Demke Steers Peen Rite Dragster to Quarterfinal Finish at U.S. Nationals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (September 6, 2016) – Top Alcohol Dragster veteran Chris Demke entered last weekend’s 62nd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals with a lot on his mind. Of course he was thinking about winning a second U.S. Nationals title, but he was also trying to shake a mental funk that he picked up after sustaining a dramatic crash at the Seattle regional race just weeks prior. As it turned out, it wouldn’t take long for the past world champion to move past the accident.

Driving Maddern Racing’s spare car, the same car he drove to the 2014 NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster world championship, Demke started off U.S. Nationals qualifying with another tense situation. He was already halfway down the Lucas Oil Raceway strip when he realized the steering wheel had become detached from the steering shaft upon launch. The Peen Rite/Boost Performance Products dragster was heading for the left retaining wall as it crossed the finish line at around 90 mph, but Demke took matters into his own hands.

“In my mind I was thinking, ‘I’m not ending my weekend like this.’ I grabbed the steering shaft with my hands and cranked it as hard as I could to the right. It felt like I steered it away from the wall, but more than likely the car moved over from the parachutes deploying automatically. Either way, the car remained in one piece to race another round,” Demke said with relief.

While the incident didn’t help in the performance department, it did allow Demke to move on from his jarring crash at Seattle.

“As crazy as it was, that run really helped me put the crash behind me. It was a test of how much I really wanted to race. I just had that thought of, “there’s no way I’m going to let this car hit a wall again.” What I went through in Seattle changed my mentality. Physically I was fine, but mentally I had some demons to deal with.”

The steering situation was promptly fixed by car chief Kevin Watson and the Maddern Racing crew, allowing Demke to pilot the Peen Rite rail to passes of 5.287, 5.324 and 5.303 to qualify eighth in the strong field.

“I really felt comfortable after qualifying. We knew we had a nice, consistent car going into eliminations. However, going into eliminations, especially being at Indy, I felt more butterflies than I did that first round of qualifying. I was extremely nervous, but Kevin got the tune-up right and we ran our low et of the weekend,” Demke recalled of his first-round win, 5.281 over David Brounkowski.

Demke’s time at the U.S. Nationals ended in the second round when the car and driver slowed when their opponent stepped up. Demke cut a .129 light and ran a respectable 5.345 alongside Midwest hitter Mia Tedesco, who ran 5.289 to move on.

“Unfortunately I just messed up on the starting line. After switching to the different car with different pedals, I was having trouble holding my staging rpms all weekend. The rpms dropped and I hurriedly rushed to bring the rpms back up. That distracted me and I had a bad light,” admitted the 2014 U.S. Nationals champion.

Despite the sour points of the weekend, Demke was upbeat about the team’s performance at the prestigious Labor Day race. He’ll have another chance to race for a Wally in a couple weeks at the NHRA Carolina Nationals, September 16-18, at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.

“We did much better than we expected. I feel comfortable in the car again, but I think I still need some seat time before I’m back to where I was before the crash.”

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 Kevin Watson, Aimee Maddern, Mike Demke, Greg Rice, Robert Hadaller, and Ryan Miller. 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, Motorsports Unlimited, VP Racing Fuels, and Morningwood Energy Drink.

Seattle Crash Won't Keep Demke from Racing at NHRA U.S. Nationals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (August 31, 2016) – Less than two weeks ago, Chris Demke was climbing out of his mangled Top Alcohol Dragster chassis after a high-speed crash during the second qualifying session at an NHRA West Region race in Seattle. The crash would’ve put some other teams out of commission for weeks, it not months, but the Maddern Racing team went right to work preparing their spare car for this weekend’s 62nd annual Chevrolet Performance NHRA U.S. Nationals.

Racing at Pacific Raceways’ regional event, Demke was qualified seventh going into the second qualifying session when he encountered traction issues, pedaled a few times, and smacked the wall around the eighth-mile mark. The car then shot sideways across the centerline and hit the right wall, eventually coming to a stop past the finish line.

“Having won the Seattle regional the last three years, this is absolutely not how I wanted things to happen. I’m upset with myself for the driver error and destroying a beautiful race car. I’m very thankful to have a team that can put what happened behind them and move on to the next race,” Demke stressed.

The Peen Rite/Boost Performance Products team would’ve worked to prepare their spare car going into any race, but the effort was supercharged due to the fact that their next planned race was the legendary U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Demke won the 60th anniversary edition of the prestigious event in 2014.

“The decision to go to Indy was made the afternoon after I crashed. The team rolled the broken chassis into the trailer and we all knew that if we were going to attempt to go to Indy, the decision had to be made that afternoon. We reviewed our options in a team meeting and the decision was made to make our best effort.”

Demke will roll into Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis with a very capable Uyehara chassis that previously carried the Californian driver to the 2014 NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster world championship and several race wins.

“Thanks to the Herculean efforts of Kevin Watson [car chief] and Jerry Maddern [team owner] and assistant Robert Hadaller, they pulled our other car out of storage and got her prepared in a very short period of time. We were prepared to go from Seattle to Indy. To change our plans and come all the way back to L.A., perform this work, and get the rig back on the road with a completely different car was nothing short of phenomenal.

“This car is the car I won the 2014 championship with and we used it through the Vegas national and regional earlier this year. We’re very familiar with this car and I’m very comfortable driving it; it’s not a huge change. Thankfully we took as little as possibly off of it when we put together this last car, but it was still a major task to get it ready for Indy,” Demke commented.

Fortunately, the Maddern Racing blown alcohol dragster was the only thing that was injured during the crash.

“The crash was violent as most crashes are, but all of the safety equipment worked flawlessly and I was able to walk away unscathed,” Demke recalled. “I had some tenderness, but nothing that a little Advil didn’t take care of. Honestly, I played some Ultimate Frisbee last week and I was sorer after that than I was after the crash.”

Chris Demke and the Peen Rite/Boost Performance Products dragster will take to the legendary Lucas Oil Raceway quartermile for the first two Top Alcohol Dragster qualifying session on Friday, September 2nd. Another two sessions will follow on Saturday morning. The first two rounds of eliminations will be contested on Sunday. The semifinals and final round will run on Labor Day, Monday, September 5th.

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 Kevin Watson, Aimee Maddern, Mike Demke, Greg Rice, Robert Hadaller, and Ryan Miller. 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, Motorsports Unlimited, VP Racing Fuels, and Morningwood Energy Drink.

TAD's Chris Demke Enters U.S. Nationals as Defending Event Champion

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (September 2, 2015) – Top Alcohol Dragster national points leader Chris Demke enters the prestigious 61st Annual Chevrolet Performance NHRA U.S. Nationals as the defending event and world champion, but he isn't overly confident heading into the sport's most storied race. Demke's performance at his last two races in Seattle provided a reminder that no matter the number on the wing or amount of Wallys in the trophy case, anything can happen when it comes to 3,500-horsepower racecars.

“It was a shock,” Demke said of a first-round loss at the NHRA Northwest Nationals last month. “It was a round we should have won, but we swapped engines after the last round of qualifying and a small bolt didn't get tightened in assembly. It didn't show up in the warm-up, but it certainly got our attention at the one-two shift when it shut the car off. The only thing damaged was our team's ego.”

Demke and his Peen Rite/Boost Performance Products teammates rebounded at the Seattle NHRA regional race a couple weeks later when the California native grabbed a holeshot win over Garrett Bateman in a 5.294-to-5.294 final-round decision.

“We knew we had to win that race to get any points out of it. Mission accomplished.

“That race was way harder than I expected. After seeing the performance of the west coast alcohol dragsters at the Woodburn regional, I thought, 'These guys have lost it.' As it turned out, not one round of eliminations was a gimme. Every one of those teams who raced us swung for the fences and connected. If it hadn't been for a total team effort on the Maddern Racing end, the results may not have been as they were,” Demke noted.

After a thorough freshening, the Peen Rite blown alcohol dragster has made its way to Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis for “The Big Go”, the U.S. Nationals. Demke won the 60th running of the race last year, and reached the final round in 2013. Maddern Racing also won Indy in 1998 with Darren Nicholson driving.

“Indy is a huge race. Everybody who matters is going to be there and then some. This race has huge points implications towards the championship, but I'm just trying to treat this as another race. I want to enjoy what Indy is, and it's a huge celebration of drag racing,” Demke said.

With 24 Top Alcohol Dragsters entered for the U.S. Nationals , including eight other top 10 drivers in national points, there will be no room for mistakes.

“This race is not going to be easy by any means. The best of the best will be there. We'll just go there and give it our best. Based on how things have gone this year, if we can make it past first round, I'm confident we'll do well. My team knows how to go rounds, and I have every bit of confidence in them. We'll put our best effort forward, because every round matters from here until the World Finals at Pomona.”

Chris Demke and the Peen Rite/Boost Performance Products Top Alcohol Dragster team will have four chances to qualify for the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway, Sept. 2-7. Qualifying sessions are scheduled for 1:45 and 4:45 PM on Friday, 12:30 PM on Saturday, and 9:45 AM on Sunday. First round of eliminations will take place at 5:45 PM Sunday evening. Eliminations continue on Labor Day Monday after first round of NHRA Mello Yello Series competition.

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.MaddernRacing.com.

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

Demke Claims Meaningful U.S. Nationals Victory

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photos courtesy of Nate Van Wagnen

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Sept. 3) – After multiple close attempts at the biggest race of the year, NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster driver Chris Demke can finally call himself a U.S. Nationals champion. He won the event as a crew member in the past. Demke, the current national points leader, has won races from California to Florida and everywhere in between, but a win as a driver at the prestigious “Big Go” has eluded him to this point.

“Our team won the U.S. Nationals in 1998 with Darren Nicholson driving, and that was huge. It was our second race win ever and our first national event win. I won then as a crew member but I've always wanted to win it as a driver. I knew with our car's recent performance that we always had a chance. We struggled a little – struggled is a relative term – but in the end the Wally is ours. It's an incredible feeling; indescribable,” Demke exclaimed.

Demke qualified the Peen Rite/OSI/Boost Performance Products blown alcohol dragster in the fourth position, running 5.375, 5.323 and 5.331 elapsed times during the rain-plagued qualifying sessions.

“We struggled in qualifying,” Demke claimed. “From anyone else's perspective we did great, but I'm getting cocky and I'm just not happy with number four qualifier. The car was very consistent but it wasn't fast enough. We'd turn one knob and the the car would run a thirty-two. We'd turn another knob and the car would run a thirty-three. Finally we turned all of the knobs on kill for the semifinals and the car ran a twenty-eight. At that point I was satisfied with the car's performance.”

Eliminations at the 60th Annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals started with a close 5.328 to 5.340 race against David Brounkowski. Chris achieved top speed of the event in the second round, clicking off a 5.339 at 272 MPH to beat Shawn Cowie's 5.402. The run of the weekend, however, came in the semifinals, when Demke powered to a 5.281 victory over Brainerd winner Randy Meyer. The Maddern Racing machine had its worst run of the weekend in the final round, a tire-smoking 5.80, but opponent Rich McPhillips left too early with a red light, handing the win to Demke.

“After the semifinals the computer data made it clear that the 5.28 was on the ragged edge. We should have backed it down for the final, but hindsight is 20/20. I didn't know that McPhillips red-lit until about half-track where I felt like I hit the wall twice and crossed the center line a few times. When I got the car settled down, I looked up and noticed my win light was already on. We're lucky that McPhillips red-lit or he probably would have won. It's not how I expected to win, but I'll take it,” recalled the popular driver.

The U.S. Nationals win is Demke's third national event win of the 2014 season, adding to his recent string of four regional event wins. With his national points scorecard already maxed out on claimable regional wins, national event wins like this are important to the Maddern Racing chase for their first national championship.

“I padded my points lead. I haven't locked it (the national championship) up yet but I'm having the greatest year of my career. I'm really looking forward to my next few races,” Demke concluded.

Chris Demke and the Peen Rite/OSI/Boost Performance Products Top Alcohol Dragster team will head to Charlotte, N.C. next for the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway, September 12-14.

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, and Morningwood Energy Drink.

Randy Meyer Earns Brainerd National Win at U.S. Nationals

Courtesy of Randy Meyer Racing

 September 2nd, 2014 – On August 14th – 17th, the 33rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals was held at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota. Unfortunately, the race was canceled due to a tremendous amount of rain, and eliminations rounds for sportsman racers were completed at different races.

For Top Alcohol Dragster, the semi-final and final round of eliminations were to be held at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis during qualifying on Labor Day weekend. Randy Meyer, who qualified his Injected-Nitro machine in the second spot with a 5.33 E.T. pass at 269 mph, faced Dean Dubbin, the 13th qualifier, for the opening round of eliminations. Randy spun the tires on the launch, causing a slow start, but he quickly recovered the run and crossed the finish line first with a 5.41 E.T. at 265 mph.

With a not-so-full field, Randy got a free pass in the second and quarterfinal round, and ran an unopposed 5.30 E.T. at 269 mph. After this pass, however, rain interrupted the race and caused another delay. The race for Top Alcohol Dragster was postponed after the showers, and declared to be finished at the U.S. Nationals.

While in Indy, Randy faced Duane Shields for the semi-finals of the Lucas Oil Nationals, and got the round win with a 5.32 E.T. at 270 mph, but did not earn lane-choice over Tripp Tatum for the finals. Wrapping up the final round of eliminations from Brainerd during the third qualifying session of the U.S. Nationals, Randy Meyer was off the starting line first, and never looked back as he ran the quickest time of qualifying, earning the number one spot, and the Lucas Oil Brainerd National event win with a 5.27 E.T. at 271 mph.

This win was the Randy Meyer Racing Team’s fifth win of the season, and Randy’s second NHRA National event win of the year.

“We were eager for this win from Brainerd,” said Randy. “We have had a great turn-around from our struggling performance earlier this summer, and we have one of the best race cars and crews out there. I am very proud of my team, they deserve it.”

Supporting Randy Meyer Racing for this race was John Haley #1 Roofer, LLC based out of the Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota, who provides residential and commercial roofing, siding, gutters, remodeling, windows, repair needs, snow and ice removal, and more (click here to learn more).

“Investing in the Randy Meyer Racing Team was a good decision for me,“ claimed John Haley, owner of John Haley #1 Roofer, LLC. “I had a lot of race cars to pick from to advertise for me during the Brainerd race, and Randy was my first choice. He has all the qualities of what it takes to be #1. He is friendly, caring, helpful to other racers in distress, and respectful of others below him on the ladder of life. He is very serious in his efforts to do the best he can to win races. I have much respect for Randy and his team, and we would like to put our name on his car again next year for the Brainerd race.”

The television schedule for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals event has not been released yet. We will announce the date on our Facebook Page: (/RandyMeyerRacing).

Randy Meyer Racing would like to thank their sponsors for their support and dedication to the team: Lucas Oil, Smart Chicken, John Haley #1 Roofer, LLC, Aeromotive Fuel Systems, NGK Spark Plugs, MOTOR MEDIC, Quik-Latch Products, Boninfante, Taylor Cable, Aeroquip Performance, Belzona Industrial Solutions, Rezner trailers, ARP, Copeland Race Cars, MAHLE Clevite, Hedman Hedders, and Moroso.

For more information on the Randy Meyer Racing Team, please visit: www.randymeyerracing.com

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RandyMeyerRacing

Duane Shields and PEAK A/Fuel Dragster Go Two Rounds at Indy

Courtesy of Rich Bailey

Nate Van Wagnen photo



At the 60th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, it was two races in one for Duane Shields. Beside competing for the US National title, he had a little bit of unfinished business to attend to as the NHRA ran the final two rounds of the Lucas Oil Nationals from Brainerd during qualifying.

Duane was competing against Randy Meyer in the postponed semi-final round. At the start, Duane had to pedal the car but still had a super close race along side Meyer. At the other end it was Meyer taking the win with a 5.32 to Duane’s close 5.35.

Duane was then able to concentrate on winning the prestigious US Nationals title. In round one, Duane who qualified ninth with a 5.35 at 265 MPH faced Ashley Sanford. At the hit, Sanford red lit and then shook the tires. Duane went on to make a very smooth run after battling tire shake most of the weekend. Duane recorded a 5.37 at 263 MPH to advance to round two.

In the second round, Duane was determined to return the favor from his earlier defeat as he again faced Randy Meyer. As the lights came down, Duane was out of the gate first with an 0.050 to Meyer’s slower 0.094. Duane then experienced some early tire shake but was able to still make a race out of it. At the stripe, Meyer won a close one again as he rung up a 5.31 at 269 MPH to Duane’s valiant 5.37 at 268 MPH. The margin of victory for Meyer was just .0128 of a second.

Duane was very disappointed with the loss but happy with his team's effort. “The only reason we go to Indy is to win and Randy Meyer got me twice this weekend. We gave it a good effort but Indy plays out differently than other races so you never know what’s going to happen. We faced some of the best competition out there so we had the tune up on the edge and it was either going to work or it wasn't” Duane said.

Duane would like to congratulate Jay and Shelly Payne and the entire PEAK Top Alcohol Funny Car team on there big win at Indy as well as thank PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil, Final Charge, Blue Def, NGK, GRP and Brad Anderson Enterprises for all of their support in 2014.

A/Fuel Driver Ashley Sanford Anticipating First U.S. Nationals Experience

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 28) – Southern California native Ashley Sanford and her Gelish Gel Nail Polish A/Fuel dragster team have made the trek to Indianapolis for the legendary NHRA national event known by many simply as “The Big Go”. The 60th Annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, August 27 through September 1, is the one race that every drag racer wants to enter, and Sanford is doing just that for the first time this weekend.

“I'm blown away by the experience so far,” she said of the historic race. “It's kind of a racer's dream to come to Indy, especially coming from southern California. Making the trip to Indy is a big deal for a sportsman team like ours. It's the 60th anniversary, my first time here – I'm so excited for the experience.”

This is the first time 20-year old Ashley Sanford and her Gelish/Lucas Oil team have raced east of the Pacific Time Zone, which means new experiences for the driver and crew chief.

“I'm excited to meet new drivers. This race is going to be a challenge because there will be a lot of great A/Fuel cars. This will be a learning experience for me and my team. We're racing with drivers who we've never lined up against on a track that is new to us. I think we're up for the challenge though,” claimed the former sand dragster driver.

Sanford is looking to improve upon a first round loss at the Northwest Nationals in Seattle earlier this month.

“Seattle was after four months away from racing,” she noted. “We were all ready to be back but the car just had a few gremlins that have since been worked out. We're hoping to run some really great numbers. Our sixty-foot times are the best they've ever been so we have something to build on. Alcohol cars get four qualifying runs here instead of the typical three so we'll get that extra run and hopefully qualify in the top half of the field.”

Ashley is grateful for the efforts of her Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish team members, many of whom previously worked on her Top Alcohol sand rail.

“I wouldn't be able to do this without my crew's hard work. We all do this because it's what we love to do. Even when we aren't racing the team gets together to work on the car and plan for the next race. I really believe their hard work and time will be rewarded on-track soon – hopefully this weekend,” Sanford concluded.

The Sanford family also extended thanks to their sponsors, including new supporters K.C. Tint Works and No. 9 Saloon, two Kansas City-based businesses.

Top Alcohol Dragster qualifying at the 60th Annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals begins on Friday with sessions at 1:30 and 4:30 PM. Q3 is at 12:15 PM on Saturday. Teams get an Indy-exclusive fourth qualifying session at 9:45 AM Sunday, followed by first round of eliminations at 5:30 PM. Eliminations continue on Monday.

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, tuned by Troy Schweers. The Gelish team – team owner Shane Sanford, 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 Gel Nail Polish, Lucas Oil Products, America's Best Value Inns, Lexington Hotels, 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 Riding Four-Race Win Streak into U.S. Nationals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (August 27) – A fourth consecutive regional event win has Top Alcohol Dragster hitter Chris Demke primed for the upcoming 60^th Annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals near Indianapolis. Demke and his Maddern Racing team treated their most recent event, the Topeka regional race, as a test session for Indy and ended up in the winner's circle. They look to have similar success at “the Big Go”.

The Peen Rite-sponsored car and driver had one of their more impressive outings of the 2014 season at Topeka. Demke qualified No. 1 with a 5.325 and stayed in the five-thirties through eliminations. Both man and machine were quick and consistent, with Chris cutting .031, .044 and .043 lights. The California-based dragster ripped off 5.375, 5.320 and 5.336 elapsed times to secure the event win.

“We found everything we were looking for and more,” Demke said of the race/test session. “The team was looking for a quick, consistent tune-up for conditions that we could expect at Indy. I was working on improving my reaction times after receiving some advice from Tom Bayer, a sportsman racer who once drove Top Alcohol Dragster. While one race isn't conclusive, I think we found what we needed.”

With a promising tune-up and a stride in their step, Demke and his Jerry Maddern-led team head to Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Raceway for the prestigious U.S. Nationals, August 27-Sept. 1. Chris won the historic event in 1998 as a crew member when Darren Nicholson drove the Peen Rite entry. He has two “Big Go” semifinal appearances and a runner-up finish to his name as a driver, but he's anxious to get another shot at his first Indy win.

“Our team is going into Indy with the most momentum we've ever had going into this race. We feel confident in our chances and we're itching to get a second Indy win as a team, my first as a driver,” Demke noted.

The U.S. Nationals has been a noteworthy race since its inception in 1954, with drivers and teams traveling from all over the country to compete. Legends are made at Indy, and some of the most memorable moments in NHRA drag racing have taken place there. The history of the race is one of Demke's favorite parts of the annual visit to the racing capital of the world.

“Indy is a big race with a lot of history behind it. I'm proud to have the opportunity to race at the 60^th Annual U.S. Nationals, especially knowing the legends who will be there: Don Garlits, Shirley Muldowney, Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, and Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen, to name a few. This year I'm hoping to add my name to the list of drivers who won at Indy,” said the fan favorite driver.

Top Alcohol Dragster qualifying at the 60^th Annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals begins on Friday with sessions at 1:30 and 4:30 PM. Q3 is at 12:15 PM on Saturday. Teams get an Indy-exclusive fourth qualifying session at 9:45 AM Sunday, followed by first round of eliminations at 5:30 PM. Eliminations continue on Monday.

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, and Morningwood Energy Drink.

Simonton Takes a Wild Ride at Indy

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photos courtesy of NVW M.P.

CLERMONT, Ind. (September 4, 2013) – Top Alcohol Funny Car fan favorite Cassie Simonton suffered a close first round loss at last weekend’s 59^th Annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis. She was able to continue her SK Racing Monte Carlo’s streak of full passes into the final qualifying session where she went on a wild ride in an effort to improve in qualifying position.

Cassie’s Randy-Anderson tuned car was one of the most consistent through qualifying, running 5.702, 5.691, and 5.695 in the first three sessions.

  

“We had a consistent car all weekend,” Cassie said. “We were the No. 4 qualifier until the last session when I had a bit of a wild ride. We weren’t able to get down the track during the fast conditions so we were bumped down to tenth place.”

The fourth session provided the best conditions of the weekend, tempting tuners to shoot for the top spot. In Simonton’s attempt, the SK Racing entry struggled to stick to the track, giving the former Junior Dragster driver a tough time behind the wheel.

“It all happened really quickly. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I felt the other side of the car come down and I knew I was on two wheels. Luckily I was able to get it under control quickly before it crossed the center line or hit the wall. I’m happy that everything came out okay so we could keep racing for the rest of the weekend,” Simonton said of her close call.

A starting position in the bottom of the tight field meant a first round match-up with national points frontrunner Tony Bartone.

“Qualifying tenth set us up against one of the toughest drivers in the class, Tony Bartone, first round. It was a close race – 5.64 to 5.67 – but we were on the wrong side of it. We can’t be too upset with it. At least we went out there and made a full pass; it didn’t shake or smoke the tires or do anything stupid. It was another one of those close races that we’ve had this season, and came up a little short,” recalled Cassie, a new Indianapolis-area resident.

The legendary U.S. Nationals was the first weekend for new team sponsor Schepel Buick-GMC, a leading General Motors dealership based in Merrillville, Indiana. Drag racing fans might recognize Schepel from their long-running support of Top Alcohol Dragster driver Dave Hirata.

Kon Rodz Racing is a NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car team owned by Canadian businessman Spiro Kontos. Minnesota native Cassie Simonton drives the 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; Sadi, Lucas Oil, NGK Spark Plugs, Goodson, Goodyear, Clevite, Mac Tools, Artist ButchM, Flaming River Industries, Bell Racing, CRC Automotive Products, Top Alcohol News, Mid-Ontario Mack, Schepel Buick-GMC, 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's Regional Championship Chase Continues at Earlville

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of NVW M.P.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (September 4, 2013) – Following a No.1 qualifying effort and semifinal appearance in Bowling Green, Ky. and a strong showing at the legendary 59^th Annual U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Brandon Booher is heading to Earlville, Iowa with aspirations of locking up his first NHRA North Central regional championship. If Booher can seal the deal, he will be the first blown alcohol driver to win the North Central region/division title since 2008 and the first torque converter-equipped TAD to win it ever.

Brandon attempted to lock it up at the Bowling Green regional event two weeks ago. He earned his fourth No. 1 qualifying effort of the year and reached the semifinals. The AB Construction/Torque Management dragster left too early by just six thousandths of a second, ending his weekend and pushing back the championship decision.

Another strong qualifying attempt followed at last weekend’s prestigious U.S. Nationals. Booher qualified third in a field that included many of the top cars in the country. The 2010 Spitzer-built entry was one of the quickest car of all four qualifying sessions, including the final session when Brandon clicked off a 5.36 pass.

“I think it showed the car’s performance, that it can run right there with some of the best cars in the country, whether they’re blown or A/Fuel. The car has definite potential, and I think we’re just beginning to see what it can do. The big thing is we had consistency on all of those runs. We were able to improve every time the car went down the track. Going into eliminations, we had a secure foundation to build a successful race day,” said the 30-year old driver.

Brandon’s 5.38 first round win over Bill Litton was the second-quickest elapsed time of the round. The car was set up to repeat on the second round pass against Aaron Olivarez but the car’s magneto wouldn’t provide the power to make it happen.

“The car was idling low when we started it, which was weird. I had my dad pull the air bleeds off the injector and that helped. I staged the car, had a great reaction time, and then the car just didn’t want to go anywhere.  The team got it back to the pits and realized that the mag had lost phase. Basically the magneto was not generating any power. The car had two degrees of timing in it from the time I got on the trans-brake until the time I lifted it. When I saw Aaron’s front wheel there was no point in chasing. I knew my car had a problem. I would’ve been hurting parts that I need to go to Earlville to hopefully lock up the regional championship,” Brandon explained.

The former Pro Top Outlaw champion remains confident after second round losses at the last two races. Both losses came from preventable issues that the family-owned team has learned from.

“The car has been a picture of consistency,” Brandon claimed. “If you look at our losses this year, they’re all small issues – driver error with red lights, ignition issues, a silly wheelie bar problem, and a seized oil pump. You take away those issues and the car is on a string. It goes out and runs, doesn’t hurt parts, and it makes everything easier. It makes the crew’s job easier and it keeps my confidence level high. We had the red light at Bowling Green and the ignition problem here, but that does not deter me. The crew stuck around to service the car and prepare it for Earlville. We fixed the problem, everything is fresh, and we’re going to be ready to chase a regional championship this weekend.”

After calculations and in-depth conversations with his team, Brandon knows what needs to happen at this weekend’s NHRA Lucas Oil Series regional event in Earlville, Iowa.

“We need to win,”Booher said. “We need to erase any doubt, any skepticism, and any thoughts that what we’ve accomplished so far may be a fluke. It’s definitely not. As Al Davis said, ‘Just win, baby.’ That’s my goal. I’m going there with my eye on the prize and settling for nothing less than leaving with the trophy. From a mathematical standpoint, I believe we need to win first round to prevent Marty Thacker from going around us. We need to reach the finals to prevent Bill Reichert from going around us. Both of those cars would need to win another regional event to take the title. It’s kind of on my shoulders and it’s kind of not. To me, they have a lot more weight on theirs then I do mine. I control my own destiny to a point.”

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, Bell Helmets, Cantrell Racing Products, 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 Reaches Finals at 59th U.S. Nationals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of NVW M.P.

CLERMONT, Ind. (September 3, 2013) – Top Alcohol Dragster’s Chris Demke added another runner-up finish to his 2013 bid at the national championship, this time reaching the finals at the legendary 59^th Annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. The classic Labor Day meet was Demke’s sixth runner-up of the year.

Chris drove the Peen Rite/OSI/Boost Performance Products blown alcohol dragster to the No. 1 qualifying position during the final qualifying session after two consecutive low 5.4-second runs. His “Hail Mary” 5.33 put him on top of the U.S. Nationals qualifying order, which included twenty four cars from around the country.

“We struggled early in qualifying,” Chris recalled. “We smoked the tires on the first hit then had to scrub new tires on the second and third runs. We were finally able to get after it on the final session. We got a little greedy but it ran a nice 5.33 to qualify number one.”

The Californian driver and members of his Maddern Racing team made a trip to another Indianapolis racing landmark to add to the weekend’s festivities.

“I went to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum with some of my crew guys after Saturday qualifying and got a good look at automotive racing technology as it changed over the years. It gave me a real understanding for why the race is what it is, why we get excited for it. Indy is the motorsports capital of the world, and there’s no way to ignore that.”

Chris started eliminations with a first round win over 2012 event finalist Dyno Dave Heitzman on Sunday night. He unleashed another 5.33 to defeat Rich McPhillips’ 5.43 second round effort. He would meet recent rival Shawn Cowie in the semifinals. The match ended with Demke getting revenge on the returning TAD hotshot. Chris’ 5.36 took the win after Cowie smoked the tires off the starting line.

“It was an important win. Shawn beat me on his comeback – beat me in the finals at the Woodburn regional then in the quarter-finals at Seattle. We were going to stay offensive instead of defensive on that run. Shawn and his guys have done a great job – to win two races after two years away is very incredible. We stayed on the offensive and ran another thirty. They were having trouble getting the car down the track without shaking the tires so we set it up to run a thirty and made them catch us,” Demke claimed.

No. 2 qualifier and fierce competitor Jim Whiteley would make up the second part of the final round at “The Big Go”. The two blown alcohol heavy hitters ran some of the quickest runs of the weekend through the previous eliminations rounds, and continued the trend in the finals. Whiteley took a slight holeshot and held on to take the win in a 5.35 to 5.37 race.

“There’s going rounds at a race, and there’s going rounds at Indy. It’s a completely different thing. It was an exciting feeling to make it to another final round but to do it at Indy made it much more special. I didn’t want to say it was another race – there’s no way to hide that. I knew I had to put on my game face and try to win that race. It just didn’t happen. My team has nothing to be down about – facing Jim Whiteley and his team is tough no matter where the race is. Indy is supposed to be a meeting of the best cars in the country. I was just very pleased to be a part of that outcome,” said Demke.

The U.S. Nationals was also a critical event in Chris Demke’s chase for the 2013 National Championship. Though it didn’t completely dash the fan-favorite driver’s hopes for the title, the loss to new points leader Whiteley certainly hurt them.

“Jim went around me in points. I was not able to hold the lead in national points. Going forward, he has more opportunity to increase the lead than I have opportunity to regain the lead. I’m not conceding the championship to him, but it’s looking unlikely that I’ll be able to catch him. But anything can happen,” Chris added optimistically.

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/Boost Performance Products 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., Boost Performance Products, A1 Technologies, Boninfante Friction Inc., and Hoosier Racing Tire.