While Chris Demke sat strapped in his Top Alcohol Dragster Sunday afternoon he was mentally preparing himself for his semifinal bye run down the right tadlane during the NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Wash.

Demke had no idea what an emotional whirlwind he was about to go through.

As Demke sat in the right staging lanes, he watched fellow competitor Mark Niver, who also was in the right lane, beat Shawn Cowie with a 5.364-second pass at 271.79 mph.

It was the last pass Niver would ever make. Niver died when his dragster crashed into the safety net at the end of the Pacific Raceways track. The impact buckled the chassis into the driver cockpit.

Niver, 60, a 30-year NHRA veteran, was fatally injured in the crash.

“When you’re strapped in a car, you’re sitting very low so you can’t really see what’s going on very well because all of the crew of the cars in front of you are standing on the starting line,” the 46-year-old Demke said. “I saw Niver’s crew jumping up and down because he won and I heard the announcer state Mark Niver won. Then I hear the announcer state there was a problem with the parachutes and I see a cloud of brown dust off in the distance. I sat in the car for a bit and an official came by and told me she was waiting for word from the top end to see how long the clean up was going to be. I’ve seen many cars go into the sand traps and the drivers walked away with no problem. We kept waiting for word from the tower that he was OK, but the longer you wait and you don’t hear anything, the odds increase rapidly there was a potential severe problem. We all kind of knew the longer the wait went on, it was a bad sign.”

When Demke did receive word of Niver’s death he was stunned.

“It was a shocking tragedy,” Demke said. “You never want to hear of anybody getting hurt or dying. Mark in particular was just one of the nicest guys out there. He was always willing to help out and he always had a smile. He never had anything bad to say about anybody. Drag racing is a family, especially in the alcohol category. Everybody knows everybody and we’re all pretty much friends. Losing Mark was like losing a member of your family and it was so unexpected. He was such a well-respected guy.”

The King County Sheriff’s Department, ruling the facility a crime scene, suspended all racing activities for about an hour and a half, pending an investigation. However, it permitted racing to finish and extended the 5:30 p.m. noise curfew to 7 p.m.

After racing resumed, Demke went to the starting line for his semifinal solo run.

“I just rolled up to the tree and took a green light and shut the motor off,” Demke said. “That gave me the win in the semis and out of respect for him (Niver), that’s why I didn’t make a full pass. After that, I talked with the NHRA officials, and they said I had the option to come back and make a run in the final if I like, but I did not have to. They could declare me the winner based on the semifinal victory. Once again, out of respect for the (Niver) family and the circumstance, we declined the option to come back and make a pass in the final round. I wanted Mark to be the last Top Alcohol Dragster driver to take the win light on Sunday.”

Demke also paid his respects by dedicating his race win to the Niver family.

“I went and got the trophy from the (NHRA) officials, and we didn’t do any victory celebrating or pictures or anything like that,” Demke said. “Then, my crew and I went over and presented Mark’s team with the trophy. That was very, very emotional.”

Demke, who has been driving in the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks since 2002, admittedly has yet to come to grips with the tragedy that unfolded right in front of his eyes.

“I think I’m still numb to it,” said Demke, who resides in Sunland, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles. “It is not even 24 hours yet (since it happened). I’m certainly trying to digest this myriad of emotions and intense pain. It is very surreal. I’m sure the reality of all this is not going to hit me for another day or so.”

Demke says his next race will be the Division 7 event at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., July 23-25. And, the safety of drivers is once again a hot topic.

“I was in discussion with Mike Austin (a fellow Top Alcohol Dragster driver) Monday, and were talking about the set up of the sand trap,” Demke said. “You know, it’s a fine line between safety and cost, but what’s the cost of losing somebody like Mark Niver? Of course, every driver who straps into a car knows the risk. You hope everything has been taken care of and you’re not going to be the guy who gets bit by a freak occurrence. I crashed at Sonoma in 2005, and I don’t even remember my crash. I woke up in a hospital a couple of days later while they were pulling tubes out of my throat.

“I understand the need for safety completely, but at the same time I realize people are going to race and that’s how it’s going to be. I know the risk when I get in, and I know Mark knew that as well, and he died doing what he loved most.”

The townspeople lined the streets. The colorful parade of haulers and cars past the University of Florida signaled that the hot-rod crowd was in town for the Gatornationals. And young Darrell Gwynn soaked in all the glory of spring and sunshine and waves and cheers and being the privileged kid to ride in his dad’s roadster in the middle of it all.

Darrell Gwynn's Coors Extra Gold Top Fuel Dragster at the 1989 NHRA Mopar Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.

“I was nine years old at the time, thinking, ‘This is the coolest thing in the world, and I want to be a race-car driver someday. And I want to win this race,’ ” Gwynn said.

That was in 1970.

Twenty years later, with two Top Fuel Gatornationals triumphs among his 28 overall and with drag-racing magnificence almost a given, Gwynn again was the center of attention — in the worst of ways. A crash during an exhibition run at England’s Santa Pod Raceway April 15, 1990, just one month after his 1990 Gatornationals victory, left him paralyzed from the chest down.

A leap forward 20 more years has found Gwynn settled into his new role as administrator of his foundation that works to help individuals and families affected by spinal cord injuries and debilitating disease through paralysis-prevention education, support, and fundraising for a cure.

Gwynn long ago made peace with his own situation. But he showed Friday at the 41st edition of the Gatornationals that he certainly cherishes the fun days.

“I miss the driving part of it more than anything. Team ownership has its heartaches and sleepless nights. I don’t know too many drivers who don’t sleep very well, worried about the race the next morning, as much as the owners,” he said with an easy laugh. “The ownership was a lot of headaches — great times, good driver, Mike Dunn. At the end of the day, I’d rather have been in the cockpit.

“I’d much rather be driving a car today than driving a car 20 years ago,” Gwynn said. “We had no neck braces. We didn’t have the helmets they have now. We didn’t have the restraints. Yeah, they go faster, but if you crash at 290 or 315, not a big difference if you hit a wall. In general, the cars are real safe, and NHRA does a good job of keeping them in line. The reason drag racing is a safer sport than most other forms of motorsports is the fact that they’re going in a straight line. Crashes continue to go in a straight line.”

Gwynn did drive a specially built dragster, a labor of love by former crew member Mike Gerry, at the 2001 U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis. But he never has sat in it again. “Nope, and I’m not going to,” Gwynn said. He told historian Steve Gibbs, as they debated for a second or two whether to stage the unique pass annually, “We’re never going to be able to duplicate what just happened here. Let’s just preserve that moment.” He insisted that he “never had the urge. Nope. It’ll never be like that moment.”

But this whole weekend has provided another special moment for Gwynn at his home track.

Doug Kalitta, no slouch at Gainesville Raceway himself with a pair of victories here (2000, 2005) is driving the Coors Extra Gold Special tribute dragster to commemorate Gwynn’s second consecutive Gainesville victory in 1990.

“We are so glad that Darrell and Kalitta Motorsports joined forces to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his last win in Gainesville. Darrell’s contributions to our sport and now to help those with spinal cord injuries are truly remarkable,” Doug Kalitta, who owns an air ambulance service in Michigan, said. “The last time the Coors Extra Gold dragster was on the track in Gainesville it went to the winner’s circle with Darrell. We hope we can return it there again for him.”

Darrell Gwynn calls it “a home run.”

He said, “It’s touching all of our buttons,” for it draws attention not only to Gwynn’s racing performances but also the impact his foundation is making. “It’s an honor to have them represent me and Coors Extra Gold 20 years later. It brings back such great memories.

Doug Kalitta, no slouch at Gainesville Raceway himself with a pair of victories here (2000, 2005) is driving the Coors Extra Gold Special tribute dragster to commemorate Gwynn's second consecutive Gainesville victory in 1990.

Referring to team owner Connie Kalitta, Doug’s uncle, Gwynn said, “Connie’s family and mine have been friends forever.”

Connie Kalitta raced Gwynn six times in his career, and Gwynn won five times.

“I’ve moved on to a different phase of my life. It’s all about the Darrell Gwynn Foundation. For them to recognize that in this celebratory manner is an honor for me. When was the last time you ever heard of a competitor putting another competitor’s colors on their car? It’s a lot about Connie Kalitta and that whole team.”

A brief ceremony Friday before Doug Kalitta made his first qualifying pass in the tribute car reminded fans that they can sign up to participate in the NHRA-first “Walk The Track” event to raise money for the Darrell Gwynn Foundation.

“No matter what happens, it’s already a home run for us,” Gwynn said.

Then, teasingly, Gwynn said, “There’s no pressure. That Coors Extra Gold car has only raced here twice — and it has won both times. It won in 1989 and it won in 1990.”

On a more serious note, he said, “I still get the chills when I enter the gate here. I was here for the first race. I’ve missed only one Gatornationals since then. It was in 1972, when I had bad grades and my dad wouldn’t let me come.

“Coming to Gainesville brings back so many great memories,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate to win the Gatornationals three times (including his 1984 Top Alcohol Dragster victory) and runner-up some others.”

In addition to the Kalitta tribute car, a meticulously replicated 20th Anniversary Coors Extra Gold Special show version of Gwynn’s 1990 Top Fuel dragster is on display on the manufacturers midway. The show car was sold three times during the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Show at Scottsdale, Ariz., in January. Ron Pratte purchased it first, then Bill Gannon was the owner for awhile. Its final purchaser, Floridian Joe Riley, also returned it to Gwynn so it can be auctioned again next month at the West Palm Beach Barrett-Jackson Auction. The foundation’s goal is to raise $1 million through the show car, and it’s almost halfway there.

As the foundation prepares for the “Walk the Track” charity, the scene is set. Townspeople will line the track. The hot rods are in town again for the Gatornationals. And once again, Darrell Gwynn is at the center of it all.

Photography by Roger Richards.

Originally posted at CompetitionPlus.com

“I can feel it…can you?”

One does not need to have all their senses intact to enjoy an afternoon at the drags.

Sergeant Doug Evanston attended the 2009 NHRA Auto Club World Finals but couldn’t see the race due to blindness. Spend some time with him and you’ll find that his fan experience was not hindered by what some would consider a handicap. If anything, he says, it was enhanced.

Doug’s last visual experience at the drag races occurred on ‘Thunder Mountain’ in 1989, when he saw Joe Amato, Bruce Larson and Bob Glidden capture professional category victories at the Mopar Mile High Nationals in Morrison, Colo. One week later, he entered basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, SC. The honorably discharged United States Marine and Purple Heart recipient from Madison, Wis., lost his vision after an Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) exploded 10 feet away from him during Operation Desert Storm in 1992.

“I guess you could say that was a bad day,” noted the 42-year old father of two boys, Gary (21) and John (19) whom he named after his two favorite Funny Car drivers, Densham and Force.

“When the IED went off I saw a bright flash of light, kind of like the flames coming from the back of a jet car in the dark. Some might call it a tragedy, but in hindsight,” he said with a chuckle, “at least I’ve had a chance to see my kids faces when they were babies.”

This particular day at the NHRA Finals, began with a stroll in the pits to seek a sense of touch; a hand shake and autograph from Ashley Force. When asked why he likes Ashley he said, “She sounds like a winner. So confident, articulate and sounds like a lady who has her s#%t together. You can tell she’s a daughter of the champ. Plus she took the time to shake my hand. That’s what I love about these drivers and our sport. You can reach out and touch them. It’s a great feeling.”

Before heading to his seats in the stands, Evanston and his boys got their ‘nitro fix’ courtesy of the Kalitta contingent. Their senses of smell and taste were assaulted when the Doug Kalitta driven, Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster fired up to prepare for a first round engagement with Steve Torrence.

“It’s a tradition which we’ve been doing for ever,” said Sgt. Evanston. “Before first round on Sunday, I always head to the church of Kalitta to be baptized by the nitro gods. Nobody spreads the ‘holy water’ better in the pits than old Conrad.”

Evanston sat in the grandstands, about 800 feet down the Pomona quarter mile and enjoyed second round eliminations, and his descriptions of what was happening on the track were precise. He correctly stated Robert Hight smoked the tires at about 300 foot in his race versus Tim Wilkerson when he yelled “tire smoke” and pointed towards the left lane, during the run. He continued, “Bad tire shake right lane” when Allen Johnson rattled the tires hard in his match up versus Jason Line. When Larry Dixon captured an important round win over Cory McClenathan he said, “D*** that was a close one, less than a foot right?”

Yup, eight inches to be exact.

“Being unable to see does not hamper my experience at the drags,” he confidently stated. “The anticipation is amazing as the drivers hit that second fuel pump I can hear that engine pulling down. It is like they are rocks in a sling shot pulled back, ready to strike,” he said as ‘goose bumps’ were visible on his right arm and mine too.

“There is nothing in the world that compares the having your guts shaken by two cars pounding the ground as they race past you at more than 300 miles per hour,” he said. “That’s why I sit down here at the top end during eliminations. I feel it in my feet, through my (rear end) and extend to the tips of my fingers.”

Spending a few hours with Doug will open your eyes to a simple fact; drag racing is a true sensory overload. And if one of those senses goes away, the others will be there to pick up the slack and still provide an excellent fan experience.

Pomona, Calif. – It’s been said, “When you strike out at bat, make sure you go down swinging.” This could be the phrase which best describes the experience Pleasanton, Calif. contractor Ron August Jr.’s 2009 NHRA Auto Club World Finals experience. The rookie Top Fuel Driver of Mitch King’s rail and veteran Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot entered the final qualifying sessions on the outside looking in both Lescure Co. sponsored entries.

On Friday evening, August staged his Mustang Alky flopper knowing he’d have to eclipse the very difficult 5.75 second elapsed time bump spot. As he slammed the throttle down to the floor, he knew the car was ‘on a run’. The car drove the first 60-feet of Auto Club Raceway in Pomona in 0.965 seconds, which was the quickest incremental the car had all season. However, the magical run was short lived as a catastrophic rear end failure caused the car to lose power. The mechanical issues caused a shower of sparks, fire and debris to trail the car as he limped down the quarter mile track.

“That car was flat out hauling the mail,” noted August. “When I hit the top of first gear I knew it was on a pass, but then “POW” the rear end exploded and our weekend in that car was done. Its honesty the worst feeling I’ve had in a long time in this sport as we know this car is capable of so much better performance. Yet we found what the car was looking for in the performance department, so we should be good to go next year. I’d really like to apologize to Tony Bartone and Brian Thiel who were the next cars out behind us, as well to the NHRA Safety Safari. The rear end failure caused a lot of junk on the track. That’s not our game.”

Then August strapped into Mitch King’s Lescure Co. sponsored Top Fuel Dragster for his final attempted to crack a very difficult 16-car field. August launched the car at night, with header flames lighting up the So Calif. sky. About 100 foot out he had to pedal the throttle as he noticed the car beginning to lose traction. The car instantly hooked up and the car’s front end began to climb sky high, until the wheelie bars and Augusts’ quick reacting driving brought the car down to earth. “That was one of the hairiest runs I’ve ever had,” said August. “The track was very tight and when I peddled it, all I saw were stars and black sky. I’m thankful to Mike Lescure for giving me an opportunity to live the dream in Top Fuel. He’s been a great supported of mine though the years and I feel bad we were not able to get these cars in the show.”

August is not completely certain what his plans are for the 2010 NHRA campaign; however he wanted to extend his sincere gratitude to his friends, fans and especially his family for the support they have shown him this season. “All in all, it’s been a very good year for the August family. I’m blessed to have a great support group and I am looking forward to whatever our future holds.”