It's hard to believe...... (1 Viewer)

[Bullet]

It's hard to believe that Chris Demke did not hit anything or anyone in the TAD Final at Houston.

That thing was OUT OF CONTROL after all of the weaving and swerving was done I though that he was going to rear end Duane Shields.

That had to be the the worst job at wrecking since Bill Wyndham in Vegas about 4 or 5 years ago around '07.

Glad to see no one or anything ware torn up.

 

[Toejam]

Paul I talked to Duane Shields in the Winner's Circle and he was well aware of what Demke was doing and almost lifted. He did a good job of saving it though!

 

[The Swegian]

Definitely one of THE best saves I've ever seen.

And, it's supposed to be on ESPN2 this coming Saturday morning as I see the Sportsman coverage airs then at 9AM (central time).

 

[Tim5636sc]

DEMKE IS THE MAN! That dude can flat out drive. Thanks for the tip. Is his car ok? He is on my short list of people i would like to talk with in Vegas.

 

[Toejam]

DEMKE IS THE MAN! That dude can flat out drive. Thanks for the tip. Is his car ok? He is on my short list of people i would like to talk with in Vegas.

Tim, I did catch a pic on the Jumbo tron of Demke almost hitting the wall! He corrected and hit the cone which cost him the race. He turned on the win light, just got DQ'ed

 

[Kelly]

That just might have been the most incredible save I have ever seen live! WOW!

 

[The Swegian]

Another thing that's hard to believe? That we all didn't get hypothermia sitting out there freezin' our arses off on Saturday! That was the coldest I have ever been when at the track. Paraphrasing Paul here; just cuz I'm from Minnesota doesn't mean I should enjoy freezing cold windy 42 degree temperatures.

 

[BF]

Another thing that's hard to believe? That we all didn't get hypothermia sitting out there freezin' our arses off on Saturday! That was the coldest I have ever been when at the track. Paraphrasing Paul here; just cuz I'm from Minnesota doesn't mean I should enjoy freezing cold windy 42 degree temperatures.

Man, aint that the truth. My son and I were on the top row, spectator side Saturday morning when the alky cars came out. We were pretty much alone up there and found out why after a only a few minutes. That wind was brutal.

 

[cdemke]

It's hard to believe that Chris Demke did not hit anything or anyone in the TAD Final at Houston.

Glad to see no one or anything were torn up.

I'm still in dis-belief... I should have taken my foot out of it long before I hit the 1000' cones. I guess I just wanted to win my first National event more than I wanted to stay alive. Thankfully I kept the shiny side shiny and will get to race another day. I hope everyone understands that while i'm sure it was very exciting to watch i'm also not proud of that display of foolishness. It could have had a REAL bad ending and I hope that Duane accepted my apology.

Chris Demke
Peen Rite TAD

 

[Chili]

I'm still in dis-belief... I should have taken my foot out of it long before I hit the 1000' cones. I guess I just wanted to win my first National event more than I wanted to stay alive. Thankfully I kept the shiny side shiny and will get to race another day. I hope everyone understands that while i'm sure it was very exciting to watch i'm also not proud of that display of foolishness. It could have had a REAL bad ending and I hope that Duane accepted my apology.

Chris Demke
Peen Rite TAD

Any chance you had the in car cam running? I would love to see what you were seeing. Good Luck in Vegas.

 

[Kelly]

Chris, you should know.....most of us don't care how it happened. We are just happy you are safe! Thanks for sharing your .02 though!

 

[Tim5636sc]

Nice driving Chris! Are you going to be in Vegas this weekend?

 

[Bullet]

I'm still in dis-belief... I should have taken my foot out of it long before I hit the 1000' cones. I guess I just wanted to win my first National event more than I wanted to stay alive. Thankfully I kept the shiny side shiny and will get to race another day. I hope everyone understands that while i'm sure it was very exciting to watch i'm also not proud of that display of foolishness. It could have had a REAL bad ending and I hope that Duane accepted my apology.

Chris Demke
Peen Rite TAD

Thanks for your thoughts Chris!

It's a real stand up thing to come out and put your hand up and say you went a little too far.

I viewed it through the viewfinder of my camera so couldn't clearly see what happened. You did a good job to avoid everyone and eveything (that was what my "bad job of crashing" meant)

I was expecting the worst and was glad that everyone came out unharmed.

That said and done, your car was on a run! A .36 (or was it a .37) at only 220 with it on a walk well before the finish. What did the incrementals show it running?

 

[Greggo]

All I can say is WOW! I still have visions of that car with over a car length lead at half track... and then we all held our breaths waiting for the conclusion of one of the most wild Alcohol Dragster rides ever.

And Chris - we are all glad that both of you guys [you and Shields] are OK!

 

[rocketman]

There is about it on duane's web site:
Duane Shields Shortline Express A/Fuel Dragster Front Page

 

[Tim5636sc]

Chris. Thanks for the email. See ya friday.

 

[Toejam]

I'm still in dis-belief... I should have taken my foot out of it long before I hit the 1000' cones. I guess I just wanted to win my first National event more than I wanted to stay alive. Thankfully I kept the shiny side shiny and will get to race another day. I hope everyone understands that while i'm sure it was very exciting to watch i'm also not proud of that display of foolishness. It could have had a REAL bad ending and I hope that Duane accepted my apology.

Chris Demke
Peen Rite TAD

Chris, you see my pic if it?

 

[cdemke]

Chili, sorry, I forgot to bring my on-board camera with me to Houston. Toejam, was that your photo of the replay on the jumbotron? If so, yes, I did see it and sent a link to it to my friends! Bullet, the incrementals were as follows:

60' - .889 330' - 2.318 660' - 3.460 1000' - 4.451 1320' - 5.372

By comparison, the inc's when I ran 5.270 in Pomona in Feb were:

60' - .888 330' - 2.314 660' - 3.450 1000' - 4.431 1320' - 5.270

I'd say it was going to be a 5.29-5.30... coulda, shoulda, woulda....

Tim, see ya in Vegas!!!!

Take care Maters,

Chris