The Top Fuel cars will be joined by Pro Stock Cars and Motorcycles, along with Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Cars and hundreds of other NHRA Sportsman racers, all vying for the chance to win the big prize: an NHRA "Wally" trophy.
Racers will be greeted by a brand new track surface, which was completed over the past winter to extremely exacting tolerances. The flatter track will not only contribute to the racer's safety, it will also aid in achieving higher speeds.
Local Top Fuel racer Bob Vandergriff finished fifth overall in the NHRA Powerade Top Fuel Dragster series in 2007 and is looking to better that performance in 2008. Pro Stock racers Warren and Kurt Johnson, from nearby Buford, are enjoying a better season, recently qualifying first and second at the Gatornationals in Florida. Another local racer, Cumming's Dan Lucas, has pre-entered his Top Alcohol dragster in the 2008 Southern Nationals.
Two of the hottest racers in the Funny Car division, Tony and Cruz Pedregon, have been involved in big incidents already in 2008. First, Tony survived a huge fire and explosion in the first competition round of the year at Pomona. The spectacular crash was even featured on CNN and The Today Show. Meanwhile, Cruz experienced a first-round explosion in Gainesville, Fla., that incinerated the body of his car after crossing the finish line
Bob Vandergriff will race his Top Fuel dragster at the Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce. / photo: Tim Glover
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/4/209029