Three Family Teams Make Final Rounds At Atlanta Dragway

Bowman, Georgia’s Travis Bryant scored wins in both the Pro and 6.50 Index classes Saturday at the Atlanta Dragway. Photo by Wanda Glover

Two father and son teams, and one grandfather – grandson team found themselves in the final round of their classes, and three of the six took race wins for their efforts at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA.

Travis Bryant won 6.50 Index earlier in the day, and then came back to win Pro class over Pete Wagner. Bryant’s dad, Wade Bryant, finished runner up in the 7.00 Index class. Pete Wagner and his son Nick both ended their day as runner-up; Pete in Pro and Nick in Sportsman. 12 year old Malone Wilson enjoyed a win in 8-12 Jr. Dragster, and later in the evening enjoyed watching his grandfather Marshall York win in Sportsman.

Travis Bryant began what turned out to be a great day of racing by winning 6.50 Index class. Bryant’s Bowman, GA based ’68 Camaro posted a 6.535 second pass at 101.13 mph for the win. Doug Stringer of Loganville, GA also ran an identical 6.535 pass at 106.30 mph, but his reaction time caused him to take the big end stripe shortly after Bryant. Stan Sinack (’69 Dart – Lilburn, GA) only had a semi-final finish, but still holds the points lead as Bryant, who is second in the points series, closed the gap to 40 points.

“This has been a good track, and the car ran good,” Bryant said. “All the thanks go to my dad Wade.”

“Even my mom Deborah made it here today to watch,” he added.

Bryant made it back to the winner’s circle for the second time in the day after meeting Pete Wagner (who won Open Comp at the previous event) of Jefferson, GA. Wagner’s ’71 Demon was on a great run, with a small reaction time advantage to help, but even though Wagner crossed the finish line first, it was 0.008 seconds too soon, resulting in a breakout loss time of 7.432 at 90.51 mph (7.44 dial). Bryant’s car ran dead-on its mark, with a 6.372 at 107.75 mph (6.37 dial). Dickey Forrester (’68 Camaro – Hickory Flat, GA) and Larry Chance (’68 Camaro – Canton, GA) finished their day in the semi-final round.

“The car won that race, not me,” said Bryant. Bryant has the Pro points lead now over second place John Norris with 440 points.

American Legion Post 127 Commander Steve Adams earned his second win of the year with his Buford, GA based ’78 Malibu wagon, this time in 7.00 Index class. Adams met Bowman, GA racer Wade Bryant (father of Satuday’s double winner Travis Bryant) in the final, and used a reaction time advantage, coupled with a 7.02 at 98.35 mph to turn on the win light in his lane. Bryant’s ’67 Camaro ran flawlessly, posting a 7.008 second pass at 97.88 mph, but crossed the finish line in second place. Jody Blalock (’49 Hudson – Commerce, GA) and Tanner Dutton (’67 Camaro – Gainesville, GA) earned the semi-finalist portion of the purse. Adams thanked Jeff Wilkerson Racing Engines and his grandson Austin.

Former Open Comp Full Body champ Charlie McCulloch from Kennesaw, GA has been absent from the winner’s circle for quite a while due to various problems with his ’04 Mustang. Today began no differently, when it broke the ring and pinion gear in the differential on the first qualifying run. However, his friend Mark Young literally got out of his Mustang and told McCulloch to take it, as he was still in the points. McCulloch then proceeded through the rounds and on to the winner’s circle for the first time in several years. McCulloch’s final round numbers would have won in any class this evening, with a 0.005 second reaction time and a dead-on 7.054 on a 7.05 dial. He faced a tough opponent, Chad Brewer of Canton, GA driving “Tweety”, a ’67 Camaro. However, this time Brewer left the starting line 0.002 seconds too soon, leaving the dreaded cherry colored bulb glowing in his lane. “Tweety” was flawless, however, also running a dead-on 6.913 at 98.46 mph (6.91 dial). Jeremy Hancock (’77 Vega – Commerce, GA) was the lone semi-finalist.

Toccoa, GA racer Jim Onda enjoyed an instant win in Super Pro before his ’96 dragster even left the starting line. For the final, Onda faced Paul Dooley’s great looking ’34 Chevy roadster, which left the starting line too early (-0.012 second red light), handing the win to Onda. Onda chose to run his car flat out, and carded a breakout 4.842 at 143.11 mph (4.86 dial). Seeing the red light glowing, Dooley chose to lift off the throttle early, and coasted through the top end beams with a 5.66 at 104.96 mph (5.21 dial). Recent winners Brian Smith (’07 Undercover dragster – Flowery Branch, GA) and Don Brown Jr (’03 Spitzer dragster – Buford, GA) earned the semi-finalist portion of the purse.

“It’s been a long hot summer, and we finally took the win,” said Onda. “I want to thank the whole family for helping, especially my dad Joe for coming to all the races.”

“Remember, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” he added.

“Paw Paw” Marshall York, one of the “Wilson Gang” racers, enjoyed taking the Sportsman win against another Wagner family member, Nick. York had previously campaigned a Buick Grand National, but had consistency problems with the turbo car. His son in law, Bruce Wilson, helped him find his ’72 Nova, and the rest is history. York’s machine posted the winning time of 12.303 at 109.00 mph (12.30 dial). Wagner’s turbo powered ’04 Neon left the starting line with the red light glowing, courtesy of a minus 0.016 second react, and tripped the finish line beams 13.21 seconds later at 104.95 mph (13.12 dial). Sportsman points leader Howard Warren (’72 Maverick – Douglasville, GA) and John Snapp (’12 Mustang – Conyers, GA) were the semi-finalist pair.

“Thanks to the Wilson Gang for all they do,” York said. “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here. Bruce does all the work.”

David Fletcher of Lawrenceville, GA has been racing motorcycles for three decades, and enjoyed his first win in a while against Motorcycle class points leader Tim Sutton. Fletcher’s ’84 Kawasaki ran a good round, reacting first with a 0.012 second time, and crossing the win stripe with a 9.38 at 135.17 mph. Sutton’s Gainesville, GA based ’89 Suzuki actually crossed the stripe slightly in front of Fletcher, but broke out with an 8.899 at 142.40 mph (8.91 dial). Jimmy “Cha Cha” Heisler earned the semi-finalist portion of the purse.

“This wasn’t my first final recently, but it was my first win in years,” Fletcher said. “I did it with the help of my friends at the track, including Donnie Scott.” Fletcher also passed Jay Rhyne in the points, and is now holding the second place points position.

Malone Wilson, another “Wilson Gang” racer, also received an instant victory in 8-12 Jr Dragster. The 12 year old Wilson from Tallapoosa, GA saw opponent Chris Kittle (12 – Oxford, GA) turn on the tomato colored bulb, so at the point, knowing the win was his, he hit the throttle and didn’t lift until after he crossed the finish line stripe, posting an 8.80 at 74.38 mph (8.90 dial). Kittle’s brand new racecar (he had not even sat in it before today) ran close to the mark with a 9.24 at 70.26 mph (9.21 dial). Colton Reville (11 – Martinez, GA) took home the semi-finalist trophy for his efforts.

Eight time champ Wesley Mayfield (16 – Gainesville, GA) returned to the 13-17 Jr Dragster winner’s circle today after defeating 16 year old Buford, GA racer Brittney Hellemn. Mayfield used a reaction time advantage to post an off the throttle 7.98 at 74.65 mph (7.93 dial). Hellemn’s machine broke out trying to catch Mayfield, carding a 7.895 at 82.76 mph (7.90 dial). Paul Charette (17 – Evans, GA) also earned a semi-finalist trophy for his day’s work.

“It’s been a good day of racing for the Mayfields,” Wesley said. Wesley’s days in Jr Dragster may be numbered, however, as he is getting his racer’s physical on Wednesday, and plans to make Super Pro dragster license passes this coming Friday during the Year One Fast Friday event at Atlanta Dragway.

For more info on the Atlanta Dragway, visit www.atlantadragway.com.

Atlanta Dragway – Commerce, GA
Race Results – Aug. 11, 2012

SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN

Win: Jim Onda ’96 Dragster Toccoa, GA 4.84 143.11 (4.86)

R/U: Paul Dooley ’34 Chevy roadster Gainesville, GA (foul) 5.66 104.96 (5.21)

Semi: Brian Smith ’07 Undercover Flowery Branch, GA

Semi: Don Brown, Jr ’03 Spitzer Buford, GA

PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN

Win: Travis Bryant ’68 Camaro Bowman, GA 6.37 107.75 (6.37)

R/U: Pete Wagner ’71 Demon Jefferson, GA 7.432 90.51 (7.44)

Semi: Dickey Forrester ’68 Camaro Hickory Flat, GA

Semi: Larry Chance ’68 Camaro Canton, GA

SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN

The tablet should not be loved this viagra 100 mg taken with the help of the normal water. Then, they can right away be addressed to the doctor immediately for medical intervention. Less than 65 years of age: Daily 50mg thirty minutes to four hours before intercourse. Actually, there are numerous reasons for erectile dysfunction as one of the most well known side effect of certain medications. Win: Marshall York ’72 Nova Tallapoosa, GA 12.303 109.00 (12.30)

R/U: Nick Wagner ’04 Neon Jefferson, GA (foul) 13.21 104.95 (13.12)

Semi: Howard Warren ’72 Maverick Douglasville, GA

Semi: John Snapp ’12 Mustang Conyers, GA

MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN

Win: David Fletcher ’84 Kawasaki Lawrenceville, GA 9.38 135.17 (9.35)

R/U: Tim Sutton ’89 Suzuki Clermont, GA 8.89 142.40 (8.91)

Semi: Jimmy Heisler ’00 Kawasaki Woodstock, GA

6.50 INDEX CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN

Win: Travis Bryant ’68 Camaro Bowman, GA 6.535 101.13 (6.50)

R/U: Doug Stringer ’71 Nova Loganville, GA 6.535 106.30 (6.50)

Semi: Stan Sinack ’69 Dart Lilburn, GA

7.00 INDEX CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN