Booher Earns First Win, First Converter-Equipped TAD Win

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photos courtesy of David Smith/PSA and Booher Racing

JOLIET, Ill. (June 10, 2013) – Illinois-based Booher Racing added another highlight to their already impressive 2013 season this weekend at the Burndown at Sundown NHRA Lucas Oil Series regional event. Driver Brandon Booher turned his second consecutive #1 qualifying position into a successful day of eliminations that ended with a victory over Chris Demke in the finals. This is the first Top Alcohol Dragster regional event title for the 30-year old driver. The win also marked the first victory for a torque converter-equipped TAD.

Booher finished day one of qualifying in the third position, running 5.389, just .002 shy of the number two spot. The AB Construction/Torque Management dragster was consistent in Q2, running 5.393 at 268 MPH. The big run came in the final qualifying session. Booher ran 5.328 at 271 MPH to take over the top spot, topping a list of sixteen cars. Brandon also took the #1 spot at the last North Central region race, the sold-out Cavalcade of Stars in Norwalk, Ohio.

“I expected a good run for Q3, but I didn’t expect a 5.32,” Brandon claimed. “I had to pedal it on the previous runs and it still ran high thirties. I made a subtle change for Q3 but it was enough of a change to get the car down the track. If we made better runs in the first two sessions we probably could’ve gone quicker but I just wanted to get down the track. I expected maybe 5.34, but 5.32 sounds a lot better.”

Eliminations began with Booher claiming his first round win of the year. The round win was crucial, sending the team into the next round while improving the crew’s confidence.

“I would say round one was the most important just because we’ve had bad luck first round at the past three races dating back to the U.S. Nationals this year. We had the higher qualified car at those races but little problems bit us first round. I didn’t want that to get in my head. That round win was big – it reassured everyone on the team that we can do this.”

Brandon beat Gordon Gingles’ A/Fueler first round in a decisive 5.350 to 5.53 race. Ken Perry was the next driver to fall to the AB Construction dragster’s dead-on consistency – 5.352 to 5.40. That sent Booher on to his second regional series final and third overall. West coast blown alcohol hitter Chris Demke would be in the other lane – an intimidating notion considering Demke ran low five-thirties in previous rounds.

“Chris ran 5.30 and 5.31 earlier in the day and he was cutting good lights. I knew that we had to race our car and our lane and not worry about them. If he goes out there and cuts a .020 light and runs 5.30 – it doesn’t matter if you’re Brandon Booher or Jim Whiteley – that’s a tough package to beat. I looked at the graph and made a few changes based on E2. We tried not to beat ourselves. I would’ve liked a better light, but the win light came on in my lane so I can’t complain,” Booher said after the winner’s circle celebrations.

Brandon’s AB Construction/Torque Management car experienced tire shake around mid-track, but Demke struggled earlier and couldn’t recover quickly enough. Booher crossed the finish line first, clicking off a 5.380 at 268 MPH.

Conquering the 16 car field with a torque converter was impressive enough, but the quality of the field made the first victory even more special.

 “The thing about the Joliet field is there were no gimmes. Qualifying number one was great but it’s not like I got to race some leaker car first round. Gordon Gingles is the defending Division 5 champion. Then I have to race Ken Perry second round, who has one of the quickest blown cars in history. Then I’m rewarded with racing Chris Demke in the finals. The caliber of cars was outstanding.”

Brandon’s win wouldn’t be possible without the hard work by his crew; father Aaron Booher, Pete Brady, Drew Fluehr, John Halloran, and Brandon’s wife, Shannon. Booher also praised the companies who support Booher Racing; Motorsports Unlimited, Spitzer Race Cars, Killer Machining Solutions, Billy at IRS,  and Goodson Tools. 

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, Killer Machining Solutions, 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).