Joe Tillman scores rare triple at All Mopar Southern Nationals at South Georgia Motorsports Park May 22-24.

by Marvin T. Smith

Joe Tillman won three classes at the All Mopar Southern Nationals presented by the South Georgia Mopar Association.   His victories were even more impressive because they all happened on Sunday after rains washed out the Saturday racing.  Tillman raced two vehicles in three classes and took home the title in Pro, Street, and the Mopar Muscle Magazine Young Guns categories.   The event featured eighth mile racing on the strip, a car show, and a parts swap meet.

New this year was the Mopars “All Out” arm drop start event sponsored by Brangus Beef.  Sixteen tightly clustered cars (based on elapsed time) were selected for the event.  In the final, Woody Dunkin defeated Cleve Edgerton in an exciting race.  John Tyler and Ken Grant were the semifinalists.

In Creative Customs Super Pro, thirty cars from as far away as Ohio battled for the win.  In the final, Jim Berkeben, Jr. defeated local racer Ray Lloyd when Lloyd fouled.  Berkeben would have been hard to beat with a 5.787 on his 5.78 dial and a reaction time of .021.  Chris Adam and Jeff Warry were the round five losers.

After seven rounds of racing, Joe Tillman won the Cooper’s Pro category driving a Plymouth Scamp.  In the final, his 7.889 on his 7.87 dial beat Garret Struck’s 6.449 on his 6.42 dial.  Tillman had the starting line advantage and never looked back.  Cleve Edgerton was the Round Six loser.

In Jones Chrysler Dodge Street class, Tillman again won, driving his Dodge Ram 2500 truck.  He took the starting line advantage again, and ran a 10.599 (10.58 dial) to defeat Mike Jubinski who broke out with an 8.751 on his 8.76 dial.  Ken Grant and Kevin Davis were the semifinalists.

Tillman also took the Mopar Muscle Magazine Young Guns class driving the big Dodge truck when James Guy fouled in the final.  Kevin Davis was the lone semifinalist in the odd number car field.