Champions were crowned on the pit lane drag strip in Week 14 of O’Reilly Auto Parts Friday Night Drags and Show ‘N’ Shine at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
A night which saw a handful cars encounter mechanical problems as they competed was capped by a heart-stopping crash in the Jailhouse Brewing Company Super Pro division final. The 2010 Undercover Dragster of Michael Ramsey of Canton swerved off the line and hit the grass adjacent to the track. Contact back with the asphalt caused the tires to stick which put the vehicle in a slow roll that ended up in the pit lane wall.
“It slipped off the line,” said Ramsey, “and I knew once I got in the grass that I was not going to be able to control it.”
Ramsey, the 2013 division champion, crawled out of the dragster unharmed as track officials arrived to provide assistance. Billy Clevenger of Jonesboro in a 1963 Chevrolet Chevelle earned the final round win in the Jail House Brewing Company Super Pro division, but Arnie Cobb of Locust Grove was able to advance to the semi-final round and capture the 2014 crown.
The season points championship in the Diesel Truck division came down to the final round elimination race to determine a champion. Ramae Bethune of Covington came home with the title after she beat her husband Dwayne off the line and cruised to the win.
“It’s exciting for me, it’s the first time that I’ve won the championship,” said Ramae. “It’s fun coming out Atlanta Motor Speedway and racing against other people. It gives us something to do as a family.”
The pair was separated by one point entering championship action. Dwayne Bethune and his 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 earned the season points championship in the Diesel Truck division last year.
It also took the final race of the points season to determine a champion in the Motorcycle class. Robert Thomas of Griffin earned the final round win atop his 2002 Harley Davidson to take home the title as he beat out the 2004 Honda CB900F of Williamson’s Jason Lowery.
Jason Kinard of Hampton in his 1997 Chevrolet S10 locked up the season tile by advancing to the semi-finals. He then ensured the championship by racing to a win in the Domestic Advanced division final over the 1988 Ford Mustang of Terry Bates of Locust Grove.
Other Week 14 race winners who also earned a season points championship included Jerry Barnett of Jackson in a 2008 Nissan 350z in the Sport Compact division and Stockbridge’s Zachary Stripling in a 2014 Ford Mustang in the Factory Street division.
Drag Racers were competing not only for a championship trophy, but also the right to be recognized on the pre-race stage prior to the Aug. 31 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Oral-B USA 500.
O’Reilly Auto Parts Friday Night Drags and Show and Shine will return to the pit lane drag strip for Week 1 of the Fall Stampede at Atlanta Motor Speedway Sept. 12. Competitors will have the opportunity to compete for bragging rights before the season concludes on Sept. 19.
Below is a list of the August 15 race winners:
Jailhouse Brewing Company Super Pro: Billy Clevenger (Jonesboro), 1963 Chevrolet Chevelle
Pro: Phil Wallace (McDonough), 1967 Chevrolet II
Street Outlaw: Gary Adamek (Gay), 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle
Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman: Josh Morse (Grantville), 1981 Chevrolet Malibu
Domestic Advanced: Jason Kinard (Hampton), 1997 Chevrolet S10
Truck Advanced: Mike Chambers (Griffin), 1973 Chevrolet C10
Street Modified: Chase Ponder (Brooks), 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Factory Street: Zachary Stripling (Stockbridge), 2014 Ford Mustang
Harding Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Domestic: Darrell Hallford (Senoia), 1995 Ford Mustang
Diesel Truck: Ramae Bethune (Covington), 2012 Dodge Ram 2500
Truck: Brian Leath (Hampton), 1976 Chevrolet C10
Tuner: Jose Samaniego (Jonesboro), 1993 Honda Civic
Sport Compact: Jerry Barnett (Jackson), 2008 Nissan 350z
Super Bike: Toney Freeman (Stockbridge), 2006 Suzuki Hyabusa
Sport Bike: Toney Freeman (Stockbridge), 2004 Sport Bike
Motorcycle: Robert Thomas (Griffin), 2002 Harley Davidson
Cruiser/Dirt Bike: Eugene Lamar (Ellenwood), 2013 Harley St. Glider
ATV: Omar Ruiz (Cumming), 2001 Banshee
Unofficial Season Points Champions:
Jailhouse Brewing Company Super Pro: Arnie Cobb (Locust Grove), 1974 Chevrolet Nova
Pro: David Harbin (McDonough), 1969 Chevrolet Nova
Street Outlaw: Gary Thomas (McDonough), 1974 Chevrolet Nova
Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman: Terry/Bonnie Queen (Jonesboro), 1994 Dodge Dakota
Domestic Advanced: Jason Kinard (Hampton), 1997 Chevrolet S10
Truck Advanced: Will Coots (Stockbridge), 1985 Chevrolet C10
Street Modified: Kane Shavers (Griffin), 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Factory Street: Zachary Stripling (Stockbridge), 2014 Ford Mustang
Harding Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Domestic: Chris Morgan (Jackson), 1966 Ford Mustang
Diesel Truck: Ramae Bethune (Covington), 2012 Dodge Ram 2500
Truck: James Ragsdale (Union City), 1979 Ford F100
Tuner: Patrick Stansell (Hampton), 1989 Toyota Supra
Sport Compact: Jerry Barnett (Jackson), 2008 Nissan 350z
Super Bike: Toney Freeman (Stockbridge), 2006 Suzuki Hyabusa
Sport Bike: Josh Gruhler (Stockbridge), Suzuki gsx6 1000
Motorcycle: Robert Thomas (Griffin), 2002 Harley Davidson
Cruiser/Dirt Bike: Mike Webb (Stockbridge), 1988 Harley Softtail
ATV: Omar Ruiz (Cumming), 2001 Banshee
The Show-N-Shine competition featured everything from new imports to classic muscle cars and automobiles ranging as far back as the 1920s. Those vehicles then took part in the Speedway Cruise following judging.
Below is a complete list of the August 15 winners:
Classic Custom (Through 1972)
First Place: Ken Thaxton (Fayetteville), 1964 Chevrolet Nova II
Second Place: Ricky Hall (Stockbridge), Chevrolet Camaro
Third Place: Bill Dudley (Williamson), 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente
Modern Custom (1973 through 1999)
First Place: Adam Wallace (McDonough), 1985 Chevrolet Silverado
Second Place: Danny O’Neal (Perry), 1981 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Third Place: Tanner Perkins (Griffin), 1996 Ford Mustang GT
Current Custom (2000 through current)
First Place: Wesley Floyd (Hampton), 2010 Ford Mustang GT
Second Place: Steve Kochik (Stockbridge), 2008 Ford Mustang
Third Place: Lee Thomas, 2006 Ford Mustang GT
Showroom Classic (Through 1972)
First Place: B.J. Blanks (McDonough), 1957 Chevrolet
Second Place: Fred Briggs (McDonough), 1971 Plymouth Duster
Third Place: Roy & Sheila Coulson (Covington), 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS
Showroom Modern (1973 through 1999)
First Place: Shar Mol (Hampton), 1973 Plymouth Barracuda
Second Place: Sil Benotto (Canada), 1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Third Place: Lori Snow(Hampton), 1992 Chevrolet Corvette
Showroom Current (2000 through current)
First Place: Brian D’Areg (Fayetteville), 2013 Ford Mustang GT
Second Place: David Junger (Stockbridge), 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
Tuner
First Place: Mark Peppers (Fayetteville), 2005 Honda Civic
Second Place: Jose Lopez (Griffin), 2013 Hyundai Genesis
Third Place: Alex Coffey (McDonough), 2002 Lexus IS300
Truck
First Place: Matt Thompson (Gay), 1995 Ford F250
Second Place: Bill Osbourn (Williamson), 1969 Ford F100
Third Place: Samantha Barnett (Fayetteville), Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Open
First Place: Tim Yancey (Hampton), 1936 MC TA/Q Type Racer
Second Place: Chris Burdett (Covington), 2004 Custom Chopper Motorcycle
Third Place: Andrew Bunn (Hampton), Harley Davidson Ultra
Atlanta Motor Speedway’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Friday Night Drags & Show-N-Shine continues on August 8. 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 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.
AMS PR
- CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT LONG BEACH: Team Chevy Practice Report - April 19, 2024
- Burt Myers on Pole for Hayes Jewelers 200, Ward Starts Second at Bowman Gray - April 19, 2024
- O’Ward Takes Top Spot in Tight Opening Long Beach Practice - April 19, 2024