With needed points on the line as the 2010 Friday Night Drags season enters it's final stretch, week 12's action saw a number of second-place competitors close on the points leaders in their respective classes.
Only one week after emerging as the leader in the Domestic division, Frankie Collins of Zebulon saw his lead shrink as Ron Wiese claimed the week 12 win. By virtue of the win, Wiese added four needed points to his total and now sits at 14 points to sit in sole possession of second place in points.
Collins entered the week with 14 points after claiming the week 11 win to break a three-way tie with Wiese and Butch Lashley.
Meanwhile, Vincent Varela's win cut into Jose Samaniego's points lead in the Pro Four division. Buoyed by the four-point win, Varela is now tied with Samaniego for the Pro Four points lead with 12 points.
Howard Wolf of Marietta also closed in on the Domestic Advanced points lead with his win and now has 23 points, while leader Terry Bates entered the evening with 28 points.
With just five points races remaining in the 2010 Friday Night Drags season, competition will be tough in the final weeks as competitors try to emerge with the points lead to capture a 2010 division championship.
Below is a complete list of the July 30 winners:
Super Pro: Mike Herring (Conyers) in a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette
Pro: Herbert Steverson (Newnan) in a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
Pro Four: Vincent Varela (Jonesboro) in a 1971 Datsun
Street Outlaw: Jason Thomas (Stockbridge) in a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
Sportsman: Jeremy Rhodes (Hampton) in a 1989 Ford Mustang
Truck Advanced: Chuck Poole (Stockbridge) in a 1986 Chevrolet
Truck: Buddy Patrick (Stockbridge) in a 1948 Willys Panel Wagon
Domestic Advanced: Howard Wolf (Marietta) in a 1999 Chevrolet Corvette FRC
Domestic: Ron Wiese (McDonough) in a 1988 Ford Mustang
Sport Compact: Ruben Quiambao (Roswell) in a 2008 Nissan
Tuners: Jeff Ianitello (Woodstock) in a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am
Motorcycle: Jacob Turner (Griffin) on a 2006 Yamaha
ATV: Chris Clay (Griffin) on a 2008 Polaris Outlaw
Radical: Bryan Canon (Monroe) 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 30 winners:
Showroom Current (1973 through current): Chris Gallagher (Fayetteville) in a 1998 Pontiac
Runner-up: Ken Thaxton in a 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Third-place: Bill Czap in a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
Showroom Classic (1972 and prior): Mike Lester in a 1964 Chevrolet Bel Air
Runner-up: Justin Walker in Chevrolet 1500
Third-place: Keith Riler in a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro
Tuner (all sport compact vehicles): Mike Weitnaver in a Honda Accord
Runner-up: Kurt Kopruca in a Toyota Celica
Third-place: Ashley Travis in a Mazda Miata
Current Custom (1973 through current): Eric Thompson in a 1985 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Runner-up: Mike Daly in a 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
Third-place: Keegan Gross in a 2005 Ford Explorer
Classic Custom (1972 and prior): Walt Sanderson in a 1940 Ford Sedan
Runner-up: Earl Reed in a T-Model
Third-place: Danny Fincher in a 1971 Ford Bronco
Truck: Tim Fenner in a 2001 Ford F-150
Runner-Up: Brad Buongiorae in a Ford F-150
Third-place: Wayne Hansand in a 1989 Chevrolet 1500
Atlanta Motor Speedway's Friday Night Drags returns next week on Friday, Aug. 6. 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.
