Rum Bum Racers Dish Up a Strong Second Serving at Southern National Qualifyers

© rumbum.com, Michael Zoyes

Southern National Finals Atlanta

As Shawn Gann pulled up to the starting line Friday afternoon for his second qualifying run at the NHRA Summit Southern Nationals at the Atlanta Dragway, Marilyn Manson exploded in his ears. The only racer he knows who wears an iPod while racing (his is silver to match his Lexus at home), Rum Bum Racer Gann kept the tunes on full blast until he hit the kill switch; it's how this lifelong racer and guitar player gets in – and stays in – his zone. He hung in his zone so well he had his best run of his season so far at 6.97 seconds for the quarter mile drag. The favorable 70-degree weather didn't hurt either, as Gann says that when it comes to race day: "The hotter, the better."

Though the first run suffered some minor engine problems on his quarter-of-a-million-dollar 2.6-liter Buell Pro Stock Motorycle, the second placed him in the Top 12 and secured him a spot in the final rounds on Sunday.  Early Friday night, the exuberant Gann decided to hit up a party before hitting the sack.

Rum Bum Racing’s other race team member, Bailey Whitaker, hung with the mechanics Friday night until he headed to his trailer around 11pm.  Whitaker already had bike work done after his first run suffered from a torn shift fork.  Later in the day, this stuntman turned driver clocked a good 7.14 second run. “And it’ll get better tomorrow,” Whitaker asserts knowing Saturday’s performance determines if he’ll stick around for Sunday. And be assured, while prepping for Saturday’s qualifiers, there will be no Manson for this racer - just a shot of 5 Hour Energy Drink and some good ol’ school rock and roll