After a month off due to other events being held at the track, the 1/4 Mile Summit ET Series Bracket Racing got back going at Gainesville Raceway Saturday. These guys and gals were ready to get back going and by the looks of the turn out it was going to be a hard fought battle. The track was looking good, the cars were good, it’s time to Rock N Roll. In Combo, Ernie Renfroe, (1970 Camaro) with a nice run, took out Jimmy Montgomery(1999 Dragster). Montgomery, came right back and took home the trophy in the Electronics class when he met up with Dave Hellriegel(1979 Chevy). Foot Brake saw a repeat winner when Ernie Renfroe met up with a stubborn Dan Macal in his 1983 Hurst. John Upthegrove (1978 Kawasaki) beat out Roy Johnson on his 2006 IX14 in the Pro M/C class. Street Cycle saw a good match up with Duane Schmidt and Emery Fuller. Schmidt (2004 Kawasaki) beat Fuller (2007 Kawasaki) to the line to take top spot in this class. Casey Miller (1991 Camaro) and Chris Parisi (2007 Mustang) went to the finals in True Street and it was Miller taking out Parisi. In JR Dragster, Dalton Samuel took out the Bar’s Leak dragster, driven by Alison McLean. Congratulations to all the winners and runner ups. See you next weekend when the 1/8 mile will meet up again.

(Story by: Thomas & Renee Gaines)

The 2008 1/4 Mile Summit ET Series Bracket Racing season started Saturday night (03-29-08) at Gainesville Raceway. At 5:00 p.m. people were lined up all the way to the road waiting to get into the gate. All but one class was represented well. Street Bike ran with only three bikes. Duane Schmidt met up with Billy “The Wheelie” Barton. Schmidt had to play catch up with Barton, and took the win at the line. In pro bike the finals saw Dave Young take the win against Roger Cloer. In True Street, Chris Parisi took out Monica Roberts when she left a little early and red lighted. Derek Vazquez and Katie McLean saw each other in the final Jr. dragster run with Derek taking the win and Katie bringing home runner up. Watch out for these guys and gals, it’s going to be a tough division. In the foot brake class, Jeff Gatlin took the win over Dave Scott. Buddy Goolsby couldn’t be stopped all night and took the win in two classes. In electronics, Goolsby, took the win against Jimmy Montgomery in the battle of the dragsters. And in combo, Jeff Gatlin red lighted giving the win to Goolsby. A special thanks goes out to all the Gainesville Raceway track workers who kept the track in great shape and safe all night long. Next week starts the 1/8 mile season. See you there. (more…)

CONGRATULATIONS TO :

TRACK CHAMPIONS

Buddy Abbott– Electronics

David Scott– Footbrake

April Macal– Ture Street

Troy Crawford– Motorcycle

Darrell Pons Jr.– Jr. Dragster

SERIES WINNERS

Bobby Powers– 1/8 Mile Electronic

Derek Putnam– 1/4 Mike Footbrake

Tom Tilton– 1/8 Mile True Street

Mike Lakoskey– 1/4 Mile Pro Cycle

Paul Stuart– 1/4 Mile Street Cycle

Billy Barton– 1/8 Mile Street Cycle

Open Comp Series, Sponsored by Rollins Automotive

Winner: Victor Adams
Runner-up: Dan Macal

Jessie Harris has been thrilling race fans for the past five years, driving her jet powered dragster across the country. Now she has the chance to drive a 8,000 hp top fuel dragster for Evan Knoll and Torco Race Fuels. Not since Christine Powell, has there been such a buzz about a rookie top fuel driver coming into the NHRA ranks. Jessie earned the title of winningest driver in Jet Dragster history, now she will try to add another title to her list, rookie of the year and then top fuel champion. I had a chance to talk with Jessie and asked her a few questions.

Q. Tell me a little about your self.
J. My name is Jessie Harris. I reside in Rome, NY. I am 25 years old. Over the last 5 years, I have spent the weekends driving a Jet Powered Dragster and the weekdays managing a physical therapists office.

Q. How and when did you get into racing?
J. I have been crewing on my step-father’s blown alcohol roadster since the age of 6. From the first time I set foot at a racetrack, I fell in love with the sight, the sound, and the smell.

Q. I know you raced the jet cars, so how hard was it going from the jet car to the top fuel dragster?
J. I believe driving the Jet Dragster gave me the insight I needed to transition well into the Top Fuel car. I have made over 1,000 runs in the last 5 years, all either close to or quicker than 300 mph. So, in that aspect, I learned how to finesse and react at fast speeds. But I had to be willing to be a student again. I had never felt tire shake before. I had to learn how to drive a 8,000 hp wheel driven car as opposed to the 6,000 hp thrust driven car.

Q. How did the deal with you getting into a top fueler come about?
J. It has been my dream to drive a fuel car since I was 6 years old. I knew that I had to ‘play the game’ and market myself to get where I wanted to be. I spent 5 years in the Jet Dragster building a good resume and networking. At that point, I just started introducing myself to the pro’s, expressing my interest in driving. After seeing my face and hearing my name more than a few times, I think everyone started to believe I was serious and was willing to put in the effort.

Q. What are your plans for 08, I think you are going to be driving for Evan, right?
J. I will be driving a second dragster on Clay Millican’s team owned by Evan Knoll. Torco Race Fuels will be the primary sponsor but as for the paint scheme or theme… I am sorry, I can’t divulge just yet!

Q. Do you think you have something to prove coming into the NHRA ?
J. I believe in myself to be a good student who is willing to put in the effort to be the best. I want to prove that I deserve this opportunity I have been given. From there I will focus on making laps, going rounds, winning races, and eventually winning championships.

Q. When you stop and think about were you are at in your career,what goes through your mind?
J. I am blessed. I really do have to keep pinching myself as the countdown begins for Pomona. Few have or will ever have the opportunity to do this. Without a supportive family and friends, I would not be where I am today. I owe a lot to them.

Q. Who do you look up to as far as drag racing?
J. Oh my gosh, I have been watching the greats for a long time but I would have to say my mother and step-father, Penny and Joe Veschusio. They have taught me the in’s and out’s of drag racing. Both about the driving side and the business side.

Q. What do you do in the off season
J. Well, most will tell you, there really isn’t an off season but in my free time, I love to go snowmobiling, boating, running, and lift weights. Most of all, I love spending time with my family, boyfriend and friends. I have two great little sisters, Marie (12) and Megan (10) who insist they are drivers in training. I love it when I can catch one of their basketball or volleyball games.

Q. What track are you most looking forward to getting to and why?
J. My two favorites are Englishtown, NJ and Norwalk, OH. The track owners, staff, and fans are like a second family to me.

Q. One thing that people don’t know about you.
J. You’re killing me… Pretty much, what you see, is what you get with me.

I would like to sincerely thank a few people who have played intricate roles in my career. Frank Hawley, a fantastic instructor for working with me from getting my Alcohol Funny Car license to signing off on my Top Fuel license. Clay Millican, Lance Larsen, Johnny West and the rest of our two car team for being the all-stars that they are and supporting me every step of the way. Evan Knoll for believing in my passion to drive his car and support his company.

Photo by Thomas Gaines

I was exchanging holiday greetings with Lee Beard, the crew chief of David Powers’ Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster, when the subject turned to his new driver, Antron Brown. Most Geiger Counter readers know Brown has competed in Pro Stock Motorcycle to much success over the past decade but is now making the switch to Top Fuel.

Beard, Brown, and the Matco team recently completed an extensive test at Gainesville Raceway where Beard tells me Brown made several “perfect passes,” including some to the 1,000-foot mark that would have translated to low 4.5-second runs if Brown had been allowed to leg them out. His reaction times were impressive — all between .041 and .052 seconds — and he did everything asked of him by the meticulous Beard. But his on-track acumen isn’t why the former world championship tuner is excited about his new shoe. (more…)

I had the chance to sit down with Angie McBride, driver for the Torco Racing Fuels, pro stock motorcycle. Angie is ready to get the season started and she is excited about driving for Matt Smith and Torco Racing fuels. Here is what Angie tells Top Fuel Photos.
(By: Thomas Gaines)

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
A. I am 28 years old. I work part time for both a cosmetic surgeon and a dermatologist. I started riding motorcycles when I was 19 years old. Started racing a few years after that. Hope to be a full time driver in 2008. Racing is my life.

Q. What made you get into drag racing and why pro stock bike?
A. I dated someone about 10 years ago that was involved in Pro Stock and Outlaw Pro Street. I wanted to see what it was like, so I purchased a stock GSXR 1100. I learned to ride it and then I wanted to go to the track and make a couple of passes down the track. Well after that I was hooked….never wanted to ride on the street again. All I wanted to do was build my motor and go fast, so I started buying parts. Then a couple of years later I started racing in a class called Outlaw Pro Street. It’s a very competitive class. It’s a 7 inch slick no wheelie bar NOS class. They are the fastest no wheelie bar bikes on the planet. I won the championship in 2003. Now I want to race Pro Stock in NHRA and my goal is to get a Wally.

Q. Without getting into what happened, how did you hook up with Matt and Torco racing?
A. Matt and I live close to one another, about 30 miles apart. We have had multiple conversations about racing NHRA. We finally got everything together and I went and tested at the IHRA race in Rockingham.

Q. What are you doing in the off season?
A. Well right now I have been trying to get everything together to race in 2008. I also went to the PRI show in Orlando and then to test with Matt’s dad Rickie in Bradenton FL.

Q. What do you think you bring to the team as far as your driving style?
A. Well I think I will bring some different things to the team. Matthew is a great teacher so with 2 motorcycles I am sure we will learn a lot from both bikes, which could be a slight advantage because you can try different setups.

Q. Do you think the competition in pro stock bike has more young energy then before & what does it take to win?
A. I believe it does have more young energy. There’s always young new faces coming in and giving pro stock bikes more diversity. It takes a lot of dedication, commitment, courage, drive, and determination to win. You have to love it and want it more than anything.

Q. Do you feel like you have to prove anything?
A. Yes, I have to prove that I can do it. I think I made a statement in Pomona but I want them to know that I can do it and I am there to stay!

Q. When you stop and think about where you are at, as far as being with a class act team, what goes through your mind?
A. Well I know I’m with the best. The Champ!! I know I just need to absorb as much knowledge as possible and do the best job I can for Torco and for Matt Smith Racing.

Q. Tell us one thing people don’t know about you.
A. That I am an adrenaline freak, Can you believe it.Yep I am, I want to go skydiving, bungee jumping from my ankles and ride in a fighter aircraft. Anything else with adrenaline and G forces I will do.LOL

I had the chance to talk with Antron Brown as he and the crew were
getting ready to start testing at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, FL
and got his thoughts on racing his top fuel dragster. Antron,31, who’s
hometown is in chesterfield, N.J. has 16 wins all of them coming from
PSM, 33 Career final rounds. His best E.T. is a 6.93 with a best speed
of 193.24.

Q. After riding a pro stock bike for so many years, what is the biggest
transition going from the bike to the dragster?

A. It’s not really been that hard. Although I was on top of the bike I
am in the cockpit were everything is totally different. On the bike you
had to use your hands to squeeze the handle for the gas, in the dragster
you have to use your feet. Steering on the bike was all body, now it’s
all hands.So there been a change that way. But over all it’s not been to
bad.

Q. How has it been coming over to a team like DPM (David Powers
Motorsports)

A. It’s been a real honor coming to DPM and to drive for Matco Tools,
everyone has been so supportive from the wives all the way down.
Everybody’s been pushing and believing in me to do this. Lee Beard and
all the crew are behind me 100%. It’s going to be a great year.

Q. What is your thoughts about how far you have come in drag racing?

A. Drag racing is a dream. Never in a million years did I think I would
be doing this.

Q. Have you talked to Angelle ?

A. Oh yeah, we talk every day. Angelle has a new chapter in her life.
Right now she has many different options she is looking into for the up
coming year, she will be fine. That’s my little sister even though she is
bigger then me. I am her biggest fan. I’ll be right there on the
starting line watching her and she will be there watching me.

I would like to thank Antron for taking time to speak to us. I think you
will be fine in your new ride. Good Luck….