Pre-Race Test Session Provides Confidence for Hunter and Synoil Racing Team

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

LAS VEGAS (April 9, 2015) – Past Las Vegas semifinalist Greg Hunter returns to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend for the SummitRacing.com Nationals. The driver of Canadian drag racing legend Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car reached the winner's circle on the regional level since last year's Vegas spring race, and is hoping to reach his first national event winner's circle this weekend.

Hunter, Goodwin and tuner Ryan Protz tested at The Strip at LVMS prior to the Vegas racing events, which continue next weekend with an NHRA Lucas Oil Series regional event.

“We've kind of been struggling for the last couple races and we feel that we figured out what our problem was and we're confident that we have it fixed. We did confirm that our problem is fixed but we didn't get to make a run to prove it. We're looking forward to getting on to a really good, well-prepared NHRA track surface. I feel that we're going to run really good this weekend,” confirmed Hunter, who spent two seasons in Top Alcohol Dragster before returning to TA/FC last year.

Las Vegas has been good to Hunter. It's where he earned his crossover license for TA/D and where he won his first round in the dragster. But it was last year's SummitRacing.com Nationals experience that Hunter and his Synoil Energy Services team will be thinking about as they pull up to the waterbox this weekend. The Wyoming driver qualified No. 2 and raced to the semifinals, where aggressive traction issues ended what would've been a good race with class veteran Jay Payne.

Greg Hunter and the Synoil Racing team have raced together at several events since then, learning more about the ever-changing track conditions and parts and equipment combinations.

“We definitely have learned that consistency is a key factor. We lost a little of that consistency but we're hoping to get that back this weekend, and actually quicker and faster, too. We think we have more power, but we've got to harness it,” Hunter noted.

Though they're regularly joined by legions of sponsors, friends and family, Greg and the Synoil Racing team are especially looking forward to hosting a large group of guests from the team's primary sponsor, Synoil Energy Services, a leading provider of proprietary and patented well servicing stimulation fluids.

Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying action at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals, April 10-12, begins on Friday with runs at noon and 3:15 PM. Qualifying continues with one session at 12:30 PM on Saturday, followed by first round of eliminations around 3 PM. Eliminations continue on Sunday. The race coverage will air on ESPN2 on April 19th at noon EST.


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

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

Ashley Sanford Sets Career-Best Numbers at Vegas

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Tim Marshall

LAS VEGAS (April 2) – Gelish A/Fuel Dragster driver Ashley Sanford made great strides at last weekend's NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The young Californian set multiple career-best numbers during qualifying and testing. Sanford lost a close first round race, but the outing was a big step forward for Ashley and her team.

“We were struggling for a while when the season started. We just couldn't figure out why we couldn't get the car to go down the track. That went on for weeks; eleven consecutive passes where it either shook or smoked the tires. We took a few steps back and found problems in the clutch. Once we started to fix the little issues we started making full pulls,” Ashley said.

Sanford started the race with a 5.38 at 270 MPH run, a career-best speed at the time, in the opening qualifying session. She followed that pass with a 5.309/268, enough to place the Gelish dragster second in the qualifying order.

“That first thirty-eight on Friday, man was that exciting,” Sanford exclaimed. “We weren't expecting that. And to back it up with a thirty flat? We were on cloud nine. All of the hard work to fight through the struggle was worth it. It was very rewarding to see those numbers.”

The Gelish Gel Nail Polish/America's Best Value Inns A/Fuel team entered first round of eliminations facing fellow A/Fuel driver Bill Litton. Ashley left with the starting line advantage, but had to pedal shortly into the run, allowing Litton to slip ahead for the win, 5.535 to Sanford's 5.575.

“That was a nail-biter,” Ashley added. “I knew with the shake and pedaling it that it would be a close race. I didn't see him until the very end. The car was running well so I really thought we had it. Bill and I both didn't see a win light come on and no one on the top end knew who won so we sat there for a few minutes biting our nails.”

Always thinking about the bright side, Ashley was quick to point out the positive aspects of the race weekend.

“Overall it was just a great experience. Making the first two full runs on Friday was unbelievable. Two five-thirty runs and my fastest mile-per-hour up to that point was exciting. On top of that, it was just a really fun weekend. I had the opportunity to meet great people; we talked to the Forces and Tony Schumacher gave me a behind-the-scenes tour of how the Top Fuel teams work. For the big picture, with me wanting to run Top Fuel some day, that was an amazing opportunity.

“This weekend was definitely a huge confidence boost for the Gelish team. We're at this point where we can really compete now. We all thought we had a chance to go rounds. It all happens for a reason. The baby steps will count. After this race we'll be ready to go to all of the other races with a different outlook on running the car and a higher confidence level. I think that will really help us in the end,” claimed the former Top Alcohol sand drag racer.

The Gelish team took the opportunity to test on the Monday following the race. Despite shaking the tires and pedaling, Ashley still ran a 5.44 at 272 MPH, further improving her career-best speed. Ashley Sanford and the Gelish Gel Nail Polish/America's Best Value Inns team will hit the track next in May.

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. The Gelish team – Troy Schweers, Dave McWilliams, Shane Sanford, Ed Sanford, Mike White, Jeff Monge, Dean Schweers, Torrey Paul, Justin DeCaprio and Robin Steeves, 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 and Maddern Racing Team Humbled by Vegas Second Round Loss

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

LAS VEGAS (April 1) – Another Vegas early exit was not what Chris Demke and his Maddern Racing team mates were looking for when they returned to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Racing at the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals, Demke qualified No. 3 with a satisfying 5.328/269 MPH, but his Peen Rite Top Alcohol Dragster was back on the trailer after the second round of eliminations.

“The weekend started good. Our plan for the weekend was to start running low thirties again. Our tune-up for the car worked great for the first round of qualifying. We were quite pleased with that first run. Things went downhill from there. It was a combination of tune-up and technical issues,” Chris said.

Chris' Peen Rite/Operational Solutions/Boost Performance Products blown alcohol dragster won the first round match with Derik Milanesio, 5.389 to 5.60. Disappointment followed in the next round, where Demke's 5.429 lost a close race to Don St. Arnaud's 5.403.

“Certainly we didn't want to go out second round,” Demke added. “Don St. Arnaud keeps whoopin' my butt. Our team is better than this. I know we can do better. Going out second round just doesn't show our team's full potential.”

Discouraged from two consecutive weeks of early round losses, Chris and the Peen Rite team have elected to take a step back and diagnose the car's issues before racing again, saying, “We're going to go back, regroup, and come back swinging when we're ready. I don't think we'll be racing again until we know we have our engine issues resolved.”

Reflecting on the back-to-back regional and national events, Chris Demke had this to say.

“That's racing. It will humble you. We got cocky after winning Pomona. The race car and racing in general told us, 'You guys better settle down. Here's a nice slice of humble pie.' So we're gonna go finish that pie, take some time off, and come back when we're hungry again.”

Subscribe to updates via the Maddern Racing Facebook page (www.facebook.com/maddernracing) to find out when Chris and the Peen Rite/OSI/Boost Performance Products TAD team will race next.

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, and LA X-Ray.

Hunter Qualifies No. 2, Races to Vegas Semifinals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

 LAS VEGAS (April 1) – Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Greg Hunter capped off a two-race swing in Las Vegas with another semifinal finish, this time at the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals. The Geoff Goodwin-owned team had the car running consistently quick, allowing Greg to qualify a career-high No. 2 and race to the penultimate round.

“We always try to go into a race with every intention of winning. I don't know if I would say surprised, but we were definitely super-happy about qualifying No. 2. Once we realized we were running pretty good we wanted the No. 1 back,” said Hunter.

While his 5.660 and 5.628 runs in the last two sessions weren't enough to take the top spot, Greg's strong 5.610 from the opening qualifying session held up for No. 2. Hunter drove the Synoil Energy Services/ExactAir Top Alcohol Funny car to 5.658 and 5.686 victories over Dave Germain and Sean Bellemeur. The Synoil car smoked the tires for the first time all weekend during Greg's semifinal race against Jay Payne.

The tire smoke was a surprise for both the driver and team.

“We didn't really change much on the tune-up, so we didn't expect the car to smoke the tires as bad as it did. I was in the less-favorable lane and we just didn't have what it was looking for. We tried our best. I did my best to correct it and get the car to hook up but it just wasn't happening,” Greg claimed.

Looking back at the positives of the weekend, the Wyoming resident was able to point out the most critical.

“One of the most important aspects of the weekend was that we didn't have any parts breakage. The car was running very well, and we did it without hurting parts. The crew was working really well together. I'm new to the team and there are a couple new crew guys, but we're all coming together. This weekend really has us excited about this team's future.”

Greg Hunter and the Synoil Racing/ExactAir TAFC team will have a couple months off before their next races in Mission, B.C. (June 6-8) and Billings, MT (June 20-22).

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 Enery Services and ExactAir Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltg., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Southgate Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowling Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Waylon's Transport, Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Castrol.

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

Vegas National Event Inspires Ahten

Courtesy of John Rogers
Photo courtesy of Costabile Productions

Las Vegas, NV. - Johnny Ahten is looking to the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals as an opportunity to just go racing. The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is not an easy racetrack and Ahten was there competing in the LODRS Regional race last weekend and all did not go as planned. A tire smoking Friday qualifying attempt was followed by a safe 5.48/258 first run on Saturday. In the final round of qualifying, a 5.464 /258.76 run put the Island Renovations / Combust Filters Dragster in the #5 spot and a first round match up with Megan McKernan.

In Sunday’s eliminations, Johnny was off the line first and headed to victory, or so he thought. Both cars had problems and had to pedal. McKernan got the win and the Ahten crew had a long and somewhat quiet ride home. The rest is history and small chunks of shinny metal.

“That was then and it’s over,” said Ahten. “I am going to use our last race as motivation. Now we have a new opportunity to race and I want to go out there and show what we can do. Our combination has proved to be strong. We need to go out and capitalize on it,” added Ahten.

Johnny Ahten will climb in his car on March 28th and blast down the Vegas quarter-mile. He will have the experiences of the past with him. Driving a Nitromethane Injected Dragster is not for the meek or faint of heart. Ahten knows this, and the inspiration, perspiration and the desire to win will carry him onward and upward. To stay informed visit: www.facebook.com/JohnnyAhtenRacing

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

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

Demke Going Back to Basics at SummitRacing.com Nationals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

LAS VEGAS (March 26) – Chris Demke and his Maddern Racing team will enter this weekend's NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals with a more humble approach after they suffered a first round exit at the recent Vegas regional race. The event raised a lot of questions for the California group, questions they want to answer this weekend.

“We just never seemed to get a handle on things. The tune-up was either weak or overly aggressive. I only made it down the track one time without shaking and that was with all of the knobs turned way back. First round I had to race Don St. Arnaud, a great competitor. He beat me on a holeshot. Our E.T.s were separated by just a few thousandths of a second. If I didn't need to pedal through tire shake we probably could've won the round. This just tests our resolve, but we'll get through it,” Chris said optimistically.

Quick to look for solutions, the Peen Rite/Operational Solutions/Boost Performance Products team has already formulated objectives for the team's third national event of the season.

“We just need to get back to basics. I've talked with Jerry (Maddern), Adam (Rhoades), and Kevin (Watson), and we have a plan for the weekend. We'll start from square one and work forward, trying to find where we went wrong,” Demke commented.

Chris, or “The Sheriff” as his fans call him, has his eye on the competition, and he knows who he needs to watch.

“Based on the performance we saw at the regional last weekend, the A/Fuel cars do seem to be struggling in the altitude. I think my biggest challenge will be keeping up with Joey Severance this weekend. He seems to be the number-one player right now, with Jim Whiteley technology between the frame rails. They certainly had a good handle on it last weekend and I expect them to continue that performance this weekend. He's really the guy in the crosshairs right now.”

In addition to the Las Vegas fans attending the race, Chris and the Peen Rite team will be racing in front of their friends from Sandy, Utah-based Boost Performance Products.

“This is the closest national event for one of our sponsors, Boost Performance Products. We're looking forward to seeing them at The Strip and hope to put on a good show for them,” Chris concluded.

Top Alcohol Dragster teams will hit The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for their qualifying sessions at 12:30 and 3:15 PM on Friday and again at 10:30 AM on Saturday. Eliminations follow at 2:30 PM and continue on Sunday.


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, and LA X-Ray.

Hunter Seeking First TAFC Win at SummitRacing.com Nationals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

LAS VEGAS (March 25) – A trip to Las Vegas is always anticipated, but a semifinal showing at last weekend's NHRA West Region event at LVMS has Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Greg Hunter even more eager to head back to The Strip. Greg and his Synoil Racing teammates know they have a race car capable of winning. The Edmonton-based team is doing everything in their power to improve their chances at the SummitRacing.com Nationals, March 28-30.

“Unfortunately we lost a burst panel in the semifinals. We felt that was a race we could've won. Ryan (Protz) and the crew have been going over the car top to bottom, getting it ready for this weekend. We have a lot of friends, family, and sponsors visiting us at this race so we want to do good. I'm confident that we'll do well,” Greg said.

Racing at the NHRA West Region Vegas spring race last weekend, Hunter qualified the Synoil Energy Services/ExactAir Top Alcohol Funny Car in the third spot, 5.672. He used a solid .036 reaction time and 5.629 run to take out Jay Payne first round. The Synoil Monte Carlo was on another strong pass in the semifinals before the aforementioned burst panel broke, leaving Greg with no choice but to watch Shane Westerfield take the win.

While they didn't walk away with a Wally, the Geoff Goodwin-owned team did receive useful data for this weekend's race.

“The data from the 5.62 told us that we're moving in the right direction. Our goal is to work toward small improvements, not to do anything crazy. I myself want to make small improvements, doing a better job at every opportunity, and I think that's where the whole team stands. Everyone is working hard, doing our best, and making small improvements. I think that combination will give us a shot at winning,” Greg claimed.

Qualifying for the race was an achievement in itself, with sixteen cars fighting for one of eight chances to race on Sunday. While the SummitRacing.com Nationals field will allow for sixteen cars to qualifying, Greg is set on earning another top-half spot.

“With all of those great cars going for eight spots, we were proud that we qualified in the top half of that field. Qualifying in the top half is one of our goals for the national event this weekend so we can set ourselves up for a long day on Sunday.”

Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions at the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals, March 28-30, are set for noon and 3:45 PM on Friday and 11 AM on Saturday. First round of eliminations will begin around 3 PM on Saturday. Eliminations continue 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 Enery Services and ExactAir Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltg., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Southgate Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowling Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Waylon's Transport, Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Castrol.

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

Sanford Qualifies in NHRA Debut Race

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Tim Marshall

LAS VEGAS (April 8, 2013) – Top Alcohol Dragster rookie Ashley Sanford impressed the Las Vegas crowd on Saturday when she qualified for her very first drag race on pavement. Running a best of 5.60 at 259 MPH during shortened qualifying, she took the #10 spot to earn a first round matchup with Chris Demke. She even got the starting line advantage over one of the best drivers in the class, but tire smoke put an early end to her debut weekend. Despite an early exit, it was a dream weekend for the former sand drag racer.

“I’m still a little overwhelmed. To me, my dream came true this weekend. As we were going through the tower for the first qualifying run, I had a couple happy tears come out of my eyes. It’s been a dream of mine for years to race an NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster. I’m so proud of myself and my team for making it this far, qualifying for a field with some of the top drivers in the country,” Ashley said after the SummitRacing.com Nationals.

Sanford’s Gelish Soak-Off Nail Polish A/Fuel Dragster ran a tuned-down 5.60 at 259 mph in the final session to qualify tenth. It was a quick ride for the 19-year old, who has just a few full passes in the car.

“We only had two qualifying sessions and it shook the tires on the first pass. We were aiming to go a little quicker but it was fast for me – it was my quickest time yet. We weren’t here to set records this weekend, we’re just trying to slowly make a name for our team,” Sanford claimed.

Qualifying was half the battle. Starting tenth meant a first round matchup with Chris Demke, one of the biggest names in the class.

“I had a feeling we would have a tough competitor first round. All I was thinking was ‘get him at the tree’. I was practicing my reaction times before the run. I knew they had a good car so I wanted every advantage I could take. I did get him at the tree, so that made me feel better. He (Chris) came over and congratulated me after the race so that was a huge complement. He was such a nice guy – I couldn’t have picked a better person to race in my first elimination round,” Ashley said, who ended up smoking the tires down-track after getting a .025 to .043 holeshot. Demke went on to runner-up.

In conclusion, Sanford was overjoyed with the way the weekend played out.

“I can’t complain. We didn’t have anything break and no one got hurt – that’s really all you can ask for. I did everything I could. I didn’t want to go crazy and start pedaling it. Overall, we had an amazing weekend. Nothing really went wrong. I had a great time and met a lot of great people. It was perfect to me.”

Sanford and her Gelish/Lucas Oil team will take a few weeks off before testing to get more seat time and to give Ashley’s father and team owner Shane the opportunity to get a feel for tuning the car after taking over for the car’s previous owner, Larry Miersch. The next planned race for the team is the Lucas Oil Series regional at Sonoma, July 19-21.

Frederosa’s Team Extreme is a family-owned A/Fuel Dragster team competing in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. 19 year old Ashley Sanford drives the team’s Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish dragster, tuned by Troy Schweers and Dave McWilliams. Frederosa’s Team Extreme crew – Ed, Mike, Jeff, and Dean – are assisted by Larry Miersch and crew: Roy, Jimmy, Rick, and Victor. The team receives support from Lucas Oil, Roscoe’s Famous Deli, Heroes Bar & Grill, The D Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, Post Brothers Construction, and Sun Dial Powder Coating.

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

TAN

Demke Keeps National Event Final Streak Alive

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Images LTD

LAS VEGAS (April 8, 2013) – A final round showing at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals couldn’t have come at a better time for Chris Demke and his Peen Rite/OSI/801 Racing Top Alcohol Dragster team. Coming off a first round loss at the Vegas regional and just one qualifying run this weekend, Demke was able to turn on the win light three times before falling to 801 Racing teammate Joey Severance in the final round by just over a foot.

Due to a low car count, TAD qualifying was cut to just two sessions instead of the national event standard three. Though he was able to click off a 5.44 to put him in the show during the final session on Saturday, Chris didn’t even have a time on the board after Friday. An empty air bottle prevented the Maddern Racing entry from making a qualifying run in the opening session, as Chris explains.

“We go up for the first qualifying session and crew member Kevin Watson turned on the air bottle. I hit a button on the steering wheel to make sure there’s air – no air. We usually have a spare air bottle in the tool tray but we forgot it on this run. In hindsight, we should’ve at least started the car and taken the green light so we would be on the run order. Now we’re down to one session and we’re not even on the qualifying sheet. We went into the final session with a conservative tune-up that we knew would make it go down the track. It ran 5.44, which ended up being good enough for fifth.”

That lined Demke up with asphalt drag racing rookie Ashley Sanford first round.

“I was way more nervous going into that round than I should’ve been, due to a lack of run data for the weekend and racing someone new. Everything went well; no games on the starting line and she ripped off a .025 light, which I certainly commend her for. I think she’s got a good future in the category. We ran a 5.38 to move on, so we were happy about that, even though it did hurt two pistons,” Demke said.

Team owner Jerry Maddern and the team spent Saturday night preparing the car for a long day of eliminations on Sunday. Consistency followed on raceday. Second round saw Demke beat Aaron Olivarez with another 5.38. The Californian driver used a big holeshot and 5.40 run to move past Megan McKernan’s 5.53. Fellow blown alcohol driver Joey Severance would be his final round opponent.

“For the final round, we turned the screws on it and shortened the wick. It hopped up and was on what appeared to be a mid-to-high 5.3 run. Unfortunately a lifter broke 2.9 seconds into the run. It made it to the finish line but you could tell it was hurt. I ran 5.444 and Severance ran 5.454. Joey got me on the starting line and won by three thousandths of a second. It was disappointing to lose but we kept our national event final round record alive at six final rounds. We got our bearing problem solved so we’re ready to go to the next race and win some more rounds,” Demke said after the race.

Chris was quick to thank the people who had the Peen Rite/OSI/801 Racing dragster running mean all weekend – team owner Jerry Maddern, crew members Kevin Watson, Mike Demke, Adam Rhoades, Ron Mann, Greg Rice, and Mike Garcia. The Maddern Racing team was joined by Patrick Hale, creator of QUARTERJr. and Nitro Tuner software. 

…

About Peen Rite - Your source for quality shot peening, glass bead, and abrasive blasting services for over 45 years. We provide low cost solutions, high volume capacity, and a superior level of quality control. We’re equipped with many specialty machines designed to handle the cleaning and surface preparation for a wide variety of work pieces. PEEN-RITE gives you the ability to stay within your job cost estimation!

Operational Solutions will challenge itself on a daily basis to provide a unique advanced technical service to our customers. Our team will work to identify the problem, procure the necessary parts, and implement the solution. We will accomplish this with an expertise and professionalism unparalleled in the PET bottle industry. Operational Solutions provides products and services for the PET blow molding industry.  We are the leading independent service and support organization for SIDEL, SIG, and Krones blow molding. We serve customers around the world from our facilities in Kansas City, Missouri and France. Visit us at: www.operationalsolutions.com.

We believe true happiness comes from blazing down the blacktop with the pedal to the metal and our hair on fire. The whiter our knuckles get, the better. If it were up to us, cars wouldn't even have brakes, just two gas pedals. It's this never-ending need for speed that drives everything we do. We spend countless hours in the lab and lying awake at night plotting and planning how to get more speed by any means possible. After decades of research and innovation, we've developed a complete line of performance and car care products designed to ensure that your ride lives up to its potential on the street and on the track.  We know what you want. We got what you need. We are 801 Racing.  For more information on 801 racing, please visit: www.801Racing.com.

TAN 

Severance, Bartone Continue Vegas Dominance

Courtesy of Todd Veney/Pro Sportsman Association

Top Alcohol Dragster veteran Joey Severance, appearing in his sixth final in eight years at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Tony Bartone, who was in his fifth Top Alcohol Funny Car final in a row there, scored again at the desert supertrack. Severance edged Chris Demke by about a foot, 5.45 to 5.44, for the SummitRacing.com Nationals title, and Bartone nipped emerging star Shane Westerfield, 5.66 to 5.69, for his 37^th career win.

"I don't know what it is about this place, but it's my second-favorite track in the world," said Severance, who is a co-owner of Woodburn Dragstrip. He and Demke actually made their worst runs of eliminations in a final decided by just three-thousandths of a second. Severance, who has countless .00 lights to his credit, got off the mark first with a .057 reaction time and ran a 5.45, and Demke cut a .070 and clocked a 5.44. Demke's Operational Solutions/Peen Rite/801 entry broke a lifter three seconds into the run and eventually kicked a rod.

Demke defeated Jegs Allstars West Region leader Ray Martin in one semifinal matchup, and Severance won the other over Megan McKernan, who had upset Jim Whiteley in round two. Whiteley went up in smoke after qualifying No. 1 for the 15^th time in his career.

Severance and father Joe Severance, a two-time national event winner in the late '70s, qualified No. 3 and took out Johnny Ahten in round one and Garrett Bateman in the HipLink A/Fueler in the quarterfinals. Demke qualified No. 5 on his only attempt and eliminated Ashley Sanford, who made her debut at this event, in round one and Aaron Olivarez in an odd second-round race in which both drivers were affected by Demke's flickering stage light.

Demke now has runner-ups in both national event starts this season, including one to nemesis Whiteley at the Winternationals, and until the final appeared to have his recent parts-attrition problems behind him. "We've blown up some stuff, trying to get better down the road," he said. "If we don't change something, we'll do no better than second place in the points like we did last year."

For the second time in three years, Top Alcohol Funny Car came down to Bartone versus Westerfield, who was in the third final of his young career – all against Bartone. "I'm getting a little tired of it," joked Westerfield, the new national points leader, who now stands 0-5 against Bartone overall.

Bartone, who swept both national events in Las Vegas in each of the past two years, qualified No. 1 and set low e.t. and top speed with a 5.58, 261.47 in the third and final session. He was on the bump until then. "I love this track," he said. "Why don't we run all the races here?" In eliminations, he dropped Hannes Wernhart and Winternationals runner-up Jason Rupert with consistent times of 5.65 and 5.64.

He was vulnerable in the semifinals with a .306 reaction time against Jirka Kaplan, who would have been long gone with a .009, but Kaplan's Bearspaw Petroleum car smoked the tires at the hit. "I haven't done that in years," Bartone said of his double-step. "That guy leaves off of a button [with a trans-brake] and I was trying to cut a light and got caught up in the heat of the moment. But I got the car down the track and we won – that's the important thing."

TAN