Demke, Payne take weather-delayed Yellowstone wins

6/23/2014


DIVISION 6
Yellowstone Drag Strip
Acton, Mont., June 20-22, 2014

Results will be posted as soon as they are available. For detailed results, go to Drag Race Central


Monday

ACTON, Mont. – The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series headed to Yellowstone Drag Strip over the weekend and Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., and Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., took home the wins in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car respectively.  Rain threatened the Lucas Oil event, but was finally wrapped up on Monday with a few classes running final eliminations. Other classes that didn't finish are scheduled to run their eliminations at other Lucas Oil events within the series.

Demke, worked his way through the field and ran 5.459 seconds at 264.13 mph in his final round victory over Joey Severance, Woodburn, Ore., who had a final round pass of 5.502 seconds, 260.01 mph. Demke and Severance both left together off the line but Demke pulled away from Severance to take home the win and the Wally. This is Demke's 2nd win of the year and took his first win at the Winternationals in Pomona, Calif.

Payne faced off against Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., and posted a winning run of 5.720 seconds, 250.72 mph in his 2009 Mustang.  Thompson drove to a 5.694 second, 252.28 mph lap for his runner up finish. Payne had the better light off the line and Thompson had the better car down the track but Payne pulled away with the final round win on a holeshot.

Other racers visiting the winner's circle this weekend were Terry Anderson, Meridian, Idaho, in Super Stock; Clarence Bidniak, Edmonton, Alb., in Stock Eliminator; T.J. Hinman, Bozeman, Mont., in Super Comp; Tom Manfred, Liberty Lake., in Super Street; Trevor Ritchie, Sherwood Park, Alb., in the Big Rentals Top Dragster; and Mike Voss, Maplewood, Minn, in Sportsman Motorcycle presented by Harley-Davidson. 

Other classes that did not finish their final rounds due to the rain delay were Comp Eliminator, Super Gas and the RH Racecars Top Sportsman. Comp will continue their final round at Woodburn Dragstrip, Super Gas will finish at Mission Raceway and the RH Racecars Top Sportsman will finish their final round at Pacific Raceways.

Northwest Division racers head to Woodburn Dragstrip for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, July 11-13.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Yellowstone Dragstrip:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER:
Round 1
2) Joey Severance, Woodburn, Ore., 5.425, 263.20 def.
3) Shawn Cowie, Surrey, B.C., 5.463, 261.93;

1) Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., 5.509, 265.85 def.
4) Jeff Ashwell, Keizer, Ore., 5.708, 247.16;

Finals
Demke, 5.459, 264.13 def. Severance, 5.502, 260.01.

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
Round 1
6) Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.724, 251.49 def.
1) Brian Hough, Junction City, Ore., '10 Mustang, 5.688, 251.25;

2) Greg Hunter, Sheridan, Wyo., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.760, 250.04 def.
5) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alb., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.889, 242.45;

3) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '09 Mustang, 5.737, 251.06 def.
4) Jirka Kaplan, Calgary, Alb., '09 Mustang, 7.760, 125.16;

Semi-Finals
Payne, 5.740, 251.63 def. Hunter, 5.797, 247.97;
Thompson, 6.001, 193.65 was unopposed;

Finals
Payne, 5.720, 250.74 def. Thompson, 5.694, 252.28.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR (Completed at Northwest Nationals)

Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., '10 Cobalt, C/SMA, 8.484, 132.00  def.
Brian Hyerstay, Springfield, Ore., '06 dragster, G/D, 9.575, 129.92.


SUPER STOCK
Terry Anderson, Meridian, Idaho, '67 Nova, SS/H, 10.313, 129.08  def.
Carroll Warling, Brighton, Colo., '74 Pontiac, SS/MA, 11.305, 113.78.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Clarence Bidniak, Edmonton, Alb., '70 Roadrunner, C/SA, 11.020, 112.31  def.
Ryan Warter, Olalla, Wash., '75 Firebird, J/SA, 12.197, 107.35.

SUPER COMP
T.J. Hinman, Bozeman, Mont., '23 Ford T, 9.317, 145.16  def.
Robbie White, Calgary, Alb., '01 Mullis, 9.324, 154.33.

SUPER STREET
Tom Manfred, Liberty Lake, Wash., '81 Mustang, 11.384, 128.07  def.
Sandy Cawsey, Regina, Sask., '67 Fairlane, 11.275, 125.82.

TOP DRAGSTER
Trevor Ritchie, Sherwood Park, Alb., '08 TNT, 7.317, 175.64  def.
Paul Menholt, Billings, Mont., '10 Spitzer, 6.918, 187.03.

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE PRESENTED BY HARLEY-DAVIDSON
Mike Voss, Maplewood, Minn., '10 Kawasaki, 9.775, 134.14  def.
Dave Toth, Medicine Hat, Alb., '89 Kawasaki, broke.


Saturday

ACTON, Mont. – The NHRA North West Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series kicked off today at Yellowstone Drag Strip as nearly 500 racers took to the track for opening day qualifying and time trials.

Highlighting the day's action was the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car classes who made three qualifying runs and the fields are now set for Sunday's eliminations. Racers in Comp Eliminator, Big Rentals Top Dragster, RH Racecars Top Sportsman and the rest of the classes that make up the North West Division, made time trials and qualifying runs today and the fields are set for eliminations in these classes for Sunday morning.

Sunday's racing action gets underway at 10 a.m. with eliminations in Comp Eliminator, the Big Rentals Top Dragster Series and the RH Racecars Top Sportsman Series. Eliminations are scheduled for the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny car classes at noon.

Tickets are $20 each day for adults, Children 6-13 are $10 each day and Children 5 and under are FREE with a paid adult.  For more information please call Yellowstone Drag Strip (406) 208-2858 or visit www.yellowstonedragstrip.com

The following are Saturday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Northwest Division event at Yellowstone Drag Strip:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., 5.483 seconds, 263.05 mph
2) Joey Severance, Woodburn, Ore., 5.522, 259.11
3) Shawn Cowie, Surrey, B.C., 5.533, 260.41
4) Jeff Ashwell, Keizer, Ore., 5.839, 242.80

First round TAD pairings
1) Chris Demke, Tujunga, Calif., 5.483 seconds, 263.05 mph vs.
4) Jeff Ashwell, Keizer, Ore., 5.839, 242.80

2) Joey Severance, Woodburn, Ore., 5.522, 259.11 vs.
3) Shawn Cowie, Surrey, B.C., 5.533, 260.41

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Brian Hough, Junction City, Ore., '10 Mustang, 5.737 seconds, 250.37 mph
2) Greg Hunter, Sheridan, Wyo., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.772, 247.25
3) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '09 Mustang, 5.821, 248.48
4) Jirka Kaplan, Calgary, Alb., '09 Mustang, 5.890, 243.24
5) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alb., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.970, 239.40
6) Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., '06 Monte Carlo, 13.022, 106.95

First round TAFC pairings
1) Brian Hough, Junction City, Ore., '10 Mustang, 5.737 seconds, 250.37 mph vs.
6) Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., '06 Monte Carlo, 13.022, 106.95

2) Greg Hunter, Sheridan, Wyo., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.772, 247.25 vs.
5) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alb., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.970, 239.40

3) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '09 Mustang, 5.821, 248.48 vs.
4) Jirka Kaplan, Calgary, Alb., '09 Mustang, 5.890, 243.24

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., '10 Cobalt, C/SMA, 8.400 seconds, -0.630 (under index)
2) Clint Sallee, Glendive, Mont., dragster, B/D, 6.859, -0.601
3) Clint Neff, Arvada, Colo., '23 Ford T, K/A, 7.973, -0.587
4) Brian Hyerstay, Springfield, Ore., dragster, G/D, 9.533, -0.507
5) Bruce Schmiedl, Regina, Sask., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.669, -0.441

SUPER STOCK
1) Carroll Warling, Brighton, Colo., '74 Pontiac, SS/MA, 11.365 seconds, -0.915 (under index)
2) Mike Graham, Tempe, Ariz., '00 Cobra, GT/HA, 10.628, -0.832
3) Jim Beuthel, Castle Rock, Colo., '91 Calais, GT/BA, 9.849, -0.781
4) Charlene Gullett, Calgary, Alb., '85 Oldsmobile, GT/JA, 10.958, -0.752
5) Norm Lapointe, Sherwood Park, Alb., '07 Colbalt, GT/CA, 10.065, -0.715
6) Sheldon Erfle, Saskatoon, Sask., '96 Achieva, GT/EA, 10.343, -0.697
7) Art Congdon, Calgary, Alb., '91 Calais, GT/DA, 10.199, -0.691
8) Ernie Penner, Osborne, Manit., '99 Firebird, GT/HA, 10.809, -0.651
9) Cody Lane, North Bend, Wash., '05 Cavalier, SS/CM, 9.221, -0.629
10) Grant Singer, Regina, Sask., '90 Camaro, SS/BS, 9.431, -0.569

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Bob Gullett, Calgary, Alb., '68 Chevy II, G/S, 11.330 seconds, -1.010 (under index)
2) Barry Pollard, Regina, Sask., '76 Road Runner, H/SA, 11.706, -0.894
3) Darrell Dietz, Medicine Hat, Alb., '12 Mustang, AA/SA, 9.503, -0.867
4) Rick Wessels, Belle Fourche, S.D., '69 Camaro, E/S, 11.304, -0.776
5) Clarence Bidniak, Edmonton, Alb., '70 Roadrunner, C/SA, 11.086, -0.734
6) Jay Tittle, Black Hawk, S.D., '67 Fairlane, E/S, 11.348, -0.732
7) Tommy Gaynor, Vancouver, Wash., '96 Corvette, B/SA, 10.943, -0.717
8) Ted Romero, Littleton, Colo., '96 Camaro, C/SA, 11.114, -0.706
9) Jerry Mooney, Wall, S.D., '69 Torino, B/S, 10.926, -0.684
10) Mike Corbett, Miles City, Mont., '65 Malibu, F/S, 11.570, -0.660

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Derek Menholt, Billings, Mont., '68 Camaro, 6.552 seconds, 213.74 mph
2) Don Wilk, Medicine Hat, Alb., '68 Camaro, 6.851, 202.61
3) Dean Bettenson, Red Deer, Alb., '57 Chevy, 6.956, 197.22
4) Dave Slatten, Ft. Collins, Colo., '05 Grand AM, 7.100, 195.99
5) Rod Hymas, Standard, Alb., '69 Camaro, 7.184, 191.00
6) Roy Trees, Riverton, Wyo., '08 GTO, 7.291, 189.60
7) Mike Williams, Tilley, Alb., '09 GXP, 7.315, 190.16
8) Ray Martin, Anchorage, Alaska, '55 Chevy, 7.454, 183.29
9) Michael Strickland, Moses Lake, Wash., '09 Stratus, 7.458, 186.67
10) Patrick Conlin, Fairview, Mont., '02 Firebird, 7.475, 186.10

TOP DRAGSTER
1) Denny Menholt, Billings, Mont., '10 Spitzer, 6.863 seconds, 199.02 mph
2) Paul Menholt, Billings, Mont., '10 Spitzer, 6.986, 191.43
3) Gerry Devenpeck, Belfair, Wash., '10 Monden, 7.100, 191.13
4) Brian Stief, Billings, Mont., '32 Bantam, 7.116, 192.14
5) Dan Provost, Abbotsford, B.C., '06 Undercover, 7.128, 190.65
6) Casey Tehle, Billings, Mont., '05 Davis, 7.194, 190.00
7) Geordie Castle, Sherwood Park, Alb., '13 TNT, 7.204, 188.44
8) Aaron Steinkey, Medicine Hat, Alb., '10 TNT, 7.283, 185.38
9) Jon Riedel, Arlington, Wash., '11 Racecraft, 7.304, 187.50
10) Trevor Ritchie, Sherwood Park, Alb., '08 TNT, 7.313, 185.59

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE PRESENTED BY HARLEY DAVIDSON
1) Schaun Schnathorst, Huron, S.D., '06 Harley, SMC, 0.021 seconds reaction time
2) Mike Voss, Maplewood, Minn., '10 Kawasaki, SMC, 0.022
3) Dave Toth, Medicine Hat, Alb., '89 Kawasaki, SMC, 0.072
4) Riley Toth, Medicine Hat, Alb., '86 Kawasaki, SMC, 0.072
5) Cody Cumpton, Vancouver, Wash., '08 Suzuki, SMC, 0.088
6) Randy Gran, Bigs, Mont., dragster, SMC, 0.159
7) Roy Mills, Billings, Mont., '06 Harley, SMC, 0.277


Preview

ACTON, Mont. - The NHRA Lucas Oil Division returns to Yellowstone Drag Strip on June 20-22 for the first time in several years.  The event is one of 44 scheduled across the country where drivers earn points leading to divisional, Regional and national championships as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $519,000. The Northwest Division's RH Racecars Top Sportsman Series, Rig Rentals Top Dragster Series and the Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley-Davidson will also run in conjunction with the event.

Gates at Yellowstone Drag Strip opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Qualifying and time trials begin Saturday at 10 a.m. Comp Eliminator qualifies Saturday at 11:30 a.m., 1, 2:45 and 4:45 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualify at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. on Saturday.  Eliminations start Sunday at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car run round 1 at noon.

Spectator tickets for the Yellowstone Drag Strip event are $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. Children 6 to 13 are $10 each day. Children 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. 

Yellowstone Drag Strip is located at 8405 Raceway Lane. For more information call the track, (406) 208-2858, or visit www.YellowstoneDragStrip.com.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series one of six events in Northwest Division competition where drivers earn points leading to divisional, regional and national championships as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $519,000. Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The event is the one of six in Northwest Division competition. The division's RH RacecarsTop Sportsman Series, Rig Rentals Top Dragster Series and the Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley-Davidson will also run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Yellowstone Drag Strip, Acton, Mont. Track is located at 8405 Raceway Road, north of Billings.  Take US 3 from Billings, 17 miles to Acton, follow signs to Yellowstone Drag Strip.

WHEN: Saturday through Sunday, June 21-22

SCHEDULE: SATURDAY, June 21 - Gates open at 8 a.m. Time Trials and qualifying are at 10 a.m. Comp Eliminator qualifies at 11:30 a.m., 1, 2:45 and 4:45 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualify 3, 5 and 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 22 - Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations start at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car run round 1 at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. All tickets include a Pit Pass. Children 6-13 are just $10 and children 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Yellowstone Drag Strip, (406) 208-2858 or visit www.yellowstonesragstrip.com.

 BONUS  PROGRAMS:
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS FUND
: a $519,000 point fund from Lucas Oil, which will be shared by 2014 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional, regional and national champions. Regional awards include $10,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions with Divisional awards of $3,000 to the champions in both Competition and Super Stock; $2,000 each to the champions in Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The seven national champions will share a bonus of $135,000.

JEGS ALLSTARS: The best of the best from each of NHRA's seven divisions will compete for a share of the $124,000 point fund from Jegs High Performance. The 2014 Jegs Allstars event will culminate a year-long points battle between drivers in each of NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series' eight classes as well as Top Sportsman and Top Dragster. The top points earner in each category will qualify to represent his/her division at the 2014 Jegs Allstars. Points are based on in-division races only.

The winning division and regional teams will share $25,000 and individual awards include $7,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions, $6,000 to champions in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock, $5,000 to Top Sportsman and Top Dragster champions, and $4,500 to the Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street champions. Runners-up in all categories will earn $2,000 apiece. Each Allstars competitor will also receive a share of a $25,000 towing fund to get to the event.

Event sponsor, Jegs High Performance, is offering a "double up" bonus to Jegs Allstars participants. Any 2014 Jegs Allstars champion who also wins the national event will have his/her Allstars prize doubled.

NHRA SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE SERIES presented by HARLEY-DAVIDSON: The NHRA Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley-Davidson, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in NHRA's Sportsman Motorcycle class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $14,000 champions' purse posted by Harley-Davidson will be paid to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place points finishers in NHRA divisions that host Sportsman Motorcycles.

RH RACECARS TOP SPORTSMAN SERIES: The Northwest Division RH Racecars Top Sportsman Series, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in the Top Sportsman class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $3,500 champions' purse will be paid to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place points finishers.

RIG RENTALS TOP DRAGSTER SERIES: The Northwest Division Rig RentalsTop Dragster Series, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in the Northwest division's Top Dragster class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $3,500 champions' purse will be paid to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place points finishers.


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