HAMPTON, Ga. - With the O’Reilly Auto Parts Friday Night Drags championship finale on the horizon, drivers descended on the pit lane drag strip at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday evening for adrenaline fueled, side-by-side action in one of the largest street-style drag racing series in the nation.
There was no room for error among the drivers in the 18 divisions vying for a win and the season-titles in each division.
The battle for supremacy in the Truck Advanced division is one of the closest point battles among all competitors as three points separated the top two drivers entering Friday’s action.
“I think the competition has gotten a little better this year,” said Glenn Evans . “I’m running a naturally aspirated truck against a twin turbo diesel and a big block Chevy with nitrous so the rules have let everybody run competitively and has helped it tremendously.”
With the rules and trucks producing close competition, the difference comes down to the driver’s reflexes off the tree to determine the winner each night.
“That’s probably where most of the races are won and lost,” said Evans. “The light, the first 60-feet, that’s where it is won and lost. That’s definitely where you gotta make your money.”
Evans made his money and then some as he extended his lead in the Truck Advanced division in his 1977 Ford F150 with a final round takedown of the 1985 Chevrolet C10 of Chevis Morgan.
“Staying on the tree, the first 60 feet was the difference,” said Evans following the victory with just three races remaining in the points season this year.
In the South River Agency New Edge Division, two points separated the top two drivers entering Friday’s action. But it was a final round loss by James Walker that pulled the points battle even closer. Walker was taken down by newcomer Gary Kelly in the final but his three points on the night pulled him within one of second place Steve Shaffer and four points off the lead held by Jacob Turner.
Other notable winners include Ed Blanford with his seventh victory of the season in the StarFire Automatic Gate Truck division as he took out James Ragsdale of Hampton in the final round. Kevin Mayo got back into the win column after a two week hiatus in the Quiktrip Pro division with his sixth trip to victory lane this season. Mayo flew off the line and left Dale Rogers in his rearview mirror for the win.
Atlanta Motor Speedway’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Friday Night Drags returns to the pit lane drag strip on Friday, August. More information can be found at AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com.
Atlanta Motor Speedway – Hampton, GA
Friday Night Drags – August 2, 2019
Domestic: Justin Smith – 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
New Edge: Gary Kelly – 2018 Ford F150
Pro: Kevin Mayo – 2007 Chevrolet Cavalier
Super Pro: David Clevenger – 1963 Chevrolet Corvette
Street Outlaw: Wayne Harris – Chevrolet Camaro
Sportsman: David Moore – 1990 Ford Mustang
Truck Advance: Glenn Evans – 1977 Ford F-150
Street Performer: Tory Hornsby – 1973 Datson 240z
Super Bike: Toney Freeman – 2008 Suzuki Hayabasa
Sport Bike: John Hoyer – Yamaha VMax
Motorcycle: Eric Denham – 2008 Yamaha R6
Cruiser: Robert Thomas – 2004 Harley
Quad/Tri: Andre Martin – Banshee
Street Modified: John Reyes – 2003 Ford Mustang GT
Truck: Ed Blanford – 1968 F100
Diesel Truck: Brian Sparrow – 2013 Chevrolet Duramax 2500
Tuner: Shane Kirkland – 1983 Datson 280ZX
Sport Compact: Amanda Brown – 2012 Ford Mustang V6
Factory Street: Eric Samples – 2018 Ford Mustang
