After qualifying in the eighth position with a 5.416 second elapsed time Demke, who drives the Jerry Maddern Racing Peen-Rite sponsored Blown Alcohol Dragster, met up with Shayne Lawson's A/Fuel Dragster in round one. Lawson grabbed a 0.016 second advantage on the tree, but the Jerry Maddern tuned blown alcohol rail made up the difference within the first 60 feet. Demke cruised to a round one victory recording a 5.442 elapsed time versus his opponents competitive 5.513 ET.

"We have been creeping up on the tune-up so far this weekend, as weather and track conditions are different than anything we have run so far this season," stated a very relieved Demke from the track on Saturday evening. "We are going to have to step it up against (number one qualifier Chase) Copeland tomorrow afternoon."

In the second round, Demke matched up against Copeland's potent A/Fuel Dragster. The Maddern lead crew 'turned the wick up' on their Brad Anderson Engineering engine, running 5.418 seconds at a weekend best speed for the team of 262.18 mph. Although the round two ET nearly matched the teams qualifying effort and produced an increase in top end speed of two mph, it was not enough. Copeland took the victory in round two, recording a stellar 5.302 ET at a mind numbing speed of 274.00 mph.

"We knew Copeland was going to be tough, so we tried a different set-up heading into round two," recalled Demke. "Copeland's run was just amazing for these conditions. We congratulate them on an amazing pass and good race victory." The Maddern Racing team was pleased with the results of their testing experiment in round two and believes there is 'more in the tank' for the hot weather conditions the team will face this summer. The round two finish propelled Demke to the fourth position in the Lucas Oil National Points standings.

As always, Demke knows without the support and hard work of his excellent crew; the 'circus clowns' Kevin Watson, "Hamburger" Mike Demke, Ron Mann and Adam Rhodes led by 'ring-master' Maddern and 'team mom" Dixie- there would be no racing.

The Sunland, CA based team will now head to Route 66 raceway near Chicago, Illinois for a chance at two race victories. Not only will they compete in the United Association Route 66 Nationals, but the Peen-Rite sponsored rail is the Division Seven Top Alcohol Dragster representative for the Jeg's Sportsman All-Star's event, (the unique race-within-a-race program for NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors), which will be held next Saturday.

Courtesy of Tim Charlet