Top Qualifier Ahten Goes to Vegas Final

Courtesy of John Rogers
Photo courtesy of Costabile Productions

Las Vegas, NV. – Johnny Ahten went into the NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with quiet confidence. He was sure of the ability of his car to run well, and he was right. In Friday’s lone qualifying session Ahten and his Island Renovations / Combust Filters dragster laid down a 5.306/269.03 pass that garnered the top spot. Not resting, Saturday saw Ahten go even quicker with a 5.260/265.17 blast to become the number one qualifier going into eliminations. All this was accomplished without two veteran crewmembers.

“We had some availability conflicts with two of our crewmembers, but we filled the gaps with an old friend and went number one,” said Ahten. “I want to thank Todd “Rocky” Rockwell for helping out. It was a thrash. The 5.30 run on Friday sure felt good out of the box. Saturday’s 5.26 pass was a monster. It might have even been quicker if we had all eight firing.”

Sunday eliminations saw a first round match up with Casey Grisel. It turned out to be a single as Grisel had issues getting the car to start. Ahten and the Stump Puller rocketed down the quarter-mile to a session-best 5.267/270.05. Second round brought former champ Duane Shields, who struck the tires and could only muster a 7.617/117.65 pass. Ahten had issues as well with his winning 5.430/270.81 time. It was on to the semifinals where it was first time opponent Ashley Sanford in the other lane. Sanford was out of the gate first, but immediately hazed the tires. Ahten battled tire shake and netted a 5.470/262.74 which would cost him lane choice in the finals. Waiting in the final round was blown alcohol juggernaut and CleanBoost Performance Oil teammate Joey Severance. Ahten brought his number one qualifying car to the final round, but he also brought some left over tire shake from the previous round. Severance took the win with a 5.260/271.19 to Ahten’s 5.449/254.23.

“We made our fourth final in nine races this year, which is not bad for a low budget team,” added Ahten. “We had some big time help. Our crewmember Chuck Costabile drove to Vegas just to help us out on Sunday, and it was great to have Rocky back. I really have to hand it to my dad Al Ahten, racing partner Howard Katano, and Bob Ahten for giving me a rocket ship. We will be back this weekend for Regional action at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. We are looking to continue going fast and surprising a few folks. Vegas will do that every now and again,” added Ahten.

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

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

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

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

Hunter Seeking Continued Success at Vegas' Toyota Nationals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (October 30, 2014) – The semi-annual racing trip to Las Vegas means a chance for renewed success for Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Greg Hunter. Wheeling Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing entry, Hunter will join 19 other TAFC participants at the NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. Since the fairly new driver/team combination started their season with a semifinal finish at the Vegas spring race this year, the Vegas return is especially anticipated.

Hunter's last race was the Texas AAA NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas last month, where the Hunter and Goodwin team suffered a rare DNQ. The Wyoming driver failed to make it down the track quick enough to qualify for the sixteen-car field, prompting crew chief Ryan Protz and the team to make a few changes.

“After we were disappointed in Dallas, the team decided to bring the car back to the shop in Canada instead of heading right to Vegas. The Synoil team went over the car top to bottom and they found a few issues including a cracked frame rail, which contributed to our traction problems in Dallas. Everything is fresh and new going into the Vegas race. We know it's going to be a tough field so we're going in with guns loaded,” claimed the TAFC-turned TAD-turned TAFC driver.

The Strip at LVMS is where Hunter and the Synoil Energy Services-sponsored team first experienced success together. Racing at the SummitRacing.com Nationals in April earlier this year, Greg Hunter qualified No. 2 with a 5.61 and raced to the semifinal round. Seeing as that was only their second race together, Hunter believes they can go even further now that they have a full season of experience.

“The team has really gelled since the beginning of the season. We know each other a lot better and I'm more comfortable and readjusted to driving a funny car now. Not that I wasn't comfortable before, but I feel like I've progressed every weekend.”

“We're all excited for Vegas because we know the track well and we had success at the spring race. All of our sponsors are coming out for this race so we're looking forward to having a good time with them.”

Top Alcohol Funny Car has a unique schedule for this weekend's NHRA Toyota Nationals, Oct. 30-Nov. 2. Teams have one qualifying shot on Friday at 11:15 AM, followed by two runs on Saturday at 11:45 AM and 3 PM. First round of eliminations begins at 9 AM Sunday morning.

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 Mobil1.

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

Whiteley Caps Championship Defense with Vegas Win

Courtesy of Todd Veney

Jim Whiteley said all along that he was done driving Top Alcohol Dragsters at the end of this season, but his championship-clinching victory at Las Vegas, punctuated by low e.t., top speed, and a 5.33-5.34 final-round win over archrival Chris Demke, was such a perfect end that he seriously considered letting it be that – the end.

"It's not going to get any better," Whiteley said. "Why not go out like this and just hang out at Pomona and watch everybody else have fun running their cars. Because, seriously, how much better could Pomona possibly be than Vegas just was?"

At the Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas, Whiteley earned his third national event title in a row, including the prestigious U.S. Nationals and the Fall Nationals, with a barrage of low 5.30s and one 5.20, a 5.28 in the first round that held up for low e.t. He set top speed at 271.41 mph a round later in a 5.32 win over Don St. Arnaud that officially clinched a championship that has been all but mathematically wrapped up for some time now.

With a three-race streak to close out a second consecutive national championship and likely his career, Whiteley steps into the background and Mike Strasburg, who drives his family's own Top Fueler and works on Annie Whiteley's Top Alcohol Funny Car (which qualified No. 1 at Las Vegas), will get in Whiteley's dragster for about a half-dozen events next season. "Joey Severance is going to run my motor stuff next year, and Mike's going to drive my car a few times, maybe six," said Whiteley, who will spend 2014 supporting wife Annie in Top Alcohol Funny Car and son Steven in Pro Mod. "Steve hopefully is going to run all 10 NHRA Pro Mod races, and I might run a couple with an old car we have around, but for me the biggest thing now is just to be there for Annie and Steve."

Ahten Racing Wins Best Appearing Crew at Toyota Nationals

Courtesy of THR5 Communications
Photo courtesy of Mike Cornelius

Las Vegas, NV. – After winning the Best Appearing Crew award at the NHRA Toyota Nationals at the Strip as Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Johnny Ahten quipped that they may not be the fastest this weekend, but they were the best looking. The new duds debuted at the August Seattle race and were designed and sponsored by Island Renovations and Howard Katano.

“Howard and his company Island Renovations have done so much for our team,” said Ahten. “We were really excited when we heard we won. They grabbed us for the photo shoot just as we were coming down the return road after our qualifying lap on Saturday. I still had my fire suit on but to see the smile on Howard’s face made it that much sweeter,” added Ahten.

The Island Renovations / Combust Filters Team started out qualifying with a 5.488@256.94 in Friday’s first round. That put Ahten in number six spot, but the crew felt like something was missing. In Saturday’s second round of qualifying, a 5.507@252.57 was no help. In the final qualifying session, a cylindrically challenged 5.418@255.43 was a step in the right direction. Other than that errant piston that decided not to fire, the run was good enough to set a final qualifying position of eleventh. Sunday’s opponent would be Mark Taliaferro. The crew made the decision to swing for the fence. They hopped the Stump Puller up and prepared to launch one into the upper deck. Johnny was crowding the plate looking for the fastball and took a mighty swing with a .027 reaction time. All was well and good until the rear tires lost traction within a nanosecond. Tire smoke filled the air as Taliaferro ripped off a 5.345@267.59, with Johnny coasting across the line at a pedestrian-like 63.69 mph.

“The car sounded angry and I was ready,” added Ahten. “I saw some cars in front of us strike the tires, but I just assumed our tune-up would prevail. The fast ball I was looking for never came. My guys all worked their tails off. It was great to have some of our sponsors in our pits this weekend. Their support has been overwhelming. I would also like to mention and thank Jim Dunn Racing for their help. Jim has been very generous to us and for that I am grateful," said Ahten. 

Winning the Best Appearing Crew Wally did help to ease the discomfort of a first round exit at the Vegas event. Ahten and his crew now are on a mission to add another Wally this weekend at the Vegas Regional and at the World Finals in Pomona. They will still look to hit the long ball, but now with both eyes on the approaching pitch.

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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 them at 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 them at: www.combustfilters.com

Fireman's Brew grew out of two Los Angeles based firefighter's vision to create premium handcrafted beers that would quench their thirsts after an exhausting day on the firelines. Originally created by firefighters for firefighters, Fireman's Brew is now available at bars, restaurants and retail stores throughout Southern California, Arizona, Illinois, Colorado & Nebraska. Visit them at www.firemansbrew.com

PEAK Team Shows Improvement from Start to Finish at Las Vegas

Courtesy of Rich Bailey

Las Vegas - Duane Shields and the PEAK A/Fuel Dragster team returned to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, their home track, for the Toyota NHRA Nationals.  Besides striving to win the event, the race also served as a test session for the 2014 season.

A well attended memorial for PEAK crew member Ralph Freeman also happened at the Vegas race on Saturday night after qualifying. Many west coast racers showed their respect by gathering at the PEAK Racing pit area to say goodbye to their friend and competitor. Some funny stories were exchanged while racers and crew members enjoyed a BBQ rib dinner.

The Toyota Nationals field was stout as 21 cars were fighting to get into a 16 car field which ended up with a quick 5.57 bump spot. Duane had an opening run of 5.58 seconds to put him on the bump spot but then improved to a 5.53 in the final round of qualifying to get him into the field as the 15th qualifier.

In the first round, Duane faced the recently crowned Champion and number two qualifier, Jim Whiteley. Unfortunately for Duane, Whiteley saved his best run for round one and stopped the clock with a 5.28 at 271 MPH to grab the win over Duane’s best pass of the weekend, a 5.48 at 256 MPH. “We made some progress since we started out with a 5.58 and ended with a 5.48. We will continue to be in test mode as we look forward to the regional event here this coming weekend” Duane said.

Fans who want a double shot of Las Vegas drag racing action can go to any Shortline Market this week and pick up a free ticket for Saturday’s qualifying action. There are eleven Shortline stores in the Las Vegas metro area.

Duane would like to thank his sponsors PEAK Motor Oil, PEAK Antifreeze, Herculiner Truck Bed Liners, Blue DEF Diesel Exhaust Fluid and FINAL Charge Heavy Duty Truck Antifreeze, GRP Connecting Rods, NGK Spark Plugs, Molinari Race Products and Shortline Markets for their continued support.

Demke Takes Runner-Up in Nat. Championship, Toyota Nationals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Images LTD.

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 30) – Top Alcohol Dragster frontrunner Chris Demke enjoyed another runner-up finish at the NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last weekend. The California-based Maddern Racing team qualified No. 1 and performed well throughout eliminations, but came up short to Jim Whiteley in the national championship and the final round.

“I knew that winning the championship was a long shot. We gave it everything we had. It wasn’t a surprise to me that Jim and his team was able to pull it off; they have the expertise and parts needed to win a championship. They put it all together to win two in a row. My hat’s off to Jim, Norm Grimes, and the YNot Racing team,” Demke said of the 2013 national TAD championship, which was decided when Whiteley won his second round match.

Chris qualified his Peen Rite/Operational Solutions/Boost Performance Products blown dragster in the top spot, running 5.298 at 270 MPH in the second session.

The Jerry Maddern-owned entry was the second-quickest car of every round of eliminations, including the final round. Chris started the day with a 5.32 win over TAD newcomer Jeff Ashwell. He slowed to a 5.40 against a red-lighting Dan Mercier. The semifinals would be a showdown with blown hitter Ray Martin. Martin smoked the tires and Demke ran 5.36. Meanwhile, Whiteley fought his way through his side of the ladder, meaning the Vegas crowd would get to see at least one more race between the rivals.

Demke was the second to leave the starting line and the second to reach the finish line. His 5.340 was strong, but Jim’s 5.330 was just a tick better.

Though he didn’t leave The Strip at LVMS as the 2013 LODRS national champion or Toyota Nationals winner, Demke did leave with renewed confidence in his car and a clear mind entering the Las Vegas regional event this weekend.

“I wasn’t very positive about the changes we made to the car before the race. We ran our first 5.2 pass at Vegas and our first time crossing into the 270 MPH range so I think the guys proved their point. It made a huge difference. I’m very pleased with the performance of our car right now.

“Jim winning the championship by the time he reached the semifinals took off the pressure. It allowed me to focus on winning the race. Going into Pomona, it’s all about performance now.”

The national championship might be over, but a regional title is still at stake. The 2013 West Region TAD champion will be crowned this weekend at the final regional event of the year at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“I’m still focused on the regional championship. Jim, Ray Martin, and I are still in contention. We’re all within ten points of each other. It’s a great horse race that should go down to the late rounds,” Chris claimed.

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.