Quarter-Max.com Team Headed to Texas Nationals with Heavy Hearts Wed, 27 May 2009, 09:24 PM Pete Berner's Quarter-Max.com team is already in the southwest, continuing work on their engine
program before heading to the IHRA Texas Nationals this weekend. This is IHRA's first national
event since the passing of long-time IHRA official Shirley Blankenship. She will undoubtedly be on
the hearts and minds of all the IHRA family at the weekend's event. Berner and other racers will
proudly display a decal on their cars in honor of her life, remembering her presence in the IHRA.
"Shirley was a huge part of the IHRA family," says Berner. "She and [husband] Hank have been with
the organization since even before I started racing there. I know that she will be missed by many.
I could always count on her to predict the event's winners and tell me who to watch out for. As we
went over the scales after each run, she would always be there to give me a hug. I'm going to miss
those hugs and her presence at the track. I know we all will. It won't be the same without her."
