High-octane drag racing returned to the pit lane drag strip at Atlanta Motor Speedway Friday night as the 10th season of O’Reilly Auto Parts Friday Night Drags got under way in Week 1.
Nick Nicholson wasted little time tallying a notch in the win column in the 2016 season and sending a strong, early statement as a perennial contender.
Nicholson, whose 2014 Ford Mustang GT edged out Nick Eversoll and his ’06 Mustang in the Peach Pass Factory Street Division, said drag racing on the pit lane drag strip is a unique thrill, and that winning was just the cherry on top.
“It’s the season opener,” he said. “It’s fun, just all the people and the competitiveness. My favorite part is the adrenaline rush. It’s crazy.”
Nicholson has his sights set on a season championship and laid the groundwork for seizing important early-season momentum.
“The adrenaline rush is awesome, and I’ll be here (in victory lane) as much as I can be.”
In the Harding Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Domestic Division, Steve Shaffer piloted his 2016 Chevrolet Z06 to a win in the sixth round, beating out David Smith in the division’s final race of the evening. Shaffer emerged from a field of a whopping 60 domestic class entries on opening night.
In the night’s headlining Harbin’s Mechanical Services Super Pro Division final-round race, rookie Alvin “Travis” Burney was set to complete a rare upset over Robert Cheney’s American Dragster, but a mechanical issue ended his attempt at the win, and Chaney, who was crowned last year’s Super Pro Division champion, retained bragging rights for at least one more week.
Other notable winners includeed Dale Rodgers in the Active Pest Control Division, Terry Wells in the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Division and Andrew Morgan in the HeadsUpGeorgia.com Street Modified Division.
Atlanta Motor Speedway’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Friday Night Drags continues with on Friday, May 6. For more information, visit AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com.
Atlanta Motor Speedway – Hampton, GA
Friday Night Drags – April 29, 2016
Week One Results
Harbin’s Mechanical Services Super Pro: Robert Chaney – 2012 American Dragster
Active Pest Control Pro: Dale Rodgers – 1981 Firebird
Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman: Terry Wells – 1984 Chevrolet S-10
Harding Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Domestic: Steve Shaffer – 2016 Chevrolet Z06
HeadsUpGeorgia.com Street Modified: Andrew Morgan – 1987 Ford Mustang
Peach Pass Factory Street: Nick Nicholson – 2014 Ford Mustang GT
MetroPCS Tuner: Amanda Ledbetter – 2012 Ford Mustang
Street Outlaw: Tony Morse – 1984 Chevrolet Malibu
Domestic Advanced: Carl Grizzand – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro
Truck Advanced: Jacob Mason – 1968 Chevrolet C-10
Diesel Truck: Taylor Wilder – 1994 Dodge Ram 1500
Truck: Owen Simmons – 1966 Chevrolet C-10
Sport Compact: Daniel Martinez – 1996 Honda Civic
Super Bike: Lee Gilley – 2003 GSXA 1000
Sport Bike: Ryan O’Neal – 2005 GSXR 1000
Motorcycle: Trey Moultrie – 2004 Yamaha R6
Cruiser: Daniel Heath – 2014 Yamaha Bolt
ATV: Omar Ruiz – 2001 Banshee
