Drag racers took advantage of the final night of non-points competition to tune-up their vehicles and work out any last kinks during the fourth week of Friday Night Drags & Show-N-Shine at Atlanta Motor Speedway.As has been the story in previous editions of Friday Night Drags in 2013, a mix of new and familiar faces turned out to do battle on the eighth-mile pit lane drag strip for the last time this season before points go on the line during the May 31 contest.
The evening’s action was marked by several competitive matchups on the pit lane drag strip. The Super Pro division, AMS’ fastest division offered at Friday Night Drags, saw an intense final round race between Henry County residents Allen Kidd of Locust Grove and Matt Mayben of McDonough. The battle of Chevrolets went to the orange machine of Kidd this week, as his 1969 Camaro was able to top Mayben’s 1972 Nova.
The Pro division final featured a couple of FND veterans, as David Harbin of McDonough was able to power his 1969 Chevrolet Nova over Hampton’s Billy Clevenger, piloting a Dodge Barracuda.
Thanks to a red car win on Friday night, fans will be treated to a pizza discount on Saturday, courtesy of Papa John’s Pizza. Anytime a red car ends up in victory lane in any division, fans qualify for 50 percent off any regular priced menu item on Saturday when ordering online at PapaJohns.com. Fans are asked to use the promo code 50RED when ordering at participating locations.
Below is a complete list of the May 17 Friday Night Drag winners:
Super Pro: Allen Kidd (Locust Grove) in a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro
Pro: David Harbin (McDonough) in a 1969 Chevrolet Nova
Street Outlaw: Jeremy Rhodes (Hampton) in a 1989 Ford Mustang
Summit Racing Sportsman: Richard Riggi (Lovejoy) in a 1987 Ford Mustang Coupe
Truck Advanced: Lance Chitwood (Locust Grove) in a 1988 Chevrolet 1500
Diesel Truck: Dwayne Bethune (Covington) in a 2006 Dodge Ram
Truck: Shelton Maynard (Hampton) in a 1972 Chevrolet C-10
Domestic Advanced: Neal Skipper (Covington) in a 1988 Ford Mustang Coupe
Street Modified: Kyle Cumpton (Snellville) in a 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
Domestic: Kane Shavers (Griffin) in a 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Tuner: Chase Ponder (Brooks) in a 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Sport Compact: Erion Jackson (Miami, Fla.) in a 2011 Infiniti G37 Coupe
ATV: Rodney Tolbert (Locust Grove) on a 2010 Yamaha Banshee
Cycle Nation Super Bike: Toney Freeman (Stockbridge) on a 2002 Suzuki Hayabusa
Super Sport Bike: Desmond Huguley (Wedowee, Ala.) on a 2007 GSX-R 750
Sport Bike: Joshua Jones (Riverdale) on a 2002 Suzuki Hayabusa
The Show-N-Shine competition featured everything from new imports to classic muscle cars and automobiles ranging as far back as the 1930s. Those vehicles then took part in the Speedway Cruise following judging.
Below is a complete list of the May 17 winners:
Showroom Current (1973 through current):
First Place: Paul Gerald (Locust Grove), 2014 Ford Mustang
Second Place: Leigh Blakey (Jonesboro), 2011 Ford Mustang
Third Place: Tommy Hicks (McDonough) Chevrolet Camaro
Showroom Classic (1950 to 1972):
First Place: Robert Cheney (Jonesboro), 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302
Second Place: Christopher Byrd (Hampton), 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Third Place: John Michael Miller (McDonough), 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle
Sport Compact:
First Place: Jose Lopez (Griffin), Hyundai Genesis
Second Place: Mark Twigger (Sharpsburg), BMW M3
Third Place: Krystal Mendoza (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS
Classic Custom (1950 to 1972):
First Place: Gene Fuller (Hiram), 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air
Second Place: Tony Taylor, 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle
Third Place: Mandy Campbell (Hampton), 1954 Ford F-1
Current Custom (1973 through current):
First Place: Steve Kochik (Stockbridge), 2008 Ford Mustang
Second Place: Christopher Shinkle (Zebulon), 1991 GMC Sonoma
Third Place: Michael Baucom (Milner), 1993 Toyota Pickup
Truck:
First Place: Michael Thomas (Fayetteville), 1968 Chevrolet C-10
Second Place: Adam Wallace (McDonough), 1985 Chevrolet Silverado
Third Place: Kaylee Spivey (Fayetteville), Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD
Open:
First Place: Jason Turner (McDonough), 1936 Ford Cabriolet
Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Friday Night Drags & Show-N-Shine will have an off-week on May 24 for the Memorial Day weekend. Friday Night Drags will return May 31 with week five of the season and the opening of points racing for 2013. Grandstand gates open at 6:30 p.m. and nightly drag race eliminations start at 9:15 p.m.
Entry to drag race or for the Show-N-Shine is just $20 or competitors can purchase a combo ticket for $30. Spectator tickets at Friday Night Drags are just $8 for adults and children five and under are free. More information can be found at www.atlantamotorspeedway.com/drags or by calling the Atlanta Motor Speedway Ticket Office at (770) 946-4211.