Roger Bateman Brainerd wrap up

Bateman runs to first number 1 of the season in Brainerd

Over the Memorial Day weekend, the Brainerd Lakes area played host to thousands of visitors who are there to relax and take a load off their minds if only for a short time. Once again the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series was contested at Brainerd International Raceway and after final qualifying was completed some surprises were to be had. Roger Bateman in the Friesen Motorsports Nobel Biocare Racing team posted a number one qualifying effort of 5.77 seconds and 259.19 mph. This was not the surprise of the event as Roger and crew have the resources to compete at the highest level against the best out there. No the surprise is who was outside looking in after final qualifying. Cy Chesterman, a strong hitter in both Division 5 and the defending event winner could only muster a twelfth best 5.887 seconds at 248.11mph. Needless to say the racing continued on…

In round one Bateman faced John Patton, of Peoria, Arizona and defeated him 5.630, 255.58 to 6.294, 175.43. After servicing the Nobel Biocare Camaro the team faced an equally menacing driver, Paul Anderson. Anderson, another Division 5 racer from Erie, Colorado handed Roger an expensive loss as engine woes contributed to his 5.717, 248.07 – 5.952, 209.88 loss in the semifinals.

The team will regroup and fix the damaged parts and prepare for the Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Chicago, Illinois June 7th to 10th.

By Jeffrey Porth
Friesen Motorsports