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Qualifying rounds for the LODRS Division 7 race at Auto Cub Dragway in Fontana May 4 - 6 brought excitement and even some drama. Jerry Maddern had both cars at the track this weekend and both drivers looked good. The first round had Demke qualifying in fourth place and Austin in seventh. Austin set a new Fontana top speed mark with 264.49 mph which was then taken by Demke at 265.06 and again by Duane Shields with 273.88 in the same round. So much for track records! In round two, Demke was able to improve his first run and bumps up to the number three qualifier while Austin fought for control and ended up coasting to the finish. He dropped to the bump spot. The third round put Demke back in at number four and left Austin still sitting on the bump.
After the third round, while Austin was hooking up his race car to the tow vehicle, Larry Miersch was rounding the corner into the shutdown area at the end of his run and came too close to Austin's car. The chutes on Miersch's car caught on the back of Austin's car (which was stopped, no one in it, and hooked up to be towed back to the pits).
Austin's car lunged forward with the only thing to stop it being the tow strap. Austin had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit and luckily, the only casualty was the front wing on the car which was badly damaged by the tow strap becoming imbedded.
With no extra wing at his disposal, it was looking dim for Austin to run in eliminations on Sunday but Comp Eliminator driver Dean Carter and his dad came to the rescue and loaned Austin an extra wing they had. Many thanks to Dean and his dad!
On Sunday, in the first round of eliminations, Demke was paired up against Cody Perkins. Demke suffered tire shake and that, combined with a strong cross wind had him drifting toward the center line and he ended up taking out the 1000 foot lights resulting in a DQ and a win for Perkins.
Austin's first round against Jim Whiteley brought more problems as the motor backfired and blew up on the pass, giving the win to Whiteley.
With this race under Team-Peen's belt, Demke is currently in the number two spot in the point standings but has quite a climb to catch Duane Shields in the number one spot with Shields having 277 points to Demke's 149 after four events. Austin is currently number six with two events.
The April 20 - 22 LODRS Division 7 race at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway left Team-Peen sitting on the bench. Changing weather conditions, and consequently track conditions, made it difficult to get the proper tuning. Demke and the Peen-Rite Top Alcohol Dragster just didn't have enough steam to qualify this weekend.
We're looking for all our fans to join us in Fontana May 4 - 6. Come on out to support Team-Peen as we shake off the difficulties of the last couple of weeks and get on with the racing season!
Jerry Maddern brought both of his cars to Las Vegas for the Summitracing.com NHRA Nationals April 12 - 15. Qualifying rounds proved difficult for Demke this weekend. After two rounds he still hadn't made the field. In the third round of qualifying after his burnout, the car wouldn't go into reverse. This brought the officials trudging down the track and it seemed Demke would be disqualified. At the last second, the car finally went in to reverse and Demke made it into the field with a 5.63 in the number 12 spot. Teammate Mike Austin's luck was better as he had three good qualifying rounds and ended up in the number 11 spot with a 5.62.
In the first round of eliminations, Austin was matched up with Cody Perkins. Perkins had a 'psychic' light and was able to hold on for the win in this round. Demke was matched up with Aaron Olivarez and seemed to have overcome the difficulties he suffered in qualifying and edged Olivarez out by a close margin. This was an exciting win for Team-Peen since they hadn't gone past the first round of eliminations in a national event since Topeka, KS in 2006. Demke and Olivarez had the second and third quickest times in the first round.
In round two, Demke was up against Duane Shields and held the lead until the 660 ft. mark where Shields, always a strong opponent, passed him and held on for the win.
Not a great weekend for Team-Peen but the competition was tough and track conditions not the best they could be. Demke's car will remain in Las Vegas for next weekends LODRS Division 7 race April 20 - 22.
From Chandler, AZ, Team-Peen delivered Jerry Maddern's Top Alcohol Dragster driven by Chris Demke to Tucson for the NHRA Pacific division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series (LODRS) at Southwestern Int'l Raceway on March 8 - 11.
It was a considerably smaller field than the previous week in Chandler, AZ with only seven cars competing so all qualified at this event. Team-Peen took advantage of the smaller field to relax and have a little fun. Waffle House, a favorite stop for the team when in Arizona, gave the guys a bunch of 'Waffle House' chef's hats and the team wore them and had several other teams wearing the stylish paper hat as well.
It looked as though the first qualifying round was going to be a repeat of last week when Demke hit a bump in the track near the finish line causing the motor to over-rev and hit the rev limiter. The team tore down the transmission and clutch to check for damage and thankfully, there wasn't any. Demke ended up qualifying second with a 5.53 behind Duane Shields and his 5.28.
Round one of eliminations matched Demke up with Brian Smith. Smith had suffered engine damage in qualifying and ended up a no show so Demke advanced to the semi finals with a 5.50; his best time this weekend. His opponent for the semi finals was Larry Miersch. The track was a little more slick than expected and the Peen-Rite Top Alcohol Dragster experienced tire shake and had trouble staying in the left lane. Demke gave up the win to Miersch with a 5.69 to 5.52.
Qualifying at this race earned Jerry Maddern's Team-Peen enough points to secure the Jeg's Allstars entry for Demke so look for him to compete representing Division 7 at the all star event in Chicago, June 7 - 10.
The weather in Chandler, AZ proved to be just as Team-Peen expected. The field consisted of 11 top alcohol dragsters competing for eight qualifying spots. Jerry Maddern brought two of the 11 cars that made up the field to be driven by Chris Demke and teammate Mike Austin. Team-Peen, who have had a car in the final round of this race for the last four years and winning the last three had high hopes to repeat last years 1 - 2 finish.
The qualifying rounds on Friday and Saturday had the team running at full steam with Demke's crew having to swap the motor on Friday night due to spun rear main bearing in the first round. Austin suffered an engine explosion and burned four pistons in round two. In spite of the problems, Team-Peen ended up with Demke in the number three spot with a 5.36 (team best at this track) at 269.40 mph (team best ever!!) and Austin ending up qualifying fifth after opting to sit out the final round in order to save the motor for Sunday eliminations.
Sunday's first round of eliminations pitted Austin against Brandon Johnson, recent winner of the Pomona Winternationals. Austin won a close race (5.40 to 5.41), the 5.40 being the quickest run on the Peen-Rite backup car. Demke's run against Edwin Schmeekle started strong and Demke never looked back running a 5.39 against Schmeekle's 5.69. This earned the Peen-Rite team lane choice over Demke's semi final opponent, Larry Miersch.
In the semi finals, Austin was matched up against number one qualifier, Duane Shields. Austin had a great reaction time (0.013) and was leading past half track when once again he suffered an engine explosion allowing Shields to catch him just before the finish line.
Demke matched up with Larry Miersch, who is known for his excellent reaction times, but and stayed right with him as the light turned green (0.017 to 0.019). Jerry Maddern's superior horsepower proved to be too much for Miersch and Demke reached the finish line first, 5.37 to 5.41.
The finals matched Demke against Shields. Even though Shields was the number one qualifier with a 5.22, Demke had been more consistent and also had lane choice going into this final round. Demke had the better reaction time (0.034 to 0.049) but the Peen-Rite dragster suffered tire shake and slowed to a losing 5.49.
Congratulations to Duane Shields and the crew of the Shortline Express Dragster on the victory!
All in all in was not a bad weekend. While the team suffered some parts breakage both crews were up to the task and fixed the damage. Maddern was able to qualify both of his cars in a tough field of competitors and finished with both a semi-final and final round finish.
Team Peen packs up and heads off to Arizona for the Division 7 opening race at Firebird International Raceway. Located in Chandler Arizona just south of Phoenix, Firebird Raceway should be in great shape since hosting a national event the previous weekend. As the defending champions, Maddern Racing looks to finish strong as they have high hopes for winning the Jegs All-Star series. Currently leading in points in the Jegs All-Star's, a strong finish here would clinch the title again for the third time in 4 years to earn a spot in the finals in Chicago. The forcast for the weather looks clear and warm, so chances are the Peen-Rite Top Alcohol Dragster will be a strong contender.
The 2007 season is about to fire up at the Auto Club Raceway in Pomona. Every February since 1961, fans have flocked to Southern California for the unveiling of new cars, drivers, teams, and sponsorships at the NHRA season opener and one of drag racing's grandest traditions, 'The Winternationals'. Come down and join the fun, feel the rush, and hear the roar of the fastest accelerating vehicles on the planet. When you do, don't forget to stop by our pits to see the dragster up close, meet 'Team Reen', and get a photo autographed by our driver, the NHRA Division 7 Champion, Chris Demke. Maddern Racing's Peen-Rite sponsored Top Alcohol Dragster is ready and the fired up 'Team Reen' begin their charge for a fourth straight championship.
New rules have everyone on the same learning curve!
These are just the main points so far...
• Head and neck restraint system - mandatory (finally)
• programmable ignition - legal
• Programmable multi-point rev limiter - illegal
• electronic fuel timers - legal
• 25 lb. weight increase to 2050 lb.
• steel-braided fuel lines in cockpit
• PSI blower overdrive adjusted to 2.28
• Shift light triggered by tach or ignition only.
Thats all so far ... (see 2006)
2006 proved to be one of the fastest years ever in the sport of drag racing. Records have been broken in almost every class in NHRA, and Pomona, CA was no different. John Force wins an unprecedented 14th championship, Jack Beckman breaks the elapsed-time and speed record in only his fifth race, and Tony Schumacher smashes the world record in the finals. WOW! The Peen-Rite team and Chris Demke had their record to break as well, and they did it. In the first round of eliminations, Demke drove the car on its quickest pass ever down the quarter mile at 5.336 seconds. What a year for records! This has the team in high hopes for next year's season to run even faster. In 2007, it looks like the division will be even tougher. The team has confidence, the car is running strong and Demke has turned into a top notch driver. With these factors in place, the Peen-Rite team is preparing to make a charge at a fourth straight title. 2007 should prove to be quite an exciting year for the team and the fans.
In 2002, Chris Demke acquired his license to drive a Top Alcohol Dragster and replaced Darren Nicholson in the seat of the Peen-Rite Dragster. Over the next two years, Demke practiced and learned how to drive like a champion. Though Demke did make it to several finals, it was hard for him to get past the first round and he was never able to make it to the winners circle. In his third year, he matured as a driver and all that changed. He won at the first division race of the season. Demke had his first 'Wally' and the monkey was off his back. That year he earned a spot in three more finals and claimed two more wins on the road to his first division championship. The following year, 2005, Demke swept the first three races before tragedy struck in a terrible crash which sidelined him for the rest of the season. By this time though, Demke had such a commanding lead in points, the team decided to put another car together and put Mike Auston in the seat to finish the season and block anyone closing on Demke's lead. The team did just what they planned and claimed three more races with Auston at the helm. This was just enough for Demke to win his second championship with Auston a close second in points. In 2006, the team had new teams to battle with and the A-fuel cars were running much better making division 7 the toughest in the nation. It close at the finish, but Demke had it in him when the team needed it and clinched yet their third championship in a row. Three in a row is a 'Hat Trick', which may be a hockey term, but it sure sounds good! Next year in 2007, division 7 looks to be even tougher, but Demke and the Peen-Rite team will be ready for the challenge.
The Peen-Rite team heads off to the final division race in Las Vegas, NV. quite tense as they are locked in a three way battle for the championship. Chris Demke is tied with Sean O'Bannon for first with Duane Shields trailing only one round behind. All three cars are running strong in qualifying. The third round of qualifying for Demke is the make-up final from the Fallon, NV race. Demke, in decided fashion, leaves first and motors to a strong win over Steve Federlin to gain another 21 points and claim the number one spot in the points race. In doing so, Shields was eliminated from the points race, but still leaving the door open for O'Bannon to win the championship if he wins the Vegas event. In the first round of eliminations, Demke puts down one of the best passes of the meet and looks to easily win the race against Garrett Bateman who was up in smoke early. Late in the run, a bump in the right lane caused Demke to drift so close to the center line that he just nicked the last cone which disqualified the run. The team was a little dejected while towing the car back to the pits until they hear the over the radio that O'Bannon had lost his race in the first round as well making the Peen-Rite team the division champions for the third straight year. While towing the car to the pits past the grandstands, the team celebrated the championship with loud cheers and applause from the fans.
The Peen-Rite team had plans early in the season to travel to Acton, MT, but due to a close points race, they made a strategic decision to go to Medford, OR instead. For the second race in a row, Chris Demke qualifies number two behind Steve Federlin. Both cars have a tenth of a second or more over the rest of the field. Just like in Fallon, both players march through eliminations and square up in the final. Though loosing in the final to Federlin in a close drag race, the team earned enough points to climb back to the top of the ladder and tie Sean O'Bannon for the first place spot. This brings the Division 7 championship race down the final event in Las Vegas, NV.
The Peen-Rite team has a knack for running well on even the toughest tracks, and the toughest on the circuit is in Fallon, NV. True to team form, Chris Demke qualifies the car second with half the field over two tenths behind him. Demke marches easily through eliminations and earns lane choice in the final against the number one qualifier, Steve Federlin. The team has high hopes due to a huge difference in the two lanes. After a close call in a comp class run, NHRA officials inspect the track and call the race due to unsafe track conditions. Demke and Federlin agree to make up the final run in the third round of qualifying in Las Vegas. On a high note, earning a spot in the final put the team in a close run for the championship.
A brand new track has been built at the Fontana, CA. facility and it was as green as they come. With scorching temperatures and a tough track to figure out, Fridays qualifying was not very impressive with the best run of the field at 5.836 seconds. The Peen-Rite team had some issues and did not make the Friday run. Saturday was a different story for the team. Chris Demke, in an eye opener to the rest of the field, put down a 5.530 second pass to qualify number one. A tenth faster than the number two spot. Set to dominate the weekend, the team easily got through eliminations to earn a spot in the final. With the track temperature soaring, the tires lost some grip and Demke had to shift early which cost him the race in a very close battle.
* On a side note, the Peen-Rite team holds the track record on the old track.
The late may weather in Topeka, KS. was very hot giving an advantage to the blown cars. After qualifying mid-field, Chris Demke is quick off the line to get a holeshot first round win over the defending world champion, Steve Torrence. Then to keep up the pace, he uses the heat advantage to take out the number one qualifier, Bill Reichert in round two. Facing Spencer Massey in the semi's, Demke, with a great light, gets the win even after blowing the engine at around 1200 feet. With only a 45-minute turn around, the team scrambles to get a new engine put into the car to make the call. In the final, facing the Norm Grimes tuned car of Sean O'Bannon, Demke cuts a great light to get a half car lead at 300 feet, but gets passed just before the finish line to lose by only two feet.
In 2005, after a terrible crash mid-season which sidelined Chris Demke, the team put together a new car and placed Mike Austin in the seat. After nearly sweeping the division races, they finished first and second in points respectivly. The season opening event for 2006 was held at Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, AZ. with the Peen-Rite Top Alcohol Dragster team poised to continue its dominance of the division from the previous year. To the surprise of their opponents, the Peen-Rite team show up in Phoenix with both cars and continued in fashion to take first and second place. On one of the runs that weekend, Demke's car traveled it's fastest speed ever at 267.64 miles per hour.
The story is currently being written.Check back soon ...
