Thu, 18 Feb 2010, 11:00 PM At Last!!

By Bob Frey Photo copyright 2010 Auto Imagery, Inc.

Chris Demke

There is an old expression that goes, "Good things come to those who wait." That always sounds good unless you're the one waiting. Chris Demke and his entire team know exactly how it feels to be waiting. They waited a long time to get their first NHRA national event win, and when they finally got it, it was well worth the wait. Or at least that's what Chris says. "You can't believe the feeling, it's just so great."

There have been a lot of drivers who have gone a long time without winning. In fact, most of the drivers who race never win an NHRA national event. John Force went nine years without winning a race and his career has turned out rather well, don't you think? But even John admits to getting frustrated, after all, he made it to the final round nine times before finally closing the deal. "We weren't quite that bad," Chris says. "But believe me, going to eight final rounds and not winning makes you wonder if you'll ever win a race." Those eight final rounds were spread out over six years and there were a variety of reasons why they didn't win. "Last year, for example, we had tire problems at one race and then we blew the engine up in the finals of another race and then there were a lot of driver errors," Chris said. But lately the team has been running very well and everyone knew that it was only a matter of time before they put one in the win column. Chris's first national event final was back in 2004, and then he added one more in each of the next two years. 2007 saw the team get shut out of final round appearances and in 2008 it was one more trip to the money round and one more runner-up finish. But in 2009 they really turned the corner and they made it to four finals, but still no win.

Demke vs. Joey Severance

In Pomona they not only ran well but they accomplished several goals. Car owner, Jerry Maddern, who is also Chris's step-father, had not beaten a car tuned by Norm Grimes since 1998. "Let's face it, Norm does a great job," Chris said. "And to beat that car (Jim Whiteley's) was quite an accomplishment. Over the past few years that's been the best blown car in the class. Plus, we lost to them in the final here last year so this was a really big win for us. Once we got past them, and that may have been the biggest round win of my career, we didn't fear anyone." With one thing checked off of their "to do" list, the team then set their goals on the ultimate prize, a national event win. Shawn Cowie was up next and the team knew they had to all pull together to make the final round. "Shawn's been running so well and he finished high up in the national points last year and it took our best run of the weekend to beat him." That run, a 5.308, was one of Chris's best ever and it gave the team lane choice going into the final round. "We ran 5.27 at the Winternationals last year and we just went back to that set-up for the semi-finals and the car responded." Then in the final, against Joey Severance, Chris was almost perfect on the line (a .009 reaction time) and the car almost duplicated its run from the round before. "We ran 5.33 in the final, and when Joey had a little trouble, that was all we needed." Let the celebration begin!!

Demke and crew celebrate win

The race to the winner's circle wasn't easy for the team. After the first two qualifying runs they had nothing to show for their efforts except a lot of tire shake and a fourteenth spot in the field. But in the final session they put it all together and ran a solid 5.32, and that was good enough to put them in the fifth spot. It was also good enough to put them in a good frame of mind going into eliminations. "The team worked well all weekend, and once we made that run in qualifying we knew we could do well in eliminations," Chris said. He also said that the addition of a "team car" was a big plus for everyone. Mike Austin is part of their team and he is running some experimental engine combinations in his car, combos that Jerry has been working on. Chris said that even though Mike lost early in eliminations, his presence was felt on Sunday. "Mike could have packed up and headed back to Oregon," Chris said. "But he stayed and he helped us. I know he helped me a lot with my driving, telling me to stay focused and reminding me that each round is just another round and nothing special." Whatever Jerry did to the car and whatever help Mike provided worked out and the monkey is finally off their backs. "Sure it was frustrating not winning before. But there are a lot of guys out there who would gladly trade places with me. This is a great opportunity and I love driving the car." Chris added that it was a total team effort, including Jerry, Mike Demke, Chris's brother, Adam Rhoades, Kevin Watson and Ron Mann. "And of course, my mom, Dixie, is always there with us," he added. "I have to thank Adam since this was his last race with us. He's been a big part of our team and he always offers Jerry some tuning tips. He's very aggressive in his approach and I know he's been a real positive influence on the team." Adam is leaving to go work on the Top Fuel car that Doug Foley will be driving later this year.

Jerry Maddern has been racing in the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks since around 1993 and Spike Gorr, Frank Pedregon and Darren Nicholson all drove the car before Chris got his shot. "I have worked with Jerry on the team since the beginning and I've loved every moment of it. I enjoyed being on the crew and I like driving, too." He went on to say that, as a driver, there is a lot of pressure on you to do well. "It has its ups and downs, but I like being in a position to help the team as a driver." He did just that in the finals with that great reaction time and the team did their part by giving him a good car to drive all weekend. "We just minimized the mistakes, and when you do that you put yourself in the position to win." And to finally win in Pomona, and to do it at the 50th anniversary of the Winternationals made the long wait well worth it. "I got to win at my home track, with all my friends there and we got one of those special 50th anniversary trophies, so yeah, it was well worth the wait. I have to say that winning is everything I expected and I still have a big smile on my face."

While the team knows they will race at the Las Vegas event in a few weeks there is still the possibility that they may go to Houston. "We have some unfinished business there," Chris said. "We lost in the final last year in a wild run and we'd like to make up for it." According to Chris, Jerry will make the decision on where they race next. "Jerry does such a great job with the team and we'll go where ever he says." And I'm sure that where ever they go they'll bring that really nice, 50th anniversary trophy with them. After all, they waited a long time to get it.

Following the race Chris said that special thanks go to his entire team along with Jerry Maddern's business partner, Bill Swanson, as well as all the employees of Peen Rite Inc. Abrasive Finishing Company, B-G Detection Service and L.A. X-Ray. He also invited fans to check out the team's new web site at www.maddernracing.com.