By: Amy Glover
(Commerce, GA – March 24) Racers came out of hibernation for the first weekend of spring and the first race of the 2012 Summit ET series at Atlanta Dragway. What started as a perfect day made for a great turnout, but the event was cut short with spring showers in the early evening. Of the nine competing categories, only four beat the weather, while the Full-Bodied category agreed to split the winnings among the remaining three racers.
Walt Mesik (Madison, GA) took his ’74 Vega head-to-head with Stan Sinack (Lilburn, GA) in a ’69 Dart for the 6.50 Index finals, both automatically dialed in for a 6.50 seconds run. Mesik’s .019 reaction time won the day, giving his 6.52 elapsed time at 101.30 mph a head start beyond Sinack’s .039 green light and 6.52 run at 104.91 mph. Michael Goodwin (’70 Dart—Jefferson, GA) and Travis Bryant (’68 Camaro—Bowman, GA) finished early in the semi-finals.
David Simmons, hailing from Suwanee, GA, drove his Sonoma truck to the 7.00 Index finals against Gerry Williams (Snellville, GA) in a ’73 Dodge. Both men were geared up to overtake the tree, but Williams hit the pedal too early for a -.013 red light, automatically throwing out his 6.99 seconds run at 96.49 mph. Simmons cut a .022 green light, and sailed to the finish line in 6.73 seconds at 101.43 mph for his victory lap. “Everything went good,” Simmons said, before thanking his wife Loretta for her support. John Norris (’80 Malibu—Royston, GA) and Tanner Dutton (’67 Camaro—Gainesville, GA) ended their night in the semi-final round.
In the 8-12 Junior Dragster category, Colton Reville (11—Martinez, GA) was thrilled to enter his first final in his third year of junior dragster racing, against Jessie Daniel (11—Loganville, GA). Dialed in at 9.12 seconds, Reville began his slight head-start with an excellent .004 reaction time, preceding Daniel’s delayed .244 green light. Dialed in at 9.10, Daniel pursued Reville’s dragster with a 9.19 seconds run at 70.85 mph, but not before Reville sealed his first win with a 9.14 elapsed time at 71.97 mph. Reville thanked his uncle Leo (owner of the dragster), his dad Phillip and mom Jackie, and his team. Trey Butler (10—Jackson, GA) placed third.
Maddie Lee (14—Campobello, SC) and Zach Hebert (17—Evans, GA) turned the 13-17 Junior Dragster final into a heads-up competition, both expecting a 7.90 elapsed time. Lee launched first with a .058 reaction, followed closely by Hebert, who cut a .062 green light. Lee held her own to the win stripe, claiming first place with a 7.93 seconds run at 83.11 mph, beating out Hebert’s 7.95 elapsed time at 79.16 mph by just .02 seconds. Blayke Phillips (15—Jonesboro, GA) and Cole Sheriff (16—Lula, GA) finished as semi-finalists.
Despite the race being called off for the Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle categories, the Full-Bodied category had just three competitors left before the rain fell. Chad Brewer (’68 Camaro—Canton, GA), Danny Towe (’70 Mustang—Lawrenceville, GA), and Jesse Young (’01 Undercover—Danielsville, GA) agreed to resolve the night by splitting the winnings.
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 may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com.