Efficient because because they didn't let Miller have the michrophone give a 30 minute tribute to his sponsors.JFC he has a lot of air.

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.

Bravo!!

Wow, congrats what a accomplishment.

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

A better choice they could not have made! Do they even know that each year, you relay this entire week to thousands here at Moparts, so we can live vicariously through you? Thanks for bringing us along for the ride, ONCE AGAIN, Billy! I hope like heck that someday I have the opportunity to make this trip.

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!

Even though I dont post too much, I always love coming on here and reading the expirence. Thank you for sharing, and congrats on the award.

Kudos to the whole clan receiving the "Spirit Award".Mike Crow has 3 class wins and also is the only one to win class and spirit in the same year.Mike will tell you that the class jackets don't have quite the same meaning that the Spirit one does.

Once again a great read and story. Congrats on your accomplishments.

I can see a compromise here. He could always install Brewer heads on what he has. Lol. Good job guys. Hopefully I don't kick the bucket before I get to do this.

Congrats to you and your family!

Great story again!!!!

Don

Thank You Old Friend!!! only you can make it feel real, Merry Christmas to you and the Family

I have never been to drag week, but I'd sure like to participate one day, if I do make it I think I'll just tell everyone I'm part of the Gebhart team, couldnt be a bad thing, congrats on the award, thanks for sharing the adventure.

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...

Billy did HotRod rename the Spirit Award in Steve name?There were those that had suggested it but I never heard if they did or not.

Billy
Thanks for another great write up. Now I know the rest of the story. Your family was very deserving of the spirit award and I am proud to say I know you.
Now that the drag week saga has been told I think you should just switch over to some good old Mopar stories to keep us entertained through the long winter months that us northern folk have to endure. I am sure no one would object to that. If you are busy, a couple a week would get us by.
Ross

http://www.silverstateclassic.com/event_description.aspx

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.