Friday Night Drags' tenth week of racing featured razor-thin winning margins in the series' top-two divisions in races with a direct impact on the season's championship points standings.
Points leaders in the Super Pro and Pro divisions each garnered wins by tight margins during Friday Night Drags 10th week to improve their points positions after entering the night with slim advantages.
Held winless in the previous four races, Bobby Daniel of Stockbridge entered the night needing a strong finish to buoy his points position. Matched with second-place in points, Gary Thomas, in the final Super Pro run, Daniel shot from the line while Thomas' front wheels jumped from the ground at the start, giving the points leader the advantage to return to Victory Lane. With the win, Daniel gained four points to raise his season total to 19, while Thomas' three points for second increase his standing to 15 points.
Meanwhile in the Pro finale, Tony Morse of Grantville matched wits with Herbert Steverson from Newnan. Entering the night tied for first with 15 points, Morse, like Daniel, utilized a strong start to best his competition to the finish and increase his points lead. Now with 19 points after the win, Morse sits alone in first among Pro competitors by breaking a tie with Alan Kidd.
Below is a complete list of the July 16 winners:
Super Pro: Bobby Daniel (Stockbridge) in a 2010 Chevrolet Corvette
Pro: Tony Morse (Grantville) 1990 Pontiac Trans-Am
Pro Four: Mike Chambers (Griffin) in a 1957 Volkswagen Beetle
Street Outlaw: John Bonner (Molena) in a 1986 Toyota truck
Sportsman: Jeremy Rhodes (Hampton) in a 1989 Ford Mustang
Truck Advanced: Arnold Armstrong (Ellenwood) in a 1967 Chevrolet truck
Truck: Rick Ivey (McDonough) in a 1971 Ford F-100
Domestic Advanced: Terry Bates (Locust Grove) in a 1988 Ford Mustang
Domestic: Ron Wiese (McDonough) in a 1988 Ford Mustang
Sport Compact: Ruben Quiambao (Roswell) in a 2008 Nissan
Tuners: Jose Samaniego (Jonesboro) in a 1994 Honda Civic
Super Bike: Randy Stevens (Moreland) on a Suzuki Hayabusa
Motorcycle: Luke Sheffield (Covington) on a Kawasaki
ATV: Chris Clay (Griffin) on a 2008 Polaris Outlaw
Radical: Jeffery Dorsey (East Point)
The Show N' Shine competition featured everything from new imports to classic muscle cars. Below is a complete list of the July 16 winners:
Showroom Current (1973 through current): Brooke Anderson (Thomaston) in a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
Runner-up: Vincent Stewart in a Dodge Charger
Third-place: Keith Smith (McDonough) in a 2009 Ford Mustang GT
Showroom Classic (1972 and prior): Brian Robison (McDonough) in a 1966 Pontiac GTO
Runner-up: Tony Taylor (Stockbridge) in a 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle
Third-place: Ashley Robison (McDonough) in a 1971 Oldsmobile 442
Tuner (all sport compact vehicles): Andy Scott (Gay) in a Nissan 240
Current Custom (1973 through current): Steve Weisman (Marietta) in a 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
Runner-up: Curtis Murray (Senoia) in a 1974 Chevrolet Vega
Third-place: Bryan Scott (Alvaton) in a 2003 Ford Focus
Classic Custom (1972 and prior): Bobby Cartwright (Lovejoy) in a 1923 Roadster
Runner-up: Ken & Jenifer Barros (Fayetteville) in a 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner
Third-place: Van Ledford (Powder Springs) in a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
Truck: Brad Buongiorne (Newnan) in a Ford F-150
Runner-Up: William Lowry (McDonough) in a Ford F-150 XLT
Third-place: Jesse Yawn (McDonough) in a 2000 Ford F250
President's Choice: Leigh Whatley in a Plymouth Superbird
Atlanta Motor Speedway's Friday Night Drags returns next week on Friday, July 35 for Ride-Along Night, giving fans an opportunity to ride with drag racers in lower divisions for $20./' Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and nightly drag race eliminations start after 9:00 p.m.
Entry to drag race or for the Show N' Shine is just $20 or competitors can purchase a combo ticket for $30 to enter both. Spectator tickets at Friday Night Drags are just $7 for adults and children under six are free. More information can be found at www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.
