Ronnie Gardner wins Top Dawg at Dunn-Benson
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<br><font color="Navy">"Last year we should have won a bunch of races that we didn't, but this year we're probably winning a few that we shouldn't" - Ronnie Gardner</font>
<p>(8-25-08) Benson, NC - If it were up to Ronnie Gardner, all future drag racing events would be moved to Dunn-Benson Drag Strip, where he is building an incredible win streak. Gardner, behind the wheel of "Diamond" Jack Gaddy's 68 Camaro, emerged as the Top Dawg series winner last Saturday, August 23. To fully appreciate Gardner's win streak at Dunn-Benson, you'll have to go back to the 2007 season, when the 1/8 mile facility in Benson, NC first launched its Top Dawg series. Five events were held in 2007, four of which were won by Gardner, including the last 4 Top Dawg races last season. Gardner took a break this past June, only to return last Saturday for, you guessed it, another Top Dawg win at Dunn-Benson. "I don't know what it is about this place, but we always have good luck here," commented Gardner.
Gardner set the pace early last Saturday, and after 3 sessions of qualifying found himself sitting atop the 8 car field with a 4.26 @ 172mph. In round one eliminations, Gardner rolled to the line to meet the 63 Corvette of Flip Spinks. Spinks was away first, but his 4.38 came up short against Gardner's 4.23 e.t. Gardner then met Joel Douglas in the semi-finals. Gardner sharpened his reaction time from the previous round, and was out of the gate first. Gardner's 4.24 was able to get around Douglas' 4.31 e.t.
In the finals, Gardner met Brian Williams, who stopped Tracy Cockman and Jason Harris, en route to this final round showdown with Gardner. Both drivers were sharp and ready, each cutting their best lights of the night. Brian Williams was away first with an .011 reaction time, with Gardner out of the gate with an .025 rt. A very close race at the 1/8 mile stripe, Gardner's 4.24 @ 172mph, got the win light over Williams' 4.27 @ 171mph.
Gardner, resident of Greensboro, NC, has been driving for car owner Jack Gaddy since joining forces 2 years ago. Gardner launched his Prime Time Race Cars business 10 years, and has also enjoyed a very successful season as a driver in 2008. Wins this season include a Pro Mod powerglide race at Piedmont, 2 Big Dogs, 1 Mad Dawg and most recently, his Top Dawg victory from Saturday night. "Last year we should have won a bunch of races that we didn't, but this year we're probably winning a few that we shouldn't," laughed Gardner, as he reflected on the season thus far. Gardner, 43, who will become a grandfather in October was quick to give credit to a very efficient race team. "I've got to thank Greg, Robbie, Brian, Jack and Nicole for all their help," said Gardner.
The Top Dawg series meets again at Dunn-Benson with a scheduled event planned for September 27. For more information about the Top Dawg series, and other racing action, please visit: Welcome to Top Dawg Country
Story and photo by:
Van Abernethy Press Releases
<p style="width:300px;float:left;font-weight:bold;padding-right:0px;">
<img src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii284/writevan/TopDawgAugust232008030.jpg"
<br><font color="Navy">"Last year we should have won a bunch of races that we didn't, but this year we're probably winning a few that we shouldn't" - Ronnie Gardner</font>
<p>(8-25-08) Benson, NC - If it were up to Ronnie Gardner, all future drag racing events would be moved to Dunn-Benson Drag Strip, where he is building an incredible win streak. Gardner, behind the wheel of "Diamond" Jack Gaddy's 68 Camaro, emerged as the Top Dawg series winner last Saturday, August 23. To fully appreciate Gardner's win streak at Dunn-Benson, you'll have to go back to the 2007 season, when the 1/8 mile facility in Benson, NC first launched its Top Dawg series. Five events were held in 2007, four of which were won by Gardner, including the last 4 Top Dawg races last season. Gardner took a break this past June, only to return last Saturday for, you guessed it, another Top Dawg win at Dunn-Benson. "I don't know what it is about this place, but we always have good luck here," commented Gardner.
Gardner set the pace early last Saturday, and after 3 sessions of qualifying found himself sitting atop the 8 car field with a 4.26 @ 172mph. In round one eliminations, Gardner rolled to the line to meet the 63 Corvette of Flip Spinks. Spinks was away first, but his 4.38 came up short against Gardner's 4.23 e.t. Gardner then met Joel Douglas in the semi-finals. Gardner sharpened his reaction time from the previous round, and was out of the gate first. Gardner's 4.24 was able to get around Douglas' 4.31 e.t.
In the finals, Gardner met Brian Williams, who stopped Tracy Cockman and Jason Harris, en route to this final round showdown with Gardner. Both drivers were sharp and ready, each cutting their best lights of the night. Brian Williams was away first with an .011 reaction time, with Gardner out of the gate with an .025 rt. A very close race at the 1/8 mile stripe, Gardner's 4.24 @ 172mph, got the win light over Williams' 4.27 @ 171mph.
Gardner, resident of Greensboro, NC, has been driving for car owner Jack Gaddy since joining forces 2 years ago. Gardner launched his Prime Time Race Cars business 10 years, and has also enjoyed a very successful season as a driver in 2008. Wins this season include a Pro Mod powerglide race at Piedmont, 2 Big Dogs, 1 Mad Dawg and most recently, his Top Dawg victory from Saturday night. "Last year we should have won a bunch of races that we didn't, but this year we're probably winning a few that we shouldn't," laughed Gardner, as he reflected on the season thus far. Gardner, 43, who will become a grandfather in October was quick to give credit to a very efficient race team. "I've got to thank Greg, Robbie, Brian, Jack and Nicole for all their help," said Gardner.
The Top Dawg series meets again at Dunn-Benson with a scheduled event planned for September 27. For more information about the Top Dawg series, and other racing action, please visit: Welcome to Top Dawg Country
Story and photo by:
Van Abernethy Press Releases
