Atlanta Motor Speedway's 11th week of Friday Night Drags saw a figurative passing of the torch on Friday night, as a son claimed victory in the Truck class competing in his father's vehicle for the first time.
Buddy Patrick of Stockbridge bested David Sheffield in the Truck class finale to claim the first Friday Night Drags victory of his career. Patrick competed in his father Bill's truck, a 1948 Willys Panel Wagon, en route to the win.
"It was great to get my first win. I just have to thank God and my dad," said the 16-year-old Patrick. "If it goes well this year, I'm going to move up [to the Truck Advanced class] to race my dad next year."
Bill Patrick stepped down from competing in the 2010 Friday Night Drags season due to health reasons, opening the door for his son to compete in the 1948 Willys. Patrick won a 2009 Friday Night Drags championship competing with the vehicle in the Truck Advanced class, but the Patrick family tuned down the truck to allow Buddy to gain experience before moving up to that class for 2011.
"Honestly, I'm actually enjoying this more than racing," said Patrick of watching his son. Patrick is currently working on a 1948 Willys pickup truck to compete with Buddy in the 2011 Truck Advanced class at Friday Night Drags.
Buddy Patrick finished second in the Truck class a week ago while competing in Sheffield's 1972 Ford F-100. Sheffield is a close friend of the Patrick family and is the brother-in-law of Bill Patrick's boss and fellow Truck Advanced competitor Dwayne Bethune.
Below is a complete list of the July 23 winners:
Super Pro: Bobby Daniel (Stockbridge) in a 2010 Chevrolet Corvette
Pro: Tony Morse (Grantville) 1990 Pontiac Trans-Am
Pro Four: Jose Samaniego (Jonesboro) in a 1988 Honda CRX
Street Outlaw: Jason Thomas (Stockbridge) in a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
Sportsman: Scott Bates (Locust Grove) in a 192 Chevrolet Nova II
Truck Advanced: Chris Elliott (Barnesville) in a 1986 Chevrolet Silverado
Truck: Buddy Patrick (Stockbridge) in a 1948 Willys Panel Wagon
Domestic Advanced: Terry Bates (Locust Grove) in a 1988 Ford Mustang
Domestic: Frankie Collins (Zebulon) in a 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle
Sport Compact: Ruben Quiambao (Roswell) in a 2008 Nissan
Tuners: Eugene Lamar (Conyers) in a 1993 Honda Civic
Super Bike: Randy Stevens (Moreland) on a Suzuki Hayabusa
Motorcycle: Jason Lowery (Williamson) on a 2004 Honda
ATV: Matt Shelton (Locust Grove) on a 2007 Yamaha
Radical: David Armstrong (McDonough) on a Yamaha Banshee
The Show N' Shine competition featured everything from new imports to classic muscle cars. Below is a complete list of the July 23 winners:
Showroom Current (1973 through current): Chris Gallagher (Fayetteville) in a 1998 Pontiac
Runner-up: William Scott in a 2010 Ford Mustang GT
Third-place: Shawn Scott in a Dodge Viper
Showroom Classic (1972 and prior): Van Ledford (Powder Springs) in a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle
Runner-up: Randy Kent (Griffin) in a 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Third-place: Michael Zappia (Griffin) in a 1966 Plymouth Fury II
Tuner (all sport compact vehicles): Scooter Johnson (Senoia) in a Nissan 370Z
Runner-up: Keaton King (Monticello) in a Chevrolet Cobalt SS
Third-place: Justin Demis (McDonough) in a 1993 Honda Accord
Current Custom (1973 through current): Joy Jones (Jackson) in a 2008 Ford Mustang GT
Runner-up: Slade Callaway (Coweta) in a 2000 Ford Mustang GT
Third-place: Jason Sudduth (Hampton) in a 1975 Corvette Stingray
Classic Custom (1972 and prior): Ricky Hall in a Chevrolet Camaro
Runner-up: Adam Toney in a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle
Third-place: Chris Richardson (Jackson) in a 1966 Ford Mustang GT 350
Truck: William Lowry (McDonough) in a Ford F-150 XLT
Runner-Up: Brad Buongiorne (Newnan) in a Ford F-150
Third-place: Keagan Gross (Thomaston) in a 1996 Chevrolet S-10
President's Choice: Wayne Hansard (Tyrone) in a 1970 Chevrolet Camaro
Atlanta Motor Speedway's Friday Night Drags returns next week on Friday, July 30. 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.
