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.

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Demke's Season Ends in Second Round at Pomona

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of John Teas/Images LTD

POMONA, Calif. (November 14) – A second round loss at the AAA Finals at Auto Club Raceway was definitely not what Chris Demke had in mind when he envisioned the final race of his 2013 season. The popular Top Alcohol Dragster driver isn't used to early round losses, as he has reached the finals at six of his ten national event starts this season. With the points situation already played out, Demke and his Peen Rite team took the chance to test new ideas for next season.

“I would've liked to go out with a bang rather than a whimper, but you can't win them all. We had second place in national points locked up and we couldn't go around Jim (Whiteley) for the championship. We took the opportunity to test some things. It's not often that you get to test on a high-quality track like Pomona. This team is always trying to win, even in test mode, but it just wasn't in the cards,” Chris claimed.
 

Chris drove the Peen Rite/OSI/Boost Performance Products dragster to the No. 5 qualifying spot (5.29) before defeating 2011 national champion Duane Shields in the opening round, 5.30 to 5.43. Demke's car slowed slightly in the next round, enough for Garrett Bateman to get the 5.30 to 5.33 round win.

Demke's 2013 season began when the Maddern Racing team acquired a decade-old chassis similar to the one Chris drove to multiple wins in 2012. Despite its age, the car had few runs on it and the Peen Rite team had no data for the car. The car showed promise immediately, reaching the finals at the season-opening Pomona and Las Vegas national events. While successful at times, the team struggled with 'new car blues' when it came to the money round.

“Our inability to convert final rounds into wins kept us from winning the championship. Part of that was learning the new chassis, but there were other mistakes made as well, driver and mechanical. We're working on that part of the program as well. We'll see the result in 2014
 

“We tried a lot of changes this year, trying to get a handle on the new chassis. I won't know until we start making runs next year, but I think we've made a change that should be beneficial for quicker E.T.s,” Demke said.
 

Chris also reflected on the highlights of the season, citing his Jegs Allstars runner-up/Route 66 Nationals win at Chicago as one of the best weekends of the year.

“Winning Chicago was really cool. We came so close to doubling up. It would've been great to get that bonus, but maybe next year. I'm currently leading Jegs Allstars points in the West Region. Hopefully we can continue that lead and make it out to Chicago again next year.

“Overall, it was a fun year. It was bittersweet in that we lost a lot of finals. However, we won a lot of rounds and I'm proud of our guys for that,” added the driver of the Peen Rite/OSI/Boost Performance Products blown alcohol dragster.

Chris and the rest of the Jerry Maddern-owned team will enjoy a few months away from the track before the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series starts up again at Pomona in February.

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, Boninfante Friction Inc., and Hoosier Racing Tire.

Pomona Win a True Homecoming for Ahten Family

Courtesy of THR5 Communications
Photo courtesy of Troy Case

Pomona, CA – A young Johnny Ahten sat in the stands and dreamed of winning the Pomona Drags. Al Ahten, Johnny’s Dad, raced at many historic California Drag Strips and shared the same dream. Fast forward thirty years and Johnny is strapped into his Nitromethane Injected Dragster for the final round, his Dad standing behind him. His wife and two young sons are in the stands. As the race begins, Johnny Ahten the racer/kid-in-the-stands is ready. Al Ahten, the Crew Chief/Dad is ready. They have both been ready for this moment for years. Johnny inches the car in deep and turns off the top bulb. At the flash of yellow the cars launch. Johnny’s .016 light has him out in front. His opponent, number one qualifier and World Champ Jim Whiteley, is closing fast. Tireshake rears its ugly head and Whiteley is forced to get on and off the throttle as his car shakes, breaks, and tosses a blower belt. Johnny Ahten rockets ahead for the win. A 5.428/259.86 flashes in Johnny’s lane. A cylinder or two were out, but the time didn’t matter. Johnny Ahten crossed the finish line first at the race he always wanted to win. Al Ahten celebrated if he was a kid. In the crowd, Johnny’s two sons, as well as other youngsters, begin to dream of Pomona glory.

“This is the biggest race there is for us to win – it’s iconic,” said Johnny Ahten. “All I remember is at about 800-900ft I didn't see him. I kept waiting for Whiteley to come rocketing by. After I crossed the finish line I couldn’t tell if the win light in either lane was on. I began to think I had won, and hoping I didn't go red. I came around the corner and the top end workers directed me to the TV cameras. Then they all started running at me and pointing. I couldn’t believe it. The next thing I know they shoved a Wally in my hands. All I could think was, ‘Is this for me?’ I’m not sure when this will sink in, but I do know it will make the off season incredible,” added Ahten. “The response has been overwhelming with phone calls, emails, texts, and even flowers. It’s a real thrill.” Johnny Ahten went on to say, “All this was made possible with the help of Island Renovations, Combust Filters, NGK, DJ Safety, Hedman Hedders, Mechanix Wear, Fireman’s Brew, and Goodson Tools and Supplies.” 

Johnny’s dream weekend started out with a lone qualifying session on Thursday. A 5.489/247.70 pass put the Island Renovations / Combust Filters car in the number twelve spot. In Friday’s second session, a 5.484/259.01 dropped them to #14. Crew Chief Al Ahten and crewmembers Howard Katano, Kevin Colvell, Chuck Costabile, Bob Ahten, and John Rogers worked in harmony to try and get the Stump Puller to go faster. The result was a final qualifying pass of 5.376/259.31 that propelled them into the #7 slot.

Saturday’s mid-morning start to eliminations saw cool air and track temperatures. Shawn Cowie would be the first round opponent. The Stump Puller filled the crisp air with Nitro as Johnny blasted off the starting line first. Cowie caught up quickly and it turned into a good old-fashioned drag race. At the finish line it was Ahten getting the close win with a 5.391/257.58 to Cowie’s 5.394/268.71. Even though Ahten never trailed, it was too close for comfort.

Sunday raceday began at 7am in the Ahten pits, allowing the team to prepare the car and form a plan. They would continue to massage the tune-up and race the track. The elusive higher mile per hour goal was still a mystery. Second round adversary Joey Severance got the advantage at the start. Johnny had that made up by the sixty foot mark. At the finish line, Johnny got the win with a 5.354/259.01 to a 5.493/249.26 for Severance. The victory was costly, as bits of aluminum were sacrificed. A new cylinder head had to be installed in addition to the regular between rounds maintenance. The team thrashed to get the car ready. Waiting in the staging lanes was #3 qualifier Mark Taliaferro. As the Sump Puller was pushed to the line, Johnny Ahten knew what he had to do. Taliaferro had beaten Ahten in the first round in Vegas just a few weeks prior. This time the chance to race in the finals was on the line. Johnny slapped a cosmic .012 light on Taliaferro at the hit. It proved to be enough as Johnny’s holeshot 5.368/258.76 beat Taliaferro’s quicker 5.303/272.01. The crowd and crew went wild and it was time to prepare for the finals. The Ahten Racing Team’s plan to get off the line, get down the track, and make it a good one was right on schedule. Shouts of encouragement serenaded the Ahten Racing team as they towed to the lanes for the finals.

The Final round opponent would be number one qualifier and World Champion Jim Whiteley. The California sun began to set on the historic Pomona raceway. The air cooled and the tension began to rise higher and higher. Al Ahten strapped his son Johnny into the Sump Puller. The desires of a Father, and the dreams of a son were about to be played out. As Johnny raced down the track, they all came true and victory at the Pomona Drags was a reality for the Ahten family of drag racers.

…

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Thompson Tries to Stop Manzo One Last Time

Courtesy of Rich Bailey

Pomona - Team Thompson had a great outing at the NHRA Auto Club Finals where they went all the way to the final round at an event which featured the quickest Top Alcohol Funny Car field of all time. Driver, Clint Thompson was on his game all weekend and made his career best run of all time, a lightening quick 5.54 at 261 MPH in round two.

Thompson qualified eighth with a 5.56 at 259 MPH and faced Tony Bartone in round one. He took out Bartone at the Las Vegas Regional one week prior so this would be a marquee match up in round one. At the hit Thompson was out of the box first while Bartone experienced tire shake and had to idle through the rest of the way. Clint meanwhile screamed down Parker Avenue and took the win light with an impressive 5.56 at 260 MPH to advance to round two.

In the second round it was an all west coast match up between Oregon’s Thompson and California’s Mark Woznichak. As the lights came down Thompson got the starting line advantage with an 0.037 light to the Woz’s 0.071. Thompson was able to maintain the lead all the way to the stripe to record a career best 5.54 at 261 MPH win over Woznichak’s close 5.59 at 260 MPH.

In the semis, Thompson faced Utah’s Cody Perkins. This time Thompson’s opponent got the starting line advantage with an 0.030 to an 0.054 but Thompson was able to make up the gap with another strong run while Perkins experienced some traction problems. Thompson recorded a 5.64 at 247 MPH but burned a piston in the process. “We burned a piston which slowed the car down some. The crew really had to thrash to get the car turned around in time for the finals. We even got some help from Joey Severance’s team to be sure we made it up on time” Thompson said.

In the finals it was a dream match up for Thompson as he would race Frank Manzo who was retiring after this race. Never mind that Thompson was one step away from winning the NHRA Finals, instead it was all about the last shot anyone would ever get at defeating the man Thompson considers to be the greatest drag racer of all time.  Thompson had raced him once before but lost a close race to him in Charlotte. At the line, Thompson got out of the gate first with an 0.031 to Manzo’s 0.047. Unfortunately for Thompson, his lead would not last as he smoked the tires and had to abort the run. Meanwhile Manzo sailed to victory with a 5.53 at 265 MPH to Thompson's disappointing 6.75 at 161 MPH.

Even though a lot of friends and peers came by Thompson’s pit to congratulate the team on a great showing, Thompson was disappointed with his effort despite the final round finish. “I’m really bummed out. We went out and smoked the tires. I had one last chance to beat him but I go up in smoke. I wanted to at least give him a close race rather than be another guy that smokes the tires against him trying to beat him. I didn’t change anything before the final other than I left at a higher RPM but she didn’t like it.  My crew did a great job making me look good and I appreciate them along with my wife Danette” Thompson said.

Manzo Wins Final Race, Ahten Stops Whiteley

Courtesy of Todd Veney/Pro Sportsman Association

Frank Manzo went out on top, winning his final race in Top Alcohol Funny Car, the AAA Finals at Pomona, with low e.t. and top speed, and Jim Whiteley narrowly missed doing the same in Top Alcohol Dragster, uncharacteristically faltering in the final against first-time winner Johnny Ahten after dominating all weekend.

Manzo, who has said all year that he would retire after the season, ran the only 5.4 all weekend and parlayed consistent low .50s, including a 5.53 in the final against Clint Thompson, into his 105^th and last national event victory. "You don't know you're going to win 220-some races – however many it is – when you start racing," said Manzo, 61, who also has 125 divisional/regional wins in his unparalleled career. "You just start, you keep going, and this is where you end up."

The only thing Manzo didn't do in his final race as a driver was qualify No. 1 for the record field (5.63 bump). He was third, behind championship runner-up John Lombardo and Annie Whiteley, but quickly established control in eliminations with low e.t. of all four rounds. His 5.50 in a first-round win over Kris Hool took low e.t. from Lombardo, and he dropped it to 5.49 in round two against Von Smith. "The track was awesome," said Manzo, who had won at Pomona but never at the Finals. "You just don't believe it could really be that good, but that's the smoothest run I've made in a couple months."

Every driver in the second round was in the 5.50s except Manzo and Shane Westerfield, who just missed in a 5.62 loss to Cody Perkins. Good reaction times and 5.50s as a sub for ailing Terry Ruckman carried Perkins to wins over Top 10 drivers Steve Gasparrelli and Westerfield and into the semifinals, where he went up in smoke the one time Thompson was vulnerable. Thompson's engine faded at the end of a 5.64 and he crossed the finish line at just 247 mph, trailing smoke.

In the other semifinal bout, Annie Whiteley, who qualified No. 2 with a 5.53 and never ran slower than that in eliminations, came closer than anyone to beating Manzo, leaving right with him in a 5.52 to 5.53 race. "That's probably the best car out here," he said. "She's my pick to win the championship next year."

Thompson and crew completed repairs in time to face Manzo in a national event final for the second time. Unlike the 2010 Charlotte race, which was decided by two feet, this one was over early when Thompson's car lost traction and Manzo had the track to himself on the last run he'll ever make, a 5.53 at 265 mph.

"This is a dream," said Manzo, who was emotional before the final, very aware of the situation. "To win my final race like this is incredible." The championship that was at least still a mathematical possibility for other drivers just a month ago ended up a 150-point landslide, and Manzo walks away with a record 17 championships, including the last eight.

Jim Whiteley, who also had the championship locked up weeks ago and also won by more than 100 points, was denied a win in his final race when he shook and lost the blower belt against Ahten, who scored with a 5.42. "That was our lucky round," said Ahten, who was solidly in the 5.30s in every other round. "The track was getting cold, and we were nervous about shaking the tires and hoped [Whiteley's crew chief] Norm [Grimes] would try to rotate the earth. It left good, started to chatter, and I said, 'Come on – don't shake. The car was going 221 at half-track, but I kept waiting for him to blow past me the whole time. I couldn't believe he didn't."

It was the first win of Ahten's nine-year career after three runner-ups in divisional/regional competition, including one this year in Seattle. "I've let it slip through my fingers and really tried not to focus on 'If I win this round I get a Wally' and treated the final like any other run," said Ahten, who had good lights in every round and his best, .012 and .016, in the last two. "The car was marching to half-track all weekend, but we could never keep all the cylinders lit to the end like we did in Vegas. We couldn't get any wheel speed in air that good on a track that tight. But I guess it doesn't matter now."

Until the Tree came on in the final, everything pointed toward another Whiteley whitewash. He had 17 mph on Ahten all weekend – 275-276 mph to 258-259 – and low e.t. and top speed. He owned qualifying (5.22 and 5.21) and, knowing that each run could be his last, unleashed another barrage of low 5.20s in eliminations: 5.24, 5.27, and 5.22, all at more than 275 mph, against Bill Litton, Ray Martin, and Garrett Bateman.

Ahten was just as consistent but about a tenth back with a 5.39, 5.35, and 5.36 against a Murderer's Row of past national event champs: Shawn Cowie, Joey Severance, and Mark Taliaferro, who lost on a semifinal holeshot, 5.36 to 5.30. "That was the big one, the round we really had to have," said Ahten, a Los Angeles County firefighter. "He and Cowie both flew past me going 270-something, and I didn't know who won either time. I didn't catch the win-light against Whiteley, either, and for a second I was afraid I red-lighted. I couldn't believe it when everybody was waving at me and it hit me that I beat him in his last race, in Manzo's last race. If you're from here, Pomona is your Indy. I was a kid in the stands when the Finals was at Orange County, and standing up there with Manzo at the end of the race was incredible."

Ahten Bringing Power to Pomona Homecoming

Courtesy of THR5 Communications
Photo courtesy of Costabile Productions

Pomona, CA – The final race of the 2013 NHRA season in Pomona for Johnny Ahten is a chance to fight his foes on his own turf. Ahten grew up going to the Pomona drags and now he has some new –found power to wield.  The Island Renovations / Combust Filters dragster of Ahten Racing is feeling mean after qualifying in the #4 position at last weekend’s Vegas Regional event with a strong 5.323/262.39. The exciting thing about that run is Ahten feels the car has more to give. 

“We are going in knowing the car is making power, but getting it planted and avoiding issues is our task,” said Ahten. “Our confidence comes from the data we have accumulated. We have some new sensors on the car and my Dad and I have been pouring over it. We are all looking forward to our home track and running well. The two Vegas events we just completed gave us ideas, and the desire to win.”

Ahten’s Regional Vegas outing last weekend was bittersweet. The first qualifying run was a bit hectic after a small fuel lead delayed the start. Tire smoke greeted the Stump Puller, but in round two a 5.32 made it all better. That run put Ahten in the #4 position and a first round match-up against Garrett Bateman. As Johnny went through his burnout something just didn’t fell right. The run had to be aborted and as final round bound Bateman went up in smoke for the win, Ahten could only grit his teeth and start thinking about Pomona. 

“I look at the missed opportunities in Vegas and I can only use them as motivation for Pomona,” added Ahten. “We have made many strides this year with our new combination. Any time you change things there is bound to be a learning curve. The pieces are coming together and the World Finals is our chance to perform the way I know we can. My crew has worked their tails off this year. They volunteer their time and I can’t thank them enough. My Dad and Crew Chief Al Ahten, Howard Katano, Kevin Colvell, Chuck Costabile, Bob Ahten, Todd Rockwell, and John Rogers are the best.”

As the sun sets on the 2013 NHRA schedule, Johnny Ahten sees Pomona as a chance to compete with the elite in Top Alcohol Dragster. The field will be tough, but with the support of Island Renovations, Combust Filters, Fireman’s Brew, NGK, Mechanix Wear, Hedman Hedders, and his family, Johnny Ahten is ready to light the nitro and blast down the quarter mile. Drag Race nirvana awaits those who are lucky enough to be in Pomona for the World Finals. For those who can’t be there you are in luck. Check out the Ahten Racing Facebook page for updates and photos at www.facebook.com/JohnnyAhtenRacing‎

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Defending Finals Champ Demke Ready to Strike Again

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Images LTD

POMONA, Calif. (November 7) – TAD national championship runner-up Chris Demke and his Southern California-based Maddern Racing team will finish their 2013 season “at home” where it began – Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Demke, the defending NHRA Finals event champion, enters the race with possibly the best car he’s had all season.

“I’m very excited to finish the season this weekend. Our current tune-up, which worked very well at Las Vegas, should exceed our expectations at Pomona. Both the national and regional championships have been decided so all we need to focus on now is continuing to improve our performance and defend our Finals title,” Chris said.

Tuner Adam Rhoades concurred, adding, “We learned a lot at Las Vegas. The car is responding to changes. I’m actually really excited for Pomona because I think our car is one hundred percent back to where it was a year ago. We should be able to go out there and run low five-twenties this weekend.”

Last year’s Auto Club of Southern California Finals was a big race for Demke and the Peen Rite/OSI/Boost Performance Products Top Alcohol Dragster. Chris reset his personal best numbers multiple times, ultimately running as quick as 5.236 at 274 MPH. Even better, he ran it to beat Jim Whiteley in the quickest side-by-side blown alcohol dragster race in history.

Top Alcohol Dragster qualifying at the Auto Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, Nov. 7-10, is set for 4 PM Thursday and 12:15 and 3:30 PM Friday. Eliminations begin at 3 PM Saturday and continue on Sunday.

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.