Maddern Racing
Demke and Maddern Racing Have Unfinished Business in Woodburn
Courtesy of Maddern Racing
Woodburn, OR – Just a few short months ago Chris Demke was in the finals at the first Woodburn Dragstrip Regional race. The Maddern Racing driver was leading until an electrical glitch ended his day in defeat. This time around Demke and the Peen Rite / OSI /
801 Racing Team are out to finish what they started.
“I am really looking forward to this race at Woodburn,” said Demke. “We have had a few weeks off to rebuild and repair our racecar. Everyone on the team worked diligently and the vendor support was extraordinary. We raced heavy in June and July and now we are all ready to mount a charge.”
Leading the charge is owner and crew chief Jerry Maddern. Crewmembers Kevin Watson, Michael Demke, Ronald Mann, and tuner/clutchguy Adam Rhoades have their game faces on and are ready to rumble. The motors have been massaged, past runs have been analyzed, and the support parts have been restocked. Woodburn Dragstrip is where they will work in unison to make a run at not only the Regional Championship, but the overall Top Alcohol Dragster title.
Demke slow-plays his way to Seattle Victory
Courtesy of Maddern Racing
Seattle, WA – Chris Demke’s final round race down the Pacific Raceways quarter mile took just over eleven seconds, but it seemed like an hour. After losing traction and multiple throttle pedals, the blower let go and Demke was 
coasting down the 1320 with parachutes deployed. It was not fun or fast, but it was enough for the victory. In the grand scheme of things it does not matter how, just how many races you have won.
In Friday’s first qualifying session, the Peen Rite / OSI / 801 Racing Dragster laid down a 5.305/271.68 which was good enough for the second slot. Wanting more, they turned up the wick for the second session and ripped off a 5.260 at 271.90. That was good enough for the number one spot, and low elapsed time and speed for the event.
On Saturday, a 5.296/269.56 was put up on the scoreboard and they went into Sunday eliminations still in the top spot. The crew, led by crew chief Jerry Maddern, tuner/clutch guy Adam Rhoades, Kevin Watson, Mike Demke and Ronald Mann, had found the electrical issue and cured the car’s bad habits. This weekend they were assisted by Peen Rite’s Mike Garcia and OSI’s Kent Goss.
In the first round of eliminations, Demke was paired up with William Litton. A 5.3612/269.40 was enough to beat Litton’s 5.899/259.16. In second round action, Joey Severance was sent home with a 5.362/268.22 to a close 5.386/267.53. It was on to the finals. Waiting for them was National Point leader Jim Whiteley. The Maddern Racing gang knew they had the tune-up to beat Whiteley, and they prepared for war.
Maddern Racing prepares for multiple missions in Seattle
Courtesy of Maddern Racing
Seattle, WA – The Maddern Racing team is in Seattle looking to find a glitch, scratch an itch, and do it in a stitch. In their last two outings, an electrical problem has been a troubling annoyance. Luck has played a part of the Peen Rite / OSI / 801 Racing Team’s
success. Having won Sonoma and going to the finals at Woodburn has made the championship itch grow bigger. Before they can think of anything else, the Peen Rite Team has to find the electrical issue.
“Before the race we field striped the electrical system looking for the gremlin from the last two races,” said tuner/clutch guy Adam Rhoades. “We are planning on testing during qualifying and racing on Sunday. We will see if we can put our finger on the problem. There will be some great competition here in Seattle. It makes us better and that makes us have to perform. We know how this car can run. We are here to win.”
Pacific Raceways has been favorable to the Maddern Racing Team in the past two years. A 2010 win and a 2011 semi-final appearance is a good omen. For 2012, the sense of urgency is quite clear. The championship points battle is front and center this weekend in Seattle. Crew Chief Jerry Maddern, Kevin Watson, Mike Demke, Ronald Mann, and tuner/clutch guy Adam Rhoades know what’s at stake, and are prepared for battle.
Demke goes to the finals at Woodburn
Courtesy of Maddern Racing
Woodburn, OR – Whenever you go fishing there are a few things that are bound to happen. Sometimes you catch your limit, and sometimes the big one gets away. At their first trip ever to Woodburn Dragway, Chris Demke and the Maddern Racing Team came
away with a few keepers, but the catch of the day eluded them. That’s fishing, or in this case, Drag Racing.
The weekend started out with a whopper. In the first round of qualifying the Peen Rite / OSI / 801 Racing Dragster ripped off a 5.322/269.86. That blast put them in the number one qualifying position. It also gave them the track record at Woodburn Dragway. This was the kind of statement the Team was looking to make.
They serviced the car and returned to the line in anticipation of lowering the record. In the second qualifying session, there was a tug on the line, but it wasn’t the big fish. A wire had come loose and the car coasted down the track. Back in the pits, the wire was zip tied in place. The decision was then made to sit out the third qualifying session, as they still held the top spot.
Maddern Racing eyeing a strong Sonoma
Courtesy of Maddern Racing
Sonoma, CA – The Maddern Racing Team’s travels have brought them back to their home state of California. This weekend they are competing at Sonoma Raceway’s Regional event. Driver Chris Demke and the Peen Rite / OSI / 801 Racing Team are looking
to strengthen their points totals, continue their assault on the time clocks, and win.
“Our runner-up at the Woodburn Regional was a letdown, we want more,” said Chris Demke. “We started out the season with two wins, won the Jegs AllStars in Joliet, and now it’s time to start another charge for the Championship.”
Going rounds and winning races takes planning and insight. The brain trust of crew chief Jerry Maddern, Kevin Watson, Michael Demke, Ron Mann, and tuner/clutch guy Adam Rhoades have the tune-up, and they are not afraid to use it. These past weeks of racing has gained them a handle on what it takes to go fast. It also takes support. This is why Maddern Racing is proud to announce that Boninfante Friction Products has come aboard as an associate sponsor. Their President, Rob Boninfante had this to say, “We are looking forward to helping out Maddern Racing and their run for the Championship.”
Demke Storms to Jegs AllStars Victory at Route 66
Courtesy of THR5 Communications
Photo by John Rogers
Joliet, IL – If facing seven of the best Top Alcohol Dragsters in the country was not hard enough, the Maddern Racing Team and Chris Demke had plenty of other formidable foes thrown at them during the Jegs AllStars competition. The
torrential rains and extreme temperatures made a tough task even more difficult. They also had to make an engine swap in just over an hour in order to make it to the lanes. But rounds they did go, and in the end, came away with the big win and more.
“To win the Jegs AllStars in Top Alcohol Dragster as the last Division 7 representative is really something special,” said Demke. “On top of that, to help win the first ever Jegs AllStars Team Championship for Division 7 really was the topper. As I stood with Division 7 Director Mike Rice and held the Jegs Team Trophy, I realized it was a victory for every Drag Racer in our part of the country.”
In the first round of the Jegs AllStars, Demke faced Karen Stalba. They left the line together and Demke had to pedal through some spin, while Stalba was fighting dropping cylinders. Demke recovered enough to take with win with a 5.468/262.39 to Stalba’s 5.756/232.95. That run advanced them to the next round, but at a cost. The motor had given it’s all and needed to be replaced.
Demke and Maddern Racing Prepare for Route 66 Onslaught
Courtesy of Maddern Racing
Joliet, IL – Chris Demke and the Maddern Racing gang roll into Route 66 Raceway this weekend for a second time this month. The world class facility is the same, but this time around it’s going to be a wee bit crazier. It’s a National event combined with the Jegs AllStars competition. A double whammy with twenty-seven Alcohol Dragsters entered. That’s quite a difference from the limited numbers at the Regional event. That was a battle, this is all out war.
“The best of the best are here, and I expect it to be quite the spectacle,” said Demke. “When you have a National event there is always great competition. Adding the Jegs AllStars race really ramps up the talent. The top cars from around the country are here representing their division. We are very proud to be the last Division 7 representative since the change to the Regional system.”
Maddern Racing Qualifies First – gets Chip as Reward
Courtesy of Maddern Racing
Photo by Cyclops Photography
Joliet, IL – Regional action at Rt. 66 Raceway saw the Maddern Racing Team gather valuable hot weather tuning data, 
a number one qualifying spot, and a opportunity to prepare for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals and the Jegs AllStars. The Peen Rite / OSI / 801 Racing Dragster was the only car in the 5.20’s all weekend.
Until first round of eliminations everything was fine. Then things changed a bit. A career best by Dyno Dave Heitzman left the Maddern Racing Team with the rest of the day to work on their car without the need to head to the staging lanes.
“Losing a race when you have the field covered stinks,” said driver Chris Demke. “When the guy next to you runs his best ever in a car it hurts. But that’s racing. We used the day to work on the car, and sharpen our focus. It was a wake-up call that will result in hurt feelings.”
Maddern Racing Ready to Take on Joliet Big House
Courtesy of Maddern Racing
Joliet, IL – While waiting for the start of the Joliet Regional race this weekend, a few of the Maddern Racing Team members visited the closed down Joliet Prison. Luckily they escaped without harm or arrest. The plan for this
weekend’s race is very similar. Escape without harm, and put a lockdown on the field.
“The Regional race is our opportunity to fine tune our race car,” said Demke. “We have had a few weeks off and we are all ready for some racing,”
After starting out the year with two consecutive wins, the Peen Rite/ OSI/ 801 Racing Team are looking to regain their stride. A few early exits have not sat well. Jerry Maddern, Kevin Watson, Mike Demke, Ronald Mann, and Adam Rhoades know all too well what it takes to get the job done. They have put the time in, and together look to set things straight in Joliet.
Maddern Racing Looks to Bright Side of Second Round Exit
Courtesy of Maddern Racing
Topeka, KS – There is always a bright side. At the Dollar General NHRA Summernationals at Heartland Park Topeka, Chris Demke and the Maddern Racing Team lost in the second round of eliminations to Randy Meyer. On the bright side, oh wait, this is Drag Racing, there is no bright side to losing. Scratch that opening statement. On the dark and gloomy side, losing stinks, and bright sides are tough to find.
Qualifying in Topeka was a mixed bag. First round saw a less than optimistic 5.410/263.10. In Friday’s second qualifying session, the Maddern Racing Team posted their best-ever elapsed time at Heartland Park with a 5.388/264.60. Not quite a bright side, but a bit closer to one. After Friday’s qualifying, the team was in the number three slot. Saturday’s qualifying rounds saw the car get a little friendly with the centerline and the resulting 5.391/263.41 dropped them to the number nine spot.
