Thanks to the Anderson Independant

I wanted to thank the Anderson Independant for the coverage they have given our team in the local paper. Were going to make a Drag Racing fan out of Scott Adamson if its the last thing we do! Thanks to all the calls and emails from everyone. We are definatly on a roll.

I keep saying it's just unbelievable, but actually it's not. We have been racing a long time. We have worked our tails off to be in this position. I have the best crew members on earth, and they all pour their hearts into it. They perform the same, race after race, have the car assembled right, and the numbers show it. Richard Hartman is making all the right calls and I am getting the car to the finish line.

There is nothing more gratifing than our recent results. I cant wait to go to Rockingham. If you have the chance, you must come to the last race. The points battle will go down to the wire.

Right now were hot on the line trying to secure sponsorship to make a full run for the 09' IHRA Funny Car Championship. I know we can win it, we just need some financial help. If you know ANYONE wanting to great exposure to hundreds of thousands of American Consumers, foward my number or email.

Dad and I went to Victory-1 on Thursday afternoon for the open house. Let me tell you, that is one nice facility. I know why they make the best Titanium valve on the market. They had bbq, low country boil, chicken and all the fixings. Lots of people and eating going on. On a side note, at this weekend's inaugural NHRA event in Charlotte, Don and Jay are helping Bob Gilbertson, and Ray Murphy is helping Matt Hagan. Good luck to both teams.

We will be racing Sept. 20 at Carolina Dragway. Its a Sat. night match race against a Top fuel dragster driven by Bobby Lagana jr. Be sure to come out and watch.

Andy

Piedmont’s Andy Kelley Takes Home IHRA North American Nationals Nitro Funny Car Championship

Epping, NH – September 7, 2008 –Piedmont’s Andy Kelley won his second IHRA National Event Championship of the season at the historic New England Dragway in Epping, NH, defeating current IHRA Nitro Funny Car points leader Terry Haddock in the Finals. His current hot streak has included a championship at the Northern Nationals, a runner-up finish at the Sooner Nationals, and now, a second event championship at the North American Nationals. A winner in eight of his last nine rounds of competition, this run of success has left the diesel truck mechanic from the Upstate humbled.

“Earlier this year I knew we were getting better, and had a shot at winning an event.” Said Andy. “But to come out the past three races, go to three straight Finals and win two Championships has really exceeded our expectations. Richard Hartman has done a great job tuning the car for consistency, and that’s why we’re winning races. In the past we’ve been maybe a little quicker here or there, but didn’t have the consistency. Now Richard has us making strong runs, and getting down the track cleanly lap after lap.”

Kelley entered the event in fifth place in the IHRA Nitro Funny Car points chase, but after knocking off the number two qualifier Cory Lee in round one, Kelley upset the events number one qualifier, Virginia’s Matt Hagan, in round two with a 5.10 second run at 300.66 mph. In the Finals, Kelley faced off against the current IHRA Nitro Funny Car points leader, Washington State’s Terry Haddock, and when Haddock smoked his tires, Kelley cruised to the win, and moved up to third place in the national points standings.

Now tied with Paul Lee for third place, and only two points behind Matt Hagan for second, Kelley can’t wait for the IHRA season finale at the legendary Rockingham Dragway on October 17-19.

“After a slow start, this is turning into a dream season,” said Kelley. “We have a chance, if we can qualify strong in Rockingham and go rounds, to finish the season in second place. We’d love to have a lot of local support at the World Finals, and would encourage our local fans and friends to drive up and see us at The Rock. It’s a great facility, and one of the few places fans can sit almost right up on the track.”

Kelley Motorsports is based in Piedmont, SC, and campaigns a Nitro Funny Car in the ten-event IHRA Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam series. Kelley currently sits in third place in the IHRA national points standings with one race left in the season. To follow Andy’s progress, check out his blog at http://andykelleyracing.blogspot.com.

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North American Nationals CHAMPION!!

Woo Hooo!! Just got done beating Terry Haddock in the Finals for our second event win of the year. We went 5.16 in the Finals but Terry smoked the tires so it wasn't close. In round one we beat Cory Lee, when I went 5.15 and he smoked the tires. In round two I beat Matt Hagan 5.10/300 to his 5.20.

I am on cloud nine. This is three Finals in a row, our second event win, and I've won 8 of my last 9 rounds. This is truly a dream come true. More details later, and make sure you all make plans to come see us in Rockingham on October 17-19. We are now tied for 3rd in points with Paul Lee, according to IHRA, and to finish in third would be great.

2 back to back finals- what a dream

If ever I needed a win, it was in Martin, MI. We had talked about skipping tulsa and epping if we had not faired well in Martin. And the rest is history ( as they would say). We won our first ever Nitro Funnycar National event!!!!!!! Made a little money, spent more than we made and moved on to Tulsa OK. We went to the final round there last year, only to be caught by the clutch gremlin. Not this year! Richard Hartman had our car on string. He is an amazing tuner and what he can do with no budget (ours) is just unreal. We have won 5 out of the last 6 rounds of competition. I am more than ever determined to secure some form of financial backing for next year and really be aggressive toward an IHRA championship. We still have a mathematical chance of winning the championship this year, and trust me, were going for broke, but it is a very long shot to say the least. I want to take this time to thank Dusty and his son Brent for their help all weekend. I have to thank each member of our crew for their dedicated support. Butch, who has been with me through all the tough times. He is a very dedicated person, and puts in a lot hours at the shop and the track. He takes care of the truck, trailer and car when its not in my sight. Thanks Butch. Ray, Jay, Don, Neal, Paul, Josh and Bob. These great people volunteer their time to pursue a dream as well. I can"t thank them enough for their great work and dedication. If you think it's easy, well, its not. Just to give you an overview- Me , Dad, Jill, ray, don, neal, jay and bob pile into the motorhome usually around 6:00 on thursday afternoon. We drive non stop to wherever were racing at. We arrive friday morning, unload the luggage, unload the van and get straight to work. We are constantly making the car better and safer. After qualifing friday night, we service the car and get in bed usually around 1-2 am. Wake up sat. morning around 7 am, start working on the car and parts. After the last qual. session sat. night and the car is serviced, its again, 1,2 or 3 in the morning.(depends on how the runs were) Sunday, wake up at 7 am again, and get the car ready for race day. Except for the last 2 races, which ever round we lost in, we'd service the car and load it in the trailer. We all then get back in the motorhome to make the trip back home non-stop to make the monday morning work day. Butch would stay and finish loading everything and then get the transporter back safely to S.C. But it's what we live for. I want to thank the wives of my crew for letting their husbands go with me. I want to thank the support of my wife Bron, kids Anna Drew and Heath. Thanks to my brother Neal for letting me and dad go racing while he runs the business. I wish he could go with us. Jill, for just everything you do. From planning our trip, to the food, all the decals, cooking, making sure the Nitro is right, making sure daddy is right!, just everything, thanks. All my sponsors who have helped me. Donnie and Barbara Holbrook. Holbrook Performance Parts..... If you want to race and dont have a car, just give them a call, need on bolt or a complete engine, give them a call or check them out online- www.Holbrookperformance.com Mike at General Machine of Anderson for all your manual and cnc machining. and thanks for letting Neal and Don off work to go with us. Victory1 precision racing valves. Conrad and Derek has been a huge help with our valve train success this year. Ross racing pistons, Darton Sleeves, Amalie oil, ARC, Crane cams, clevite, Vickery Speed shop, Impact! safety, R3, RH2, JRD hauling and grading, Silt Fence, R & R Construction, Danny and Lanita Driggers, Hartman Machine Works, Horton race cars, Nitro Drivelines(Moore), Williams oil pans, and everyone else who has contributed in some way. It takes so much to have a competitive race car, I just wanted to thank everyone for all you do. Now lets go to Epping and win that race!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Sooner Nationals Finals

5:16 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 88 degrees, relative humidity 52 percent, barometer 29.27 inches, adjusted altitude 3,504 feet, track temperature 128 degrees.

(W) Matt Hagan (Shelor.com '05 Monte Carlo) 0.141 5.113 301.81
(L) Andy Kelley (Holbrook Perf. Parts '02 Camar 0.133 5.194 285.83

During their brief Nitro Funny Car careers, Kelley and Hagan have each won once against the other and this is the first time they have faced each other in a final round. Hagan trailed Terry Haddock by 81 points, just one point ahead of Kelley, when he staged the car.

Good race, Hagan leading all the way, with Kelley close until half track. Matt Hagan's incremental margins: 60ft(0.007), 330 ft(0.012), 660ft(0.012), 1,000ft(0.039). MOV: 0.0732 seconds (approximately 31 feet).

2nd Round Win. Back to the Finals!

2:56 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 87 degrees, relative humidity 59 percent, barometer 29.32 inches, adjusted altitude 3,538 feet, track temperature 125 degrees.

(W) Andy Kelley (Holbrook Perf. Parts '02 Camar 0.092 5.222 293.03
(L) Todd Simpson (Modular Systems '02 Camaro) 0.104 5.860 184.67

Something went POP in Simpson's car just before half track and Kelley sailed right into the final round where he will give up lane choice to Matt Hagan.

First Round Win in Tulsa

1:04 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 84 degrees, relative humidity 70 percent, barometer 29.38 inches, adjusted altitude 3,283 feet, track temperature 121 degrees.

(W) Andy Kelley (Holbrook Perf. Parts '02 Camar 0.163 5.107 300.60
(L) John Lawson (TORCO '08 Impala) 0.207 5.162 291.45

The car Lawson is driving this weekend is the car Dale Creasy Jr. was driving in Edmonton when he was injured - with a new driveline tunnel to protect against that type of accident.

Both drivers were late, both made their best run of the weekend, and Kelley lit the win light by more than a car length.