Words Tim Marshall
Photos by Tim Marshall and James Drew

After a huge turnout for the big JEGS Pacific SPORTSnationals at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, Calif., all the hardcore Division 7 racers ventured 140 miles north to the famed Auto Club Famoso in Bakersfield.

Two of the big classes that were not run at the SPORTSnationals were Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, which have become the headliners at Lucas Oil Division races.

(Tim Marshall photo)

Last year Chris Demke in the Jerry Maddern-owned Peen-Rite Clean boost TAD came very close to the title of world champion instead of just his usual Division 7 championships. Chris was just a few points behind Bill Reichert for that honor and had to settle for that big #2 on the side of the Sunland, California-based dragster. Demke is already leading the overall points in 2011 and the race at Famoso was going to be no different for this great team.

Team Peen-Rite laid down an awesome 5.306 at 271.57 mph for the top spot in the class. That earned Demke and company an odd lot single in round one so they laid down an even better 5.303/272.23 for Low ET and Top Speed of the event.

Jerry Darien finally got the newly sponsored Trucklite injected nitro burner with Megan McCernan at the controls to put out some 5.30’s too. Not quite as stout as the champs but there was nothing wrong with a 5.394 at 265.64 mph as she defeated Johnny Ahten, then duplicated it on her bye run into the finals.