Jeff Stevens qualifies #1 and rides to 2nd consecutive Super Gas win at Kansas City, MO

Commerce, Georgia (June 21st, 2009)
Harley-Davidson/Buell of Bloomington, Do-Rock Racing rider Jeff Stevens qualified in the number one position and followed it up by again riding to victory in the Super Gas class for the 2nd consecutive event during the AHDRA Midwest Nationals at the Kansas City International Raceway. It was the second Super Gas win this season for Stevens and the Do-Rock racing team.

“This weekend went pretty much the same way as our Norwalk, Ohio event except we were the number one Super Gas and number two V-Rod Destroyer qualifier this time.” commented Stevens. “Our numbers were very consistent all weekend and the equipment performed well in some brutally hot and humid conditions.” Jeff adds, “Competing in the 95+ degree heat was certainly a challenge, but we just tried to stay focused and not beat ourselves by making a mistake. In the finals, it was fun racing against one of our SG class sponsors and competitors, Rich Vreeland, who just missed a perfect run in the final round. In V-Rod Destroyer we qualified 2nd and made it to the semi-finals again, before having our worst run of the weekend and losing to Jim Sweet in good race. Another final round appearance in VRD would have been real nice, but overall, it was a fine weekend for us.”

After four events on the 2009 AHDRA schedule, Stevens leads the point’s battle in the Super Gas class with 344 points followed by, Wanda Poff 300, Bob Drapp 262, Rich Vreeland 255, and Dale Niles 189. In the V-Rod Destroyer class Stevens is in second place with 285 points.

The next AHDRA national event is the Rush Thunder in the Valley Nationals, August 8th and 9th, at Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tennessee.

Do-Rock Racing is sponsored by Harley-Davidson/Buell of Bloomington, French Lick Harley-Davidson and Lucas Oil Products.

Jeffery A. Stevens, Owner

Harley-Davidson/Buell of Bloomington
522 W. Gourley Pike
Bloomington, Indiana 47404
Phone (812) 333-8300 or (800) 667-7939
www.IndianaHarley.com

French Lick Harley-Davidson
8538 West Baden Avenue, Suite 140
West Baden, Indiana 47469
Phone (812) 936-5581
www.FrenchLickHarley.com

Krenik WINS Pro Mod & takes the #1 Qualifying Spot in Kansas City…after 8 Months off!

Corrales, NM - June 21, 2009

The Desert Dawgs could not wait any longer to race…so after an unexpected week helping Greg’s Mom in Minnesota and visiting with some of Greg’s High School Swim Team Buddies, the Dawg’s made sure they had the race bike with them and on the way back home they stopped in Kansas City, MO for the All Harley Drag Racing Association’s Midwest Nationals, presented by Blue Springs Harley Davidson to see how well they could compete in the Pro Mod Class!

The weekend started with some rain and unsure track conditions, but Greg and his only crew, Karen Raffa, pulled together and started their NEW routines on how they would run the bike this season-together. Their Champion Crew Chief, Steve Allstaedt, is now with another Pro Mod Team, so Greg and Karen were on their own. First, Greg had to get the bike together after just stuffing it in the trailer to make the trip…all the bolts on the bike needed to be tightened and the wheelie bars setup. The added responsibilities did not seem to be a burden for Karen and Greg was patient and walked her through the duties on Friday’s test and tune. With all the work the bike needed, Greg was only able to get in two TnT passes. Right off the bat, he had some technical issues with his computer…like it not working…so he had to leave the same tune-up in the ignition as when he raced in Rockingham last year. But with the help of Ray Corral of MSD and his ‘computer energy fix’, they were able to get it to work long enough…30 secs…to download the front cylinder fuel curve. Thanks Ray, it is really good to have you at an event. Greg managed an 8.76 pass but they had another problem…the wheel would spin on the tire for a full revolution…that really messes with your launches. All this misfortune was pushing the limits for Greg and the Dawg’s motto of – “Are you having FUN?”

At Saturday’s rider meeting it was decided to change this event to an 1/8 mile event for the Pro’s due to guard rail safety. With that news, Greg, like everyone else, had to change their tune in their bike…in other words, start all over. Karen got the new routine down and had Greg in the lanes for the first qualifying pass. They ran a 5.487 sec pass (which translates to approximately an 8.63 sec in the ¼ mile) which put them in as #1 Qualifier and they held the spot throughout the day. COOL! On his second qualifying pass they changed some things but only ran a 5.527…the heat of the day was setting in. On the third pass he missed the 2nd to 3rd shift and aborted the run.

There were some funny parts on Saturday which brought back the “Are you having FUN?” question. The towing of Greg to the starting line and picking him up at the top end of the track after his run had them both laughing. Greg almost passed Karen while being towed to the staging lanes the first time. “She kind of slowed down quickly for some people and all of the sudden I was next to her…kind of made things interesting.”, said Greg. After Greg’s first Qualifying pass, Karen took her sweet time getting herself to the top end and upon arriving found that Greg had walked his bike most of the way to the scales. They weighed and then they hooked Greg up and Karen must have stalled the bike at least 3 times before she could get the two of them rolling toward the pit! “I was kind of nervous, making sure I didn’t forget anything, so I put the starter cart away at the starting line, then put my screw driver, that HUGE air gauge, video camera and umbrella in the pouch on the tow bike, and then headed to get Greg. On the way I had a whole bunch of people I had to wave to…and when I got to the scales, Greg was weighing in. The return road was so narrow for my turns, so it took a few 3-point turns to get around and then hook Greg up and I guess I just wasn’t letting the clutch out slow enough...PLUS…when I finally feel the weight coming from Greg’s bike, there is a HUGE pulling from behind…enough to throw an inexperienced rider right off the bike and I didn’t want that to happen, so yes, I stalled it a few times…but, I did get better every time” she revealed.

One of Greg’s Great sponsors was displaying at the track, Carl Robinson from Mickey Thompson Tires, they had not seen him since Pomona 2007. Carl had some great advice for Greg’s tire problem and Carl also met them on the starting line a few times and picked Greg’s launch spot. THANKS Carl…you’re the Best!

Back to the racing part….Sunday morning, Father’s Day and the first day of Summer, Greg was honored as #1 Qualifier in his class on the starting line with the other class #1 qualifiers. The forecast was to be 95 degrees with high humidity…YUCK!

In the first round of Pro Modified he just about ended the season. He didn’t have the bike square when he shifted to 2nd and the tire broke loose really bad sending him sideways into a real violent fishtail and tank slap. After a few rights and lefts and keeping in the throttle he was able to put the win light on thanks to his opponents bog at the start. “Can you say lucky? I’m glad I had both feet on the pegs or I would’ve been off the bike.” said Greg. “It was pretty wild to watch the video, just to see how much it moved back and forth in slow motion it was nuts.” he added.

1974-77 Swim Team members Ted Hullsiek(74), Greg(76), Scott Furber(75) Back row - Tim Hullsiek(75), Marty Timmerman(76), Jim Smith(77)

Some #1 Qualifiers: Jim Sweet, Jeff Stevens and Greg Krenik (Raffa photo)

David from Blue Springs H-D and a worn out Greg Krenik Winner Pro Mod Class! (Raffa Photo)

The second round of eliminations was better with him turning on the win light while running a 5.594. The finals had him more focused and with the changes he made to the wheelie bars more confident the bike would go straight. Both riders had almost identical reaction times but Greg pulled ahead and won with a 5.560 run.

“By Sunday, Karen had the towing thing figured out and was a great Crew Chief. This first race was tough, we felt like rookies, we split up the things Steve did so we were a bit comedic at first, so by the time Sunday came around we had somewhat of a routine….I just need more seat time and practice. My focus came back rather quickly and on the track I try and do whatever it takes to put the win light on no matter what the bike wants to do.” said Krenik.

After a very hot and humid day with a few hours of downtime from heat exhausted riders, the race was finished with Greg taking home the Pro Mod win, at the ‘unplanned first event of 2009’. He was elated and happy to see so many friends and pit right smack in the middle of them all! He will not go on the tour with the rest of them to Bristol, TN, but hopefully many of the Pro Mod Class will make the trip out west and go the extra miles to Woodburn…it is a fantastic track and all will have the chance to race Randy Borho and of course, see his son Alex!

2009 Desert Dawg Racin’ Schedule:
Special Events @ Thunderbird Harley-Davidson, Albuquerque, NM
July 18 Albuquerque Dragstrip Motorcycle Mania, NM
August 15 Albuquerque Dragstrip Motorcycle Mania, NM
August 22-23, AHDRA Northwest Nationals, Woodburn, OR
October 9-11, AHDRA Finals, Rockingham, NC

THANK YOU to OUR Supporting sponsors and friends……

Thunderbird Harley-Davidson www.thunderbirdhd.com John & Wayne
Unique Services Inc. www.uniquesvcs.com Brian
Custom Coating: 505-626-2605 Erin McGonagle
Mickey Thompson Tires www.mickeythompsontires.com Carl
SA Racing: 828-674-6225 Steve Allstaedt
CP Pistons: www.cppistons.com Snake
Lyndall Racing Brakes www.lyndallracingbrakes.com Paul
Regina Chain USA www.reginausa.com Mike
Worldwide Bearings www.worldwidebearings.com Dave

Jeff Stevens rides to V-Rod Destroyer win at Commerce, Georgia

Commerce, Georgia (April 26th, 2009)

Harley-Davidson/Buell of Bloomington, Do-Rock Racing rider Jeff Stevens rode to victory in the Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer class at the AHDRA Southern Nationals event at the Atlanta Dragway. It was the first V-Rod Destroyer class win for Stevens and the Do-Rock racing team.

“This win was a great team effort,” said Stevens. “We had been to the finals before in this class, but couldn’t get the win. This time we did. Our bikes performed really well all weekend and Richard Hankins did an excellent job of tuning. We qualified 3rd in the Super Gas class, qualified 2nd in V-Rod Destroyer and got the win, so overall it was a fantastic weekend for us.”

After two events on the 2009 AHDRA schedule, Stevens leads the point’s battle in the V-Rod Destroyer class with 152 points followed by, Wanda Poff 131, Nick Gonatas 96, Jim Sweet 93, and Bob Pettit 68.

The next AHDRA national event is the Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts, Ohio Bike Week Nationals, June 6th and 7th, at Summit Motorsports Park, in Norwalk, Ohio.

Do-Rock Racing is sponsored by Harley-Davidson/Buell of Bloomington, French Lick Harley-Davidson and Lucas Oil Products.

Jeffery A. Stevens, Owner

Harley-Davidson/Buell of Bloomington
522 W. Gourley Pike
Bloomington, Indiana 47404
Phone (812) 333-8300 or (800) 667-7939
www.IndianaHarley.com

French Lick Harley-Davidson
8538 West Baden Avenue, Suite 140
West Baden, Indiana 47469
Phone (812) 936-5581
www.FrenchLickHarley.com

Greg Krenik and the Desert Dawgs Plans to Defend the 2009 AHDRA Pro Modified National Championship Title are Canceled…

Corrales, NM - February 16, 2009

The economy has taken the Desert Dawgs out of competition for the 2009 All Harley Drag Racing Association (AHDRA) Pro Modified Championship chase. “It’s such a shame too, just after we got the bike ready for the season. We did a couple things to the motor and a couple more to the chassis and the goal was to run an 8.299 at one of the tracks this season.” said Krenik. “Last Friday, during my Performance Review, it came down to a choice, Work or Racing, and after being involved in land development as a Civil Engineer for 16 years at Mark Goodwin & Associates, I need to help Mark stay afloat in this economic crisis. No more time off without pay. Mark has supported my racing habit for the last 6 years and I am very grateful, therefore, I need to support him when he needs me” Greg added.

“The hardest part is Karen’s job. Karen went to work at the AHDRA, three years ago with almost 30 years experience in the Motorsports Industry-because I was racing with them. This gave us a win-win situation…instead of her traveling with the NHRA or IHRA, we were able to do it together and what a great time we had!” claimed Greg. Karen added, “For the first time, I saw what it was like from the ‘racers’ point of view, everything from parking, camping in the pits, to Technical rules and race direction. I was affected by all the decisions that normally I would not feel….so, I think I was helpful to Craig Tharpe, as a crew member and also as an AHDRA employee. I was set to return in April and my job was going to be changing, I was to be the Managing Editor of SPEED and selling the ads and Contingency and all sorts of Sponsorships for the Sanctioning Body, it was going to be a lot, but I was ready to get them through the tough times. It sure has been fun and I'm really sad to have to let the racers and the AHDRA down. But, this was a team deal (Greg and I) and I will say ‘Goodbye’ also.”

“We hope that we can go to Woodburn, OR as rider & Crew Chief. AND, if we’re really lucky, go to Rockingham, NC too, but not for points, it’s not going to happen. We’ll go to see if we can break a record. HA!” said Greg. “It looks like we’ll be running at the local track here in Albuquerque to tune the bike, the 8500’ adjusted altitude will take some getting used to. I figure if we can run an 8.79 up here we might get to an 8.299 in OR or NC. Well, maybe not with the C25. But, I still have 3 gallons of A19A left, so we’ll use it up around here. My heartfelt THANKS to goes out to Thunderbird Harley Davidson here in Albuquerque. We try so hard to get great sponsors and then keep them…it’s harder than I thought it would be…but GIVING them a Championship in 2008 was the highlight of my Racing Career!”

“So, we will do local racing for 2009 and keep the Pro Mod active this summer and keep Thunderbird Harley-Davidson, Unique Services, Custom Coating, SA Racing Inc, Mickey Thompson, CP Pistons, Lyndall Racing Brakes, Regina Chain and Synergy Coatings names out there and see what we can do for them at the two AHDRA National events that we hope to attend” he added.

“We feel really sad right now, (kind of like in the Harry Potter movie when the Dementor attacked him on the train and his buddy Ron said, “It feels like I’ll never be cheerful again.”). We finally have something to defend but won’t get the chance, it’s starting to set in. The traveling, the friends, the intense racing, the hard work and then rushing home to go back to work…normally a 24 plus hour ride from New Mexico, was actually FUN…and we got the PM Championship and R-up to the PS Championship…so we can’t feel anything but sadness and gratefulness.”

WE will miss you all…Have fun and be Safe out there!

On another sad note, we had to say goodbye to our Sadie last Thursday (tough week) …she will be greatly missed.

2009 Desert Dawg Racin’ Schedule:
Special Events - Thunderbird Harley-Davidson, Albuquerque, NM
July 18 Albuquerque Dragstrip Motorcycle Mania, NM
August 15 Albuquerque Dragstrip Motorcycle Mania, NM
August 22-23, Salem Harley-Davidson Northwest Nationals, Woodburn, OR
October 9-11, Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts Jim McClure Nationals, Rockingham, NC

THANKS to OUR sponsors……

Thunderbird Harley-Davidson www.thunderbirdhd.com
SA Racing: 828-674-6225 Steve Allstaedt
Unique Services Inc. www.uniquesvcs.com
Custom Coating: 505-626-2605 Erin McGonagle
CP Pistons: www.cppistons.com
Mickey Thompson Tires www.mickeythompsontires.com
Lyndall Racing Brakes www.lyndallracingbrakes.com
Regina Chain USA www.reginausa.com
Synergy Coatings www.coat-this.com

Greg Krenik
2008 AHDRA Pro Modified National Champion
1/4 Mile National Record Holder at 8.430 sec
1/8 Mile National Record Holder at 5.331 sec

DESERT DAWG RACIN', LLC
184 Camino Rayo Del Sol
Corrales, NM 87048
505-235-9338 cell 505-922-0105 home
greg@goodwinengineers.com

Sadie, the PM Guard Dawg

Ira (Greg’s brother in-law), Steve and Greg in Oregon, working and ‘gooning around’

Karen and Greg in Atlanta-the only shot we have of us together at the track! (Photo by Eddie Lee)