By Amy Glover

(Commerce, GA – June 27) A surprise rainstorm turned the track into a sauna, but racers and fans were unfazed while the Atlanta Dragway crew worked to dry the track, for the annually anticipated Powerade Night of Fire event. The delays continued with car troubles and an extreme oil-down, but the show went on, giving the fans what they craved most – an action-packed experience loaded with exhibitions and entertainment. There was something for everyone – inflatable playgrounds for the kids, a midway for potential customers, the thrill of jet cars for adrenaline-seekers, and North Georgia ’s largest fireworks show for the whole family.

This year’s Night of Fire showcased a handful of fast cars for the speed demon in all of us. A national anthem ceremony was held courtesy of visiting army officials, introducing the highlights of the night. Kate Harker (of the KDH racing team) brought her NHRA Top Alcohol dragster, covering the quarter mile in 5.97 seconds at 228 mph. Clayton Reeves, former Atlanta Dragway racer, ran his supercharged, alcohol burning Top Dragster (in preparation to run in the NHRA Top Dragster class), zooming past the grandstands in 6.97 seconds at 195.5 mph. Jeff Paulk (in a silver S-10 pick-up) and Keith Szabo (in a silver Mustang) demonstrated their outlaw series Limited Street cars, technically street legal with a TON of power – Szabo had an early shut-off, but Paulk covered the eighth mile course in 4.96 seconds at 150.38 mph. Szabo redeemed himself later in the evening, wowing the fans with a 4.87 at 160.67mph. Dan Parker (’63 Corvette) and Chris Patrick (’41 Willys) showed off their Dixie Pro Mods, thrilling the fans with sparks all the way down the track. Patrick had a 4.56 ET at 160 mph; Parker drove at 179.85 mph in 4.04 seconds.

The fans were already excited, but it spilled over when the jet cars rolled out – the quiet before the runs fueling the anticipation. First, Elaine Larsen in the Embry Riddle Jet Dragster pulled up alongside Mike “Hojo” Hojnacki’s police ‘Interceptor’ jet funny car (complete with sirens-and-flashing-lights crew vehicle), pumping the impressive flames spectators have come to expect from the outrageous machinery. Larsen “beat” Hojnacki’s run by covering the distance in 5.83 seconds at 271.17 mph, while Hojnacki finished in 6.22 seconds at 253.04 mph. Hojnacki made a show of ‘arresting’ Larsen in front of the crowd after the run. The final exhibition was a curious concept, a team of train-themed jet dragsters, their enormous tailpipes shielded by locomotive paintjobs. K.C. Jones manned the Cannonball Express, while James “Paul” Kelley “engineered” the Chattanooga Choo Choo. After a lengthy fire-show, the dragsters took off from the line with ferocity, Jones running a 7.06 ET at 224.06 mph and his teammate Kelley running a 7.60 ET at 217.32 mph.

Old age and treachery outdid youth and experience in the Super Pro final, pitting the seasoned Don Brown, Sr. (’01 Spitzer Dragster – Buford, GA ) against former junior racer Jeremy Hancock (’05 M&M Dragster – Commerce, GA). In the previous two rounds, Brown had cut -.008 red-lights (with luck on his side and a bye run), preparing him to gear up for the final with fine-tuned anticipation. Both men were dialed at 4.95, keeping the race old school with a promise of some tight competition. Brown hit the tree hard with a .007 green, Hancock following closely with a .020 reaction time. Hancock ran dead-on the dial at 137.58 mph, but Brown’s reaction time took the win after crossing the line in 4.96 seconds at 139.73 mph, with a .004 margin-of-victory. “I was thinking ‘I got you now!’ at the tree,” Brown recalled. “I had to spray (nitrous) at the end, but I was thinking, ‘You’re done now.’ “Brown thanked his wife of 38 years, Susan, and Steve Carter, for helping him race. John Hobbs (’71 Vega Wagon – Conyers, GA ) finished in the semi-final round of Super Pro.

After winning the last two points races, Chad Brewer was fired up in his deadly-consistent ’67 Camaro to stay on a roll, his challenger Randall Roop of Team Ford Thunder, bringing in a ’95 Mustang GT for a brand battle in the Pro finals. Both boys out of Canton meant business at the starting line, Brewer launching first (dialed at 7.29) with a .040 light, but Roop (dialed at 6.46) pulled a .007 green, making the chase neck-and-neck. Brewer finished in 7.30 seconds at 94.69, but Roop won with a .008 margin-of-victory, crossing the finish in 6.49 seconds at 104.11. “I told Chad I’d put him out of his misery tonight,” Roop joked, noting Brewer’s concern for the race as the current Pro points leader. Roop grinned appreciatively, saying, “When that car’s on, it’s just like sitting back in a lounge chair. It was all I asked it to be today.” Roop thanked Steve Garland for the win. “Whenever I’m in trouble, I go to him.” James Rice (’77 Camaro – Norcross, GA ) and John Norris (’86 Camaro – Royston, GA ) finished the day in the semi-final round.

Josh Richardson (’98 Mountaineer – Canton, GA ) and Mickey Morris (’98 Trans Am – Ellenwood, GA ) raced the Sportsman final. Richardson ’s SUV was dialed-in at 16.45 seconds, while Morris predicted a 13.01 second run for his car. Richardson left first with the handicapped tree, with a respectable .051 green light; Morris couldn’t take the anticipation and jumped the amber too soon with a -.024 foul, running way under his dial in 12.14 seconds at 112.46 mph. Richardson cruised the track a winner, finishing with a 16.34 ET at 84.72 mph. It was the first time Richardson had raced in a year, a “spur of the moment decision” when he wanted to show his girlfriend the jet exhibitions. He thanked his dad Doug, his girlfriend Amanda, his family, and Robby Crain, the owner of the Mercury Mountaineer. Though thankful for the win, Richardson noted, “Now my girlfriend wants to race jets!” Points leader J.D. “Doc” Burford (’07 Corvette – Greenville, SC ) ended his evening in the semi-final round.

The Motorcycle category pulled an impressive 33 bike count, giving regulars plenty of competition to flaunt their skills. Points leader Jay “Bird” Rhyne (’81 Kawasaki – Athens, GA ) made it to the final round against Jeff Hackney (’00 Motorcycle – Ranger, GA). Rhyne had the handicap on the tree, leaving first on his 12.41 dial-in with a .040 reaction time. Hackney left the starting line too soon, fouling with a -.024 red on his 13.01 dial-in. Hackney ran it out, finishing in 11.02 seconds at 121.58 mph, while Rhyne sailed to the finish with a 12.37 ET at 103.30 mph. “It’s all for the love!” Rhyne declared. His solo efforts have again and again proved a winning formula for the skilled racer. “If I get enough of these, will you cut me a T-bone steak?” Rhyne joked, about the winner’s complimentary concession coupons he’d been stacking up. “I had my work cut out for me, but I can just feel that comfortable bed now,” Rhyne said, ready to go home. Tim Sutton (’71 Suzuki – Clermont, GA) finished in third place.

Jefferson locals Cole Wood (11) and Salina Shanks (12) raced in the 8-12 Junior Dragster final. Shanks wrapped up the run with a -.011 foul, while Wood cut a cool .020 green light. Shanks made the run bittersweet with a dead-on finish in 8.98 seconds at 72.55 mph, as Wood finished with an 8.89 ET on an 8.92 dial-in, at 74.37 mph. Wood, a seasoned junior racer in a self-proclaimed slump, found his way back to the top tonight in an all-or-nothing fashion. “I’ve gone out every first round this year,” Wood mentioned, after recalling his past championships. Not only did he break his chain of bad luck, but tonight was Wood’s first Night of Fire win. Wood thanked his dad Richie, mom Melanie, little brother, Uncle Travis, his grandparents, and Mike Bos Chassis. Avery Smith (12 – McDonough, GA ) was the 8-12 Junior Dragster semi-finalist.

The girls dominated the 13-17 Junior Dragster category, with Bailey Denton (15 – McDonough, GA) and Valerie Clements (16 – Central, SC) in the final round. The two dragsters were dialed closely together (Denton with a 7.91, Clements with a 7.97), making the launch difference nearly indistinguishable – Denton left the line with a .059 green light, slightly better than Clements’ .076 reaction time. Their finish was just as close – Clements ran 7.98 seconds on her 7.97 prediction at 82.38 mph, while Denton closed in with a 7.93 second run at 82.36 mph. Denton grasped the win with her sharp reaction skills, maintaining her top position in points with her third Summit ET win of the 2009 season, and sixth win overall this year. Denton also raced her “best friend in the world” Clements last weekend in an Outlaw series, and won with a .005 margin of victory. Denton thanked her mom and dad, and has set a personal goal to beat friend Steve McMillan’s 15-wins-in-a-year record. She aims high, but delivers solid competition. Another female junior racer, Jackie Lastinger (16 – Lilburn, GA), holds third place tonight in the 13-17 Junior Dragster category.

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 2009 events, including the SATURDAY INSANITY "No Box Pro Series" on July 11, may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com.