DIVISION 2
Atlanta Dragway
Commerce, Ga., Sept. 28-30
Results will be posted as soon as they are available. For detailed results, go to Drag Race Central
Event preview
Sunday:
COMMERCE, Ga. – NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car ace Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J., wrapped up his 11th career national championship this weekend at Atlanta Dragway's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. The veteran racer put a punctuation mark on his season by scoring his fifth divisional-level win while Morgan Lucas, Brownsburg, Ind., earned his fourth divisional event of the year in Top Alcohol Dragster.
Both Manzo and reigning Southeast division champion Jay Payne of Claremont, Calif., were competing in their last points-earning event. Payne was the event's No. 1 qualifier but suffered a first-round loss at the hands of Monty Todd of Wetumpka, Ala. In the final round, Manzo squared off against Stamford, Conn., resident Mickey Ferro. Manzo ran 5.595 seconds at 258.62 mph to Ferro's 6.753 second, 147.44 mph pass.
Lucas, who also pilots a Top Fuel dragster in NHRA's POWERade Series, carried his top qualifying effort into the winner's circle. In the final, he made a 5.292-second, 275.17 mph pass to beat out Sandy, Utah's, Aaron Olivarez. Olivarez, the event's No. 2 qualifier, ran 5.337 seconds at 270.43 mph against Lucas.
In Comp Eliminator, Lee Zane of Perry Hall, Md., scored the win over Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J. Nick Morris, Bardstown, Ky., drove his Super Stocker to the winner's circle beating out Jerry Harris, White Plains, Ala., while the Stock Eliminator win went to Jeff Adkins, Damascus, Ga., who beat Bill Harris, Ooltewah, Tenn. Super Comp racer Jim Perry got the win over Jimmy Stahl, Boone, N.C. In Super Gas, Sherman Adcock Jr. of Fortson, Ga., scored his third win in two races. He won in both Super Comp and Super Gas at the division's last race. This time he beat Matt Cooke, Hendersonville, N.C., for the Super Gas title. Leland Poppell, Odum, Ga., landed the win in Super Street, besting Kevin Mac Nicol, North Port, Fla. The win in Top Sportsman went to Jeremy Glidewell, Corinth, Miss., when he beat out Swanee, Ga., resident Ronnie Davis. Stanley Albritton Jr. earned the win in Top Dragster over Mark Brown, Lake Worth, Fla.
NHRA Southeast division racers head to Reynolds, Ga., for the final NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event of the year. Silver Dollar Raceway will host the Series, Oct. 19-21.
The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Morgan Lucas, Brownsburg, Ind., 5.295, 273.83 def.
8) Dave DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.479, 258.62
2) Thomas Bayer, Fontana, Calif., 5.459, 260.46 def.
7) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 6.220, 214.93
3) Aaron Olivarez, Sandy, Utah, 5.376, 269.83 def.
6) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 6.791, 151.24
4) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.514, 264.18 def.
5) Lindsey Wood, McAlpin, Fla., 23.711, 24.65
Semifinals
Olivarez, 5.548, 265.95 def. Bayer, 9.460, 79.13
Lucas, 5.371, 270.97 def. Bohr, 5.431, 266.48
Final
Lucas, 5.292, 275.17 def. Olivarez, 5.337, 270.43
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
8) Monty Todd, Wetumpka, Ala., '01 Camaro, 6.045, 242.93 def.
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '07 Mustang, 6.053, 248.34
2) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.555, 260.36 def.
7) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alb., '02 Camaro, 5.655, 252.00
3) Bob Newberry, Morriston, Fla., '07 Monte Carlo, 5.670, 254.66 def.
6) Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.619, 257.58
5) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '02 Camaro, 5.682, 254.33 def.
4) Keeter Ray, Newport Bch, Calif., '07 Mustang, 5.709, 253.09
Semifinals
Manzo, 5.616, 258.17 def. Newberry, 15.901, 60.38
Ferro, 5.678, 252.19 def. Todd, 5.778, 248.98
Final
Manzo, 5.595, 258.62 def. Ferro, 6.753, 147.44
COMP ELIMINATOR
Lee Zane, Perry Hall, Md., '32 Bantam, L/AA, 12.899, 64.49 def.
Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J., dragster, G/D, foul
SUPER STOCK
Nick Morris, Bardstown, Ky., '98 Mustang, GT/LA, 11.055, 115.19 def.
Jerry Harris, White Plains, Ala., '95 Acheiva, SS/CS, 10.305, 131.04
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Jeff Adkinson, Damascus, Ga., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.680, 119.28 def.
Bill Harris, Ooltewah, Tenn., '71 Mustang, D/SA, 10.979, 121.01
SUPER COMP
Jim Perry, Niota, Tenn., dragster, 8.920, 172.50 def.
Jimmy Stahl, Boone, N.C., dragster, 8.901, 172.85
SUPER GAS
Sherman Adcock Jr., Fortson, Ga., '66 Chevy II, 9.867, 158.24 def.
Matt Cooke, Hendersonville, N.C., '67 Corvette, 14.748, 92.09
SUPER STREET
Leland Poppell, Odum, Ga., '86 Camaro, 10.898, 130.19 def.
Kevin MacNicol, North Port, Fla., '78 Trans Am, 10.881, 126.57
TOP SPORTSMAN
Jeremy Glidewell, Corinth, Miss., '95 Cutlass, 10.573, 84.71 def.
Ronnie Davis, Swanee, Ga., '63 Corvette, 6.820, 204.20
TOP DRAGSTER
Stanley Albritton Jr., Bradenton, Fla., dragster, 7.705, 146.54 def.
Mark Brown, Lake Worth, Fla., dragster, foul
Saturday:
Commerce, Ga. – In the final rounds of qualifying for this weekend's $185,875 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway Morgan Lucas and Jay Payne grabbed the top spots in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car.
Lucas, of Brownsburg, Ind., is taking a weekend off from the NHRA POWERade Series where he pilots the Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster, to compete in his alcohol dragster where he outran the field with a 5.344 second lap at 271.79 mph. Lucas is followed by Fontana, Calif., racer Thomas Bayer in second and Aaron Olivarez of Sandy, Utah, in third.
Payne, running out of Claremont, Calif., jumped to the top of the Funny Car field with a pass of 5.628 seconds at 358.27 mph. Payne is followed by Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J., in the No. 2 spot. The two racers are locked in a battle for the NHRA Lucas Oil National Championship with Payne needing to win the event to over take Manzo, the current NHRA National Champion.
Michele Costa of Freehold, N.J., and Saddle River, N.J., racer Gerry Russo lead the Comp Eliminator field while Bob Dennis of Shorter, Ala., and John Livingston of Murfreesboro, Tenn., are qualified No. 1 in Super Stock and Stock respectively.
In the division's TracStar Systems Top Sportsman class it was Ronnie Davis taking the top spot out of Swanne, Ga., with a 6.493 second, 214.62 mph lap in his '63 Corvette. Davis was joined by Angie Travis of Conover, N.C., who qualified No. 1 in the Mid-State RV Top Dragster class.
Racing continues Sunday at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday with racers competing for nearly $200,000 in cash and contingency awards. Gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, children 12 and under are free with a paid adult. Atlanta Dragway is located at 500 E Ridgeway Road in Commerce, approximately 60 miles NE of Atlanta near the intersection of I-85 and Highway 441 in Banks Crossing.
The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first round pairing for Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Morgan Lucas, Brownsburg, Ind., 5.344 seconds, 271.79 mph
2) Thomas Bayer, Fontana, Calif., 5.406, 262.54
3) Aaron Olivarez, Sandy, Utah, 5.410, 267.75
4) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.411, 266.64
5) Lindsey Wood, McAlpin, Fla., 5.413, 264.70
6) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.423, 249.21
7) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.481, 271.95
8) Dave DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.482, 258.96
Not Qualified
9) Spencer Massey, Fort Worth, Texas, 5.488, 265.43
10) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.499, 253.56
11) Bill Evans, Miramar, Fla., 5.561, 245.36
12) Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.610, 257.73
13) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.662, 250.32
14) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.746, 246.03
15) Dan Lucas, Cumming, Ga., 6.247, 224.17
16) Cherissa Smallwood, Gainesville, Fla., 7.036, 213.67
17) Dave Weber, N Ridgeville, Ohio, 7.327, 124.52
18) Diana Harker, Gainesville, Ga., 12.278, 74.24
19) Gene Arrigoni, Yorktown Heights, N.Y., 18.099, 40.09
First round TAD pairings
1) Morgan Lucas, Brownsburg, Ind., 5.344 seconds, 271.79 mph vs.
8) Dave DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.482, 258.96
2) Thomas Bayer, Fontana, Calif., 5.406, 262.54 vs.
7) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.481, 271.95
3) Aaron Olivarez, Sandy, Utah, 5.410, 267.75 vs.
6) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.423, 249.21
4) Jeff Bohr, Plymouth, Mich., 5.411, 266.64 vs.
5) Lindsey Wood, McAlpin, Fla., 5.413, 264.70
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '07 Mustang, 5.628 seconds, 258.27 mph
2) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.643, 259.66
3) Bob Newberry, Morriston, Fla., '07 Monte Carlo, 5.672, 254.47
4) Keeter Ray, Newport Beach, Calif., '07 Mustang, 5.694, 253.71
5) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '02 Camaro, 5.702, 252.61
6) Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.739, 240.94
7) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alb., '02 Camaro, 5.885, 250.55
8) Monty Todd, Wetumpka, Ala., '01 Camaro, 5.978, 242.45
Not Qualified
9) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 5.989, 242.63
10) Melinda Green-King, Norfolk, Va., '07 Mustang, 6.030, 237.34
11) Mark Rogers, Highlands, N.C., '97 Firebird, 6.054, 234.37
12) Andy Bohl, Racine, Wis., '00 Firebird, 6.160, 171.75
13) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., '02 Firebird, 6.196, 211.06
14) John Bojec, Chardon, Ohio, '03 Avenger, 7.191, 125.56
15) John Sullivan, Pike Road City, Ala., '05 Trans Am, 12.626, 69.27
16) Bobby Martindale, Glen Allen, Va., '98 Mustang, (no time)
First round TAFC pairings
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '07 Mustang, 5.628 seconds, 258.27 mph vs.
8) Monty Todd,
Wetumpka, Ala., '01 Camaro, 5.978, 242.45
2) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.643, 259.66 vs.
7) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alta., '02 Camaro, 5.885, 250.55
3) Bob Newberry, Morriston, Fla., '07 Monte Carlo, 5.672, 254.47 vs.
6) Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.739, 240.94
4) Keeter Ray, Newport Beach, Calif., '07 Mustang, 5.694, 253.71 vs.
5) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '02 Camaro, 5.702, 252.61
COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J., dragster, G/D, 8.996 seconds, -0.674 (under index)
2) Gerry Russo, Saddle River, N.J., '05 Cavalier, C/SMA, 8.223, -0.647
3) Stephen Szupka, Willow Grove, Pa., dragster, F/ED, 8.260, -0.640
4) Allen Stanfield, Fredericksburg, Va., '98 Grand Am, G/SM, 8.793, -0.637
5) Frank Aragona Jr., Old Bridge, N.J., '32 Bantam, G/EA, 8.296, -0.634
6) Scott Benham, La Grange, Texas, '05 Sunfire, E/SM, 8.528, -0.632
7) Jenny Treadwell, Mt. Plymouth, Fla., dragster, E/ED, 8.285, -0.625
8) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., dragster, G/ED, 8.058, -0.602
9) Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '06 Sunfire, A/SM, 7.838, -0.592
10) Lonnie Johnson, Ettrick, Va., '99 Neon, B/AA, 7.071, -0.579
SUPER STOCK
1) Bob Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '91 Calais, GT/MA, 10.790 seconds, -1.260 (under index)
2) Rick Brewer, Jacksonville, Fla., '67 Corvette, SS/IA, 9.827, -1.173
3) Ken Schindler, Hendersonville, Tenn., '71 Corvette, SS/BA, 9.067, -1.133
4) Jim Holland, Forest City, N.C., '05 Cavalier, GT/AA, 9.309, -1.091
5) Mike Crutchfield, Montgomery, Ala., '07 Pontiac, SS/BS, 8.962, -1.088
6) Brandon Wilkinson, Bowling Green, Ky., '69 Corvette, SS/AA, 8.913, -1.087
7) Don Barber, Hohenwald, Tenn., '05 Cavalier, GT/CA, 9.631, -1.069
8) Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '05 Cavalier, GT/AA, 9.354, -1.046
9) Johnny Fogle, Norway, S.C., '67 Camaro, SS/GA, 9.808, -1.042
10) Lincoln Morehead, Marlboro, N.Y., '05 Cavalier, SS/EM, 9.459, -1.041
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) John Livingston, Murfreesboro, Tenn., '90 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.672 seconds, -1.278 (under index)
2) Tom Hemmingson, Concord, N.C., '66 Chevelle, L/S, 11.756, -1.244
3) Doug Patrick, Boca Raton, Fla., '72 Cutlass, M/SA, 11.953, -1.197
4) Bobby Warren, Clinton, N.C., '98 Firehawk, B/FIA, 10.523, -1.177
5) Mike Meints, Panama City bch, Fla., '84 Firebird, J/SA, 11.638, -1.112
6) David Beaver, Shelby, N.C., '98 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.603, -1.097
7) Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.607, -1.093
8) David Toren, Canton, Ga., '67 Mustang, D/SA, 10.758, -1.092
9) Randy Huntsman, Ellijay, Ga., '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.514, -1.086
10) Jeff Warren, Clinton, N.C., '97 Firebird, A/FI, 10.177, -1.073
TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Ronnie Davis, Suwanee, Ga., '63 Corvette, 6.493 seconds, 214.62 mph
2) Robert Davis, Boca Raton, Fla., '63 Corvette, 6.657, 211.36
3) Jason Wood, Live Oak, Fla., '68 Camaro, 6.760, 205.76
4) Jim Harrington, Ft. Walton Bch., Fla., '99 Cutlass, 6.825, 203.43
5) Jeffery Pittman, Conover, N.C., '68 Camaro, 6.870, 197.48
6) Greg Hinds, Arab, Ala., '41 Willys, 6.904, 197.94
7) Jerry Barker, Fort Valley, Ga., '06 Cobalt, 6.909, 201.49
8) Earl Folse, Raceland, La., '68 Camaro, 6.958, 199.43
9) Johnny Adkins, Linden, Tenn., '57 Bel Air, 7.140, 197.83
10) Jeffrey Barker, Warner-Robins, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.184, 191.35
TOP DRAGSTER
1) Angie Travis, Conover, N.C., dragster, 6.895 seconds, 195.31 mph
2) Lauren Freer, Lewisville, N.C., dragster, 6.908, 191.78
3) Dan Seidel, Port St Lucie, Fla., dragster, 7.004, 190.54
4) Jeff Burnett, Orlando, '00 Altered, 7.005, 188.44
5) J D Reid, Conyers, Ga., dragster, 7.013, 191.57
6) Randy Woods, Moulton, Ala., dragster, 7.039, 189.63
7) David Strain, Kenner, La., dragster, 7.040, 191.05
8) Steve Estes, Griffin, Ga., dragster, 7.148, 186.82
9) Mark Brown, Lake Worth, Fla., dragster, 7.165, 187.34
10) Cynthia Farrow, Chattanooga, Tenn., dragster, 7.195, 185.00
Event preview:
COMMERCE, Ga. – NHRA Southeast division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will be at Atlanta Dragway, September 28-30. The race is the fifth of six in the division and will feature drivers in eight categories, including 250 mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, vying for points leading to divisional and national championships. The division's TracStar Systems Satellites Top Sportsman Series and Mid-State RV Top Dragster Series will also run in conjunction with the event.
Top Alcohol Dragster rookie driver Lindsey Wood is leading in the point standings. The former NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League competitor has two final-round appearances this season. She earned the win at an out-of-division race in Belle Rose, La., and was runner-up at the division's last race at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Cecil, Ga. Wood, a resident of McAlpin, Fla., has a slim lead over reigning division champ Aaron Olivarez of Sandy, Utah. Olivarez opened the season with a runner up finish at Bradenton (Fla.) Motorsports Park and was runner-up at an out-of-division race in Atco, N.J..
Wood is wheeling the Top Alcohol Dragster ride of Jerry Darien and Ken Meadows that Ashley Force vacated when she moved up to her father's John Force Racing team. The Darien/Meadows entry has been the training ground for a spate of current NHRA professional drivers. In addition to Force, other current professional NHRA drivers who piloted the car include Morgan Lucas, Brandon Bernstein, Melanie Troxel and Gary Scelzi.
In Top Alcohol Funny Car, defending division champion Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., has a commanding lead over Bob Newberry of Schenectady, N.Y. Payne has three wins and a runner-up finish in six races. Newberry has scored runner-up points twice. The two squared off in the final round of the event at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway and Payne got the win.
Payne is also in the hunt for the Lucas Oil Series national championship. He is running a very close second to 10-time national champion Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J. The race at Atlanta Dragway could be the make-it-or-break-it event for Payne.
Merritt Island, Fla., racer David Eaton is leading in the Comp Eliminator point standings on the strength of three wins in six races. Edmond Richardson Jr. is leading in the division's Stock Eliminator class and is fourth in the Super Comp standings. At the division's last race, at South Georgia Motorsports Park, the Greenbriar, Tenn., resident doubled up, scoring wins in both classes.
Gates at Atlanta Dragway open at 8 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will start Friday at noon and continue Saturday at 10 a.m. Eliminations will start Sunday at 9 a.m. Racers in Top Dragster will qualify Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Qualifying for Comp Eliminator is scheduled Friday at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday at 4 and 7 p.m. Competitors in Top Sportsman will have qualifying passes at 5 p.m. Friday and at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car racers will have two qualifying sessions, at 5 and 8 p.m., on Saturday. Eliminations will start at 9 a.m. Sunday and Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at 1 p.m.
Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway are $10 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. A two-day ticket is $35 and a full-event pass is $45. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
Atlanta Dragway is located at 500 E. Ridgeway Road, approximately 60 miles NE of Atlanta. For more information call the track, (706) 335-2301, or visit
E-mail this article
Print this article