2015 EDITION OF ATLANTA DRAGWAY’S NIGHT OF FIRE SHORTENED BY RAIN

Speed blur photo of KC Jones Crazy Train wheelstander

By Tim Glover

(Commerce, GA – June 27) In spite of the rain that visited several times during the day, and ultimately ended the event around 10:00pm, fans attending the 2015 edition of Atlanta Dragway’s Night of Fire still got to enjoy watching Jet Dragsters, Wheelstanders, Pro Mods, old-school Gassers and six other classes of drag racing. Topping off their evening was the annual largest fireworks display in North Georgia, lasting almost half an hour.

Team Steam racer Russ Glover near lane gets the light on Bill Dempsey far lane

Team Steam racers – Russ Glover near lane Bill Dempsey far lane

K.C. Jones’ Team Steam brought two jet dragsters, the Cannonball Express, piloted by hometown racer Russ Glover, who grew up at Atlanta Dragway racing bicycles, Jr Dragsters and a Super Pro dragster. The other one was the Chattanooga Choo Choo, driven by Bill Dempsey. The two were nearly wired together in a great side-by-side race, with Glover posting a quarter mile time of 7.14 seconds at 211.49mph, and Dempsey going 7.16 at 211.33mph. In addition, K.C. Jones drove the Hedman Husler Hedders backed Crazy Train Wheelstander down the track on the rear tires, tripping the finish line beams with a 10.32 at 131.38mph. Robert Albertson’s Blazing Angel jet dragster carded the quickest and fastest times of the day, with a 5.55 at 284 mph.

Robert Albertson Blazing Angel jet dragster

The SNRA Pro Mods wowed the crowd with eighth-mile passes in the low four-second zone with speeds in the 150+mph range. Adding to the excitement of fast times, some of them seemed to use up 800 feet of track on the 660-foot course. The Gassers put on a show with “old-school” equipment, featuring many 50’s vintage race cars. Many of the kids in attendance enjoyed watching their peers compete in three different Jr Dragster classes, ranging in age from 6 to 17 years old. Three heads-up index classes (5.70, 6.50 and 7.00 seconds), a Quick 32 class and a Motorcycle class were also contested for the fan’s viewing pleasure.

Carden family Pro Mod in action

Pro Mods in action

Pro Mods in action

Gassers in action

Gassers in action

Shannon Hamilton doing burnout for 5.70 index class

Phillip Wigington in 7.00 index class

Gary Dunn in Brown’s car for Quick 32

Quick 32 racer Stacy Blanton in car usually driven by Brian Smith

The youngest Junior Dragster class (6 – 9-year-old) did make it to their final round. The 6-9 finalists were Cole Wilson and Kimberly Vancica. In a tribute to the late Dylan Kent who used to race Jr Dragsters at Atlanta Dragway, the Halsey family remounted the body of Dylan’s Jr Dragster on Nate “Hot Rod” Halsey’s Motivational Tubing chassis for this event, and they also had Kent’s family on the crew for the day.

Jr Dragster competitors – Cole Wilson far lane Kimberly Vancica near lane

Nate Halsey’s car with Dylan Kent’s body

For between rounds entertainment, fans enjoyed going to the manufacturer’s midway to purchase souvenirs, concessions and all kinds of hot rod merchandise.

Due to rain delays, the weather was the ultimate winner again in the bracket and index racing portion of the program. When it began raining again around 10pm the Quick 32, Jr Dragsters and Index portion of the event was cancelled, and then the fireworks portion of the program closed the evening for the fans.

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 2015 events may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com.