Lucas Oil Pro Mod Racing for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

(08-05-10) MADISON, IL – Racing for two Minutemen and a cure for blood cancer, brothers Zach and Cody Barklage will hit one of their hometown tracks this weekend for the ADRL Hardee’s Gateway Drags III at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, IL.

“The race this weekend is a big one for us for several reasons,” said Zach Barklage. “We first have to finish competition from the Hardee’s Independence Drags in Topeka that rained out, plus we will have the regular event for this weekend. We are also going to raising money again for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I know I’ve said it before but people need to realize over 1,500 people in just Missouri and Kansas died from blood cancer just last year. This is in our hometowns and if we ask around, we probably know someone who either has had blood cancer or been effected by blood cancer. We keep telling everyone that only $1000 will give 10 children a whole month of their cancer medication, and at first that may seem like a lot of money, but when everyone comes together it can add up quick. If everyone who comes to the race can give just $1, than we can make a real difference in the lives of people in our communities. Hopefully, we can play a part in saving lives and that is what matters.”

“We are definitely on a mission,” added Cody Barklage. “We have two races in one weekend to compete in, and we want to raise as much money as possible for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We want to honor our friend, Michelle Royal, and her fight against leukemia, and honor the almost 140,000 people in the United States each year that get blood cancer. Although over 53,000 people die each year from blood cancer, there is a lot of hope. Because of new research and medicines, almost 913,000 people are survivors and in a remission state.”

“Every cent we raise here and back in Topeka goes straight to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society,” Cody Barklage went on to say. “The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society not only works on finding a cure for blood cancer, but also helps patients and their family with information, special support groups, financial aid, patient education, and advocacy. The money raised does mainly stay locally, and will help those around us and our communities. Every penny raised does make a big difference to the lives of patients with blood cancer.”

“We will be on a few missions this weekend,” said Zach Barklage. “We need to get both Lucas Oil / Goodyear cars well into the field for the Gateway portion of the event and hopefully go some rounds for the Topeka make-up event. We didn’t raise as much money as we had hoped in Topeka, so we hope to raise thousands in St. Louis for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.”

Barklage Racing would like to give recognition for special donations made by Frankie Taylor Racing, Mike Castallana, Gaylen Smith and Len Mar Motorsports, and Keith Goolsby of Superlifts for their exceptional financial gift to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Additionally, we would like to thank every PX and PN team that gave. It all helps!

Please donate to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by making your checks out to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or LLS and mailing them C/O Amy Johnson PO Box 16694 Raytown, MO 64133-6694 or by visiting http://pages.teamintraining.org/mid/nikesf10/ajohnsotl9. All donations go directly to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and is tax deductable.

The ADRL Hardee’s Gateway Drags III at Gateway International Raceway will take place August 6 – 7, 2010. Spectator gates open at 9 AM on Friday and Saturday. Friday qualifying will be at 11 AM, 2:30 PM and 6:15 PM. Saturday, the final qualifying round is at 11 AM, Pre-Race ceremony at 2:30 PM with Rd.1 just after.

Lucas Oil, Sunoco Race Fuel, and Pit Mat USA can be purchased through Lake Race Products, in Eldon, MO by calling 573-392-9984 or visiting us at www.BarklageRacingOnline.com.

Barklage Racing would like to acknowledge Lucas Oil, Taylor Cable, Sunoco, NGK Sparkplugs, Goodson, Goodyear Tires, Pit Mat USA, Lake Race Products, Mark Barklage Drywall, Chris Duncan Race Cars, ZoomMo Web Solutions, Moreland Well Drilling, Akerly & Childs, JE Pistons, Modern Impact Signs and Weld Wheels.

Notable

· Cody Barklage was the 2007 Super Chevy Show Nitro Coupe World Champ
· Zach Barklage was the 2007 Super Chevy Show Nitro Coupe Runner Up
· The team is based in Lake Ozark, Missouri.
· The team is owned and operated by parents Mark and Cathy Barklage, and operates a large family owned large drywall company in the Ozarks area of Missouri.
· Cody Barklage won his first ADRL Minuteman in 2009
· Cody Barklage is the youngest driver in ADRL PX competition

- About The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society -

WHO: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Founded in 1949, we are relentless in pursuit of our mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

WHAT: Investing in blood cancer research: LLS has invested more than $680 million in research, approximately $69 million in fiscal year 2009 alone. Programs like the Specialized Center of Research (SCOR), which brings together teams of scientists from different disciplines and our Translational Research Program, which funds research with a high probability of producing innovative patient treatments in an accelerated time frame, have directly contributed to many breakthrough cancer treatments. Research funded by LLS has led or contributed to advances such as chemotherapy, bone marrow and stem cell transplantation and new, targeted oral therapies such as Gleevec®.

Providing critical information and support for patients and their families:

We made 4.9 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals in fiscal year 2009, through our Information Resource Center (IRC), our award winning Web site and community-based patient service programs. We put people together with experts through Web-casts and teleconferences, and provided professional education through seminars, to extend the latest findings to a broader professional audience.

Advocating for issues impacting blood cancer patients: With more than 20,000

advocacy volunteers throughout the country, our voice is being heard by those responsible for legislation to fund blood cancer research and educational programs.

WHY: The need is critical: An estimated 912,938 people in the United States are living with, or are in remission from, leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma. Every four minutes, someone new is diagnosed with blood cancer. Every 10 minutes, someone dies.. Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children under the age of 20. Lymphomas are the most common blood cancers and incidence increases with age. The survival rate for myeloma is only 37.1 percent. Incidence is nearly twice as high among African Americans as for all other races.

HOW: As a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations. Seventy-five percent of our total expenses support cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services. Major, annual fundraising campaigns include Team In Training®, Light The Night® Walk, School & Youth ProgramsSM, Man & Woman of the Year and The Leukemia Cup Regatta.

WHERE: In addition to our national headquarters in White Plains, NY, we have a network of 64 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Information on blood cancers and support is available through our IRC and at www.LLS.org.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Information Resource Center: (800) 955-4572

Media: Andrea Greif, director of public relations (914) 821-8958

Research grant information: Louis J. DeGennaro, Ph.D. (914) 821-8922

chief scientific officer

After winning ADRL UTI Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen on July 23, John Montecalvo didn’t realize it gave him two straight ADRL wins.
A night later at the UTI Inaugural Texas Drags, the Extreme Pro Stock driver had three in a row and now has a chance for five heading into this weekend’s Hardee’s Gateway Drags III.
It all left him shaking his head as he marveled about his astonishing run.
“This is just incredible,” Montecalvo said. “I missed the first race of the year and now I’m (first in the points standings). Things are looking good.”
Montecalvo has been red-hot in the summer months, winning the Ford Drive One Summer Drags in June and following with a double-win at Houston Raceway Park in July. To add to it, Montecalvo was the No. 1 qualifier at both the Summer Drags and the Texas Drags.
With the Hardee’s Independence Drags IV being completed on Friday at Gateway International Raceway (GIR), Montecalvo has a chance to further cement his points lead in XPS and give him an improbable five wins in a period of eight weeks.
That remarkable run is one of the main storylines as the ADRL heads to GIR for what should be an eventful weekend.

ABOUT THE ADRL
Based in O’Fallon, Missouri, the American Drag Racing League is the nation’s premier sanctioning body for the sport of eighth-mile drag racing. The professional categories featured in the ADRL are Extreme Pro Stock, Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Extreme 10.5, Pro Nitrous and Pro Extreme, the quickest doorslammer class in all of drag racing. The 2010 ADRL tour consists of 10 national events run throughout the United States. For more information on the ADRL, visit www.ADRL.us.

CRETE, Ill. August 2, 2010: Pete Berner had planned to match race his Summit GXP against Bob Bertsch this past Saturday at Summit Raceway Park’s ‘Night Under Fire’. Unfortunately on Friday Berner was in an off-track accident. On his way to pick up his wife, Cheryl, and head to the event, a car in oncoming traffic swerved into Berner’s lane and hit his SUV head on. Berner sustained a compression fracture and cracked ribs.

Despite having to miss the match race, the Summit team was still on hand at the ‘Night Under Fire’ to display the Summit GXP and highlight the upcoming ADRL Summit Ohio Drags, Sept. 24-25.

“We were really looking forward to the ‘Night Under Fire,’” told Berner, “and I am disappointed that we could not represent Summit as fully as we had intended. Unfortunately, this was a circumstance that was beyond my control and you have to play the cards you’re dealt. We will keep everyone posted on my recovery and we’ll be back to racing as soon as possible… hopefully this weekend!

“It could have been much worse,” Berner continued, in reference to his wreck. “I’m in a lot better condition than my vehicle, which was totaled. There was definitely Someone watching out for me. At this point in my life, I feel like I’ve used four of my nine lives. I better watch it because I don’t have many more to go!” he joked.

A doctor’s visit this afternoon will determine whether Berner is cleared to race this weekend’s ADRL Hardee’s Gateway Drags.

“I would like to thank those friends and fans who have already shown concern. I appreciate everyone’s support, and look forward to being back in action soon.”

07-28-10) Baytown, TX – The Texas heat was expected when we pulled in to Houston Raceway Park for the completion of the March rain delayed Inaugural UTI Texas Drags this past Friday. We felt confident with running in these conditions since this is our hometown track.

Considering his Mad Man nickname, it was no surprise that Frankie towed his new solid black car to the staging lanes even though he only has a few full passes on his Jeffers Pro Car built 2005 C5 Corvette. Relying on his current 6th place qualifying spot from March, his fourth qualifying attempt Friday morning was nothing to brag about but allowed us to gather data on the current track conditions.

After a pedal fest win in the first round against Quain Stott in his LeeBoy’s sponsored Corvette, we then paired up against last year’s ADRL Champion Todd Tutterow and his Barwa’s Team. We barely beat Todd with a margin of victory of only 0.0393 seconds (11 feet).

It appeared that the Texas drivers had a slight advantage since all semi-finalists were Texans. Gene Hector ran against Frankie but Small Block Mafia’s car backfired and had to be pushed back off of the line. With this single pass, we gave the crowd something to cheer about while running 3.782-seconds at 198.70 mph.

The Frankie-Gaylen Show is a common sight at many local TOPMA finals but it was great to see this happen on a larger scale at an ADRL national event. The LenMar Motorsports car took the tree but Frankie grabbed the win and the Minuteman Trophy on the back end with a solid 3.765-seconds pass. Congratulations to Gaylen Smith and his crew for a strong showing and making it to the finals.

This win landed us in first place in the championship point’s race by the end of Friday night. “To win with a brand new car in our first national event was impressive but I know this car will get quicker and stupid fast”, smiled Frankie. “Now that was fun to take the win at my hometown track in front of my family and friends”, he continued.

We then finished qualifying for the UTI Dragpalooza VI on Saturday morning. With an impressive run of 3.796-seconds at 200.71 mph in the heat of the day, we were unable to improve on our number two qualifying position.

We found ourselves going up against another Texan in Steve Wiley with his Hector-Wiley Motorsports Corvette in the first round of eliminations. Unfortunately, the hot track could not hold our tune up as we shot to the right wall quickly. The car received minor damage and ended our day early. We in turn dropped to 2nd place in the championship point’s race behind Joshua Hernandez due to his impressive win on Saturday.

We have very limited sponsorship and our crew is made up completely of volunteers. To win a national ADRL event makes us proud and shows how the hard work can pay off compared to the other well funded teams. Coming off of our win Friday allows us to have high expectations for continued success going into Illinois. Look for the Taylor Team to redeem ourselves quickly.

Special thanks to our sponsors: Haning Racing, Anglia Homes, Baudier Graphics, Conrad Racing Engines, Jeffers Pro Cars, NitroFog Photos, Mickey Thompson Tires, PMS Excavation, PolyDyn, Penray, Pyle Brothers, RGC Advanced Glass and Santhuff Shocks.

CRETE, Ill. July 28, 2010: This past weekend at the ADRL Texas Drags, Pete Berner and the Summit Racing Equipment team made some pretty impressive runs. Despite their hard work and obvious talents, however, both races from the weekend turned into first round losses. The first race of the double header Berner turned on the red eye with an unfortunate .001 red. Then, he certainly looked primed for race two of the weekend, qualifying second with a stout 4.14 at 175 mph. However, despite looking flawless in several rounds of qualifying, Berner’s GXP shook in round one and he had to abort the run.

“Sometimes there are no reasonable explanations for the way things work,” told Berner. “We certainly have been pouring our heart and soul into this operation, but we haven’t been seeing the results we would expect. There seems to be a black cloud following this Summit trailer from race to race and I sure hope it dissipates or finds someone else soon!

“But in all seriousness, we don’t want to make excuses. We’ve been making some changes that cause the car to leave the line better. That in turn is improving my lights, and, in the case of our first round at Houston, it helped them a little too much. In the researching end of our engine program we make a lot of changes, and when we do that we lose some ability to maintain consistency. The intensive research and development we are doing will help us in the long run, but currently we are seeing more short term losses than we want. Obviously, the ability to last in the long term is what we’re looking for, but we certainly don’t want to sacrifice any more of our current races in the process.”

Although Berner and team have run into some obvious frustrations as the payoff for their hard work is seemingly overdue, this only convinces them to work harder.

“It may not always look like it, but we are always moving forward, working harder than ever before.”