Demke Chasing Fifth NHRA Winternationals Victory

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
TAN photo
 
 POMONA, Calif. (February 10, 2016) – Just as he finished last season, Chris Demke will kick off this 2016 season at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona with his usual positive demeanor. The Circle K NHRA Winternationals, February 11-14, is a big race for Demke and his Maddern Racing team, who have won the season-opening race in four of the last six years. It’s a clean slate; everyone’s first stop in the pursuit of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Alcohol Dragster world championship.

“The Winternationals is always an important race because it’s the first race of the season. If you can do well here, it gives your team great momentum going in to the early part of the season. Fortunately for our team, we’ve won the Wtinernatiaonls the last two years and four total. I have great memories at the Winternationals. My first national event win was at the 50th anniversary Winternationals in 2010. It’s the race where I’ve had the most success,” said Demke, who lives nearby in Valencia.

Demke and the Peen Rite/Boost Performance Products team are coming off of a second-place finish in LODRS national points in 2015. The season started strong with a victory at the Winternationals, but the season finale left something to be desired.

“Last season ended on a bad note with an ignition problem that cost me first round against Johnny Ahten. We just did some testing in Las Vegas with the primary goal of making sure we fixed that problem. Testing went well, and I feel that we’re ready for the new season,” Demke claimed.

The state of the Top Alcohol Dragster class going into this season is very similar to what it looked like as the season wrapped up at the Auto Club Finals last November. Don’t expect much of a difference in the hard-charging, fun-loving attitude of the Peen Rite team either.

“There are a few new players in the class. No major rule changes. A couple new drivers and teams, as well as a lot of the same strong players that have been there in the last couple years. It’s always interesting to see how things shake out early on. As I always say, I just want to go out and have fun, but winning is pretty fun,” Demke laughed.

There will be one major change in the personnel side of things at Maddern Racing, as clutch guy and tuner Adam Rhoades has accepted a new position with a Top Alcohol Funny Car team.

“As most everybody has heard, Adam Rhoades will be leaving the team. He was with us at testing and will be with us at Pomona as we transition his duties to other team members. Certainly our beer budget will drop,” Demke joked. “His departure is amicable. He found a great opportunity and I understand why he’s taking that opportunity. Our relationship will remain strong. It’s a good decision for him and I can’t contest that. I’m gonna’ miss the guy. He’s not only my friend, he’s also a great racer and our team will miss his presence. However, our team already has a lot of skill and I’m sure we’ll be able to maintain the level of performance that we’ve had in previous years.”

Aside from the departure of Rhoades, the crew member line-up will remain the same with team owner Jerry Maddern at the helm. The team’s proven supercharged, methanol-burning Brad Anderson powerplant will stay in place, as will the team’s sponsors.

“I’m happy to renew my sponsorship agreements with Boost Performance Products and Hoosier Racing Tires. I’m grateful that they both continue to see value in our team representing their products.”

Chris Demke’s 2016 season will officially kick off when Top Alcohol Dragster qualifying session number one begins on Thursday at 4 PM Pacific. Another session is scheduled for 2:15 PM on Friday with a final qualifying session at 11 AM on Saturday. First round of eliminations will follow at 2:15 PM. Eliminations continue on Sunday following the first round of Pro eliminations.

Maddern Racing is a family-owned and operated NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster team based in Southern California. The team's Chris Demke-driven Peen Rite/Boost Performance Products blown alcohol dragster is owned by Jerry Maddern and crewed by Adam Rhoades, Kevin Watson, Mike Demke, Greg Rice, and Robert Hadaller. For more information on Chris Demke and Maddern Racing, please visit www.Facebook.com/MaddernRacing.

Maddern Racing receives support from the following companies: Peen Rite Inc., Boost Performance Products, B-G Detection, Afco, LA X-Ray, Hoosier Racing Tires, Morningwood Energy Drink, and Motorsports Unlimited. 

Ferre Signs American Plastic Technologies for 2016

With the 2016 racing season fast approaching Cameron Ferré, Top Alcohol dragster stand out alongside Miersch Racing are pleased to announce American Plastic Technologies will be joining their 2016 efforts starting at the NHRA Circle K Winternationals.

Coming off a stand out performance during the 2015 season, Ferré and Miersch Racing look to continue their success in 2016 with American Plastic Technologies and Racepak Data Systems. "I couldn't be happier to join forces with APT. We developed a B2B relationship through some projects started over at Racepak and it blossomed into something greater. I know firsthand that APT manufactures the highest quality polyurethane parts in the business for various industries such as: automotive aftermarket, OEM, off road, military, medical, and the oil industry. With over 30 years of industry experience that alone speaks volumes for the quality of the products APT produces. It is an honor to represent APT and Racepak together on one car this year, I hope to help them develop more great business relationships within NHRA Drag Racing."

It was a busy off season for Miersch Racing. They have been gearing up and stockpiling parts all winter as the team prepares to enter the 2016 season seeking the sought after first race win. "In 2015 the team came so close, I think as a team we are ready to turn it up a notch and build off of last year's progress. I have all the faith in my team, with Larry's turning ability alongside the marketing partners who have supported us, I cannot wait to get in the car and march down the race track," stated Ferré, who was the highest ranked part time driver in the 2015 national point standings.

The team will kick off qualifying efforts at the running of the 56th annual Circle K Winternationals on Thursday February 11th at Auto Club Raceway Pomona. Make no doubt about it, the American Plastic Technologies / Racepak Data Systems/Miersch Racing A/fuel Dragster will look to make a splash at their hometown track.

2016 marks the inaugural season of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series to air on the Fox Sports 1 Television network citing a great platform to showcase NHRA Drag Racing to new markets.

For more information about American Plastic Technologies, please log on to http://www.americanplastictech.com/

Miersch Racing also represents: CP Carrillo, MSD Performance, JBS, Coldcock Whiskey, Ted Wiens Auto Centers, Ultimate Design, Brico Ind., Bell Helmets, Manton Pushrods, Black Flys, and Popeye Energy.

Demke Picks Up Fourth Winternationals Win

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

POMONA, Calif. (February 10) – For the fourth time in his career, Maddern Racing driver Chris Demke started the new season with a Circle K NHRA Winternationals victory last weekend. Demke and team worked through the challenges of their own car and a new team car to claim the California native's 16th Top Alcohol Dragster national event win.

In addition to Demke's championship car, Maddern Racing was fielding an experimental car with driver Ray Martin and car chief Kirk Kuhns. The results of the two cars surpassed most everyone's expectations as both cars advanced to the semifinals before Demke went on to win the race.

“After having won a championship, I was confident in our guys. I was confident in our ability to put the car I was driving back together in championship form and come out swinging. We had the added challenge of bringing a second car into the mix, the X car. But we had a great bunch of guys working on that car. Ray Martin is an excellent driver and he's adapted to the car quickly. We had Kirk come in to serve as the car chief on that car and it was a pleasure to work with him. He's a great guy and I look forward to future opportunities with him,” Demke noted.

While Martin's car was off to a great start, qualifying sixth with a 5.311 ET, Demke's car was struggling. The championship car went into eliminations from the eight spot.

“My car just wasn't responding. We still don't know exactly what the issue was. We made small changes between Q1 and Q2 and it went from a 5.35 to a 34. Then we made huge changes for Q3 and it went from a 34 to a 33. Going into first round we made bigger changes yet and it went from a 33 to a 32. We ended up swapping motors for second round and it responded and was back to its winning ways. I knew as soon as I did the burnout that it was going to be better than all of the previous runs.”

The run, 5.276, was much better and was enough to beat No. 1 qualifier Don St. Arnaud. Martin ran 5.284 to take out Ross Stickler in the second round.

“We came back from that round and our team was just elated. We knew we had the class's attention. We had two cars in the twenties and we were on opposite sides of the ladder. We knew our real goal of putting both cars in the finals had potential, but it wasn't meant to be.

“The barrel valve linkage on Ray's car came loose and when he went to stage the car the RPMs were erratic. It was amazing he was even able to get the car staged and launched as well as he did. The motor went lean and backfired the supercharger, unfortunately ending his day. It really bummed me out, because I was waiting to run behind him and expected to see his win light turn on. I had to keep my focus so we could advance to the final round and hopefully take home the Wally,” Demke recalled.

Chris Demke powered through the distraction to overcome rival Joey Severance in a 5.295 to 5.455 semifinal race. He clicked off his quickest run of the weekend, a 5.264, to beat Shawn Cowie's 5.367 in the final round. The win was his fourth (2010, 2012, 2014, 2015) Winternationals victory and 16th overall.

“Once we had all of our ducks in a row, our team knows how to go rounds,” Demke declared. “My team proved their mettle. They really did a great job because it really was a lot of work, even though we had two teams. We did the best with what we could and I certainly can't complain. While optimally we had this dream of having both cars in the finals, we came pretty darn close. We had one car in the semis and the other car won the race. That's a great thing.”


Maddern Racing is a family-owned and operated NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster team based in Southern California. The team's Chris Demke-driven Peen Rite/Boost Performance Products blown alcohol dragster is owned by Jerry Maddern and crewed by Adam Rhoades, Kevin Watson, Mike Demke, Greg Rice, Ron Mann and Robert Hadaller. For more information on Chris Demke and Maddern Racing, please visit www.MaddernRacing.com.

Maddern Racing receives support from the following companies: Peen Rite Inc., Boost Performance Products, B-G Detection, Afco, LA X-Ray, Jet-Lube, and Morningwood Energy Drink.

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Ferre Looks to Ride the Wave of World Finals Success into 2015 Season

Courtesy of Nick Cobb
Photos courtesy of Troy Case

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (February 5)- Fresh off of a runner-up at the closing race of the 2014 season, Cameron Ferré has been itching to get back into the seat of Larry Miersch’s nitro injected A-Fuel dragster. This weekend Ferré will begin his second season competing in the NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster class, piloting the Miersch-owned dragster, at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

“Racing at Auto Club Raceway has always held a soft place to my heart, I have been fortunate enough to stand in the winner’s circle here once before after bringing the Wally home in the Super Comp category at the 2012 NHRA Auto Club Finals. This is a home track race for Miersch and the team, it is very rare that we are able to have all of our friends and family out here cheering us one,” Ferré said.

Ferré, Miersch and team came so close to grabbing the Wally at the Auto Club Finals last year but fell short to Duane Shields in the final round. Team owner, Larry Miersch, stated, “We blew it up bad in the semis and fell short on parts. We are coming into the season with fresh parts and going to throw the same tune-up that we gave the car at the finals but hoping for the better result.”

Ferré is returning to competition this weekend with sponsor backing from Racepak Data Systems, Coldcock Whiskey, Popeye Energy, Club Ted, CP Carrillo, Bell Helmets, XRP, Manton, PJ1 Products, Beachwood BBQ and Brewing, Ultimate Design, Brico Industries.

Top Alcohol Dragster competition begins with qualifying sessions at 4 PM Thursday, 2:15 PM Friday and 11:15 AM Saturday. Eliminations start at 2:30 PM on Saturday and continue on Sunday afternoon.

Defending TAD National Champ Chris Demke Enters Pomona with Teammate

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
TAN photos



 

POMONA, Calif. (February 4) – This weekend kicks off the 2015 NHRA drag racing season with the Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona. For the first time in his decade-long driving career, Chris Demke enters the season as the defending NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster world champion.

“It's exciting, a little nervous,” Demke said of the position he's in. “I feel I pretty much have a target on my back but I'm ready to pick up where we left off last year.”

To aid in their title defense, Demke and the Maddern Racing team will field a second blown alcohol dragster at their first two races, the Winternationals and the Phoenix regional event. Demke will continue to drive the championship Peen Rite/Boost Performance Products Car. Alaska's Ray Martin, who finished fourth in TAD national points in 2013, will drive the experimental “X” car.

“When the world championship team calls you to drive their second car, you say yes,” Martin said. “Whatever happens during that time or after is what it is. We're just going to have fun and go some rounds. Thanks to Maddern Racing. It's a great group of guys and it's just awesome to be a part of this, especially because of who they are and what they've accomplished. We're really happy and proud to be a part of it.”

Adding another car can be a daunting task, but a few key factors will help ease the challenge for the SoCal team.

"We're using Clint Thompson's Top Alcohol Funny Car crew to work on it, so it's an experienced group. I think more it's the challenges of trying to tune and manage two cars through the course of the weekend. We're just going to have fun and try to go with it.

“I'm glad the schedule is the way it is. We get one run on Thursday and one on Friday afternoon. We have plenty of time between those runs to get both cars properly set up. There won't be a rush the first two days of qualifying, which is optimal,” Demke remarked.

The tuning responsibilities will be shared amongst the team. Adam Rhoades will continue to focus on the ignition timing and clutch and transmission set-up. Demke will decide the fuel system settings. They intend to stick with what they know on the championship car while experimenting with the “X” car.

“(Team owner) Jerry Maddern has put together some good, solid engine combinations for both cars. They're not identical. We're trying some stuff in the X car that we've never used previously. Nothing too extreme yet, though,” Demke added.

The 2014 U.S. Nationals winner experiences a range of emotions at the start of any season, but especially this one, ranging from excited to nervous. He realizes the season-opening race doesn't decide the rest of the season or the final outcome.

“If you look at how last year went, our team dominated the first race and then we struggled through the next four races. So it's hard to say. I don't think the first race can really set the tone. It's a long season. That first event is really just everyone getting their feet wet and ready for this year. It looks like there are 20 cars entered, which I think is a good way to start the season. There's a lot of participation and I think everyone will go out and give it their best shot.”

Top Alcohol Dragster qualifying at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals, Feb. 5-8, starts at 4 PM Thursday and continues with sessions at 2:15 PM Friday and 11:15 AM Saturday. Eliminations start at 2:30 PM on Saturday and resume with second round on Sunday afternoon.

Maddern Racing is a family-owned and operated NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster team based in Southern California. The team's Chris Demke-driven Peen Rite/Boost Performance Products blown alcohol dragster is owned by Jerry Maddern and crewed by Adam Rhoades, Kevin Watson, Mike Demke, Greg Rice, Ron Mann and Robert Hadaller. For more information on Chris Demke and Maddern Racing, please visit www.MaddernRacing.com.

Maddern Racing receives support from the following companies: Peen Rite Inc., Boost Performance Products, B-G Detection, Afco, LA X-Ray, Jet-Lube, Denali Concrete and Morningwood Energy Drink.

 

 

Hunter Back at Pomona for Second Season with Synoil Racing

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

POMONA, Calif. (February 4) – The annual return to sunny California for the Circle K NHRA Winternationals is always a special time for Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Greg Hunter. Not just because it's the first race of the season, but also because of the history of Auto Club Raceway at Pomona and the part it played in Hunter's racing career.

“Pomona to me is the birthplace of drag racing. It just has the great California drag racing vibe. When you go there you can feel it in the air. I just love it. If I could live near the race track I think I would, that's how much I love it there. Or maybe in between the race track and the beach,” Hunter jokes.

“The first national event I attended was the World Finals at Pomona 20 years ago. I came home and immediately decided I wanted to go racing so I started the following year. This is actually my 20th year racing.”

Hunter, now in his second year driving for Canadian drag racing legend Geoff Goodwin, scored his first regional event victory and reached a national event semifinal last year before suffering a couple tough breaks to finish the year. One of those tough losses was a wild first round pedalfest at the Finals at Pomona, so Hunter and the Synoil Energy Services/Exact Air team are looking for some redemption this weekend.

“We're feeling pretty confident. There have been some minor changes to the motor but outside of that we feel great. We felt we had a bad stretch near the end of the year where we missed it in qualifying but at the end I think we put it back together. A little unfortunate in the first round. We feel we could've had a good showing at the Finals. We want to continue on at the Winternationals, hopefully deep into eliminations on Sunday,” Hunter claimed.

The Synoil Racing team will be racing this weekend without Goodwin, who is at home recovering after breaking his leg over the winter.

“This is probably one of the first races that he has missed,” Hunter said. “Everybody will be thinking of him and wishing he was there. We're going to try to go out there and win it so we can bring home a Wally to help make our 'Chief' feel a little better.”

Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals, Feb. 5-8, kicks off on Thursday at 3:30 PM. Additional sessions follow on Friday at 2:45 PM and Saturday at 10:45 AM. Eliminations begin at 2 PM on Saturday and continue Sunday afternoon.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team are returning for their second season together in 2015. With primary support from Synoil Energy Services and Exact Air Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltd., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowler Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Mobil1.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Sanford Looks to Impress at Season-Opening Home Race

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion



POMONA, Calif. (February 4) – Southern California native Ashley Sanford begins her third season in the NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster class this weekend at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway.

The excitement surrounding the season-opening race is present in Sanford's Gelish/Lucas Oil pit, but the Fullerton resident does have mixed feelings about racing at Pomona. Sanford was successful at several tracks across the country last year, but she has only qualified at her home track once in three attempts.

“It's kind of a bittersweet excitement only because for some reason we have not been able to figure out Pomona yet. I love it because it's my home track and I grew up coming to the races here but we have still not made a full pull on that track,” Sanford noted.

The former sand drag racer is confident that will change this weekend, adding, “Going into this I have a really good feeling about it. It's the season opener. It's going to be exciting no matter what and the adrenaline is going to be pumping.”

Sanford is returning with a loyal sponsor line-up, beginning with Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish and Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer.

“I'm super excited to say we still have Gelish and Morgan Taylor on board as our main sponsors. Very happy to say we have Lucas Oil returning on a bigger level. CP-Carrillo Rods & Pistons is also joining us this year. We had the chance to visit their operation recently. It was top of the line so we're really happy to be working with them.”

Vantage Hospitality Group, whose brands include America's Best Value Inn and Lexington Hotels, is also returning as a sponsor. Las Vegas's The D Casino & Hotel and Golden Gate Casino & Hotel are now in their third year partnering with the popular young driver.

The Circle K NHRA Winternationals, Feb. 5-8, is the first race on the Gelish/Lucas Oil A/Fuel Dragster team's 2015 schedule, made up of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and NHRA Lucas Oil Series regional events.

“We have agreed upon 14 races and we're going back and forth on a 15th. For me that's a ton of races so I'm stoked on that. I think March is the only month we won't be racing. As a driver, more races means more seat time so I can continue to better myself. The car's performance is right there. It's just a matter of getting the consistency down and with more times being out there we have a better chance of getting that,” Sanford said.

Top Alcohol Dragster competition begins with qualifying sessions at 4 PM Thursday, 2:15 PM Friday and 11:15 AM Saturday. Eliminations start at 2:30 PM on Saturday and continue on Sunday afternoon.

David Smith/PSA photo

Frederosa's Team Extreme is a family-owned A/Fuel Dragster team competing in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. 21-year old Ashley Sanford drives the team's Gelish Soak-Off Gel Nail Polish dragster, owned by her father Shane. The Gelish team – Troy, Dave, Ed, Mike, Jeff, Dean, Torrey, Robin, Justin, Brian and Kit - formerly worked on the team's pair of high-powered, championship-winning sand dragsters. The team receives support from Gelish Soak-Off Gel Nail Polish, Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer, Lucas Oil Products, America's Best Value Inns, Lexington Hotels, CP-Carrillo Rods & Pistons, Roscoe's Famous Deli, Heroes Bar & Grill, The D Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, and the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino.

For more information on Ashley Sanford and the Gelish A/Fuel Dragster team, please visit www.ashleysanforddragracing.com. Follow her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ashleysanforddragracing) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/ashleyracergirl).

Demke Caps Off Championship Season at 50th Annual Auto Club Finals, NHRA Awards Banquets

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photos courtesy of Maddern Racing

POMONA, Calif. (November 19, 2014) – While Chris Demke didn't bookend his dream season with a win at the Auto Club NHRA Finals, he did accomplish a few goals set for the season finale. Demke and his Peen Rite Top Alcohol Dragster team celebrated their national championship with family and friends, drummed up interest in their spare 'For Rent' dragster, and enjoyed some success, qualifying No. 3 and reaching the semifinals. It was a fitting end to a monumental season for the fun-loving, hardworking Maddern Racing team.

“It certainly went well but it didn't end like we hoped it would,” Demke said of the Finals. “We received numerous inquiries about driving this car next year, which was our goal. While we haven't signed any deals, we talked with numerous players. Performance-wise, the car ran a few twenties. I think there's more left in it, we're just creeping up on it. The chassis is still plenty competitive, as competitive as the championship car.”

Demke was driving a car the team retired in 2012 and recently refurbished for possible use next season. A 5.277 lap in the opening qualifying session put Demke in the third spot going into eliminations. The Peen Rite/OSI/Boost Performance Products dragster ran a pair of 5.29s to defeat fellow blown alcohol drivers Ross Stickler and Mark Taliaferro. Chris encountered trouble on the semifinal, though, where he fell to A/Fuel rookie Cameron Ferre, who ran low ET and top speed of eliminations.

“The car washed out at the launch and started heading for the center line. I tried to correct it but it was already too far out of the groove for me to recover completely. I gave it a couple good tugs on the steering wheel and it went towards the wall. It was at that point that I lifted my foot off the throttle and coasted to the finish. I didn't need to smash up this car. I gotta hand it to Cameron Ferre and his crew chief, Larry Miersch. They ran that incredible 5.25. Even if our car went straight, I don't think we would have won. My hat's off to them for bringing their best to the table for that semifinal,” Demke admitted.

Always with a positive outlook, Demke pointed out the highlights of the weekend, which was capped off on Monday evening with the NHRA Lucas Oil Series and Mello Yello Series awards banquets in Los Angeles.

“It was great to see so many friends and fans at the track. The stands seemed full all four days. The weather was great all weekend. It was a nice ending to the season. The banquet was wonderful, to be there with Steve Harker and the other Lucas Oil national champions. Forrest, Charlotte and Morgan Lucas were there representing Lucas Oil. It was nice to have a venue to thank our crew and celebrate our championship.”

Our team has been racing for over twenty years now. We weren't always expecting to win a championship, but our performance levels in recent years have proven that we're championship contenders. Finishing second three of the last four years was proof that we were close. I don't want to say it was a long time coming, and I wasn't expecting it, but it certainly felt wonderful to prove that we were a championship caliber team.

Demke and his Maddern Racing teammates proved their abilities in a big way this season, winning five national events including the 60th Annual U.S. Nationals. Two national wins happened in the same weekend at Reading, where the national championship was also decided. Demke also claimed the West Region championship, thanks to four consecutive regional event wins. Additionally, the Peen Rite dragster finishes the 2014 season as the fastest blown alcohol dragster ever at 277.94 MPH, set on the trifecta weekend at Reading.

“Winning the regional championship was cool. It wasn't our goal, but I think it was the result of our strategy for the national championship run. Winning Indy was wonderful. I'm thrilled to have won it and received a ring at the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Nationals, but you know what? Someone wins Indy every year. The weekend in Reading, where we secured the championship, won the Charlotte make-up race, and then won Reading – that was a once-in-a-lifetime event. I don't have words to describe what that weekend was like. When I think of that weekend, I also don't know which part to celebrate. It's too immense to think of what we accomplished that weekend. On top of that, Steve Harker did it in Top Alcohol Funny Car. The stars and moon were certainly aligned,” Chris said.

Chris Demke praised his Peen Rite/Operational Solutions/Boost Performance Products team and their sponsors for their efforts this season.

“This season wouldn't have been possible without the hard work and dedication from my team: Jerry, Dixie and Aimee Maddern, Mike Demke, Kevin Watson, Adam Rhoades, Robert Hadaller, and Greg Rice. I also want to thank Bill Swanson of Peen Rite, Brent Gines of Boost Performance Products, Kent Goss from Operational Solutions Inc., and Brent Winberg from CleanBoost Oils. Individual companies who helped this year were Hoosier Tire, B-G Detection, Abrasive Finishing Company, LA X-Ray, Boninfante Friction Surfaces, Brad Anderson Enterprises, and Morningwood Energy Drink.”

Maddern Racing is a family-owned and operated NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster team based in Southern California. The team's Chris Demke-driven Peen Rite/Operational Solutions/Boost Performance Products blown alcohol dragster is owned by Jerry Maddern and crewed by Adam Rhoades, Kevin Watson, Mike Demke, Greg Rice, and Robert Hadaller. For more information on Chris Demke and Maddern Racing, please visit www.MaddernRacing.com.

Maddern Racing receives support from the following companies: Peen Rite Inc., Operational Solutions Inc., Boost Performance Products, B-G Detection, Afco, LA X-Ray, Jet-Lube, and Morningwood Energy Drink.

Shields Scores 20th National Event Win at 50th Auto Club Finals

Courtesy of Rich Bailey

Pomona - Duane Shields won the 50th Annual NHRA Auto Club Finals which closed the book on a great season for the PEAK A/Fuel Dragster team. The win marked Duane's fourth victory of the season, landing him in sixth place overall in the final Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series national point standings.

The Finals win stacks up as a career highlight and Duane's 20th national event victory. Prior to Sunday, Duane had never won the Finals as it was always an elusive race so the team was happy to finally win the event. “This is awesome to go into the off season with a win at the 50th anniversary Finals. This win is for PEAK, NGK Spark Plugs, GRP Connecting Rods and Brad Anderson Enterprises along with all my guys including Ralph Freeman who passed away last year," Duane acknowledged.

Duane qualified 9th with a 5.33 @ 266 MPH and faced red hot Joey Severance who swept the last two races in Las Vegas. At the starting line Severance went red by .004 and then shut off after rattling the tires. Meanwhile, the PEAK Dragster shook hard but Duane still found a way to get it done with a 5.41 @ 260 MPH to advance into the second round.

In round two, Duane got by Chase Copeland with a 5.59 at 256 MPH. Duane dropped a cylinder on the run but it didn’t matter as Copeland lost traction off the starting line and aborted the run.

Next up was a semi-final battle between Duane and Aaron Olivarez. At the hit, it was Duane out of the box first with an .058 light to Olivarez’s .076. As Olivarez began to lose traction, Duane was on his best pass of the weekend as he ripped open a 5.29 at 272 MPH for a trip to the final round. “It was a good pass but I had to pedal it,” Duane said.

In the finals, Duane faced Cameron Ferre who ran consistently quicker on each of the prior rounds so Duane had to bring his "A" game. At the hit, Duane was again out first with a 0.052 to Ferre’s 0.061. As the cars thundered towards the finish line, both dragsters began to drop cylinders but Duane held a sizable lead and crossed the stripe for his first NHRA Auto Club Finals title. “I should have pedaled it but I was on an adrenaline rush. But, the way we won this race was to get down the track on every pass. Some days the breaks go your way which they did today and sometimes you can run really well but you don’t get the win,” Duane said.

Duane would like to thank PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil, Final Charge, Blue Def, NGK, GRP and Brad Anderson Enterprises for a great year in 2014.

Permatex/Follow A Dream Team Back at Pomona for 1st Time in 5 Years

Courtesy of FollowADream.org

Marstons Mills, MA -November 13, 2014-Jay Blake's Permatex/Follow A Dream team heads to the birthplace of drag racing, the Los Angeles area, for the final race of the 2014 season, the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., where the team was runner-up in 2005 and won it all in 2006. It's the first appearance in six weeks for the team, whose season was highlighted by victory at Lebanon Valley Dragway, where they scored for the second year in a row and the third time in five years.

"We've had some great moments at Pomona," said Blake, who spoke at the Veteran's Hospital in Long Beach, Calif., and at the Universal Technical Institute in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., earlier this week. "Permatex's sponsorship made it possible for us to bring Follow A Dream's message of the power of positive thinking and self-determination to veterans and to the students at UTI. I was part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony at UTI for their new veteran's building, and none of that would have been possible without Permatex's involvement with our team."

It also made possible a lifelong dream for driver Todd Veney, a Southern California native who's competing at the historic Pomona track for the first time ever. "The first national event I ever went to was right here at the Winternationals in 1972," he said. "I was born out here, lived here until I was 10, and moved right back out to L.A. the day after I graduated from college, and I've always wanted to race here."

Qualifying begins Thursday and concludes with two sessions on Friday. The first round is Saturday, and final eliminations are set for Sunday. The event will be televised on ESPN2 Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. Eastern.

Racepak Data Systems Backing Ferre for 50th Annual Auto Club NHRA Finals

Courtesy of Nick Cobb

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA based company RacePak Data Systems has signed on to back one of their own, Cameron Ferre, as Ferre and Miersch Racing set out to march through a stout field of Top Alcohol Dragsters running at this year's 50th Annual Auto Club NHRA World Finals.

The multi-licensed driver Ferre began piloting Larry Miersch's A/Fuel dragster over the summer at the O'Reilly Auto Parts Northwest Nationals in Seattle and has since made four appearances driving for Miersch Racing in 2014. When Cameron is not in the seat of a racecar, he is working in the sales and marketing department for RacePak.

2015 begins the campaign of RacePak Data Systems' 30th anniversary. "What better way to kick off our 30th anniversary and 30 years of business than flying the RacePak name at 275 MPH with one of our Racepak employees behind the wheel? We are thankful Miersch Racing and Cameron helped put this opportunity together for us," said Tim Anderson, President of Racepak.

"I could not have asked for a better rookie campaign in Top Alcohol Dragster," said Ferre about the opportunity. "And now to have my employer stand behind me and support my dreams is a testament to what a great company I work for. It's amazing being supported by awesome companies and people throughout the year who are helping me on the tough journey to Top Fuel."

Racepak will be hosting a trackside seminar on Thursday, November 13th at 6 PM over at the Racepak Motorhome located in the trackside motorhome parking. All attending the race are invited to come by for the opportunity to meet Ferre and ask any Racepak-related questions they may have.

Ferre and Miersch will also be receiving associate backing from Coldcock Whiskey; American herbal flavored whiskey and Popeye Energy - a healthy energy drink alternative.

Cameron and Miersch Racing would also like to thank the following partners who have helped back Cameron's Top Alcohol Dragster Rookie Campaign: Club Ted, Nitrohead.com, Ken Kizziar Motorsports, JBS, Ted Wiens Tire & Auto Center, Manton Push Rods, CP Carrillo, XRP, BAE, JET Chevrolet, Kalitta Motorsports, Black Flys Eyewear, Bell Helmets, WhatYouth.com, Ultimate Design, Brico Industries, Market Equipment Repair, and Industry Standard Media.

SoCal's Demke, Maddern Racing Return to Pomona as 2014 TAD Champs

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

POMONA, Calif. (November 12, 2014) – Chris Demke enters the 50th Annual Auto Club NHRA Finals at Pomona with a recently refined, once-retired race car. After a series of upgrades, Demke and his Peen Rite team brought an old car to the Las Vegas regional with the goal of finding a quick, consistent tune-up for future competition. The Uyehara-built Top Alcohol Dragster, retired in 2012 and replaced by the 2014 national championship-winning car, performed as anticipated. Demke ran a pair of low five-thirty elapsed times in qualifying, but slowed to lose first round.

“As for getting the bugs ironed out of the car, I would say everything went according to the plan. We tested on Thursday and that was valuable as it gave me some seat time to readjust to this car. The car ran well in qualifying. We just missed on the tune-up going into eliminations. While we got all of the bugs ironed out, we were tuning this car the way we tuned the championship car. I hate losing first round. It was the first time we've lost first round in a long time this year, but other than that we accomplished everything we set out to accomplish. Now the car is ready for Pomona this weekend,” Demke claimed.

The season-ending Auto Club Finals isn't just a season finale to Demke, it's a homecoming of sorts, as both driver and team are based in Southern California.

“I'm thrilled to be back home to finish out the season as the new champion. I'm looking forward to seeing and shaking hands with all of my friends, family and fans back in my hometown. I just want to finish out the season on a high note. We want to do some more tuning on this chassis and just go out and have a good time. It's the 50th anniversary of the Finals. It's wonderful to have the chance to compete at a race with such a storied history. If all goes well, hopefully we can step away from the weekend with another Wally to add to what has been our team's and my best season ever,” said the 2014 Top Alcohol Dragster national champion.

The Peen Rite/OSI/Boost Performance Products blown alcohol dragster isn't new to success at the famed Auto Club Raceway. Demke claimed the 2012 Auto Club Finals title driving this car, beating rival Jim Whiteley in the quickest and fastest blown alcohol side-by-side race in history. The Maddern Racing driver also won the 2010, 2012 and 2014 Winternationals, held at Pomona in February. Possibly Demke's most impressive Pomona performance came at this year's Winternationals, running 5.21 in qualifying and a string of twenties to win.

“I'm hoping to go faster,” Demke said of his Finals goal. “I expect to exceed our performance from the Winternationals earlier this year if all goes as planned. It's never a guarantee but I want to set the bar high. All of the pieces are in place to make that happen. Traditionally you see all of the teams run better at the Finals than they did at the Winternationals. The teams all have their tune-ups refined and the crews are well-exercised. Some teams will start experimenting for next year, and we'll do that to an extent but we won't be out of bounds to run some quick ETs and high speeds.”

Maddern Racing is a family-owned and operated NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster team based in Southern California. The team's Chris Demke-driven Peen Rite/Operational Solutions/Boost Performance Products blown alcohol dragster is owned by Jerry Maddern and crewed by Adam Rhoades, Kevin Watson, Mike Demke, Greg Rice, and Robert Hadaller. For more information on Chris Demke and Maddern Racing, please visit www.MaddernRacing.com.

Maddern Racing receives support from the following companies: Peen Rite Inc., Operational Solutions Inc., Boost Performance Products, B-G Detection, Afco, LA X-Ray, Jet-Lube, and Morningwood Energy Drink.

Hunter Wrapping up First Season with Synoil Racing at Auto Club Finals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Synoil Racing

POMONA, Calif. (November 12, 2014) – Despite a pair of DNQs at the back-to-back Las Vegas races, Greg Hunter and the Synoil Energy Services Top Alcohol Funny Car team have a stride in their step as the NHRA Mello Yello Series wraps up its 2014 season in Pomona this weekend. The Canadian team struggled to adjust to new tires, resulting in a failure to qualify at the Toyota Nationals and the final Lucas Oil Series regional event of 2014. The lessons learned in Vegas, though, should help Hunter and Team Synoil at the 50th Annual Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway.

“We're really disappointed in our performance at both Vegas races. They were both tough fields, but we came in fully expecting to qualify and run well. We changed tires recently so we just don't have a handle on the tune-up for the Hoosiers yet. I'm confident that the team will get it figured out and we'll have a good showing at Pomona,” said Hunter.

The Synoil Racing team, led by team owner Geoff Goodwin and crew chief Ryan Protz, switched to Hoosier tires going into the Toyota Nationals in Las Vegas. Hunter made several passes with the new tires between the national event, Monday testing and the regional event.

“I think we're getting a good handle on the tires now. We thought we had it figured out until it threw us a curve ball on that last run. Just with that data we're confident we can take advantage of the awesome track in Pomona and the great air that is characteristic of the Finals,” noted Hunter, who joined Synoil Racing at the beginning of the 2014 season.

Team Synoil's pit area will be full of enthusiasm this weekend, as Greg Hunter and the team will be joined by a group of supporters.

“We have some more of our sponsors coming out so we're looking forward to entertaining the guys from Synoil, Twister and Proform. Pomona is my favorite track to race at so the whole crew and I are very excited for this weekend.”

Top Alcohol Funny Car's first qualifying session hits the Auto Club Raceway quarter-mile at 3:30 PM on Thursday. The final two sessions are scheduled for 11 AM and 2 PM on Friday. Eliminations begin with first round at 2:15 PM on Saturday and continue after Pro round 1 on Sunday.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team have joined forces for the 2014 season. With primary support from Synoil Energy Services and Exact Air Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltd., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowler Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Mobil1.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Ahten Returns Home to Defend Pomona Finals Crown

Courtesy of John Rogers
Photo courtesy of Scott Bessee

Pomona, CA. – This week Johnny Ahten pulled into the gates of the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona not as just any racer, he made his entrance as the defending champion in the Top Alcohol Dragster class. At last year’s final, Ahten Racing captured their first event win when Johnny defeated Jim Whitley in the final round. A year has passed and Ahten remains determined to repeat.

“There is a strong contingent of racers here for the finals,” said Ahten. “We ran well at the Vegas National event and qualified number one. Then we qualified for the eight car field out of twenty-five entries for the Regional event. We are going to build upon our strong runs and learn from our issues. I am very happy to be home. This is the busiest three weeks of our season. I am looking forward to working on the car, visiting with friends, and racing at my favorite track,” added Ahten.

The World Finals at Pomona is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, and winning this race has special meaning to all the competitors. Johnny’s crew chief, Al Ahten and racing partner Howard Katano, have poured over the run data and are preparing the Stump Puller for its last race of the year. Bob Ahten, Kevin Colvell, Chuck Costabile, and John Rogers will make sure the job gets done. The Island Renovations / Combust Filters sponsored team is ready, willing, and able.

“I grew up at this track, and I want to win every time I race here,” added Ahten. “In order to defend our title we will have to dig deep and work as a team. This has been an exciting year filled with highs and unfulfilled accomplishments. Running our own race and taking what the track will allow earned us the trophy last year, and that is our game plan for this year.”

To stay informed visit: www.facebook.com/JohnnyAhtenRacing

…
Johnny Ahten was born into a family of racers. Ahten Racing began in the late sixties with Johnny’s father and Uncle hitting the local strips of Southern California. In 1998, Johnny attended Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School. Early the next year, Johnny competed in his first full season of Top Eliminator West. He captured the Rookie of the Year title and finished 2nd place in the points. He continued to hone his driving skills the next few years until 2004 when the team moved up to Top Alcohol Dragster. Johnny qualified at his first event immediately after upgrading his license earlier in the week. Johnny's first National event win came in 2013 when he captured the NHRA Pomona World finals Top Alcohol Dragster crown. When not racing, Johnny is a Captain in the Los Angeles County Fire Department, a husband, and father of two boys.

Island Renovations understands the complexity of Hawaii's homes and their customers’ needs. Whether you are looking to build, remodel, or replace your existing windows and doors, Island Renovations is there to provide outstanding service and products to give your home added value with the satisfaction and peace of mind from a company that puts their customers first. Visit us: www.islandrenovations.net

The Combust Filters Oil By-Pass Filtration System provides 3 Micron filtration, 100% Water Removal, Soot Removal, Extended Engine Life, Pollution Prevention, and Reduced Oil Consumption. By keeping the oil free of moisture contamination and particulates larger than 3 microns, your engine oil will have reduced Oxidation, Nitration, while maintaining required oil viscosity and TBN for proper lubrication. Our system incorporates only the best technology and quality construction for ease of use and installation. Features include an easy to read pressure gauge, 2 sizes of spin-on filters (7” and 12”), a push button oil sample valve, and a custom flow fitting to ensure a continuous proper flow. No internal moving parts to wear out! Visit us at: www.combustfilters.com

Strong Pomona Numbers Give Ahten Motive

Courtesy of John Rogers
Photo courtesy of Troy Case

Pomona, CA – An unexpected second round exit last weekend at the NHRA’s season opening event at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona for Johnny Ahten may have been frustrating, but the run data and lessons learned have the Island Renovations/Combust Filters Team in high spirits. Strong numbers and qualifying in the fourth slot are positive steps moving into the 2014 season.

“We have enough power to run with the blown guys,” said Johnny Ahten. “The car felt mean and nasty with a touch of violent - it’s a monster. The air was great and on several runs it put me back in the seat big time. Over the off season we replaced the padding inside the cockpit and I needed all of it. I would also like to announce that we have added Aeromotive as an associate sponsor. The opportunity to stabilize our fuel system and assist Aeromotive in promoting their line of automotive and racing fuel systems and components has us really jazzed,” added Ahten.

The power of Ahten Racing’s nitromethane injected dragster, nicknamed the “Stump Puller,” was evident in Saturday morning’s first session when Johnny ripped off a 5.291/248.52. That run was only 248.52 miles per hour because Johnny lifted at 4.85 seconds as a planned shake down pass. The 227mph at half track shows a mid to low twenty! The day’s second session a 5.336/261.57 provided reassurance and a healthy top end charge. This performance landed Johnny with a first round match-up with Derik Milanesio. In the first race back after winning the 2013 Finals at Pomona, Johnny extended his round win streak to five with a quick pedal-job 5.453/260.41 to Milanesio’s 5.741/242.15.

Going into Sunday’s second round race against Casey Grisel, crew chief Al Ahten, with tuning input from Howard Katano and Johnny were looking to go quicker. Along with crew members Bob Ahten, Kevin Colvell, and Chuck Costabile, the Stump Puller was tuned up and ready for action. As Johnny left the line against Grisel, he was anticipating the possibility of having to pedal the car. What he was not expecting was after the initial tire shake was the Stump Puller moving sideways. “It was on a run, added Johnny Ahten. “Our .924 sixty foot time was good and the G-meter on the car was the highest I have ever seen it. There was no reason for the car to react the way it did, but in racing it happens.” Grisel crossed the line for the round win with a 5.480/266.27. Johnny could only coast down the track after his sideways drifting impersonation at just over 96 miles per hour and a 8.862 time slip. Gone was the round winning streak, and with it, the opportunity to garner a bookend trophy.

The first race of the 2014 NHRA season provided Johnny and the Ahten Racing Team a glimpse into their future. They have the power to run with the competition. Gone was the mystery of how big of an impact the various rule changes would affect the tune up. Added to the arsenal was positive tuning run data and a new association with Aeromotive. The winter break is finally over and the going-rounds mindset has taken over. Ahten Racing’s next race will be Feb 28-March 2 at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix, AZ. To stay informed visit: www.facebook.com/JohnnyAhtenRacing

…
Island Renovations understands the complexity of Hawaii's homes and their customers’ needs. Whether you are looking to build, remodel, or replace your existing windows and doors, Island Renovations is there to provide outstanding service and products to give your home added value with the satisfaction and peace of mind from a company that puts their customers first. Visit us: www.islandrenovations.net

The Combust Filters Oil By-Pass Filtration System provides 3 Micron filtration, 100% Water Removal, Soot Removal, Extended Engine Life, Pollution Prevention, and Reduced Oil Consumption. By keeping the oil free of moisture contamination and particulates larger than 3 microns, your engine oil will have reduced Oxidation, Nitration, while maintaining required oil viscosity and TBN for proper lubrication. Our system incorporates only the best technology and quality construction for ease of use and installation. Features include an easy to read pressure gauge, 2 sizes of spin-on filters (7” and 12”), a push button oil sample valve, and a custom flow fitting to ensure a continuous proper flow. No internal moving parts to wear out! Visit us at: www.combustfilters.com 

Mixed Results for Hunter at Winternationals TAFC Debut

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Synoil Racing

 

POMONA, Calif. (February 12) – Top Alcohol Funny Car newcomer Greg Hunter experienced the highs and lows of racing in his Synoil Racing debut at the NHRA Circle K Winternationals last weekend. The Wyoming driver posted a strong qualifying time but a simple mechanical failure ended his race day in the first round. Despite the mixed results, Hunter is still enthusiastic about his new ride.

“It was a spectacular weekend. I felt more comfortable in the car on each pass. We came out and made a great pass in the first qualifying session and felt we were on our way to a better finish. We would've won first round but the safety box shut the car off at 1000 feet. We were really disappointed about that but overall I'm very excited. The car is making a lot of power. We just need to get a handle on it,” Greg said.

In the first qualifying session, Hunter drove the Geoff Goodwin-owned Synoil Energy Services/ExactAir entry to a 5.622 at 257 MPH, which stood for No. 2 by the end of the session. Unable to improve in the later two sessions, Greg fell to seventh, right in the middle of a group of four drivers who clocked the same exact elapsed time.

“It was pretty cool to run a 5.62 right out of the box,” Greg added. “We were the first car to run and we held on to the No. 1 spot until the second to last pair when Jay Payne went by us.”

Hunter went into eliminations with just two runs of experience racing alongside another alcohol funny car in the other lane. He most recently drove a blown TAD for the past two years, but Greg is new to NHRA TAFC racing.

“I was a little nervous on my first side-by-side qualifying run next to Jay Payne, who's been doing this for a long time. It was nice having my wife, Staci, back me up from the burnouts – that was a familiar aspect. I started to feel more and more comfortable after each run,” Greg claimed.

The Synoil Racing Funny Car flexed its muscles first round, but the aforementioned safety box, which automatically shuts the car off in the case of an emergency, activated accidentally. Hunter's package of .041 reaction time and 5.689 ET would've been enough to win five of the six other round races, but his opponent, eventual race winner Brian Hough, ran just a bit quicker. Hough crossed the finish line .006 seconds ahead of Greg, 5.674.

“We were all disappointed; we thought we had a good chance to win the race. On the bright side, it was an absolute pleasure to be driving the Synoil car. I also had a great time in the pit area, visiting with our sponsors and the team's previous driver, Jason Rupert. It was a good atmosphere and I had a lot of fun.

“Special thanks to the entire Synoil team for welcoming me and my wife to the team. Everyone on the team gelled really well together, especially after testing in Vegas. We really enjoyed our first race with them and we're looking forward to a successful season with this great group of people,” said Greg, who joins Synoil Racing after driving the ExactAir TAD for the past two seasons.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team have teamed up for the 2014 season. With primary support from Synoil Energy Services and ExactAir Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltd., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Southgate Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowling Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Waylon Transport, Hampton's Oilfield Service, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Castrol.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Demke Opens 2014 Season with Dominating Winternationals Victory

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

POMONA, Calif. (February 10) – Top Alcohol Dragster championship hopeful Chris Demke opened his 2014 season with a dominating win at the NHRA Circle K Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway last weekend. His Peen Rite/OSI/Boost Performance Products blown alcohol dragster was the quickest TAD all weekend, running 5.21 in Q3 and staying in the twenties through eliminations.

“It was a surprise but it was a great feeling,” Demke said of his car's performance. “Testing before Pomona didn't go so well but I knew the car had potential. I was confident in the information we acquired last year and the tune-up decisions we made in the offseason.”

The weekend started slow for the California driver, as he smoked the tires on Friday's only qualifying run. The Adam Rhoades-tuned dragster made up for it on the next two runs, 5.34 and 5.218 at a booming 276.46 MPH, tied for the fourth-quickest blown alcohol run and second-fastest blown speed. That run made Demke the No. 1 qualifier by six hundredths.

“Qualifying was a challenge – tire smoke on Q1 then I messed up on Q2. It all came together on Q3 when we ripped off that 5.21, which we really didn't expect. It was a great feeling knowing that we had all of our ducks in a row going into eliminations,” Chris stated.

With only fifteen cars in attendance, Chris was given a first round bye run. The Peen Rite team used the opportunity to test the track and go for E2 lane choice, running 5.22/275.9 MPH. Demke ran another low twenty in the second round, 5.23/275.51 MPH to beat Megan McKernan's 5.57. The Maddern Racing entry slowed slightly to a 5.276 in the semifinals, but it was enough to defeat Casey Grisel's 5.57.

“Each round had it's challenges,” Demke said. “I never take the competition lightly. I stay on the offense mentally and we do the same with the tune-up. Certainly racing Megan McKernan on Sunday morning had me worried. She ran her career-best in first round and her reaction times were improving. I have a sizable win/loss record over Megan and I knew she would be coming after us.”

Chris Demke also had his guard up as he went into the final round, where he would meet Canadian A/Fuel driver Don St. Arnaud.

“St. Arnaud is a great leaver. His car shows extreme power, as he had top speed of the meet. I have great respect for his tuner, Javin Marvsich. He had a solid tune-up and Don was doing his job on the starting line. Though we had the performance advantage going into the final, I knew we had to bring our A-game if we wanted to win the race.”

Demke and St. Arnaud put on one of the better races of the weekend, but Chris' reaction time advantage and blown alcohol power were too much for Don's A/Fuel charge. Demke won, 5.251/275 to 5.32/276.

“I know that I'm the favorite to win the championship this year. One race win doesn't win a championship but it helps my chances to start the season with a win. We'll try to keep it going as we head to the Phoenix regional race in a few weeks,” Chris concluded.

Maddern Racing is a family-owned and operated NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster team based in Southern California. The Chris Demke-driven Peen Rite/OSI/Boost Performance Products dragster is owned by Jerry Maddern and crewed by Adam Rhoades, Kevin Watson, Mike Demke, Greg Rice and Robert Hadaller. 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., Boost Performance Products, B-G Detection, Afco, and LA X-Ray.

Ahten Back at Pomona, Ready for More

Courtesy of Todd Veney/Pro Sportsman Association
Photo courtesy of Mike Cornelius

Off the radar just a year ago, alcohol racing's newest champion, Johnny Ahten, is one of the favorites to win Top Alcohol Dragster at the Winternationals after putting his name in the record books forever with an emotional victory at the 2013 World Finals, his first NHRA win anywhere.

"I got to savor that longer than anybody who won last year, and we're right back at the same track," says Ahten, a 42-year-old fireman from Santa Clarita, Calif. "I would have been thrilled to win even if there was an asterisk next to it, if all four guys red-lighted against me, but the way it happened really made it special."

All Ahten did was trailer some of the biggest names ever: many-time national event winners Shawn Cowie and Joey Severance in the early rounds, Mark Taliaferro in the semifinals, and the man himself, outgoing world champ Jim Whiteley, in the final. "Cowie's a pretty tough draw for a first-round race, and everybody knows Severance is one of the best drivers out there," Ahten says. "Norm Grimes was already tuning Taliaferro's car by then, and they're probably the favorites to win the championship this year. And Whiteley … what can you say? We were in the lanes before the final, and there's Whiteley standing at my tailgate, there's Manzo, and there I was, part of the conversation. I was in awe. I told Jim I was about to have the best seat in the house when he ran another 5-teen, but by the time I got belted in the car, I was thinking, 'This is it. I'm gonna do it.' "

He did, with an outstanding .016 reaction time and another steady run, while Whiteley, on what he knew would be his last run in a Top Alcohol Dragster, lost traction trying to match his landmark 5.17 at the 2012 Finals. "You couldn't have written it any better – our first national event win, first NHRA win, and right there at Pomona," Ahten says. "My family, my friends, and a bunch of off-duty firemen were there to see it. As great as it would have been to win at Seattle or Topeka or anywhere, it happened at Pomona. I took that Wally with me to the fire station and everywhere I went for a while. It was like my own Stanley Cup – 'Hey, look everybody.' "

Ahten's not just another firefighter – he's a captain for one of the biggest fire departments in the world, the Los Angeles County Fire Dept., a 22-year-veteran at just 42. His father, Al, worked out of the same station as drag racing's most famous fireman, "Big Jim" Dunn, and young Johnny literally wore hand-me-downs from Mike Dunn. (Ahten also has another connection to drag racing history: He lives five doors down from "Lil John" Lombardo.)

Dunn won the 1981 World Finals at Orange County International Raceway, and Lombardo won there in 1983. "I still can't believe I won the same race," Ahten says. "I grew up going to Orange County and dreaming of winning the World Finals someday, and it was just like I always thought it would be – better. All those old tracks are gone now – Orange County, Irwindale, Lions, Fontana – and that day took me right back to Orange County. Where else could I have won and had everybody there with me? The alcohol cars don't run at Sonoma or Bakersfield anymore, so Pomona is the only place in the whole state of California to race your car."

Ahten has been getting faster every year and nearly won his first NHRA title last year at the Seattle regional, where he set low e.t. in the semifinals and was runner-up to Chris Demke. "We've been working on our consistency, and it's the reason we won Pomona," says Ahten, who raced A/Fuel for 10 years before his Pomona breakthrough. "That's what we're trying to focus on this year with this old car."

Ahten's dragster is one of Shelly Anderson's Top Fuel cars, a Dave Uyehara-built piece from 1996 and the only A/Fueler he's ever driven. "I think Bill Reichert's car is the only one out there that's older than ours," he says. "My dad and I have been drawn to A/Fuel since we used to watch Chess Bushey, 'Junkyard Ed,' David Baca, Rick Henkelman, all those guys. The procedure inside the car is the same as it is in a Top Fuel car, and this is the closest you're ever going to get to Top Fuel without running one." Like everyone who ever raced a Top Alcohol Dragster, Ahten dreams of one day competing in Top Fuel, but for now he's content to be a legitimate contender to win anywhere in A/Fuel.

"Working on the car this off-season was no different than it ever was," he says. "The stress of waiting for something to be delivered at the last minute so you can run your car, all the time and all the work – that's all been the same. But I feel a little different than I used to. We've achieved something. We really can play this game. We're not just on the roster anymore – we're in the game. Confidence – I wouldn't call it that. But it's a different feeling. We know we can win Pomona this weekend because we've already done it."

Greg Hunter and Synoil Racing Starting First Season Together at Pomona

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Synoil Racing

POMONA, Calif. (February 6) – Wyoming's Greg Hunter starts the 2014 NHRA season with a new team, car, and class. After two years of competing in Top Alcohol Dragster, Hunter is making the switch to Top Alcohol Funny Car with Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Energy Services team. The Canadian group will enter their first race together at this weekend's NHRA Circle K Winternationals in Pomona.

Greg and the Synoil Racing team recently tested in Las Vegas to prepare for the season-opening race. The test session was a welcomed opportunity for Greg to acquaint himself with the Synoil car and the driving style required to drive a high-powered, short wheelbase alcohol funny car.

“Testing went great. The Synoil team did an awesome job of making me feel comfortable in the car. They're truly a professional team. We made a few successful practice runs which gave me time to adjust to the driving style of a funny car. The first full run was a 5.62 at 248 MPH. The results from testing really have me excited for the Winternationals,” Greg exclaimed.

Hunter, who brings his ExactAir sponsorship to the new team, was in the process of fielding his own alcohol funny car when he got the opportunity to drive the Kenny Gilmour Motorsports Top Alcohol Dragster in 2012. Greg says one of the biggest changes was the difference between the in-car experience in his car and the in-car experience in the Synoil car.

“I had very limited experience with my screw-blown alcohol funny car. We were always working on it, trying to make it run right. Going from that car to a car that is competitive from the start is the biggest difference. It's a newer car with all current, top-notch parts. That aspect has made the switch go smoothly.”

Greg's two years of experience in the dragster and the time spent preparing over the winter helped him make the switch back to Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Overall, it was a smooth transition,” Hunter claimed. “The experience I had in a dragster, the faster speeds, helped me make the transition to driving a competitive alcohol funny car. I got a lot of really good sensations from being in the car, such as the push-pull sensation. Just hearing the motor in front of me and being ready to go that fast helped a lot. I felt very comfortable in the car.”

Though the Winternationals will be the team's first race together, Greg is already happy with his new opportunity.

“I'm super excited going into this season. I've known the guys for a while and got along well with them. Geoff and Walley (Protz) are legends in Canadian drag racing. Learning about their history and what they've been a part of makes it an honor for me to have the opportunity to drive their car,” said Hunter, who is originally from Alberta, Canada.

The Synoil Racing team will be racing with heavy hearts, as crew member John Leach lost his father earlier this week. Greg and the team send their thoughts and prayers to the Leach family.

Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions at the NHRA Circle K Winternationals are scheduled for 11 AM and 2:30 PM Friday and 10:30 AM Saturday. Eliminations will start at 2:30 on Saturday afternoon.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team have teamed up for the 2014 season. With primary support from Synoil Energy Services and ExactAir Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltd., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Southgate Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowling Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Waylon Transport, Hampton's Oilfield Service, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Castrol.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Sanford Set for TAD Sophomore Season Start

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

POMONA, Calif. (February 5) – SoCal native Ashley Sanford will be making her sophomore season debut this weekend at the NHRA Circle K Winternationals in Pomona. The popular A/Fuel Dragster driver is embarking on her first full season in the competitive Top Alcohol Dragster after joining the class last year. The 20-year old driver is eager to build upon her experience, starting this weekend at her home track.

“I'm really excited for this season because I know I'll be able to progress as a driver. Even in the five short races we competed in last year, I learned a lot. I think the extra seat time I'll have this year will be valuable. I'm just so excited for the season as a whole, getting to learn so much and hopefully making a final round,” said Sanford, who resides in nearby Fullerton.

Ashley and her Gelish/Lucas Oil team will again be joined by noted A/Fuel tuner Tom Conway, who tuned the car at the team's last three races in 2013.

“We're excited to have Tom Conway tuning the car again this weekend,” Ashley claimed. “Just as we're learning, Tom has been learning the tendencies of our car. We've all learned a lot since he first started working with us in Vegas last year. He's been great to work with and it's an honor to have him helping us.”

“The whole team has been working hard over the offseason to get the car ready for the Winternationals. We made a few changes to accommodate the new rules, which we hope will have a positive impact on our performance. With the combination of Tom Conway and our capable crew, I'm confident that we'll have a successful outing at Pomona,” added Shane Sanford, Ashley's father and team owner.

For Ashley, the aspect of racing 'at home' makes the start of the season even more thrilling.

“I think racing in Pomona is the most exciting part. Not only do I get to go out for the first time this season, I get to do it with all of my family and friends from the area. It's comforting to race so close to home. Though it can be more nerve-wracking – I always want to do better at my home track.”

The family-run team enters the 2014 season with the valued support from all of their 2013 sponsors, including expanded support from national hotel chain America's Best Value Inns.

“America's Best Value Inns has stepped up their support of us this year to help get us to more races. I'm also happy to have the continued support from all of our sponsors from last year – Gelish, Lucas Oil, Roscoe's Famous Deli, Heroes Bar & Grill, and The D and the Golden Gate Las Vegas hotels and casinos,” Ashley commented.

Top Alcohol Dragster qualifying at the Circle K Winternationals, Feb. 7-9, starts on Friday at 11 AM and 2:30 PM. Another final qualifying session is set for 10 AM Saturday. Eliminations start on Saturday afternoon and continue on Sunday.

Frederosa's Team Extreme is a family-owned A/Fuel Dragster team competing in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. 20 year old Ashley Sanford drives the team's Gelish Soak-Off Gel Nail Polish dragster, tuned by Tom Conway. Frederosa's Team Extreme crew – Troy, Dave, Ed, Mike, Jeff, Dean, Torrey, and Robin, formerly worked on the team's pair of high-powered, championship-winning sand dragsters. The team receives support from Gelish Soak-Off Nail Polish, Lucas Oil, America's Best Value Inns, Lexington Hotels, Roscoe's Famous Deli, Heroes Bar & Grill, The D Las Vegas Hotel and Casino and The Golden Gate Hotel and Casino.

For more information on Ashley Sanford and the Gelish/Lucas Oil team, please visit www.ashleysanforddragracing.com. Follow her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ashleysanforddragracing) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/ashleyracergirl).