(Commerce, GA – June 9) Stan Sinack, Howard Warren, Pete Wagner and the Wilson family enjoyed a memorable day at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA. Sinack and Warren each won one race, and made it to the final round in another class. Pete Wagner enjoyed the Open Comp Full Body win, and also had the pleasure of seeing sons Jeff and Steve Wagner make it to the semi-final rounds in their class. The Wilson Gang also had a good day, with Jessie making it to the semis in Pro, and Malone to the final round in 8-12 Jr. Dragster. Former Jr. Dragster racer Valerie Clements impressed racers with practice runs in her new NMCA/NMRA Renegade Mustang, going a best of 5.96 at 120mph in a car equipped with the stock block, heads and camshafts.
Congratulations to Atlanta Dragway regulars Chad Brewer and Jesse Young. Brewer took the Pro win during last weeks Chevy High Performance Nationals, and Young won the Super Pro portion. The next day Young went in for scheduled surgery, so his wife Corie and friend Chad Kennedy will be making passes in his dragster for the next few weeks.
Defending 6.50 Index champion Stan Sinack ('69 Dart – Lilburn, GA) earned the 6.50 Index win in a close duel with Travis Bryant ('68 Camaro – Bowman, GA). Bryant actually had a slightly better react, but took too much finish line stripe, breaking out with a 6.48 at 105.85 on the 6.50 index. Sinack also broke out, but with a smaller margin, 6.494 at 104.36mph. Walt Mesik ('77 Vega – Madison, GA) ended his day as the lone semi-finalist. Sinack dedicated this win to his late mom Betty, whose birthday would have been yesterday. He then thanked team mates Ed Nalley and Bill Boomhower again for their help.
"It sure does feel good to finally win again. It's been three years and two months," stated the happy 7.00 Index winner Ed Nalley ('71 Z-28 – Carnesville, GA). For the final, Nalley began with a stellar 0.001 second react, and then crossed the finish line 0.0138 seconds ahead of opponent Gerry Williams with a 7.04 at 96.81mph on the 7.00 index. William's Snellville, GA based '73 Challenger was close behind with a 7.03 at 96.40mph. Wade Bryant ('67 Camaro – Bowman, GA) and Kris Rosendahl ('69 Nova – Monroe, GA) were the semi-finalists. Nalley was sidelined by an accident three years ago, and was able to begin racing again in late 2011.
Open Comp Full Body winner Braselton, GA racer Pete Wagner credits his father "Mooch" Wagner for getting him interested in the sport of drag racing and dedicated the win to his dad. These days, Wagner is paying it forward by helping his sons Jeff, Steve and Nick with racing. In the final, Wagner met Bill Boomhower from Walhalla, SC, and received the win shortly after he left the starting line when Boomhower left too early, leaving the red light glowing. Wagner chose to run his '71 Demon all out, and posted a 7.29 at 94.04mph (7.28 dial). Boomhower's '65 Belvedere tripped the finish line beams with a 6.22 at 112.11mph (6.18 dial). Pete's son Jeff Wagner ('71 Duster – Braselton, GA) and Eric Smith ('71 Nova – Baldwin, GA) ended their day in the semi-final round. "I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to do this and my wife Sharon for putting up with me doing this," added Wagner.
Super Pro winner Brian Smith from Flowery Branch has been racing with car owner Stacy Blanton since 1996, and enjoyed his spot in the winner's circle today by taking the victory against Stan Sinack ('69 Dart – Lilburn, GA) who nearly ran the table in two classes. Smith's '07 Undercover dragster was spot on with a 5.047 at 135.62mph, coupled with his 0.008 second react. Sinack came 0.001 seconds away from the victory, but was on the wrong side of the numbers, fouling with a -0.001 second react. His car then ran flawlessly, carding a 6.470 at 105.97mph (6.47 dial). Gary Burell ('72 Nova – Donalds, SC) and Gary Dunn ('82 S-10 pickup – Flowery Branch, GA) earned the semi-finalist portion of the purse. Smith commented, "As normal, when we have problems with the cars, we go rounds." A delay box wire broke on his car earlier in the day, and Blanton's other dragster, which is now piloted by wife Debbie Blanton, broke a brake caliper and had to have the carburetor replaced during competition. Smith thanked Stacy Blanton and Debbie Blanton, Ed Nalley for pitching in when they had problems earlier in the day, and also Jefferson Quick Lube and Blanton Collision for their help.
Like Stan Sinack, Douglasville, GA racer Howard Warren also nearly earned a win in two classes. Warren took the top spot in Pro class against Peter Mansolillo of Suwanee, GA who was thrilled to be in the final against Warren. Both racers ran 0.04 seconds over their dial in time, with Warren's '72 Maverick taking the nod courtesy of a better reaction time with a 7.58 at 84.11mph (7.54 target). Mansolillo followed soon after, with a 7.31 at 94.98mph (7.27 target). Jessie Wilson ('71 Nova – Tallapoosa, GA) and Toby Collins (sublime green '73 Challenger – Blairsville, GA) ended their day in the semi-final round. "I'm on a lucky streak. When you're rushing to make it back to the lanes you just race, you don't have time to think about it," added Warren.
In Sportsman class final round action, Mel Abney from Cumming, GA won his first event of the 2012 season, putting the brakes on Howard Warren's day with a slightly better reaction time and a dead-on 12.236 at 101.26mph pass in his '67 Camaro. Warren's '72 Maverick had been doing great, but Abney didn't leave him any room to work with on the big end of the track. Warren's car stopped the timers this time with a 12.08 at 95.62mph (12.00 dial). Steve Wagner, another one of Open Comp winner Pete Wagner's sons got to take home the semi-finalist check. Abney said his wife had been kidding him about not winning lately, and told him, "don't come home without a check."
Clermont, GA racer Tim Sutton took the win in Motorcycle class against Ben Lindle ('91 Suzuki – Donalds, SC). Sutton's win was assured the moment Lindle left the starting line with the dreaded cherry colored bulb glowing. With victory assured, Sutton took it easy on the top end of the track, "slowing" to an 8.96 at 126.47mph (8.78 dial). Lindle's mount went 9.30 at 145.31mph (9.21 dial). The semi-finalist checks went to David Fletcher ('84 Kawasaki – Lawrenceville, GA) and Jay Rhyne ('82 Suzuki – Athens, GA). Both Tim Sutton and his wife Jennifer thanked Eli for helping them out during the day by towing Sutton's bike to the line.
Twelve year old "Good Time" Charlie Smith from McDonough, GA took the victory in 8-12 Jr Dragster class against Malone Wilson (12 – Tallapoosa, GA). Smith had a little better react, and sealed the deal with a dead-on 8.926 at 72.37mph. Wilson had been struggling with the tune-up on his car during competition, and in the final round his car slowed to a 9.19 at 69.58mph (8.90 dial). Smith did not have an easy ride en route to the final. He had to defeat three of the top points earners, Nate "Hot Rod" Halsey, Trey Butler and Austin Carden to get to the final round. Katie Wilhelm (12 – Commerce, GA) won the semi-finalist trophy. "I wish my mom Karyn was here to see it," added Smith.
17 year old Paul Charette from Evans, GA won the 13-17 Jr Dragster event, this time against Chris Bowden (17 – Homer, GA) although Bowden made it easier by turning on the red light. Charette ran an 8.01 at 79.68mph (7.94 dial) and Bowden chose to lift off the throttle down track, slowing to a 10.30 at 66.99mph (7.96 dial). Brittney Hellemn (16 – Buford, GA) and Wesley Mayfield (15 – Gainesville, GA) received the semi-finalist trophy for their efforts. Charette noted it had been a good day, and his win moved him up a few spots in the points, to fourth place. One of the down sides was one of his teammate's cars lost an engine earlier in the day. Charette ended the interview with a smiling aside toward his dad, "Pretty much, I'm awesome", to which his dad replied, "Hmmmmmm. Ok."
