Maddern Racing Qualifies First - gets Chip as Reward

Maddern Racing Qualifies First - gets Chip as Reward

Joliet, IL – Regional action at Rt. 66 Raceway saw the Maddern Racing Team gather valuable hot weather tuning data, a number one qualifying spot, and a opportunity to prepare for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals and the Jegs AllStars. The Peen Rite / OSI / 801 Racing Dragster was the only car in the 5.20’s all weekend. Until first round of eliminations everything was fine. Then things changed a bit. A career best by Dyno Dave Heitzman left the Maddern Racing Team with the rest of the day to work on their car without the need to head to the staging lanes.

“Losing a race when you have the field covered stinks,” said driver Chris Demke. “When the guy next to you runs his best ever in a car it hurts. But that’s racing. We used the day to work on the car, and sharpen our focus. It was a wake-up call that will result in hurt feelings.”

Friday’s qualifying saw Chris Demke post a fine 5.387/268.87. That pass gave Jerry Maddern, Kevin Watson, Mike Demke, Ronald Mann, and Adam Rhoades a base in which to work with. They took that data into Saturday’s first session and it produced a toasty track 5.308/269.40. Saturday’s final qualifying session was delayed until late in the evening. After a few oil downs and mishaps, the team changed things up and went with a stronger combination. That resulted in a 5.260/270.32 blast that everyone was talking about.

On Sunday morning the glory of the previous day was forgotten, but the confidence was still present. Going into the first round the middle of the day heat was a concern. The number eight qualifier Heitzman seemed to not have a concern at all. His 5.367/267.85 was an unexpected shot that beat Demke’s 5.374/269.03. The starting line reaction was one of disbelief and shock. The crew stood motionless for a second or two, as the chip was placed upon their shoulders. They will carry that chip with them, and most likely it will get heavier. But Team Peen and driver Chris Demke will use it to their advantage, and they don’t really care if they hurt some feelings along the way. That’s one of the great things about Drag Racing.

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We believe true happiness comes from blazing down the blacktop with the pedal to the metal and our hair on fire. The whiter our knuckles get, the better. If it were up to us, cars wouldn't even have brakes, just two gas pedals. It's this never-ending need for speed that drives everything we do. We spend countless hours in the lab and lying awake at night plotting and planning how to get more speed by any means possible. After decades of research and innovation, we've developed a complete line of performance and car care products designed to ensure that your ride lives up to its potential on the street and on the track. We know what you want. We got what you need. We are 801 Racing. For more information on 801 racing, please visit: www.801Racing.com

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