Matt Ward not only won the "King of the Track" competition, but also scored the Pro category victory at Atlanta Dragway Saturday. Photo by Tim Glover
Fans at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia got to see Matt Ward of Fair Play, SC crowned the “NHRA King of the Track” with a best qualifying run in runoff competition, where the four “big car” class winners made passes after the main competition was done to see who could deliver the tightest “package” (quickest reaction time and closest to their estimated elapsed time).
Ward earned the title with a 0.009 second package (0.009 reaction time and 6.340 seconds on a 6.34 dial).
“I want to thank God for sending his son Jesus Christ,” was one of the first things Ward, from Fair Play, SC said after winning his fourth 2011 Pro event with his stealth mode ’69 Camaro. Final round opponent George Hardy’s Hiram, GA based ’78 Malibu enjoyed a .018 second reaction time advantage over Ward (.016 to Ward’s .034) and took the big end stripe first, but unfortunately for Hardy, it was too quick, breaking out with a 6.63 at 101.29 mph (6.67 target). Ward’s mount posted the winning time of 6.342 at 108.78mph (6.33 dial). Jeff Sanford’s ’87 Spitzer roadster carried him to the Pro semi-finalist position. Ward then continued his streak in the King of the Track runoff, carding a great 0.009 second reaction time and a dead-on 6.340 second pass to win the King of the Track Wally trophy.
“This is awesome!,” exclaimed Ward. “I wasn’t about to put a 6.33 on the car.”
Wayne Brooks scored the Super Pro win on Saturday. Photo by Tim Glover
Wayne Brooks from Betweeen, GA earned his second 2011 Super Pro win against Gainesville, GA racer Paul Dooley’s ’34 Chevy Roadster. Brooks, who had been posting 4.66 and 4.67 passes during competition had a little easier time in the final after Dooley’s car slowed to a 5.34, 125.06 mph pass (5.15 dial). Brooks chose to slow his car a little, crossing the win stripe with 4.71 second pass at 137.85 mph (4.67 dial).
2010 Division Two champ Phil Owens (’05 M&M dragster – Lithia Springs, GA) was the lone semi-finalist.
After an absence from the track, Brian Wilson returned in style with a win in the Motorcycle event. Photo by Tim Glover
Tallapoosa, GA racer Brian Wilson, the 2010 King of the Track winner, came back to the top in Motorcycle with his newly repaired ’82 Suzuki, which has been out of action for several months. Wilson did not realize how close his victory over Phillip Freeland from Pleasantville, OH was until he took a look at the time slip, and realized he had won the “dead heat” (both racer’s packages were equal down to the thousandth of a second) by one ten thousandth of a second. Wilson’s machine reacted with a 0.019 second time, and went close to his 5.58 dial with a 0.01 over 5.596 at 127.16 mph. In the meantime, Freeland’s ’07 Kawasaki was equally good with a 0.029 second react, coupled with a dead-on 5.606 at 123.38 mph pass. Wilson’s brother, Michael (’01 Suzuki – Tallapoosa, GA), was the semi-finalist purse winner.
J.D. Burford picked up another Sportsman victory on Saturday. Photo by Tim Glover
Although Sportsman winner J.D. “Doc” Burford from Greenville, SC was stopped short two weeks ago from winning three in a row, he did enjoy his third victory in just five weekends on Saturday. Burford’s reaction time advantage of 0.024 seconds helped him gain the win after surviving a double breakout finish against last weekend’s winner, Harold Wilson (’74 Nova SS – Winder, GA). Doc’s ’07 Corvette broke out less with an 8.474 at 88.76 mph (8.48 dial), while Wilson’s machine posted an 8.284 at 82.28 mph (8.30 target). The semi-final finishers were Allen Smith (’91 Chevy C1500 – Cleveland, GA) and Russell Haskins (’08 Ford F-250 – Marietta, GA).
“Whoa, my sweetheart is going to be impressed,” said Burford after receiving the RFC trophy, King of the Track competitor hat, winner sticker and check. “It’s been another great race. We appreciate the support everyone is giving.”
Austin Solesbee (near lane) scored the win in the 8-12 Jr. Dragster event. Photo by Tim Glover
Austin Solesbee from Sautee, GA returned to the 8-12 Jr Dragster winner’s circle again after defeating “Good Time” Charlie Smith (12 years old – McDonough, GA) in the final round. Both were great in the reaction time department, (0.032 for Solesbee and 0.033 for Smith). Solesbee survived the double breakout contest by posting a close 8.896 time at 72.05 mph (8.90 dial). Smith, who also was running on an 8.90 dial, broke out a little more with an 8.882 at 74.37 mph. Austin Carden (12 – McDonough,GA), the previous 8-12 winner, earned the semi-finalist trophy.
“This has been one heck of a day,” Solesbee said. “I raced two of the best out here (Carden and Smith) and was lucky enough to beat them today.”
Paul Charette (left) celebrates with family and friends after an all family final in the 13-17 Jr. Dragster class. Photo by Tim Glover
During the recent Night of Fire event, 13-17 Jr Dragster winner Paul Charette from Evans, GA defeated one of his step brothers, Ricky Hebert in the final round. Saturday, Charette met his other step brother, Zach Hebert (16 – Evans, GA) in the final. Both cars ran well, with Charette posting a dead-on 7.954 at 82.82 mph for the win. Unfortunately for Hebert, his car was just a pinch too quick out of the starting line beams, leaving the cherry colored foul bulb glowing due to a -0.012 second reaction time. He then carded a very good 0.02 over 7.950 at 78.52 mph. Chris Bowden (15 – Homer, GA) enjoyed a good finish, making it to the semi-final round.
“It was great to win, but I wish he hadn’t red-lighted,” said Charette.
“From now on I’m pulling for any other family member running against Paul,” said Charette’s father, Leo.
Atlanta Dragway – Commerce, GA
Race Results – Aug. 27, 2011
SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Wayne Brooks ’98 RaceTech Between, GA 4.71 137.85 (4.67)
R/U: Paul Dooley ’34 Chevy roadster Gainesville, GA 5.34 125.06 (5.15)
Semi: Phil Owens ’05 M&M dragster Lithia Springs, GA
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PRO
Win: Matt Ward ’69 Camaro Fair Play, SC 6.34 108.78 (6.33)
R/U: George Hardy ’78 Malibu Hiram, GA 6.63 101.29 (6.67)
Semi: Jeff Sanford ’87 Spitzer roadster Campobello, SC
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: J.D. Burford ’07 Corvette Greenville, SC 8.474 88.76 (8.48)
R/U: Harold Wilson ’73 Nova Winder, GA 8.28 82.28 (8.30)
Semi: Allen Smith ’91 Chevy truck Cleveland, GA
Semi: Russell Haskins ’08 Ford F-250 Marietta, GA
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MOTORCYCLE
Win: Brian Wilson ’82 Suzuki Tallapoosa, GA 5.596 127.16 (5.58)
R/U: Phillip Freeland ’07 Kawasaki Pleasantville, OH 5.606 123.38 (5.60)
Semi: Michael Wilson ’01 Suzuki Tallapoosa, GA
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8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Austin Solesbee 13
R/U: Charlie Smith 12
Semi: Austin Carden 12
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13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Paul Charette 16
R/U: Zach Hebert 16
Semi: Chris Bowden 15
