Tue, 07 Oct 2014, 13:36 PM Demke and Harker Take Wins At Maple Grove

Courtesy of NHRA Field Marketing Demke and Harker Lock Up Championship

MOHNTON, Pa. -- In the final results from the 30th Annual Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., and Steve Harker, Gainesville, GA., took home the wins and Championships in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny car respectively.

Chris Demke and Steve Harker celebrate wins and Championships.

After just winning the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals and clinching the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series World Championship on Saturday, Demke worked his way through the field and ran 5.262 seconds at 272.45 mph in his final round victory over Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., who clocked in at 5.392 seconds at 255.92 mph. Demke had a great reaction time of 0.005 off the line and made another great looking pass down the track to take the win. In the first round of eliminations, Demke added to his record of scoring his season best elapsed time and speed of 5.217 seconds at 277.94 mph. This was Demke's fifth national event win this year and his 15th Top Alcohol Dragster win of his career.

Chris Demke celebrates win and Championship.

Harker, who also won the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals, faced off against John Lombardo Jr., Brea, Calif., and posted a winning run of 5.429 seconds, 267.69 mph in his '13 Mustang. Lombardo drove to a 10.494 second, 80.78 mph lap for his runner up finish. Harker has one previous win against Lombardo and this was the first time they faced each other in a final round. Lombardo had the starting line advantage over Harker but Lombardo smoked the tires off the starting line. Harker had a great looking pass down the track scored his career best ET for his second national event win of the weekend and his third national event win in a row. This was also his eighth national event victory. Harker faced off with Dale Brand in the semifinals as both drivers were in contention for winning the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series World Championship in Top Alcohol Funny Car. Brand had the lead in points over Harker coming into the event, but with Harker's win over Brand in the semi-final round he was able to pass Brand in points and clinch the National Championship in Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Steve Harker celebrates win and Championship.

In Comp Eliminator, Arnie Martel, Tewksbury, Mass., won the trophy by taking out Joseph Carnasciale, Sunbury, Pa. Martel, with his 0.016 reaction time made a winning run of 7.665 seconds at 159.44 mph. Carnasciale posted a runner up finish of 8.873 seconds at 139.99 mph. Martel received his 14th national event win in Comp Eliminator with this win over Carnasciale.

Arnie Martel celebrates win.

Another driver adding another win to their already long list of national event wins is Dan Fletcher, Churchville, N.Y. Fletcher faced Doug Chervanik, Sunbury, Pa., and posted a winning run of 10.903 seconds at 98.29 mph in his '69 Camaro. Chervanik went red on the tree and Fletcher picked up his 91st national event win and his 47th in Super Stock.

Dan Fletcher celebrates win.

Other racers visiting the winner's circle this weekend were Russel Linke, Old Bridge, NJ., in Stock Eliminator; Steve Martel, Schaefierstown, Pa., in Super Comp; and Jason Lynch, Pleasant View, Tenn., in Super Gas.

Russel Linke celebrates win.

Steve Martel celebrates win.

Jason Lynch celebrates win.

The following are the final results from the 30th Annual Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Chris Demke, 5.262, 272.45 def. Duane Shields, 5.392, 255.92.

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Steve Harker, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.429, 267.69 def. John Lombardo Jr., Ford Mustang, 10.494, 80.78.

COMP ELIMINATOR
Arnie Martel, Chevy Camaro, 7.665, 159.44 def. Joe Carnasciale, Chevy Cavalier, 8.873, 139.99.

SUPER STOCK
Dan Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 10.903, 98.29 def. Doug Chervanik, Camaro, foul.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Russell Linke, Chevy Camaro, 10.499, 126.40 def. Michael Iacono, Camaro, foul.

SUPER COMP
Steve Martel, Dragster, 8.896, 164.69 def. Alan Kenny, Dragster, 8.869, 171.60.

SUPER GAS
Jason Lynch, Chevy Cobalt, 9.869, 166.17 def. Alan Kenny, Chevy Corvette, 9.852, 160.14.