Roger Bateman Topeka wrap up

Bateman and crew are victims of bad luck… Again!

Roger Bateman and the Nobel Biocare/ Friesen Motorsports Top Alcohol Funny Car team ventured west to Topeka, Kansas for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Heartland Championships presented by KanEquip and Aeromotive at Heartland Park Topeka. The weather did not cooperate as rain shortened qualifying to just one pass. The team qualified #5 at 5.764, 250.14mph and faced a heavy Division 5 hitter in Cy Chesterman.

Chesterman, from Sioux City, Iowa was first off the line and never looked back. Bateman’s car darted all over the race track when Roger went into second gear. He recovered but it was too late as he was defeated 5.990, 245.45 to Cy’s 5.803, 253.23mph. The team has also slipped to number two in the Division 5 TAFC standings handing the number one spot to Paul Anderson of Erie, Colorado.

There is no rest for the wicked as the team will participate in a non-points event at Gimli Dragways just west of Gimli, Manitoba over the Labour Day Weekend. This will allow the team to show off the car to many of the Nobel Biocare dignitaries and the fans alike.

By Jeffrey Porth
Friesen Motorsports