Thu, 09 Oct 2014, 11:24 AM Demke Clinches Championship, Harker Wins in Funny Car

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

MOHNTON, Pa. -- In the final rounds from the delayed Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals Chris Demke not only won the event but clinched NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series World Championship.

Chris Demke

Demke defeated Don Nolan and Richard Bourke in rounds one and two before meeting up with 5-time Lucas Oil World Champion Bill Reichert in the semifinal. Demke clicked off a 5.309 second pass at 272.83 mph to defeat Reichert's 5.449, 268.22 and lock up the 2014 championship.

The Tujunga, Calif., resident then beat Randy Meyer in the final for with a 5.292, 275.79 run to Meyers 5.339, 217.84. Meyer was one of a few drivers chasing Demke for the championship and looks to finish in the top 5 in points.

Steve Harker

Joining Demke in the winner's circle was Steve Harker in Top Alcohol Funny Car who outran Dale Cox Jr. in the final posting a run of 5.510, 263.77 to Cox's 5.713, 250.32 in his losing effort. Harker, Gainesville, Ga., beat Mark Rogers and Tony Bogolo in the early rounds then won over Dale Brand in the semis with a 5.545 second, 263.10 mph lap.

The following are final results for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car from the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., 5.292, 275.79 def. Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.339, 271.84

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Steve Harker, Gainesville, Ga., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.510, 263.77 def. Dale Cox Jr., Whiteford, Md., '11 Monte Carlo, 5.713, 250.32