For three days in May, Commerce will experience the thunder of nitromethane-powered Top Fuel race cars as the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals comes to Atlanta Dragway May 13-15.
In addition to Top Fuel Dragster and Top Fuel Funny Car, nine other classes will be contested.
Although the Southern Nationals includes participants from all over the world, dozens of local racers who can claim Atlanta Dragway as their home track have already pre-entered the event, including Melanie Troxel who is based in Duluth.
Troxel is piloting both a Top Fuel Funny Car and a Pro Mod. Many-time Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson from Sugar Hill will be the master of ceremonies for the event and a Pro Stock participant. Johnson’s son, Kurt, is also campaigning a Pro Stock car. Bob Vandergriff Jr. from Alpharetta is bringing his Top Fuel Dragster to the event. Junior Pippin from Conyers has already entered his Pro Stock Motorcycle, Roger Burgess of Duluth has a Pro Mod entered and Sportsman racers Jeremy Hancock (Super Comp), PJ Raines (Super Comp), James Noel (Super Comp), Jacob Rutledge (Stock), Arnold Reed (Super Gas), Keith Fulp (Super Gas), Jerry Sosebee (Super Comp) and Ronnie Davis (Top Sportsman) have already put their cars in line for the event.
However, don’t look for the 2010 Southern Nationals winners to give up without a fight. Larry Dixon (Top Fuel) and Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) accompanied Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) in the 2010 Atlanta winner’s circle.
For 2011, Larry Dixon is currently 95 points behind leader Del Worsham in Top Fuel Dragster and Robert Hight is 18 points behind teammate and points leader Mike Neff in Top Fuel Funny Car. Jason Line is leading in Pro Stock, and Eddie Krawiec is on the top in Pro Stock Motorcycle coming into the event.
The spectator gates open each day at 7:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday are qualifying days for the professional classes, and Sportsman eliminations begin Saturday. Sunday is the big elimination day, where everything is put on the line in the chase to win the highly coveted winner’s trophy, also called a “Wally” by racers.
Information on all 2011 events, including the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals May 13-May 15, 2011, may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com. Tickets may also be purchases at www.NHRATix.com.
