Atlanta Dragway Hosts 14th Edition of $10,000 Event

By Tim Glover

(Commerce, GA – October 11) After a four hour rain delay, Atlanta Speed Shop had the pleasure of hosting the 12th edition of the popular Atlanta $10,000 Drag Races and Car Show at Atlanta Dragway on October 11, 2014. As before, Nostalgia Top Fuel and Funny Cars from the 60s were featured, along with Quain Stott’s Southeast Gasser Shootout class, Nostalgia Super Stock, Nostalgia Muscle Car, Nostalgia Comp, Nostalgia Gas and Hot Rod classes.

Fans enjoyed passes made by three Funny Cars (Richard Hartman’s Carolina Cruiser, Troy Ray’s Wildside and Mark Rogers’ Destroyer), along with the Zot VI Top Fuel Dragster owned by Julius Hughes of Atlanta Speed Shop. Although a clutch malfunction limited the Zot VI to just a burnout and staging, the Funny Cars thrilled the fans with wild passes that barely stayed within the confines of their lanes.

The manufacturer’s midway gave fans something to do in between rounds of racing, beginning with the “Geezer Alley” exhibition. In addition, high performance parts vendors were present to answer questions, along with representatives from Reliable Heating and Air. Spectators interested in used muscle car parts were able to find many selections available at the end of the manufacturer’s midway. There was also a car show on hand featuring many examples of hot rods both old and new.

As they did in years past, in addition to the posted purse, Atlanta Speed Shop awarded Nostalgia class winners custom hand-made trophies created from former top fuel engine parts, which had seen extreme action. Julius Hughes was able to tell each winner the story behind each of the parts, making them even more enjoyable.

The top two Quain Stott’s Southeast Gassers competitors were Jerry Lee Willingham (64 Mustang – Spartanburg, SC) and Shannon Smith (’55 Chevy – Landrum, SC).

Monroe, GA racer Barry Camp ruled the day in Nostalgia Super Stock with his ultra fast ’66 Impala. Camp’s 0.01 second over 9.26 at 140.91mph (9.25 index) was more than enough against opponent Joe McLaughlin’s otherwise good 9.54 at 140.02mph (9.50 index) in his McDonough, GA based ’71 Nova. The lone semi-finalist was 2012 Hot Rod winner Steve Wagner (’70 Dart – Jefferson, GA). Camp, who mentioned he used to play hookey on occasion to hang out with Julius at the Atlanta Speed Shop in the ’60s, was happy to win this event in the Atlanta 10K series.

The Heavy Chevy revolution continued in Nostalgia Muscle Car after Wade Wells’ show-quality ’69 Caprice posted a holeshot victory of 11.06 at 116.75mph (11.00 index). The runner up spot was claimed by Ken Weilbrenner (’70 Chevelle – Loganville, GA) who went 10.02 at 126.61mph (10.00 index). Larry Chance (’68 Camaro – Canton, GA) and Dickey Forrester (’68 Camaro – Hickory Flat, GA) ended their day in the semi-final round. Wells, who lives in Springville, AL, said he was inspired to race the Caprice by his mom and dad. He then said this was his first final round appearance and also his first win.

Former Atlanta Dragway regular and Nostalgia Comp winner Al Hause (’70 Cutlass – Stone Mountain, GA) enjoyed taking home his custom Nostalgia Comp winner’s trophy after defeating Mickey Bailey (’48 Fiat Topolino – Greer, SC). Hause took the victory with a 7.04 at 89.59mph (7.00 index) after Bailey broke out running a 5.34 at 126.51mph (5.50 index). Keith Fulp (’58 Ford – Alpharetta, GA) and David Cox (’34 Ford – Dacula, GA) were the semi-final finishers. Hause, who had spent most of the three previous evenings building a new differential for his car, said the effort was definitely worth it.

Mike Hughes from Woodstock, GA became the 2014 Nostalgia Gas winner shortly after opponent Randy Stone (’55 Chevy – Westminster, SC) left the starting line with the big red apple glowing, due to a -0.003 second red light. Hughes’ ’55 Chevy went on to a 7.64 at 90.65mph (7.49 index), while Stone posted an otherwise good 6.58 at 97.71mph (6.49 index). Jack Moore (’48 Austin pickup – Greer, SC) made it to the semi-final round. “I’m glad I beat him, he’s tough,” exclaimed Hughes.

Jeff Wagner from Braselton, GA helped carry on the family tradition of winning Hot Rod, this time against Greg Allen (’80 Camaro – Greenwood, SC). Wagner’s ’71 Duster nailed its dial-in time of 12.30 with a dead-on 12.309 second pass at 108.06mph. Not to be outdone, Allen’s mount also ran dead-on with a 10.752 at 119.97mph, but was second across the stripe by 0.017 seconds due to the difference in their reaction times. The semi-final finishers were Jeff’s dad, Pete Wagner (’71 Demon – Jefferson, GA) and Jody Blalock (’49 Hudson – Commerce, GA). Also, Wagner’s brother Steve won Hot Rod during the 2012 Atlanta $10,000 event. Wagner had a scare after his semi-final round win against his dad when one of his front wheels cracked, letting all the air out. He had it changed quickly and made it back in time for the finals. Wagner thanked God, and the track crew and his family for their support. “Just had a fun day,” he added.

Nate “Hot Rod” Halsey (11 years old – Clermont, GA), who recently earned the Atlanta Dragway 6-12 Jr Dragster track championship, continued his streak tonight, taking the 6-12 Jr Dragster win against Ryan Blanton (13 – Jefferson, GA). Halsey carded a good 8.97 at 70.47mph (8.94 dial). Blanton’s machine went just a little too quick, and broke out with a 9.04 at 71.60mph (9.07 dial). Carter Marsengill (11 – Turnerville, GA) and Macey Ludolph (12 – Snellville, GA) finished as semi-finalists.

Due to the delay caused by the rain, and the late hour, the promoter chose to stop the race, and split the class purses with the remaining competitors in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Super Pro Bike, Street ET Bike and 13-17 Jr Dragster.