BRYANT, WILLIAMS AND HANCOCK TAKE VICTORIES BEFORE RAIN SETS IN AT ATLANTA DRAGWAY
(Commerce, GA – July 21) After several weeks off from racing at Atlanta Dragway, racers showed up again to enjoy competing in the Summit ET Series and the No Box events. The No Box contestants were able to finish their eliminations, but the rains which had been predicted showed up in the afternoon, forcing the Summit ET Series classes to be cancelled for the day.
In a repeat of the June 9 No Box event, Travis Bryant from Bowman, GA and Stan Sinack of Lilburn, GA found themselves paired off again in the 6.50 Index final. Unlike the June 9 event, Bryant prevailed, taking the win stripe with his '68 Camaro 0.017 seconds in front of Sinack's '69 Dart. Bryant's elapsed time was 6.519 at 104.55 mph, while Sinack, who began the run with a 0.008 second reaction time advantage (0.038 seconds to Bryant's 0.044 react) was off pace just a little with 6.544 at 104.52mph. Michael Goodwin ('70 Dart – Jefferson, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. "He's been kicking my butt all year. It feels nice to return the favor," added the smiling Bryant. He then thanked his dad Wade Bryant for all his help, and the track preparation team for a good racing surface.
Snellville, GA racer Gerry Williams found himself on top in 7.00 Index after defeating the nearly unstoppable John Norris. Williams had the better reaction time (0.042 seconds) and carried that lead in his '73 Challenger all the way across the finish line to win with a 7.028 at 86.06mph. Norris actually crossed the top end stripe first, but broke out with a too-quick 6.963 at 96.96mph in his Royston, GA based '80 Malibu. Travis Bryant's dad, Wade Bryant ('67 Camaro – Bowman, GA) and Jody Blalock ('49 Hudson – Commerce, GA) ended their day in the semi-final round. "Man, it's been a long time! And I get a winner's sticker too," stated Williams. He then added, "I want to thank the good Lord above and my wonderful wife (Cindy). I would like to dedicate this win to Mark Granneman, a great fellow racer and friend. We all learned a lot from him."
Jeremy Hancock of Commerce, GA took a month off from racing, but had little trouble returning to the winner's circle in his '77 Vega, this time in Open Comp Full Body. In final round action, Hancock met John Norris from Royston, GA. Norris actually had a good reaction time advantage (0.036 for Hancock and 0.008 for Norris), but pushed his trusty '86 Camaro just a little too hard to take the big end stripe first, breaking out with a 7.454 at 90.63mph on a 7.48 dial. Hancock was right there, and actually broke out too, but by a smaller margin; 6.129 at 112.17mph on a 6.14 target. Chad Brewer drove his winning car "Tweety", a Canton, GA based '67 Camaro to the semi-final round before bowing out of the action. "Got one done. I've really got a good car. Thanks to Junior Pippin, my wife Ashley, my dad Mark and my son Cooper for all their support," added Hancock.
Sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Atlanta Dragway is located just off I-85 at Exit 149 in the Banks Crossing area of Commerce, Georgia. Information on all 2012 events, including the National Dragster Challenge on August 18, 2012, may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com.
