Man drives through home, admits it was on purpose

Man drives through home, admits it was on purposeAutoblog Staff

A Georgia man took a scenic drive last week straight through his living room. John Paul Jones, Jr. cruised through his house Thursday in a pickup truck, destroying nearly half of the home. Neighbors heard the crash and called police. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

Why would anyone drive a vehicle through their own house? Well, we don't really know and it turns out Jones doesn't really have an answer either.

According to the Times-Herald.com Jones was unsuccessfully trying to sell the home, which upset him enough to destroy it. But he told a local CBS reporter that a phone call from his wife caused it. Jones also claimed he did it to occupy his time with the repairs and apparently told cops he did it because the room needed more air.

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Ford driver Tim Wilkerson breaks through for first NHRA Funny Car win since 2011

Antron Brown (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) also win at Atlanta Dragway

Tim Wilkerson raced to his first Funny Car victory since 2011 Sunday at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners at the seventh of 24 events in the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season.

Wilkerson, who had not won since 2011 in Seattle, ran a 4.318-second pass at 260.31 mph in his Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang to better Ron Capps, who trailed with a 5.781 at 125.90 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T. This is Wilkerson’s 18th career win and first ever at Atlanta.

“That 4.03 in the first round was pretty impressive,” said Wilkerson. “I was happy with that. As the track got hotter, I did a good job until the finals. I’m really unhappy about what it did in the final. I was trying to go about a .14, and the thing broke the tires loose.”

En route to the winner’s circle, Wilkerson raced past Del Worsham, Jack Beckman and John Force in the earlier rounds. Wilkerson, who qualified sixth, is now No. 8 in points standing.

Capps, the Gainesville and Houston winner, beat Alexis DeJoria, No. 1 qualifier Cruz Pedregon and defending world champ Matt Hagan on his way to the final round. Capps retained the points lead in Funny Car.

Antron Brown won from the No. 1 qualifying position on Sunday in Atlanta. Photo by NHRA/National Dragster

In Top Fuel, Brown pushed his Matco Tools dragster to a final-round performance of 3.887 at 310.48 mph to defeat Leah Pritchett’s 4.202 at 260.41 in her Dote Racing/Gumout dragster. Brown has 49 career wins and four at Atlanta Dragway, tying Larry Dixon for most in the category. His last win at this event was in 2013. Brown, the Four-Wide Nationals at Charlotte winner, is the only Top Fuel driver to have won multiple races this season.

“It wasn’t just a good day, but a good weekend,” Brown said. “We’ve been aiming to start off with a good qualifying run. The first run out of the box on Sunday set the tone for the whole weekend. We started getting data in hot, cool, and middle track temperatures when we tested in Indy. You have to make some swings with the combination we run now. (Crew chiefs) Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald, and all the Matco boys have been putting the work in together. It definitely showed this weekend.”

Brown, the Top Fuel points leader, qualified first and defeated Shawn Langdon, Doug Kalitta and Terry McMillen before meeting Pritchett in the final.

Pritchett sprinted to her first career final round appearance by racing past Chris Karamesines, J.R. Todd and Larry Dixon. The third-year Top Fuel driver qualified third and currently sits 12th in the points standing.

Jason Line Photo by NHRA/National Dragster

In Pro Stock, Line raced his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro to a 6.606 at 211.33 performance to defeat teammate Greg Anderson’s 8.628 at 114.39 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro. It was Line’s 37th career victory and second at Atlanta.

"Today was a great day for Summit and KB Racing for sure," said Line. "This is the way that you normally dream about it, but it usually doesn't work out that way. Today, it did. I really thought the final was going to go the other way. I got a bit of luck. I wasn't fast today. I was maybe mediocre. Greg had the car to beat. He was driving better than everyone else, and he should have won it. He wants to win more than anyone I've ever met, and that's what makes him the best."

Line earned his third consecutive No. 1 qualification this weekend and beat Alan Prusiensky, Larry Morgan and Rodger Brogdon in the early rounds. Line leads the Pro Stock category points standing.

Line and Anderson met in a final round earlier this year at Gainesville, where Anderson was the victor. This was the 24th time the two Summit teammates have gone head to head in the final round and Anderson holds a 14-10 advantage.

Arana earned his first win in Pro Stock Motorcycle since 2009 and seventh overall with a 7.236 at 196.30 on his Lucas Oil Buell to beat 2014 event winner Eddie Krawiec, whose Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson slowed near mid-track.

"I knew I could keep winning, but I had to believe in myself," Arana said. "In the final, the bike jumped like a bronco," Arana said. "It pulled to the right, but I was not giving up unless he was way in front of me. As long as I had control of the bike, I was staying with it."

Arana defeated defending world champ Andrew Hines, Jim Underdahl and son Hector Arana Jr. to make it to the final round. Arana was the seventh qualifier and holds the No. 3 spot in the points standing.

The 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series continues with the NHRA Kansas Nationals on May 22-24 in Topeka, Kansas.

NHRA Summer Nationals at Atlanta Dragway

Sunday's Results

COMMERCE, Ga. -- Final round-by-round results from the 35th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, the seventh of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Richie Crampton, 3.784, 324.98 def. Brittany Force, 3.839, 322.27; Terry McMillen, 3.932, 316.45 def. Dave Connolly, 3.981, 282.36; Leah Pritchett, 3.805, 317.64 def. Chris Karamesines, 3.998, 305.15; Larry Dixon, 3.779, 325.45 def. Tony Schumacher, 3.790, 323.58; Antron Brown, 3.787, 318.32 def. Shawn Langdon, 3.936, 303.71; Clay Millican, 3.958, 317.64 def. Steve Torrence, 4.801, 184.57; J.R. Todd, 3.911, 326.32 def. Morgan Lucas, 4.224, 196.87; Doug Kalitta, 3.805, 317.12 def. Spencer Massey, 3.815, 326.48; QUARTERFINALS -- McMillen, 3.915, 319.07 def. Millican, 4.883, 158.87; Pritchett, 3.813, 319.29 def. Todd, 5.433, 132.19; Dixon, 6.836, 96.76 def. Crampton, foul; Brown, 3.856, 315.56 def. Kalitta, 4.024, 272.89; SEMIFINALS -- Brown, 3.915, 309.56 def. McMillen, 10.174, 67.45; Pritchett, 3.936, 298.47 def. Dixon, 8.977, 76.60;

FINAL -- Brown, 3.887, 310.48 def. Pritchett, 4.202, 260.41.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 4.108, 309.84 def. Tony Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 7.867, 104.09; Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.084, 314.61 def. Dave Richards, Toyota Solara, 4.399, 236.88; John Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.128, 314.31 def. Jeff Diehl, Solara, foul; Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.074, 313.00 def. John Hale, Charger, 4.933, 163.47; Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.066, 313.07 def. Robert Hight, Chevrolet Camaro, 4.573, 188.25; Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.035, 317.79 def. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.106, 311.77; Courtney Force, Camaro, 4.163, 294.37 def. Chad Head, Camry, 4.569, 193.54; Ron Capps, Charger, 4.081, 311.99 def. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.091, 311.92; QUARTERFINALS -- J. Force, 4.146, 311.92 def. C. Force, 4.330, 249.21; Capps, 4.168, 267.00 def. C. Pedregon, 6.466, 100.57; Wilkerson, 4.085, 309.42 def. Beckman, 4.285, 242.58; Hagan, 4.302, 263.15 def. Johnson Jr., 8.045, 88.17; SEMIFINALS -- Capps, 4.179, 300.73 def. Hagan, 7.379, 107.73; Wilkerson, 4.163, 300.00 def. J. Force, 4.265, 298.54;

FINAL -- Wilkerson, 4.318, 260.31 def. Capps, 5.781, 125.90.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Larry Morgan, Chevy Camaro, 6.588, 211.66 def. Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 7.072, 152.23; Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.584, 210.41 def. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.626, 210.37; Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.541, 211.76 def. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 12.593, 68.94; Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.588, 210.57 def. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.614, 210.01; Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.586, 210.28 def. V. Gaines, Dart, 6.579, 210.70; Jason Line, Camaro, 6.576, 210.50 def. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Avenger, broke; Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.543, 211.49 def. John Gaydosh Jr, Pontiac GXP, 6.739, 206.92; Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.566, 211.10 def. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 7.287, 141.86; QUARTERFINALS -- Brogdon, 6.601, 210.87 def. Johnson, 11.448, 77.50; Line, 6.573, 210.64 def. Morgan, 6.565, 212.29; Enders, 6.561, 210.97 def. S. Gray, 6.571, 210.90; Anderson, 6.560, 211.73 def. Skillman, 6.573, 211.30; SEMIFINALS -- Line, 6.585, 211.39 def. Brogdon, 6.635, 211.33; Anderson, 6.562, 211.59 def. Enders, 6.582, 210.83;

FINAL -- Line, 6.606, 211.33 def. Anderson, 8.628, 114.39.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:

ROUND ONE -- Shawn Gann, Buell, 6.962, 191.51 def. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 7.030, 187.08; Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.948, 192.99 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, foul; Angie Smith, 7.199, 162.98 def. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, foul; Angelle Sampey, Buell, 6.944, 192.71 def. Freddie Camarena, Suzuki, 6.969, 195.05; Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.979, 192.11 def. Chip Ellis, Buell, 6.945, 192.44; Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.895, 194.66 def. Matt Smith, 7.055, 187.91; Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 6.962, 192.33 def. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, broke; Hector Arana, Buell, 6.915, 195.70 def. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.979, 184.27; QUARTERFINALS -- Krawiec, 6.933, 193.21 def. A. Smith, foul; Pollacheck, 7.007, 191.51 def. Sampey, foul; Arana, 6.915, 195.96 def. Underdahl, 7.022, 192.52; Arana Jr, 6.963, 195.00 def. Gann, DQ; SEMIFINALS -- Krawiec, 6.901, 195.03 def. Pollacheck, foul; Arana, 6.930, 195.22 def. Arana Jr, 7.146, 168.14;

FINAL -- Arana, 7.236, 162.47 def. Krawiec, 10.107, 85.28.

Point Standings

COMMERCE, Ga. -- Point standings (top 10) following the 35th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, the seventh of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series -

Top Fuel

1.  Antron Brown, 567; 2.  Tony Schumacher, 514; 3.  Spencer Massey, 475; 4.  Doug Kalitta, 445; 5. Shawn Langdon, 437; 6.  Richie Crampton, 427; 7.  Larry Dixon, 389; 8.  Clay Millican, 363; 9. Steve Torrence, 360; 10.  J.R. Todd, 355.

Funny Car

1.  Ron Capps, 523; 2.  Matt Hagan, 502; 3.  Del Worsham, 435; 4.  Robert Hight, 428; 5.  Tommy Johnson Jr., 424; 6.  Jack Beckman, 413; 7.  John Force, 407; 8.  Tim Wilkerson, 387; 9.  Alexis DeJoria, 361; 10.  (tie) Courtney Force, 356. Cruz Pedregon, 356.

Pro Stock

1.  Jason Line, 624; 2.  Erica Enders, 592; 3.  Greg Anderson, 555; 4.  Chris McGaha, 464; 5.  Rodger Brogdon, 460; 6.  Drew Skillman, 392; 7.  Larry Morgan, 375; 8.  Vincent Nobile, 369; 9. Shane Gray, 348; 10.  Allen Johnson, 335.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

1.  Eddie Krawiec, 286; 2.  Andrew Hines, 212; 3.  Hector Arana, 201; 4.  (tie) Hector Arana Jr., 195; Karen Stoffer, 195; 6.  Scotty Pollacheck, 175; 7.  LE Tonglet, 165; 8.  Angelle Sampey, 161; 9.  Shawn Gann, 155; 10.  Jim Underdahl, 128.

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Reliving childhood vannin' through a junked 1973 GMC Rally STX passenger van

Just about the same van as the '73 Chevy Beauville of my childhood

Some Junkyard Treasures are rare and interesting machines such as this factory-hot-rod Geo Prizm GSi or dozens of Chevy Corvairs. Others are oddball vans such as this pre-minivan Plymouth Voyager.

Today's Junkyard Treasure is another van, a type that's not particularly rare but that calls to mind the family hauler in which I spent much of my childhood in the 1970s. Malaise Era passenger-van reminiscences coming up!

My sisters doing chalk drawings on the driveway with the Beauville in the background, circa 1976. Photo by Murilee Martin

Most of my early-Generation-X peers grew up with full-sized Detroit station wagons, but my family never went the wagon route. No, we had a big ol' creaky, bouncy, full-frame, oil-canning-roof, finger-chopping-sliding-door 1973 Chevrolet Beauville half-ton passenger van, in red-and-white two-tone paint. In December, 1972, my parents drove a 1949 Cadillac coupe and a 1967 Ford Custom, with no plans to get a larger vehicle to to haul me and my two sisters around Minneapolis. Then, as so often happens with Upper Midwesterners, my parents visited California… and promptly flew home, quit their jobs, sold the house and cars, bought a van, and headed west to the San Francisco Bay Area. Within two weeks of their California vacation, we were in a brand-new Chevy van heading west on Interstate 80.

Want to take the whole family plus a bunch of neighbors to the beach in 1974? Chevy Beauville! Photo by Murilee Martin

So, at age six I was plucked from 20-below-zero Minnesota and delivered 2,500 miles away to 70-degrees-above zero California in a half-ton van made by The General. The trip did not go so smoothly, due to a little black-ice mishap that involved the van sliding off the highway and flipping onto its room near Battle Mountain, Nevada (more on that incident in my E63 AMG wagon review, which covered some of the same route), but we were uninjured and made it to California via flight from Reno while the van got towed off for repairs. The insurance company fixed the van up to sort-of-good-as-new condition (the sliding door never worked quite right after the rollover) and it stayed in the family for another decade.

The van was plenty battered and creaky by the early 1980s, but it always ran. Photo by Murilee Martin

The family Beauville had a gas-sucking, Quadrajet-equipped 350-cubic-inch V8 engine, which meant that my dad spent much of late 1973 and late 1979 sitting in gas lines, hoping to fill the thirsty Beauville's tank. By that time, my parents had purchased a pair of ultra-cheap (cheaper than VW Beetles, in fact) and fuel-efficient (for the time) Fiat 128 sedans, but the van always started and had a solidity the Fiats lacked. We kept the Beauville long enough for me to crash it as a 16-year-old (not my fault, although I loved the "da-WHOOOOOO!" sound of the Q-Jet so much that I did a lot of unnecessary gas-pedal-flooring), but it was sold off just before I graduated from high school. According to the California BAR's emission-test history site, it passed its last smog check in August of 1997; after that, it may have been crushed, or perhaps it moved to another state. Who knows, could it be sitting forgotten in a back yard somewhere?

The GMC counterpart to the Beauville was the Rally STX Photo by Murilee Martin

So, all these thoughts of my family's beloved Chevy Beauville were in my mind when I spotted this GMC Rally STX in a Northern California wrecking yard. The Rally STX was the exact same van as the Beauville, but with different badging. While the Chevy Nova and Buick Apollo, say, might have been the same car under the skin, you could find plenty of differences between the two. There was no incentive for General Motors to distinguish the Beauville from the Rally STX beyond simple emblems, however, so they have the same grille, taillights, interior bits, the works. This '73 GMC is a much-thrashed blue-and-white version of the van of my childhood.

The stickers in the rear windows indicate that the van's last owner probably lived in Berkeley or Oakland. Photo by Murilee Martin

With KPFA and a genuine, bought-from-a-table-on-Telegraph-Avenue "Human Bumper Sticker"-made anti-Israel bumper sticker, we can assume that this van's last owner lived in Berkeley… where smog-belching V8 vans are hated worse than Stalin hated Trotsky.

The cloth on the door panels appears to be made from drive-your-forklift-on-it-grade warehouse floor-covering material. Photo by Murilee Martin

The heaviest déjà vu for me came with the sight of the fabric on the STX's interior. This scratchy, stain-enhancing plaid cloth— so tough that it's probably made from a now-banned lead-and-dioxin compound developed for use inside nuclear reactor cores— was the backdrop for a couple hundred thousand miles of playing "count the Beetles" with my sisters on family road trips, with bad-yet-good music on the AM radio and the smell of incompletely-combusted hydrocarbons seeping in through the rattly side windows.

This van is used up. Next stop, Chinese steel factory! Photo by Murilee Martin

After 42 years on the planet, this van is done. The custom-van guys— there are a few left— don't want mural-constrained window vans, and nobody else is interested in restoring Malaise Era Detroit vans. It kept going until something expensive broke, or maybe the Berkeley parking cops finally ticketed it for parking with its bumper 1/64" into a red zone and towed it away 11 minutes later. Soon it will be crushed, shredded, brought to the Port of Oakland, and shipped across the Pacific to become a new Geely Emgrand.

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