Jegs Allstars/Route 66 Nationals Drivers to Watch

Now entering its 29th year, the Jegs Allstars special race brings out the nation's top Sportsmans racers to compete at the Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway, just outside of Chicago. Past winners and competitors at the Allstars event have gone on to win championships, with several stepping up to the Pro ranks shortly after competing. We've put together a complete guide to the weekend's competitors and the history of the event.


JEGS Allstars Top Alcohol Dragster Qualifiers 

John Finke - Most recent East region winner (Lebanon Valley).
Dan Mercier - One 2013 final round appearance (Virginia regional)
Bill Reichert - Won back-to-back at Charlotte1 and Indy regional. Maple Grove regional runner-up.
Marty Thacker - Reached the finals at Indy and Norwalk regionals, winning the latter.
Gord Gingles - Runner-up at season-opening Houston regional.
Randy Meyer - Won the Richmond regional and Houston national event. 2012 Allstars runner-up.

David Smith photo

Ray Martin - Drove Hugh Ridley's blown car to wins at Firebird and Mission regionals.
Chris Demke - Defending Allstars champ. Runner-up at Pomona, Vegas, Topeka nationals, Chicago regional.

 Images LTD photo

JEGS Allstars Top Alcohol Dragster Qualifiers

Dan Pomponio - Streaked to consecutive wins at both Gainesville events, Richmond, and Charlotte.
Todd Veney - Coming off of Lebanon Valley win. Runner-up at Gatornationals and Maple Grove.

Chris Foster - Norwalk and Chicago regional winner. Ran two 5.476s at 4-Wide Nationals.
Andy Bohl - Defeated Frank Manzo to win the Indy regional early in the season.
Dale Brand - Runner-up at 4-Wide Nationals, Cordova regional win highlight Brand's return.
Kris Hool - Runner-up at Gainesville regional. Four consecutive first round losses entering event.
Annie Whiteley - Swept Vegas and Tulsa regionals with husband Jim in TAD.

Robert Grice photo

Steve Gasparrelli - Win at Mission regional is Gasparrelli's strongest 2013 finish.

Event Notes

After winning ten JEGS Allstars titles over the course of his storied TAFC career, Frank Manzo is not competing in this year's event. He will be tuning one of the Al-Anabi Pro Mods at the ADRL Martin race instead.

Because of Manzo's absence, Top Alcohol Funny Car will have a first-time Allstars champion.

Frank won the Allstars last year, beating Mickey Ferro in a 5.58 to 5.61 match.

Chris Demke won his first Allstars title last year, even though he banged the blower towards the finish. Randy Meyer red-lighted away a 5.30, giving Demke the win.


Route 66 Nationals Drivers to Watch

Top Alcohol Dragster

Jim Whiteley - Four regional wins and season-opening Winternationals win, among other highlights.
Chris Demke
Randy Meyer - Finalist at the 2012 Allstars and Route 66 Nationals.
Bill Reichert
Brandon Booher - First 2013 Nat. event after qualifying #1 at three regionals, winning two, including Chicago.

Top Alcohol Funny Car

Dan Pomponio
Dale Brand
Tony Bartone - Pts. leader after winning Vegas and Houston nationals, Denver regional.
Annie Whiteley
Cassie Simonton - Reached the finals at her last two Rt. 66 appearances - '12 national and '13 regional.

Cordova to Joliet for Todd Robertson's Eaton TAFC

Courtesy of Kozak Motorsports Marketing
Photo courtesy of Mike Grosso

Harrison TWP. MI. … After Todd Robertson’s first round loss at last week’s divisional event in Cordova, Illinois, Robertson made the decision to stay “in the area” to repair some hurt parts and take the time to re-group.

“We torched a head in the first round of qualifying and hurt some other stuff but, we were able to get her together and qualify for the event. We went out in round one but, I couldn’t have been prouder of my guys. We worked real hard to get her back together and made the next run. For us it was real cool when we got a thumbs up before we fired it in the pits from Frank Manzo. He was pitted across from us. Just to be recognized by one of your heroes is really cool. My entire team is fans of the sport and we get it; we know we’re running with the big fish now and we’re still guppies but any recognition from a guy like that is really cool.”

Robertson opted to head to Darren Mayer’s DMPE facility in Stevensville, Michigan to make the needed repairs and then trailer to Larry Snyder’s shop in Indiana. After the trip to Snyder’s it was off to Strange Engineering in Morton Grove, Illinois before finishing up and heading to Joliet.

“I consider myself lucky to call Darren (Mayer) a friend and for him to offer the use of his shop was just fantastic. Also, being able to tap into the knowledge of Mr. Snyder has been a big bonus for our team. I have to thank both those guys for all their help as well as the great people at Strange,” said Robertson.

“Hopefully, all of the hard work pays off in Chi-Town,” added Robertson.

Eaton is a diversified power management company providing energy-efficient solutions that help customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power. A global technology leader, Eaton acquired Cooper Industries plc in November 2012. The 2012 revenue of the combined companies was $21.8 billion on a pro forma basis. Eaton has approximately 103,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries.

Robertson and his Eaton corporation backed Pro Power Top Alcohol Funny Car team will compete in the 16th annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois this weekend, June 26-0. To follow all the action, log onto http://www.dragracecentral.com  or you can follow along at NHRA.com

Kon Rodz, Simonton Unveiling New Look at Chicago

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photos courtesy of Kon Rodz Racing

JOLIET, Ill. (June 27, 2013) – Canadian Top Alcohol Funny Car team Kon Rodz Racing announced today that new sponsors Bell Racing USA and Aerodine Composites Group would increase their involvement in the team, which includes driver Cassie Simonton and veteran tuner Randy Anderson. Kon Rodz will debut a brand new look highlighting the colors and logos of Bell and Aerodine at this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 Nationals just outside of Chicago.

Aerodine Composites Group joined on as an associate sponsor at the beginning of the 2013 season. In addition to the Kon Rodz Racing Monte Carlo TAFC, Aerodine’s products can be found on some of the top tier IndyCar, NASCAR, and NHRA fuel entries. They specialize in the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of carbon fiber and other composites used in the automotive and aviation industries. Aerodine is well-known within the drag racing circles for their development of the Top Fuel canopy in cooperation with Don Schumacher Racing. Other drag racing applications include injectors and wings. The company chose to work with Kon Rodz Racing to help market their products to the Pro Sportsman and Sportsman competitors.

“Aerodine Composites was looking to expand our presence in the NHRA Top Alcohol ranks. We wanted to go with one of the top teams out there. The Kontos family was the type of team we were looking for. They have a very professional, hands-on driver in Cassie Simonton and one of the top crew chiefs in the business in Randy Anderson. We are learning what they need and how we can help them achieve their goals of winning races and championships,” said Steve Schiewer, general manager at Aerodine.

Like Aerodine, Bell Racing USA began their partnership with Kon Rodz Racing at the start of the season. The Champaign, Illinois-based safety company provided Simonton with a set of top of the line helmets, which later received a fresh coat of outstanding paint at Off Axis Custom Paint. The Chicago national event, the site of the team’s first final round last year, is also the home race for Bell Racing.

“Certainly any time we get a major racing event in Illinois we like to think of it as an opportunity to showcase our products on our home turf. The ability to have Bell employees from the main office come out to the track and get a taste of the support we provide to the drivers is an added bonus as well,” said Toby Hallett of Bell Racing USA. He added, “Our partnership with the Kon Rodz team and driver Cassie Simonton only strengthens our commitment to the NHRA Drag Racing community from the Professional ranks down through the Sportsman teams. The entire Kon Rodz organization is top notch and we couldn’t be more excited to have them represent Bell Racing USA and show off the new Bell logo to all the fans and teams starting right here in Illinois,”

Kon Rodz Racing chose the Route 66 Nationals to debut their new look due in part to the race’s proximity to the Bell Racing (Champaign, Ill.) and Aerodine (Indianapolis) company headquarters.

 The team’s success at the Windy City race track was another deciding factor. Simonton earned the team’s first #1 qualifier award at the 2012 Chicago regional before reaching her first final round at the national event, beating class veterans Steve Gasparrelli, John Lombardo Jr., and Mickey Ferro before falling to Frank Manzo. Cassie and the team raced to the finals at this year’s regional event, held just weeks ago.

“We love racing at Route 66 Raceway. We’ve been to the finals at our last two appearances at the track so we have plenty of data built up. Our goal this weekend is just like any other event – win the race. We couldn’t think of a better time to earn our first Wally, with our new look and our friends at Aerodine and Bell joining us,” claimed Simonton, the Minnesota driver now in her fourth season as the driver of the Kon Rodz Racing entry.

“The team has been working around the clock this week to get the new body ready for this race. We’re very excited to show the fans our new red, white, and black look with support from Aerodine Composites and Bell Racing USA, among others. The team has enjoyed success at this track in the past, but we’re looking to go one round further this time. Everyone on the team is hungry for our first win,” said Stefan Kontos, Kon Rodz team president.

Cassie Simonton and the Kon Rodz Racing TAFC team will take to the track for Friday qualifying at 11:30 AM and 3 PM CST. Another qualifying session is scheduled for 3 PM Saturday. Top Alcohol eliminations begin at 9 AM Sunday morning.

Kon Rodz Racing is a NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car team owned by Canadian businessman Spiro Kontos. Minnesota native Cassie Simonton drives the team's KonRodzRacing.com Monte Carlo Alcohol Funny Car in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Spiro, Cassie, and the entire Kon Rodz team are grateful to the quality companies that support their racing program; Aerodine Composites Group, Bell Racing USA, Sadi, Lucas Oil, NGK Spark Plugs, Goodson, BAE, Goodyear, Clevite, Mac Tools, Artist ButchM, ithreesixty Music Infused Apparel, Flaming River Industries, CRC Automotive Products, Mid Ontario Truck Centre, Off Axis Custom Paint, and Sparco USA.

For more information on Kon Rodz Racing, please visit www.konrodzracing.com. Keep up with Cassie and the team on Facebook (www.facebook.com/konrodzracing) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/CassieSimonton and www.twitter.com/KonRodzPR).

 

Booher Looking to Add to Route 66 Raceway History

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Booher Racing

JOLIET, Ill. (June 26, 2013) – Brandon Booher enters this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 Nationals driving the best car he’s had in his short four-year Top Alcohol Dragster career. The family-owned blown alcohol dragster is running quicker, faster, and more consistent – his three consecutive No. 1 qualifying positions and back to back regional event wins are proof. But now he’s ready to enter his first national event of the season.

The Route 66 Nationals is arguably one of the most competitive events of the season. The Jegs Allstars event held in conjunction with the race draws the top cars from around the country, making for a tight field. Despite a list of twenty four entered drivers, Brandon feels as confident as he did when entering any of the last four races he’s competed at in 2013.

“It doesn’t really change our approach to the weekend. We ran with several of the entered drivers at the regional event a few weeks ago. We’ll use the data we acquired at that time then build up from there. You have to be on point at this race – no mistakes. There are twenty four cars entered, and they all want to win it too. We just need to do our job and pick up where we left off at the last race,” said Brandon, a favorite heading into the weekend.

The Booher family’s torque converter-equipped entry earned the No. 1 qualifying spot at the Norwalk, Chicago, and Cordova regional events earlier in the season. Brandon drove the AB Construction/Torque Management dragster to his first and second career wins at the latter two events, beating Chris Demke and Robin Samsel in the finals, respectively. The car never dropped out of the 5.3-second range at the Chicago regional, reaching a career-best 5.32 at 271 MPH during qualifying. That quickness and consistency puts the former Junior Dragster driver at ease.

“I’m fairly confident that we can unload the car and run a strong number right off the bat,” Brandon said. “The car has been #1 qualifier at the last three races, won the last two, including the regional event held here. We’ll just keep doing the things that have put us where we’re at currently and hopefully see results similar to the last two events.”

Brandon Booher and the AB Construction/Torque Management Top Alcohol Dragster team will get three qualifying shots to get in the show – two on Friday and one on Saturday. First round of eliminations begins early Sunday morning at 9 CST.

Booher Racing is a Champaign, Illinois-based Top Alcohol Dragster team, competing in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Former Junior Dragster driver Brandon Booher pilots the family-owned AB Construction blown alcohol dragster. The team owns the world record for quickest and fastest converter-equipped TAD. Booher Racing receives support from Motorsports Unlimited, Goodson Tools, Spitzer Race Cars, and Torque Management. To learn more about Booher Racing, please visit www.nitronate.com/booher.

For news and results throughout the 2013 season, follow Booher Racing on Facebook (www.facebook.com/booherracing) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/booherracing).

 

Demke Defending Jegs Allstars Title at Route 66 Nationals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of David Smith/PSA

JOLIET, Ill. (June 26, 2013) – Just weeks after driving the Peen Rite/Operational Solutions/801 Racing Top Alcohol Dragster to a final round finish at Route 66 Raceway’s NHRA regional event, Chris Demke is returning to the Windy City this weekend to defend his title as the Jegs Allstars TAD champion. The veteran blown alcohol driver is setting his sights on taking both the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 Nationals Wally and the coveted Allstars trophy home to Southern California. To do that, Demke and his team are taking all of the steps necessary to make the weekend flow seamlessly.

“Rather than most of the crew showing up the day before the race, they’re showing up two days ahead of time to get everything in order for the weekend. We want to make sure everything is ready to go. It’s a busy race – to win everything, it takes two runs Friday, three runs Saturday, and four runs on Sunday,” said Demke, racing in his sixth Jegs Allstars competition.

Chris qualified No. 3 going into last year’s Allstars race before beating Karen Stalba, rival Jim Whiteley, and Randy Meyer to earn his first Allstars title. Demke reflected on the team’s accomplishments at the annual display of top-tier Sportsman racers.

“The highlight so far has been beating Jim Whiteley on a holeshot in the Allstars semifinals last year, then winning. Just to compete in the Allstars event is a highlight. Maddern Racing has qualified to compete at the Jegs Allstars seven times – once with Mike Austin driving. I remember when I first started racing, I thought it was some high achievement that I would never even qualify for, much less win it. It’s a great event and we’re proud to be a part of it this year,” Demke stated.

On top of the stout list of drivers qualified for the Allstars event, the national event itself has 24 cars entered, including top blown alcohol and A/Fuel Dragster teams from every region. For that reason, Chris is cautiously optimistic.

“I feel confident. I think we can keep up with the fastest guys there. Chicago is the center of the country and it’s the Jegs Allstars weekend, so you get the best racers from around the country showing up. All of the strong competitors are going to be there, so we need to be on our game.  It’s not going to be easy to repeat,” Chris said, adding, “There are two times I get nervous when I get in the car – the very first run of the first race of the season, and going into the Route 66 Nationals/Jegs Allstars weekend. It’s two races within one – it’s a tough one.”

As Chris mentioned, there are a maximum of nine runs included in the event – two qualifying runs on Friday, one on Saturday built into the three rounds of Jegs Allstars competition, and all four rounds of eliminations held on Sunday. The O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 Nationals are scheduled for June 28-30. The 29^th Annual Jegs Allstars race is held in conjunction with the event at Route 66 Raceway, Saturday, June 29^th.

Maddern Racing, celebrating 20 years of competition in 2013, is a family-owned and operated NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster team based in Southern California. The Chris Demke-driven Peen Rite/OSI/801 Racing dragster is owned by Jerry Maddern and crewed by Adam Rhoades, Kevin Watson, Mike Demke, and Ron Mann. For more information on Maddern Racing, please visit www.MaddernRacing.com.

Maddern Racing receives support from the following companies: Peen Rite Inc., Operational Solutions Inc., 801 Racing, A1 Technologies, Boninfante Friction Inc., and Hoosier Racing Tire.