Bill Boomhower (who won Pro class in the April 23 competition) for all the work he has done on his '69 Dart for the past month, including adding new wheelie bars, front disc brakes and new wheels and tire. After going out early, Boomhower then spent the remainder of the event adjusting the new wheelie bars, setting the car up for a win. "It feel like its coming up even higher now," added Sinack.
"That was a long time coming," said 11.0 Index winner Wade Bryant of Bowman, GA. "My last win was in 1987." Bryant, who has raced for many years, actually took nearly 20 years off to raise his family and build a home. After the kids grew up, Bryant resumed racing around 2005. Bryant took the tightest win of the day against Bob Borbely's Lilburn, GA based '71 Barracuda, crossing the win stripe in car owner Alton Eaton's '73 Camaro 0.0021 seconds ahead of Borbely with an 11.03 at 119.08mph. Borbely was actually closer to the index with an 11.01 at 116.95mph, but was 0.025 seconds slower in the reaction time department for the final. Dickey Forrester ('67 Camaro – Hickory Flat, GA) and Eric Smith ('71 Nova – Baldwin, GA) ended their day in the semi-final round. "Alton (Bryant's car owner) would drive, but we can't find a helmet big enough to fit him," Bryant's son Travis added with a smile.
For many years, 12.0 Index winner Dwayne Camp from Bremen, GA helped his daughter Melissa race in Jr Dragster class. Melissa has moved on now, so Camp, who has been racing for nearly 30 years, got back into action with his '01 Mustang. Camp met Woody Bryant ('82 Camaro – Bowman, GA) in the final, and launched with a great 0.036 reaction time. Bryant was quicker on the react, but because he left 0.017 seconds before the tree activated, the dreaded cherry color bulb was lit, handing the automatic win to Camp. Both race cars were ready, however, with Camp's machine posting a 12.050 at 111.90mph and Bryant's car posting a 12.048 at 111.69mph on the 12.00 second index. Gerry Williams ('73 Challenger – Snellville, GA) and John Norris ('86 Camaro – Royston, GA) were the semi-final finishers. "Woody's the kind of bald and ugly one," added jokester Travis Bryant when asked which one was Woody.
Long time Atlanta Dragway Sportsman racer Harold Wilson of Winder, GA already had his '74 Nova SS set to run close to the 13.0 Index, and that helped him take the win today against Jefferson, GA racer Steve Wagner's '71 Duster in the 13.0 final. Wagner had the better reaction time, but his '71 Duster fell off the mark just a little too much, carding a 13.07 at 97.76mph. Wilson's mount was closer, crossing the stripe with a 13.04 at 100.97mph, 0.033 seconds in front of Wagner. Jeff Wagner ('03 Neon – Braselton, GA) and John Bates ('10 Camaro – Loganville, GA) finished in the semi-final round. "I want to thank God and also thank my wife Stormy for letting me come out today," added Wilson, who had to take a vacation day from work to attend.
