DEMKE AND WILLIAMS MAKE NOISE AT THUNDER AT THE LAKES

Words by Jamie Stephens

BRAINERD, Minn. (May 31, 2010) – In the final results from Thunder at the Lakes event at Brainerd International Raceway and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., and Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, took home the wins in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car respectively.

Demke worked his way through the field and ran 5.375 seconds at 269.83 mph in his final round victory over Scott Palmer, Marionville, Mo., who clocked in at 5.686 seconds, 235.93 mph.

Williams faced off against Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alb., and posted a winning run of 5.621 seconds, 255.68 mph in his ’04 Camaro.  Bateman drove to a 5.647 second, 253.09 mph lap for his runner up finish.

Other racers visiting the winner’s circle this weekend were Bruno Massel, Woodridge, Ill., in Comp Eliminator; Michael Mans, Rogers Minn., in Super Stock; Kari Larson, Starbuck, Minn., in Super Comp; Tyler Wudarczyk, Wamego, Kan., in Stock Eliminator; Bill Cawsey, Regina, Sask., in Super Gas; and Rodger Sauder, Sidney, Neb., in Super Street.  In the division’s Top Sportsman class it was Dave Slatten, Ft. Collins, Colo., taking the win while Tim Mazur, St. Joseph, Mo., won in Top Dragster. Curtis Sprackin, Omaha, Neb., took the win in Sportsman Motorcycle presented by Harley Davidson. 

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER

Round 1
Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., 9.727, 114.60 def. Richard Putz, Earlville, Iowa, foul; Scott Palmer, Marionville, Mo., 5.471, 249.63 def. Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.576, 246.75; Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 5.379, 265.74 def. Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.524, 247.93

Semifinals
Palmer, 6.567, 135.91, bye; Demke, 5.375, 265.90 def. Schmeeckle, 5.463, 261.93

Final
Demke, 5.326, 269.83 def. Palmer, 5.686, 235.93

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR

Round 1
Lance Van Hauen, Reinbeck, Iowa, '05 Firebird, 5.736, 244.47 def. Bruce Carlson, Prior Lake, Minn., '06 Corvette, 19.639, 37.23; Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alb., '08 Mustang, 5.628, 255.53 def. Kris Hool, Casper, Wyo., '10 Monte Carlo, 6.473, 187.83; Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '10 Mustang, 5.947, 250.37 def. Scott McVey, Winnipeg, Manit., '06 Monte Carlo, 6.253, 197.65; Kirk Williams, Glenwood, Iowa, '04 Camaro, 15.614, 65.55, bye

Semifinals
Williams, 5.652, 247.02 def. Moats, 9.774, 71.88; Bateman, 5.621, 255.82 def. Van Hauen, 10.580, 122.67

Final
Williams, 5.639, 255.68 def. Bateman, 5.647, 253.09

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