The Reader's Choice for Crew Chief of the Year is Jerry Maddern, tuner of the Chris Demke-driven Peen-Rite Top Alcohol Dragster.
This is the third week in the Top Alcohol News Reader's Choice Awards. To vote, place your vote on our Facebook wall or tweet it to us on Twitter. If you are not on these social networks, send your vote to us in an email. Another way to vote is the poll on the right side of this website. This week's category is....
2011 Top Alcohol Dragster Divisional Champion of the Year
This award recognizes the reader's choice for the Divisional champion of the year in the Top Alcohol Dragster class. The nominees are below:
Division 1-Karen Stalba
Driving a former Morgan Lucas car, Karen Stalba secured the Division 1 championship with a win at the Epping race, along with back-to-back runner-up finishes at Atco and zMax Dragway. Stalba's only first round loss came at her first race of the season. 33 point lead over #2 Mike Kosky
Division 2-Duane Shields
Also the 2011 National champion, Duane Shields experienced one of his best seasons yet. His first win of the season came at his second race, at Cecil. Other highlights include 3 more wins and a runner-up finish. Shields' performance was not as consistent, with 3 first round losses. 190 point lead over #2 Rich McPhillips
Division 3-Bill Reichert
5-time National champion Bill Reichert secured another Division 3 championship, thanks to 4 wins and a pair of runner-up finishes. Like Stalba, Reichert fell short in round one once. Though he didn't take the National title again, he impressed in D3. 148 point lead over #2 Marty Thacker
Division 4-Mike Manners
Known for his sleek, Spitzer-built "The Shredder" A/Fueler, Mike Manners had a successful season in Division 4 competition. He secured the title with a pair of runner-up finishes, sandwiched in between a set of wins. Manners also won the IHRA Pro Fuel Dragster championship. 64 point lead over #2 James Thompson Jr.
Division 5-Randy Meyer
National Championship tuner Randy Meyer resumed his winning ways in 2011. Acting as team owner, crew chief and driver, Meyer multitasked his way to the championship. Starting off the season with a runner-up finish at Cecil, he went on to win the Great Bend and Cordova races. 32 point lead over #2 Richard Putz
Division 6-Joey Severance
One of the two Blown Alcohol drivers to win a divisional championship this year, Joey Severance used his supercharged bullet to reach the finals of every divisional that he entered. He lost in only two of those final round appearances, out of seven finals. This propelled Joey to a potential National championship, but Duane Shields ultimately took that honor. 105 point lead over #2 Ray Martin
Division 7-Jim Whiteley
The other Blown Alcohol pilot to win a division title, Jim Whiteley began his 2011 campaign for the championship with a runner-up finish at Chandler, Arizona. His performance picked up later in the season, where he won three races along with another runner-up. Whiteley's YNot Racing team will also continue to field an Alcohol Funny Car in 2012 with Annie Whiteley behind the wheel. 42 point lead over #2 Chris Demke
Showing posts with label Reader's Choice Awards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reader's Choice Awards. Show all posts
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
TAN Reader's Choice Awards-Crew Chief
The winner of the 2011 TAN Reader's Choice Award for Rising Star of the Year is Shane Westerfield!
This week is the second week of the Reader's Choice Awards. To place your vote, post on our Facebook wall with your vote or comment on the status with the nominees. You must "like" the page to post. You can also send your vote to us via Twitter or email. This week's category is....
Crew Chief of the Year
This award recognizes the Reader's Choice for the best crew chief of the year.
Jerry Maddern-Peen Rite/CleanBoost TAD
Crew chief and owner of the Maddern Racing blown alcohol dragster, Jerry Maddern has been in the sport for over 30 years, working with drivers such as Frank Pedregon, Darren Nicholson, and now Chris Demke. Maddern tuned Demke to the second quickest blown alcohol dragster pass at the Gatornationals this year, where the team also won the event. Another national event win at Vegas and two divisional wins round out the year.
Dana Hopewell-Shields Racing/Shortline Express TAD
Dana Hopewell tuned Duane Shields to possibly his most successful season in 2011. On their way to their first national championship, Shields and Hopewell reached the winner's circle at two national events and four divisionals. Those divisional wins helped Shields secure the Division 2 championship as well. Hopewell's tuning helped Duane make some of the best passes of 2011, including low 5.2x passes at Maple Grove.
This week is the second week of the Reader's Choice Awards. To place your vote, post on our Facebook wall with your vote or comment on the status with the nominees. You must "like" the page to post. You can also send your vote to us via Twitter or email. This week's category is....
Crew Chief of the Year
This award recognizes the Reader's Choice for the best crew chief of the year.
Jerry Maddern-Peen Rite/CleanBoost TAD
Crew chief and owner of the Maddern Racing blown alcohol dragster, Jerry Maddern has been in the sport for over 30 years, working with drivers such as Frank Pedregon, Darren Nicholson, and now Chris Demke. Maddern tuned Demke to the second quickest blown alcohol dragster pass at the Gatornationals this year, where the team also won the event. Another national event win at Vegas and two divisional wins round out the year.
Copyright Jeff Moore 2011
Dana Hopewell-Shields Racing/Shortline Express TAD
Dana Hopewell tuned Duane Shields to possibly his most successful season in 2011. On their way to their first national championship, Shields and Hopewell reached the winner's circle at two national events and four divisionals. Those divisional wins helped Shields secure the Division 2 championship as well. Hopewell's tuning helped Duane make some of the best passes of 2011, including low 5.2x passes at Maple Grove.
Courtesy of Rich Bailey
Steve Boggs-Centre Pointe Collision TAFC
Tuning Rick Jackson's Tony Bartone-driven Top Alcohol Funny Car, Steve Boggs put the Centre Pointe machine in the final round at several races this year. Six national event wins, including the Las Vegas national sweep, and two divisonal wins put Bartone in 2nd in national points. Boggs' tuning calls gave Bartone the #1 qualifying spot heading into race day on multiple occasions.
Copyright Jeff Moore 2011
Frank Manzo-Al Anabi TAFC
Frank Manzo is one of the many drivers in the LODRS that drives and tunes his car. He is easily the most successful at it though. Manzo earned 5 national event wins, 6 divisional wins and a championship in each. He dominated at the Reading national event, earning the #1 spot in qualifying, making the quickest pass in TAFC history, then taking the event win and clinching his 15th championship. Frank Manzo's name also graced the top of qualifying charts on mulitple occasions throughout the season.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
TAN Reader's Choice Awards-Rising Star
This week begins the 2011 Top Alcohol News Reader's Choice Awards. Every week, we will post a new category and its nominees. Voting will take place on our Facebook page and Twitter profile. If you don't have an account on either site, you can email your choices to us. Unless you are viewing this on our mobile site, you can also vote on the poll on the right side of this page. This week's category is.....
Rising Star of the Year
This award recognizes the driver who has stepped up the most during 2011. Most of the nominees have only been competing in their class for a few years, with 2011 being their "breakout" year.
Cassie Simonton (TAFC)
Driving for Spiro Kontos' Kon Rodz Racing team, Cassie Simonton went from crew member to driver of the team's Monte Carlo flopper within two years. Simonton started off 2011 with a career-best 5.56 and first round win at the Gatornationals. She impressed at the U.S. Nationals when she took out Jay Payne in the first round with a 5.61.
Shane Westerfield (TAFC)
With backing from CP-Carrillo, Shane Westerfield's 2011 season also included his first career national event final round appearance, at the Big O Tires Nationals in Vegas. Westerfield also posted consistent performances prior at Seattle, Indy, and Dallas.
Rising Star of the Year
This award recognizes the driver who has stepped up the most during 2011. Most of the nominees have only been competing in their class for a few years, with 2011 being their "breakout" year.
Cassie Simonton (TAFC)
Driving for Spiro Kontos' Kon Rodz Racing team, Cassie Simonton went from crew member to driver of the team's Monte Carlo flopper within two years. Simonton started off 2011 with a career-best 5.56 and first round win at the Gatornationals. She impressed at the U.S. Nationals when she took out Jay Payne in the first round with a 5.61.
Courtesy of Kon Rodz Racing
Brandon Booher (TAD)
Brandon Booher used his consistent blown alcohol-converter combo and quick leaving to his advantage this year. Booher's main highlight of 2011 came at the Norwalk national event, where he reached his first final round in national event competition. A divisional final round at Cordova, semi-final appearance at the U.S. Nationals, and the first 5.3x second run in history round out his top performances in '11.
Shane Westerfield (TAFC)
With backing from CP-Carrillo, Shane Westerfield's 2011 season also included his first career national event final round appearance, at the Big O Tires Nationals in Vegas. Westerfield also posted consistent performances prior at Seattle, Indy, and Dallas.
Copyright Jeff Moore http://www.twitter.com/onesevenwest)
Blake Alexander (TAD)
Former Comp Eliminator racer Blake Alexander made his first appearance in TAD at the Winternationals, driving the Larry Miersch-owned Exide A/Fuel Dragster. His first semi-final appearance came at the Houston national event. Along with piloting the dragster, Blake also got his feet wet in Fuel Funny Car, debuting at Reading in Paul Smith's car with backing from event sponsor Auto Plus.
Copyright Jeff Moore http://www.twitter.com/onesevenwest
Cody Perkins (TAD)
After racing junior dragsters and making tuning calls on his dad's TAD, Cody Perkins stepped up to driving the Top Alcohol Dragster a few years ago. With support from 801 Racing, Perkins earned his first national event win at Topeka this year. His Utah-based car is a consistent 5.3x blown alcohol player.
Courtesy of John Rogers
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