ATLANTA DRAGWAY RESULTS IN BIG WINNERS

 Words by Eric Lotz

In the final results from Atlanta Dragway and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., and Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., took home the wins in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car respectively.

Thacker worked his way through the field and ran 5.427 seconds at 262.33 mph in his final round victory over No. 1 qualifier Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev.  The win is Thacker’s second in as many weeks, winning at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis last weekend.

Ferro faced off against Alexis De Joria, Bronson, Fla., and posted a winning run of 5.697 seconds, 252.71 mph in his '10 Monte Carlo. De Joria drove to a 5.734 second, 246.84 mph lap for her runner up finish.

Other racers visiting the winner’s circle this weekend were Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., in Comp Eliminator; Andy Kronenbitter, Lancaster, Ohio, in Super Stock; Edmond Richardson, Greenbrier, Tenn., in Super Comp; Jody Simoneaux, Hammon, La., in Stock Eliminator; Rusty Cook, Cynthiana, Ky., in Super Gas; and Mike Desio, Seminole, Fla., in Super Street.  In the division’s Top Sportsman class it was Bob Mandell, Culleoka, Tenn., taking the win while Lauren Freer, Lewisville, N.C., won in Top Dragster. 

Southeast Division racers head to Silver Dollar Raceway for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, Oct. 22-24.

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER

Round 1
1) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.443, 266.53 def. 6) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., broke; 5) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.427, 264.65 def. 2) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.520, 251.58; 3) Todd Odom, Dallas, Texas, 5.633, 239.53 def. 4) Scott Moore, Mooresville, N.C., broke

Semifinals
Shields, 5.438, 263.00 unopposed; Thacker, 5.407, 264.70 def. Odom, 17.064, 49.73

Final
Thacker, 5.427, 262.33 def. Shields, 12.973, 84.15