NATIONAL DRAGSTER CHALLENGE RACE INCLUDED MEMORIAL FOR “BUFORD HEAVY”
By: Amy and Tim Glover
(Commerce, GA – July 18) Tonight’s race was the annual National Dragster Challenge and Jr. Drag Racing Challenge, giving racers a chance to win an NHRA “Wally” (the most coveted drag racing trophy). In addition, it was the annual Racer’s For Christ day at the track. All were invited to enjoy lunch and fellowship, and an inflatable playground was set up for all the children (both big and small) by RFC pastors Lloyd Shanks, Scott Griffith and a lot of helpers.
Atlanta Dragway racers were saddened this week to learn about the sudden passing of one of their icons, Eric “Buford Heavy” Duncan (1949-2009). Many folks never knew Duncan’s real name, as Buford Heavy was the only one they ever heard. Buford has been involved with several championship drag racing teams throughout his life, and has helped many other racers along the way. He was a top notch race car fabricator, and many racers were able to continue in competition after their racecar broke during National events, thanks to Buford’s Automotive. He is survived by wife Beverly, sister Florence, and mother Lora Carr. A ceremony was held at the starting line prior to the race in his memory. He had a lot of friends, and will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.
Stan Sinack (’69 Dart – Lilburn, GA) earned the bye-run into the Super Pro final, where he faced Thomas Bell (’05 Undercover – Toccoa, GA). Sinack had a two-second-handicap with a 6.53 second dial, next to Bell’s 4.66 dial-in; regardless, Sinack treed Bell with a .033 green light against Bell’s .042 react. Bell chased Sinack’s Dart to the finish, breaking out with a 4.63 ET at 146.23 mph. Sinack won the round by going dead-on the 6.53 dial, at 102.55 mph, earning his first Wally. Sinack dedicated the win to the late Eric “Buford Heavy” Duncan and Harley Chapman (who passed one year ago from tonight), and thanked Bill Boomhower “for all his help.” Sinack also thanked Ed Nalley, a fellow racer recovering from a serious accident, for his visit to the track: “He probably gave me some luck today.” Joe Rampley (’05 Dragster – Gainesville, GA) was tonight’s Super Pro semi-finalist.
Rob Hogue (’68 Camaro – Loganville, GA) and Mickey Morris (’87 Corvette – Ellenwood, GA) made it to the Pro final round. Hogue left Morris behind with a .027 green, Morris following with a much-delayed .102 reaction time. Morris caught up with Hogue, but underestimated his ET, finishing in 6.47 seconds on a 6.59 dial-in, at 96.82 mph. Hogue won, breaking out less with a 7.40 ET on a 7.41 dial-in, at 92.20 mph. Hogue had been up for the Wally on three other occasions, all ending in defeat by a combined total of four thousandths of a second, and has finally earned the racer’s favorite mantle-piece. Hogue celebrated the night with his wife Jennifer, and daughters Chloe and Kyra, and thanked “Del Johnson, and the whole crew that came with me tonight.” He added, “We’re really sorry about Buford – we are thinking about him, and Beverly.” John Norris (’86 Camaro – Royston, GA) finished in the semi-finals.
The Sportsman class featured a duel between two SUV’s; Mark Hancock in his wife’s ’00 Jeep against Scott Preves in an ‘07 Trail Blazer. Both Commerce locals were staged for 16 second runs, Hancock leaving with a .033 green, while Preves launched too early with a -.026 red light. Preves ran it out, 16.45 seconds on his 16.45 dial, at 84.88 mph. Hancock finished in 16.16 seconds at 84.01 mph, on a 16.02 prediction. Notably, Hancock was last year’s National Dragster Challenge Sportsman winner, in the very same vehicle, and thanked his wife Paula for lending it to him. Hancock, a pallbearer at Buford’s funeral, said, “We raced today with heavy hearts,” and gave his “sincere thanks to Atlanta Dragway for accommodating us for the funeral service, letting us race today.” Hancock gave special thanks to track director Ray Wilkings and Mike Savage. Greenville, SC residents J.D. Burford (’07 Corvette) and D.A. Streber (’02 Hyundai) were the Sportsman semi-finalists.
Tim Sutton (’83 Suzuki – Clermont, GA) faced points leader Jay “Bird” Rhyne (’87 Kawasaki – Athens, GA) in the Motorcycle finals. Sutton had Rhyne on the tree, with a .026 light against Rhyne’s .041 reaction time, chasing Rhyne to the win stripe. Rhyne broke out with a 12.31 ET on his 12.33 prediction, at 101.53 mphh, while Sutton triggered the win light with a 9.32 second run on a 9.27 dial-in, at 133.84 mph. Sutton thanked his wife Jennifer for her dedicated crew work, and Jay “Bird” for borrowed parts, helping him win his first Wally. Wade Clark (’95 Kawasaki – Lawrenceville, GA) and Steve Jackson (’00 Motorcycle – Bogart, GA) finished in the semi-final round.
Chris Bowden (13 – Homer, GA) and Hunter James (10 – Cartersville, GA) raced in the 8-12 Junior Dragster category final. James had a slight handicap with his 9.51 dial-in against Bowden’s 8.96, and left the line with a .146 green light. Bowden launched after with a .040 reaction, chasing James to the win stripe. James’ run came a little too slow, in 9.59 seconds at 66.95 mph, while Bowden had a tighter run, in 9.02 seconds at 69.35 mph, securing the win and regaining his points lead. Bowden stuck with the 8.96 dial-in the entire race, and attributed the Wally win to “the memory of Buford.” Because Bowden’s dad Bobby was also a pallbearer for Buford, Bowden took care of preparing his car for each round, and asked Scott Griffith to set the idle for his car just prior to staging. Madison Lee (11 – Campobello, SC) was the 8-12 semi-finalist.
Points leader Bailey Denton (15 – McDonough, GA) competed against Dylan Hutchins (14 – Monroe, GA) in the 13-17 Junior Dragster final. Hutchins cut a .096 light on his 8.01 prediction, Denton following closely with a .057 green on a 7.90 dial-in. Despite Hutchins’ 8.03 ET at 80.81 mph, Denton gained the win with a 7.94 ET at 82.40 mph – the victory coming down to performance at the Christmas Tree. Denton won the Wally with a .021 margin-of-victory, and gained a 110 points lead for the top position in the 13-17 Junior Dragster ranking. Kelsey Lynn (15 – Marietta, GA) and Mitchell Hennessee (14 – Dallas, GA) finished in the semi-finals.
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