Tuesday's Pics

Long time VW racer Sid Pulliam the pinstripe KING is doing well aftering suffering a slight stroke.



I was glad to attend the PTRA Banquet a few weeks ago to see Mike Hutchens collect his second straight PTRA Pro Tree Eliminator title and Racer of the Year Award.



Seen the "Buck" Bucky Edmonds at the Expo last weekend made me think of him and his former Chevrolet Corvette. Edmonds crews for son Jeff and grandson Justin now, but does fine time to take his street Corvette out for a spin.



The late great " Fast" Freddie Swing send here with his "Spellbinder" at the Farm. His son Jamie is carrying on the Swing name in racing competing in TOP Eliminator this past year. He won at WRP in Chris Plott's Mercury Cougar and drove Ricky Greer's "Show a lil Luv" Chevy Truck to several great finishes. He now works for Gibbs Race Cars in Mooresville, NC

Shriners Expo & North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame Kicks Our Season Off

David Campbell and the Thunderwolf was in attendance at this year's Shriners Expo.

My favorite time of year?

No, not tax day.

No, not my Birthday...

Yes it has to be the annual Shriners Drag Racing Expo at Greensboro, NC

First it kicks off the new DRAG RACING season. Love IT!

Second.. We all come together at our annual convention of Drag Racing.

I saw more people today than the pope at Christmas mass.

Got to sale plenty of MJ Printed shirts and make this week’s house mortgage payment. Thanks to all that purchased the goods. Thanks to good friend Mickey Walters for being top salesman of the weekend. 5 big ones. I bet that’s more Bob Harris sold himself….lol Roundtree is a different story. He probably sold a bunch. Also, gave away a few shirts to Big John at the Rock. Steve Earwood don’t know it I got a new ROCK Battery in return….YEAH Right.  Found Chrome Bumpers Don Nelson a XXXXL , said Tommy Paschal needed to paint the bumpers on his Hot Rod Falcon Silver…yeah ok.. Gave plenty of  kid’s shirts away, because they are our future. EJ Womack and his buddy was our top sale of the day. Shout out to Raven Rock Racing for winning the 2010 Outlaw Door Car Champion at Piedmont Dragway. Thanks to Jim’s great staff that he brings. Got greeted by Bubba T. on Friday ( and I wasn’t late) see Jay’s lovely wife Dorothy and was helped to the North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame Shirts and Posters in, so Grandma Turner and the helpers could get they folded and ready for the great folks that turned out this weekend. Seen Mike Boyles “Good All Charlie Brown” ‘ 57 Chevy Wagon went I came in the upper hall. Glad to see the 2010 VOTED by the Fans Most Favorite and Popular Driver and Car at last year’s Stick Shift Championships at Mooresville Dragway. He and Larry Leazer the 2010 Champion will share the 2011 event shirt for the May 28^th Opening Quick 8 Mad Dawg event.

 Thanks to Sandy Collins of Farmington Dragway and Tony Brown of Mooresville Dragway and PTRA for helping out. They were great to work with and good neighbors too. Got a free dinner and Lone Star Friday night as me, Mickey, Tony and his four wheeling friend was entertained by Darrin” Big MoDee” McClaughtery. They had forgotten to turn our order in and we got a free one on the house. Thanks to Lone Star on

High Point Rd.

Greensboro, NC

you get the one littlehand up and you have good entertainment too…ask Big Mo....lol. Also, I had the pleasure to attend Tony’s PTRA Banquet and had a great time at that event.

Tony is also the new general manager at Mooresville Dragway and I think he’ll do a super job there. Remember he was at the new Union County Dragway in South Carolina and was offer the managing job at Mooresville by the Leazer Family. Former Roxboro track manager Allen Carpenter of Crossnore, NC has taking the general mangers job at the Union track. Look for good things there also.

 Thanks to Lynn Sparks, Jim’s sister for the hook up. Gerald “to the Gas pumps” Ayers needed a pass in to help Sandy at the Farmington booth. Gerald was filling in for Don Plemmons, who hasn’t’ felt good since Christmas. We wish him well. Don was also awarded a 2010 NC Hall of Fame award for OutStanding Service to the sport of Drag racing in North Carolina. Don currently owns Farmington Dragway, but was along time drag racer.  The other event I love is my new passion “preserving North Carolina Drag Racing History”. The North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame was started some five years ago by Jim and his late wife Dora Turner. Thank You! Jim doesn’t like credit…but I inducted him into the Jerry Joyce and Norman Drouillard, Sr Farmington Dragway Wall of Fame this pass year. So I presented him his award today, as he joined Arvil Thomas, Jack McClamrock, James Renegar and Tommy Plott as 2010 Inductees. The Hall of Fame presentation was started out by Rockingham Dragway’s Steve Earwood with our year in review and a good one on the “Hillbilly” Roy Hill, a 2008 NCDRHOF member. Bob Harris then introduced 2010 NCDRHOF inductee Gene Fulton. Bob told of his dealings with the premier engine builder and person Gene Fulton. That was a good story Big Daddy…he should have listen to Roundtree and it would have cost him $400.00….lol. He then turned the mike over to the former IHRA Modified World Championship Drag Racer Fulton for a few word. Gene is a 2010 inductee into the North Carolina Drag racing Hall of Fame, but couldn’t make last year due to the weather.

O yeah Danny Dunn of WRP will have to sing the national anthem at the Rock this year, as he violated  Jim’s cell phone rule.

Yours truly got to introduce my favorite ’55 driver Charles Carpenter. Telling about the first time I got to see him run at of the Farm’s old Pro Drag Series races. Carpenter started back in the days running ET racing then of course help form what is today’s modern day Pro Modified.  “Mr. Shoebox” Charles Carpenter stepped to the mike next and gave a heart felt speech telling about the loss of his wife and mother. The whole drag racing community felt that as he bravely told us. This goes back to Gene Fulton talking about the group of friends he wanted to be around, and the drag racing group is the BEST.

 It was announced that Ronnie Hood would be inducted into the North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame next year due a funeral he had to attend. Jim Turner the founder of the North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame introduced popular Southern Style Pro Stock and North Carolina drag racer Sam Carroll of Durham, NC. Like Jim said, Sam was best known for winning one of the biggest bracket races of it’s time at Darlington, SC $10k back in the late ‘70’s.

Steve Earwood then introduced Brenda Taylor to the hundred plus on hand for the annual presentation. Brenda speaking for her late husband the “Professor” Steve Taylor of Raleigh, NC, who passed away back in 2007. Steve in his thirty plus years won over 1000 drag races and drove everything from a Volkswagen to a Ford Mustang, but was mostly remembered racing a Chevrolet Cavalier. The out spoken Taylor even won twice and runner-up at the Rock’s Super Chevy back several years ago.

 A special photography was presented in memory of Jeff Byrd by Greg Burrows to his son Christian Byrd. Byrd was one of the key players back in the day that help shape modern day drag racing. Without the support of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company there wouldn’t have been what we have today. He’s leadership along with the rest of the Winston crew helped a struggling Farmington Dragway back in 1978 at our first Winston IHRA National Title Series Race. I could go on to talk about the media exposure that Jeff help get Norman and my dad get  to make that the biggest race for Winston NTS events that year.

 He was truly a great man and will be dearly missed to all.  To cap off the ceremonies was a special Drag Racing Appreciation award going to Don Plemmons, the long time drag racer that now owns Farmington Dragway. Also I, presented Jim Turner his plaque for being inducted into the Jerry & Norman LEGENDS Wall of Fame at Farmington Dragway. Jim is the one back in 1976 that contacted my dad about renting Farmington Dragway. I credit him with getting me into drag racing promoting. Thanks to everyone that could attend this year’s North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame Ceremonies.

I could write for days about the Expo last week as it really does kick off the new racing season every year. See you at the races now!

Carpenter Honored as 2011 North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame Inductee

(1-17-2011) CHARLOTTE, NC – Emerging from the most difficult period of his life, Charles Carpenter’s hope for 2011 is that it improves dramatically over a devastating 2010. The year will kick off on a high note this weekend when Carpenter is inducted into the North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2011.

The Hall of Fame inductions will be the focal point of the 9th Annual Shriners Drag Racing & Hot Rod Expo, to be held this Friday and Saturday, January 21 & 22, at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC. The induction ceremony will begin at 1:30 PM on Saturday.

“This is right up there with the top honors that I’ve received during my racing career, and I’m humbled to be inducted into the North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame,” Carpenter said. “To be considered a peer with some of the incredible names that are already in the Hall along with those being inducted this year is simply a dream come true.”

The dream began nearly forty years ago when Carpenter was a car-crazed young boy, spending his days building model cars and tagging along with his older brother as he raced his ’55 Chevy at the local dragstrips around Charlotte, NC.

One thing led to another, and before long Carpenter had dropped a big block into a full-size ’55 Chevy, strapped a nitrous oxide system onto it, and turned the drag racing world on its ear. From there, Carpenter has gone on to enjoy one of the longest and most successful careers in the history of the category he pioneered, Pro Modified. It is for this contribution to drag racing and his unwavering passion for the sport that Carpenter will be honored this weekend.

His career has had its fair share of highlights, but they haven’t come without an equal amount of obstacles and hardships. Carpenter has clawed his way back from an involuntary quasi-retirement to begin the decade, only to reemerge as one of the top forces in nitrous doorslammer racing before suffering a broken back as a result of one of the most horrific wrecks in recent Pro Modified history in 2009. Never one to give up, he fought his way back toward the top of the American Drag Racing League Pro Nitrous standings for most of 2010 before unthinkable tragedy struck Carpenter and his family.

As Carpenter was preparing to battle for yet another championship, his wife of thirty years, Terry, suffered a severe stroke and passed away at the age of 54. Exactly one month after his wife’s passing, Carpenter’s mother unexpectedly passed away due to sudden illness. These unforeseen tragedies put all racing on hold for Carpenter, and he and his family are still on the long road to recovery.

“We’re just taking it one day at a time, focusing on the positives and trying to piece our lives back together,” said Carpenter. “When something like this happens, it really puts everything in perspective and shows you how important it is to enjoy every day you’re given in life. Receiving this honor of being inducted into the NC Drag Racing Hall of Fame is going to be an emotional moment for my family and I, but the recent events we’ve experienced will make it even more important and special for us.”

Carpenter would like to thank his family and friends, all past and present sponsors, the racers, promoters, track operators, and most importantly, the fans, for all of their support that made this achievement possible.

Photo by Roger Richards

 ###

Mike Carpenter

Director of Marketing/PR

Charles Carpenter Racing

5817 Joyce Dr.

Charlotte, NC  28215

(704) 737-2299

www.fastest55.com

Time To Go Racing! Farmington's Banquet Was Saturday

It's Banquet Time.......There was a good crowd on hand this past Saturday night for Farmington Dragway's annual Banquet to honored their 2010 Race Series Champions. A lot of new and old faces was in the crowd as they was entertained by "Bad Brad Ader's" DJ n' Music and Slide show presentation of the past year. First we want to THANK Everyone that attend. Hope you all had a great time. Secondly, I want to recognize our Gas Man/Main Man Garry "HOOTER" HOOTS. I'm totally sorry but I forget to say that he was in attendance. Also, HOOT I Will get a TEAM CHAMPIONS Jacket and any other Employee wanting one also...from MJ Printing. Also, we had a meeting earlier in the day about our RACERS POINTS FUND. THANKS to the ones that could attend. We had a productive meeting of the minds. There was representation from TOP, FOOT BRAKE, JUNIOR and STREET racers. Basically it's this. We have been given the opportunity to collect as much money as we can for OUR OWN POINTS FUND at FARMINGTON DRAGWAY. Not to shared or use BUT nothing but US. WE need EVERYONE to find a $300.00, $500.00, $800.00 or bigger supporter to help fund our own points fund. I will also post that Signage Sponsorship information.
  Taking his first Farmington TOP Eliminator champion was Bobby Williams of Kernersville, NC in his Williams Brothers "Dead Serious" Chevrolet Camaro. Williams, became the first door car to win a Farmington championship in over ten years, as he beat out former two time Farm Champion Darrell Collins of Kernersville, NC in his HT Performance Dragster. Finishing third was Durant Cottingham of Thomasville, NC with his Dragster. Fourth was 2010 Farm Summit Super Series Champion Rick Henry of China Grove, NC in a Dragster and rounding out the top five was the Ford Mustang of David Spaugh from Advance, NC.
 Twenty year old Ernie Humes III of Troutman, NC picked up his first career Farmington Dragway Foot Brake champion driving his dad's "Deadly" Dodge Demon. Humes also won the IHRA Summit Racing Equipment Team Finals Mod ETclass and the "No Box" Summit Super Series championships this past season at Farmington Dragway. Finishing a close scond was seven time Farmington track champion Chris Plott of Mocksville, NC in his Plott Racing & Automotive Mercury Cougar. Rounding out the top five, David Spaugh finished third, Kellyy Stevens of Bostic fourth and Kevin Wideman of Mooresville, NC was fifth.
The "Ice Man" Dillon Winkler of China Grove, NC came from behind this past season to score his first Farm Junior Dragster championships. The fifteen year Winkler had to over take last years points runner-up Robert "the Hit Man" Vogler from Lewisville, NC for his first track championship. It was a hard fought battle as he Dillon as had to hold off third place man Ryan Crews of Advance, NC. Finishing fourth was most improved Jeffery Houser of Morganton, NC and fifth place went to Winston-Salem, NC's Corey Manuel.
 Mount Airy, NC's Dennis Jefferson drove his "street legal" Oldsmobile to a first Farmington Super Street title beating out first time street racer Staci Hampton of Clemmons, NC.
 The Farm Teen Racers class championship for 13 to 17 year olds went to third generation racer Robert Moser of Advance, NC. Franklin Keen of Connelly Springs, NC finished second.
Tim Taylor of Winston-Salem, NC won his first ever Farmington Motorcycle champion over Chris Eades of Winston-Salem, NC.
 In Special awards from the banquet long time computer operator Cindy Wood of Yadkinville, NC was awarded the Employee of the Year. Thomas Dunford was awarded the Sportsman of the Year for all the support to his fellow Farm racers and track. The Family of the Year went to the Tutterow Family- Todd, Denise, Ty and Tia. This was a well deserved award as they are also our Farmington Ambassadors too. It had my VOTE! Young Staci Hampton won Super Street Rookie of the Year driving her dad's Chevrolet Camaro to an impressive second place points finish. Third generation drag racer Madison Henry of China Grove, NC won the Junior Dragster Rookie of the Year. Her dad won our 2010 Box Summit Super Series championship with his big Dragster. Young gun Tim Cowick of Mooresville, NC won the tough Foot Brake Rookie of the Year award. Probably the oldest Rookie of the Year Joel Essick of Winston-Salem, NC won the TOP Eliminator division honors this year. Most Improved honors in TOP Eliminator went to Ford Pinto driver Rob Roberts of Swanannoa, NC for a outstanding top points finish. Mooresville, NC Cagnazzi motor man Kevin Wideman picked up the Foot Brake Most Improved Honors. Kevin drove to a win and fifth place finish in just his second year of racing weekly at Farmington with his fine running Pontiac. Jeffery Houser of Morganton, NC, whose moving on to be a Rookie contender in TOP Eliminator this year, won the 2010 Most Improved Junior Dragster award.
To cap the night off are 2010 8x IHRA Summit TEAM FINALS CHAMPIONS were presented their Champion Jackets and Decals. Championship are:
 Dillon Winkler, Jeffery Houser, Robert Vogler, Janna Vogler, Morgan Tedder, Corey Manuel, Bryan Kennedy, Jeff Nicholson, Tesz Powell, Jeff Flood, Zachery Pauley, Ryan Crews, Rick Henry, Tommy Plott, Durant Cottingham, Kenny Regenthal, Jr, Teddy Houser, Freddy Bowden, Bobby Williams, Doug Walker, Howie Adams, Mark' Pork" Jones, Rob Roberts, Tim Greene, Dwayne Rozier, Bill Crane, Kelly Stevens, Greg Schramm, Ricky Greer, Tim Bo Blevins, James Overcash, Ernie Humes, Kevin Wideman, Robert Ellison, Chris Plott, Tim Douglas, Tommy Greer, Phil Honaker, Joel Essick, Boone Swaim, Darrell Powell, Robert Sawrey, Ray Crane, Darrell Collins and Tom Watson. If i left anyone out...I didn't mean too.  THANK GUYS and GALS for a A-1....tap out JOB!
Again Thanks to Everyone that could attend and hope to see you March 12-13 for our first drag race of 2011 at Farmington the SPRING Flea Market and FREE Race. Saturday, March 12, attempt to have our RACE of CHAMPIONS in TOP, FOOT BRAKE, JUNIOR Dragster classes from 2009 and 2011. Plus Two Days of Flea Market and FREE race on Sunday, March 13th.
 First "FRS" Farm Racers Series Points Races are scheduled for Saturday, March 19th and Sunday, March 20th.

North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Famers...Ronnie Hood and Charles Carpenter

This was one BAD ride in it's day! That Ronnie drove for Bruce Walker. That car ran ten trillion 5.55 ET's and one or two Farmington Pro Drag Series races back in its day.

Ronnie "the Shoe" Hood taking time for the folks. That is why he's always been a fan favorite in what ever Pro Mod ride he has been in. We need him back in 2011!

In action at the FARM.....Ronnie "the Shoe" Hood 2011 North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame Inductee

Before there was Pro Modified or even a all door car TOP Sportsman class, it was quick qualified field of door cars and Dragsters that made up in the early '80's IHRA's Top Sportsman. Charlotte, NC's Charles Carpenter seen here was in the Farm's IHRA Pro Am finals against the late great World Champion Don Young. Charles campaigned his familiar '55 Chevy on the IHRA trail and still had time to do a little bracket racing back in the day.

Carpenter, another fan favorite with his "Shoebox" 1955 Chevrolet, is a early pioneer of the Pro Mod racing. He along with a host of other racers helped to put IHRA on the map with the then popular class.

"Mr. 55 Chevy" Charles Carpenter 2011 North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame Inductee. Don't forget about the Annual Shriners Drag Racing & Hot Rod Expo coming up January 21-22, at the Greensboro Coliseum. We'll inductee Ronnie and Charlie, along with Sam Carroll and Steve Taylor this year. Ceremonies will be at 1:30 PM on Saturday, January 22, hope you can attend.

THANKS to VAN the MAN for the great photography's of legendary racers Ronnie Hood and Charles Carpenter.