By Amy Glover
(Commerce, GA – August 29) With one more Summit ET Series event to go, racers are turning out to show what they’ve got and defend their points standings. The day was surprisingly clear after a rainy week, and there was just enough breeze to make the dial-ins a challenge. Harold Wilson enjoyed his first victory in seven years with a Pro Class victory.
Phil Owens (Lithia Springs, GA) met points leader Jeremy Hancock (Commerce, GA) in the Super Pro finals, both driving ’05 M&M dragsters. Hancock left the line with a .016 green light, trumped by Owens’ .006 second reaction time. The two kept close to the finish line – Hancock finishing with a 4.95 ET on a 4.93 dial-in at 137.20 mph. Owens gained the win-light with a 4.83 second run on a 4.80 prediction at 134.47 mph, making for a .005 margin-of-victory and the closest final run of the night. Owens thanked his son Clint, “for helping me tonight.” Gainesville’s Joe Rampley was the semi-finalist in his ’05 Dragster.
Rickey Morris (Ellenwood, GA) appeared in his second consecutive Pro final, this time in an ’87 Corvette against Harold Wilson’s ’74 Nova (Winder, GA). Wilson’s chances were looking grim when he left the line with a .141 green light, followed by Morris’ .081 launch. However, Morris couldn’t catch Wilson at the top end, running a 6.48 on his 6.40 dial-in at 106.55 mph, while Wilson took the win with a .007 margin-of-victory, finishing with an 8.50 ET on an 8.49 dial-in at 79.72 mph. Wilson was grateful for the win: “I’ve finally broke my seven year losing streak!” Modestly, he credited his success to luck, but also thanked his wife Stormy for letting him race. John Norris of Royston, GA, took third place in his ’86 Camaro.
John Snapp (Conyers, GA) made it to the Sportsman final in his ’03 Durango, up against the last Summit ET race’s winner Mel Abney (Cumming, GA), in a ’67 Camaro. Snapp left the line first, with a handicap dial of 11.15 next to Abney’s quicker 8.45 dial-in. Snapp’s light was a favorable .008, Abney following with a .025 green light to catch up. Snapp closed in too quickly, breaking out by just .002 with an 11.14 ET at 61.52 mph, as Abney claimed victory running dead-on the dial at 83.74 mph. “This was a great day,” Abney said, “it’s the most fun I’ve had in a while.” Abney thanked his fellow racers, including his buddies J.D. Burford (Hot Rod winner of last week’s NMCA race at ZMAX) and Mike Puckett. Abney is now just 20 points behind points leader J.D. Burford (’07 Corvette – Greenville, SC), who ended his night in the semi-finals along with Allen Long (’85 Chevy Truck – Ballground, GA).
Michael Tlapa (Loganville, GA) and Jay “Bird” Rhyne (Athens, GA) were tonight’s Motorcycle finalists. Tlapa was set to leave first, with a 6.48 dial-in next to Rhyne’s 5.86 prediction, but launched his ’01 Hayabusa a bit too quickly, cutting a -.043 red light that automatically handed the win to Rhyne. Tlapa continued his run with a 6.40 ET at 114.10 mph, as Rhyne drove his ’82 Kawasaki’s victory run in 5.87 seconds at 115.07 mph. Rhyne was very proud of his Motorcycle success: “Can you say Jay Bird’s House of Speed?” The race was his first win on a new bike, for which he thanked Tim Sutton. Rhyne now leads the points by 130, sealing the deal for the ’09 Motorcycle championship. Jeff Shropshire (’08 Kawasaki – Dallas, GA) and Tommy Saxon (’81 Suzuki – Bogart, GA) were the semi-finalists.
Charlie Smith (10 – McDonough, GA) enjoyed his first win when he made it to the 8-12 Junior Dragster final against Alex Krause (11 – Peachtree City, GA). Smith had the handicap with a 13.07 prediction, and left the line first with a .090 green light. Krause, waiting with an 8.90 dial-in, left too quickly with a -.064 red light. Krause finished in 8.95 seconds at 70.91 mph, while Smith hit the top end in 13.11 seconds at 48.67 mph. Smith is now second in the points ranking, just 50 behind points leader Chris Bowden. Smith thanked his mom, dad and sister for their help during the race. He added the best part of the day was having both his track friends ( Austin and Alex) in the finals with him. Austin Carden (8 – McDonough, GA) was the semi-finalist.
It was an all-girls final in the 13-17 Junior Dragster class, with Kelsey Lynn (15 – Marietta, GA) against Bailey Denton (15 – McDonough, GA). The girls were dialed closely together, Lynn with a slightly slower 7.96 next to Denton’s 7.91 prediction. Denton left the line with a .099 green, while Lynn left with a detrimental .222 reaction time. Lynn finished the run too quickly, breaking out with a 7.95 ET at 82.67 mph, while Denton flashed the win-light with a 7.93 run at 80.77 mph. Denton has secured the top position in points, 150 ahead of the next place. Jennifer Jarrett (16 – Cartersville, GA) and Chase Mullinax (17 – Buford, GA) ended the day in the semi-finals.
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