Davis Delivers Second-Straight ADRL Top Sportsman Top Qualifier

Written by Ian Tocher

SUWANEE, GA — For the second consecutive event, Ronnie Davis finished on top of the ADRL Top Sportsman qualifying list Sep. 10, piloting his Roush Yates-powered ’63 Corvette to a class-record 4.087-seconds pass at 180.67 miles per hour, which also stood as top speed for the class throughout Dragstock VIII at historic Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina.

Driving a second Davis Golf Carts ’63 Corvette, Jeff Pittman qualified eighth and made it to the semi-finals, while Davis fell in round one of eliminations with an uncharacteristic red-light start against Jerry Barker.

Unfortunately, the event was marred by the on-track death of Extreme Pro Stock driver Bert Jackson, the first driver fatality in the ADRL’s nearly eight-year history.

“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Bert Jackson,” Davis said. “I didn’t know him personally, but whenever something like this happens at any race track, anywhere, you can’t help but feel a certain kinship as a race driver. It makes whatever happens to us that weekend, whether good or bad, pretty small in comparison.”

Pittman edged out Christy Perkinson in the opening round of racing, then gained a measure of revenge for Davis with a double-breakout win over Barker in round two before also falling victim to the dreaded red light in the semis against eventual race winner Travis Harvey.

“The car Ronnie gave me was flawless, absolutely flawless. I went red in the same lane he did (left), and I think it was hooking just a little tighter over there,” Pittman said. “But this was my first time ever at an ADRL race and even to be in contention for a win was really cool. I want to thank Ronnie for the opportunity and hope we can do it again someday.”

Pittman, who also races his own Top Sportsman ’68 Chevelle in NHRA Division 2, where Davis is the defending class champion, said he may enter the ADRL series on his own next year.

“Right now my car is too heavy for this; I don’t think I could even qualify,” the Hickory, NC-based driver said. “So I’ll either have to get a new car or put mine on a major diet over the winter.”

Davis plans to enter at least one car again at the next stop on the 2011 ADRL tour, Sep. 23-24, at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.