The Jerry Maddern Racing Top Alcohol Dragster group introduced a new crew member to their team, who
helped them advance to the final round this past weekend at the NHRA Jeg's Sportsman All-star event
held at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, IL.
'Flat Stanley', (the title character of Jeff Brown's children's book series), and the Sunland, CA
based team traveled to Joliet, IL, after earning a spot in the National Hot Rod Association's
Sportsman All Star competition. "We gathered enough points during the past year in the Lucas Oil
Divisional Racing Series to represent our home division (NHRA Division 7) at this event," commented
Chris Demke, the 45 year old driver of the Maddern Racing Top Alcohol Dragster. "To be included in
the top eight cars in the country, in the sportsman division's quickest category (Top Alcohol
Dragster), and having 'Flat Stan' as my co-pilot is an enormous honor."
Also visiting the Maddern Racing team in Joliet, IL this past weekend was Katie Rogers. As a part
of her second grade class' Flat Stanley Project, http://www.flatstanley.com the young lady from Grand Rapids, MI originally
sent Flat Stanley with a letter to drag racing columnist, Tim Charlet this past April. She wanted
Flat Stanley to become 'Fast Stanley'. Miss Rogers wanted to share her love of NHRA drag racing
with her fellow second grade classmates at Immaculate Heart of Mary School.
"When he rode with Fast Jack Beckman (driver of the Don Schumacher Racing Valvoline/ MTS Funny Car)
in Las Vegas and went 302 miles per hour I was really happy," said the recent graduate of the
second grade. "But, seeing Stanley race on Mr. Demke's car this weekend is better. I hope they win
this big race."
After defeating Division Six competitor Joey Severance by 0.018 seconds in the opening frame, Demke
and Fast Stanley took out Division One racer John Finke in the semi-finals. Demke's final round
opponent would be three-time world champion Bill Reichert from Owosso, MI. Both cars were wired at
the launch, only separated by 0.002 seconds. Demke held the lead near the 1000 foot mark, until the
power of Riechert's A/Fuel Dragster over took him, handing Reichert his second Jeg's All Star
victory.
Miss Rogers, wearing her Maddern Racing t-shirt provided by Demke's mother Dixie, was happy to see
Fast Stanley in the final round. "We were cheering in the grandstands for Stanley and Mr. Demke,"
said Rogers. "It was a great side-by-side race and my dad and I are proud of Mr. Demke and his
team."
Demke and the Maddern Racing team made seven runs during the weekend and their crew, known as the
'Circus Clowns' were up to the task. "Fast Stanley and the boys did great this weekend," stated
Demke. "They gave us a very consistent race car all weekend and we are proud of the professionalism
they showed at this event. They are the best in the business and I'm glad they are on my team."
The Division 7 team will complete their three-week road trip of racing this upcoming weekend at the
LODRS event in Fallon, NV.
Since April, Fast Stanley has ridden with NHRA drag racers; Fast Jack Beckman, Jeff Arend, Mike
Edwards, Tim Wilkerson, Ed 'the outlaw' Jones, David Douthit, Greg Means, Chris Woolverton and now
Chris Demke. He has traveled via US Postal service and Fed Ex Express over 15,000 miles in two
months. He will be attending the Mopar Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway located outside of
Denver, CO in July.
