McKelveys will try almost anything and motor sports are not excluded. Jim was Atlanta Dragway Champion in 2008.
Amy Glover filed this report for the local newspaper :
The awards ceremony for the newly crowned 2008 Atlanta Dragway champions was presented at the track, immediately after the race was completed, in response to America’s current economic situation, and scarce availability of fuel. Not only was the decision considerate, but gave a pleasant, raw setting at the starting line, the moonlit track behind the table of impressive championship trophies. Each champion received one of the trophies, along with champion jackets and money prizes for the adult categories.
Jim McKelvey is “on cloud nine” with his ’08 Super Pro championship, stating boldly, “Youth and enthusiasm is no match for old age and treachery.” McKelvey, in his self-proclaimed “’96 Junk,” made it to the top without winning a single race in the 2008 season. McKelvey did the same thing exactly ten years ago, winning the ’98 Super Pro championship in a Chevelle, and perhaps being the only racer to duplicate the rare situation.
Super Pro is noted for being a tough class to dominate, and the winner of the championship was not determined until the last race. The preceding points listing found itself completely rearranged, with the exception of McKelvey heading the class by ten points.
Coupled with his racing, McKelvey helped work events, particularly the Junior Dragster program. “It was stressful at first…I’m a big kid at heart,” McKelvey stated while drying off from his championship cooler-dumping courtesy of the Junior Dragster racers.
McKelvey thanked God, his wife and children, Scott Preves, Sid Neal, and everyone that lost to him. He also thanked Thomas Bell, who insisted on the winner-take-all handout for the Super Pro racing fund, which had raised $1800 for the Super Pro champion, after McKelvey had suggested a three-way split.
“Now I’m taking it all.” McKelvey smiled widely. “I went from chump to champ just like that.”
No comments:
Post a Comment