Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience
[Re: MoparBilly]
#1673314
12/01/14 03:36 AM
12/01/14 03:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448 Phoenix, AZ
MoparBilly
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448
Phoenix, AZ
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It was great watching Jeff Lutz, Doug Cline, and Joe Barry accept their awards and guitars for being the top three overall averages on Drag Week. All of these gentleman have worked very hard, and suffered incredible heartbreak on previous Drag Weeks, so it was great to see it finally pay off as all three met incredible personal goals on Drag Week 2014.
They gave plaques back to 6th place for the Heads-up Race, so both Rachael and Dale received one, then Dale was given the "Fastest AMC" award and all I could think was that Tony wouldn't be pleased with that!
Finally it came time to give out the "Spirit of Drag Week" award, which personally, as I've seen four of them handed out, I hold in high regard. David Freiburger started the presentation by saying they were doing something different this year for the first time, awarding a group instead of an individual by naming the Gebhart Family as the winners of the 2014 Spirit of Drag Week. He went on to explain how we always brought new particpants to the event, and were great ambassadors for Drag Week, but I can't really remember everything he said as I was just blown away that someone would think a band of quarreling brothers and their slow Mopars represented the spirit of such a cool event!
I ended up with the mic as we were presented, and rambled aimlessly, about stuff that probably didn't make any sense for a few minutes. I apologize to any of you who were subjected to that, as I was so humbled and honored to receive it that I can't even remember what I said.
"Livin' in a powder keg and givin' off sparks"
4 Street cars, 5 Race engines
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Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience
[Re: MoparBilly]
#1673315
12/01/14 03:43 AM
12/01/14 03:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,697 Renton Wa
topfueldart
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,697
Renton Wa
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Bravo!!
11.48 @ 120 with a 1.80 60' 318, stock 1.88 heads, stock 904, Pump Gas, 13 lbs of boost.
9.94 @ 134, 318 on pump gas, 14 lbs w/ Eddies, transbrake 727, 3600 lbs, 3.54 gear and 28's.
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Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience
[Re: topfueldart]
#1673316
12/01/14 03:54 AM
12/01/14 03:54 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,978 Hilltown Pa
1967dartgt
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,978
Hilltown Pa
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Wow, congrats what a accomplishment.
Brett Miller W9 cnc'd heads STR Chassis fabraction
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Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience
[Re: 1967dartgt]
#1673317
12/01/14 04:03 AM
12/01/14 04:03 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,131 Amarillo, Texas
BBR
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,131
Amarillo, Texas
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Billy, you did great at the awards ceremony. I was super excited that they chose your entire family for the award. Came as no surprise though, you guys are top notch and talking with you is one of my favorite things to do during Drag Week. Hope to see y'all there again.
-James
Drag Week 2011 - 77th place - DD Drag Week 2012 - 2nd place SRBB N/A Drag Week 2014 - Kapooya RMRW 2018 RMRW 2020
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Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience
[Re: BBR]
#1673319
12/01/14 05:09 AM
12/01/14 05:09 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448 Phoenix, AZ
MoparBilly
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448
Phoenix, AZ
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We made our way out of the tent to our cars, and John made a comment that the cruise back to Dale's house would be the first time he had the opportunity to run with us all of Drag Week. Then as Boone, Darren and I exited TRP, I found it odd that it didn't look like anyone else was following us. John finally showed up at Dale's about ten minutes after we arrived and got out of his Valiant shaking his head, "We need to take a truck and trailer back to the track to get Dale and the Gremlin, something broke in the front suspension!"
The next morning when we were checking it out on the trailer, Dale explained to me, "I just backed into a little pothole, and the next thing I knew the front tire was rubbing on the fender."
Much in the same way he had ripped the welded on ladder bar bracket out of the stock frame on day one, now he had done the same thing with the strut rod on the lower arm. Guess it might not have been such a terrible thing that he didn't get to launch with the front end in the air and try to go 140+ in the final of the shootout!
"Livin' in a powder keg and givin' off sparks"
4 Street cars, 5 Race engines
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Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience
[Re: MoparBilly]
#1673323
12/01/14 12:33 PM
12/01/14 12:33 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 235 Gilbert AZ
tsanchez
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 235
Gilbert AZ
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Quote:
Dale was given the "Fastest AMC" award and all I could think was that Tony wouldn't be pleased with that!
Finally it came time to give out the "Spirit of Drag Week" award, which personally, as I've seen four of them handed out, I hold in high regard. David Freiburger started the presentation by saying they were doing something different this year for the first time, awarding a group instead of an individual by naming the Gebhart Family as the winners of the 2014 Spirit of Drag Week. He went on to explain how we always brought new particpants to the event, and were great ambassadors for Drag Week, but I can't really remember everything he said as I was just blown away that someone would think a band of quarreling brothers and their slow Mopars represented the spirit of such a cool event!
I ended up with the mic as we were presented, and rambled aimlessly, about stuff that probably didn't make any sense for a few minutes. I apologize to any of you who were subjected to that, as I was so humbled and honored to receive it that I can't even remember what I said.
You are right Billy, I am happy for Dale to represent AMC, and also happy you all received the award this year, greatly deserving. To me you guys represent the spirit of drag week, the perseverance, the no giving up attitude, the help anyone and sacrifice your trip for them if need be. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!
Now if we can get Dale to put an AMC engine in that gremmie....
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Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience
[Re: wyoming]
#1673328
12/01/14 09:07 PM
12/01/14 09:07 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,401 Tucson, Arizona
MRMOPAR
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,401
Tucson, Arizona
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Congratulations Billy, to you and your family for winning the "Spirit of Drag Week" award. Not only do you represent what drag racing is all (or should be) about, but your telling of the tale every year allows us all to be there with you. Thank You Very much...
68 RR 528" INDY MAXX
07 2500 CTD
Southwest International Raceway - IHRA - Tucson, AZ
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Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience
[Re: ross]
#1673331
12/01/14 11:08 PM
12/01/14 11:08 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,201 aZLiViN
J_BODY
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,201
aZLiViN
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Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience
[Re: J_BODY]
#1673332
12/01/14 11:40 PM
12/01/14 11:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448 Phoenix, AZ
MoparBilly
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448
Phoenix, AZ
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Guys, Thanks for the compliments and congrats! Ross, As you know, the event grew by a third this year, and I like to try and tell the tale in chronological order, so it makes if difficult to expand on some of the happenings within Drag Week that shape the event, but don't necessarily effect our own little group. I've still got plenty to write about! ksj, No mention of changing the name of the Spirit Award...but it is in our possession...and I know a few good trophy shops!
Plus...I still have a ton of good pictures I haven't been able to work in...media attention on Drag Week has expanded nearly as much as participation.
"Livin' in a powder keg and givin' off sparks"
4 Street cars, 5 Race engines
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