Atlanta Dragway is a drag racing

Drag racing

Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....

 facility located in Banks County, Georgia

Banks County, Georgia

Banks County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2010, the population is 18,395. The county seat is Homer.-History:*The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation to create Banks County on February 1, 1859, from Franklin and Habersham Counties.*The county is named for Richard...

, just north of Commerce, Georgia

Commerce, Georgia

Commerce is a city in Jackson County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 6,544.-Geography:Commerce is located at ....

. It is current home to the NHRA Full Throttle Series, Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals

History

Atlanta Dragway was built in 1975 by Gene Bennett and originally had been graded out for an airport. The original airport tower served as the original timing tower, and the track direction was the same as the airport without asphalt, just Georgia red clay. In 1980, the track was sold to Norman Pearah and became an NHRA-sanctioned track. Back then, the track was only opened twice a year for major events.

The track was purchased in 1987 by Pro Stock driver Gary Brown and partners J.D. Stevens and Rudy Bowen. The track underwent major reconstruction to put in new aluminum grandstand seating, permanent restrooms and rebuilt concession buildings. In 1989, the thirteen year-old track was resurfaced with a concrete launching pad and a new timing system. In addition to the track modification, a reconditioned VIP tower complete with a timing deck, press center and corporate suites was built in 1990.

NHRA purchased the track in 1993 and in 1999, it resurfaced the track and added an updated timing system. The tower restrooms were remodeled and all concession, tower and ticket buildings were rewired. In 2003, the track’s FM radio and public address system were both upgraded. In 2008 NHRA history was made at the track when Ashley Force became the first female driver to win a Funny Car event.

Top Fuel

Year	Winner
1990	Lori Johns
1991	Kenny Bernstein
1992	Don Prudhomme
1993	Eddie Hill
1994	Connie Kalitta
1995	Cory McClenathan
1996	Larry Dixon
1997	Kenny Bernstein
1998	Cory McClenathan
1999	Gary Scelzi
2000	Gary Scelzi
2001	Mike Dunn
2002	Larry Dixon Larry Dixon (drag racer) Larry Dixon, Jr. is a professional drag racer in the NHRA. Larry is the son of Larry Dixon, Sr., who won one national event.-1980s and 1990s:...
2003	Larry Dixon Larry Dixon (drag racer) Larry Dixon, Jr. is a professional drag racer in the NHRA. Larry is the son of Larry Dixon, Sr., who won one national event.-1980s and 1990s:...
2004	Cory McClenathan
2005	Doug Kalitta
2006	Doug Kalitta
2007	Brandon Bernstein Brandon Bernstein Brandon Bernstein is and American Drag Racer, and son of NHRA Legend Kenny Bernstein.-Early life:Bernstein was born in Dallas, Texas on August 2, 1972 the son of 6 time NHRA Champion Kenny Bernstein. He worked on his dad's team when he was a teenager...
2008	Antron Brown
2009	Morgan Lucas
2010	Larry Dixon

Funny Car

Year	Winner
1990	Ed McCulloch
1991	Del Worsham
1992	John Force John Force John Harold Force is an NHRA drag racer, a 15-time Funny Car champion driver, and a 17-time champion car owner. Force owns and drives for John Force Racing. He is one of the most dominant drag racers in the sport with 133 career victories...
1993	John Force John Force John Harold Force is an NHRA drag racer, a 15-time Funny Car champion driver, and a 17-time champion car owner. Force owns and drives for John Force Racing. He is one of the most dominant drag racers in the sport with 133 career victories...
1994	John Force John Force John Harold Force is an NHRA drag racer, a 15-time Funny Car champion driver, and a 17-time champion car owner. Force owns and drives for John Force Racing. He is one of the most dominant drag racers in the sport with 133 career victories...
1995	John Force John Force John Harold Force is an NHRA drag racer, a 15-time Funny Car champion driver, and a 17-time champion car owner. Force owns and drives for John Force Racing. He is one of the most dominant drag racers in the sport with 133 career victories...
1996	Tony Pedregon
1997	Randy Anderson
1998	Cruz Pedregon
1999	John Force John Force John Harold Force is an NHRA drag racer, a 15-time Funny Car champion driver, and a 17-time champion car owner. Force owns and drives for John Force Racing. He is one of the most dominant drag racers in the sport with 133 career victories...
2000	John Force John Force John Harold Force is an NHRA drag racer, a 15-time Funny Car champion driver, and a 17-time champion car owner. Force owns and drives for John Force Racing. He is one of the most dominant drag racers in the sport with 133 career victories...
2001	Frank Pedregon
2002	Whit Bazemore
2003	Tony Pedregon
2004	Whit Bazemore
2005	John Force
2006	Tony Pedregon
2007	Robert Hight
2008	Ashley Force Ashley Force Ashley Force Hood is a funny car drag racer for John Force Racing. She is the daughter of 15-time NHRA Funny Car national champion John Force and Laurie Force...
2009	Jack Beckman
2010	Robert Hight

Pro Stock

Year	Winner
1990	Larry Morgan
1991	Bob Glidden
1992	Don Beverley
1993	Warren Johnson
1994	Scott Geffrion
1995	Mark Osborne
1996	Kurt Johnson
1997	Jim Yates
1998	Mark Osborne
1999	Warren Johnson
2000	Jeg Coughlin
2001	Jim Yates
2002	Allen Johnson
2003	Warren Johnson
2004	Greg Anderson
2005	Greg Anderson
2006	Dave Connolly
2007	Greg Anderson
2008	Mike Edwards
2009	Mike Edwards
2010	Jeg Coughlin