Luke Bogacki Earns Third NHRA National Event Title of the Season in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV: Luke Bogacki, driver of the ThisIsBracketRacing.com Super Comp dragster and Super Gas Corvette, took home his third NHRA national event trophy of the 2012 season and the fifth of his career at last weekend’s NHRA Big O Tires Nationals in Las Vegas, NV.  There, he wheeled his American Race Cars built machine to the victory with a final round triumph over Greg Boutte.  Bogacki left the starting line with a near perfect .005 reaction, and held off Boutte for the win, 9.081 to 9.087 (9.05 index).

“This is another highlight to what has turned into an incredible season,” Bogacki said.  “Honestly, I don’t feel like I did a great job of driving in Super Comp this weekend; but my car really pulled me through.  It was nearly flawless, and I caught a lot of breaks.  I don’t care what anyone says, you need that to win in this category.”

Bogacki began his march to victory with wins over Rick Beckstrom, Jodi St. Arnaud, Raquel Roper and Steve Swenson.  He needed a perfect 9.050 to hold off former national event winner Justin Morgan in the quarterfinal round, and knocked off Larry Marshall in the semi-finals before squaring off with Boutte.  The win marked Bogacki’s third NHRA national event crown of the season, and first in Super Comp (he earned Super Gas honors in Houston and Brainerd).  In fact, the victory was his first all season in his ThisIsBracketRacing.com dragster.

“I’ve actually got the dragster sold,” Bogacki said.  “I got a deposit on it this weekend in Vegas, and the new owner gets it turn-key after Pomona.  My wife reminded me that I hadn’t won in that car all season.  It’s been such a good car for me over the last few years, I really wanted to send it off with a victory before the season ended.  I just got fortunate that it fell into place here!”

The Luke Bogacki Motorsports team will take delivery of two new American Race Cars dragsters in early December.  Luke will drive a new 2013 model in Super Comp next season, and assemble the second car for his wife, Jessica, who will compete mainly at the bracket level.

The car that Luke drove to victory in Las Vegas is a 2010 model American Race Cars chassis powered by a Huntsville Engine & Performance 632 cubic inch engine.  The powerplant features an aluminum block and 12* cylinder heads from BRODIX, along with Wiseco Pistons, Crane cam and lifters, a Milodon oiling system, and an APD “throttle stop” carbueretor and belt driven fuel pump.  Lucas Oil lubricates the internals, which are surrounded by a J&J Performance engine diaper.  The engine burns Renegade 116+ racing fuel that is exhausted through Hedman Hedders with Nitroplate coating.  A BTE powerglide transmission and torque converter feed power through a Moser Engineering rear end assembly and axles to Mickey Thompson Tires thanks to an Ohlins shock.  Bogacki monitors the combination with an Auto Meter multi-function data logger, and controls its speed (the car is capable of high-6-second ET’s) with a K&R Performance Engineering “Pro-Cube” Delay Box, Dixie Shift Solenoid, and Dedenbear throttle stop. The combination is topped off by a K&N hood scoop and filters, along with paint from Todd’s Extreme Paint.  Additional components include ISC Racer’s Tape, an AirTek air pressure monitor, B&M Pro-Bandit shifter, and port work by Frankenstein Racing Heads.  The team also enjoys support from DragRaceResults.com, Nitrous Express, and Charlie Stewart Race Cars.  Nearly every component on each of the LBM team machines is available at JEGS.com.

Luke wished to recognize his major marketing partner, ThisIsBracketRacing.com, along with associate partners Tinsley Drilling and Company, C.A.R.S. Protection Plus, Bill Taylor Enterprises, Advanced Product Design, Mickey Thompson Tires and Wheels, and JEGS for their continued support.

This weekend, Luke will continue with week 2 of his season-ending western swing at the NHRA Division 7 LODRS event in Las Vegas.  He comes into the event ranked 3^rd in the NHRA standings in both Super Comp and Super Gas.  The race marks the final LODRS event of the 2012 season, and Bogacki enters with a mathematical shot at the Lucas Oil Championship in Super Comp, as well as an opportunity to finish 2^nd in the Super Gas chase.

“The divisional race is certainly the reason I made the trip out here,” Bogacki said.  “I’ve got a shot in Super Comp, but it’s a longshot.  Basically, I have to make the final round of the event, and I have to get some help in the form of the other contenders falling early in eliminations.  Like I said, it’s a longshot.  But it’s almost a pressure-free situation, because I’m certainly not the favorite.  Regardless of the outcome, I’ve had a great season and it’s a lot of fun to get this deep into the year and still be in the championship conversation.”

After the final LODRS event of the season in Las Vegas, Bogacki plans to continue on to Pomona, CA for the season-ending AAA Auto Club NHRA Finals.

Luke Bogacki Motorsports Prepares for 2012 NHRA Season

Luke Bogacki Motorsports Prepares for 2012 NHRA Season

 

Carterville, IL: Luke Bogacki recently took delivery of a new Charlie Stewart Race Cars ‘63 Corvette bodied roadster. Upon completion, the machine will accompany the team’s 2010 American Race Cars dragster along an aggressive schedule of NHRA Full Throttle and Lucas Oil Series events as Bogacki pursues the NHRA Lucas Oil Championship in both Super Comp and Super Gas.

 

Bogacki is best known for his on-track success away from the national tour; he’s made his living competing in big dollar bracket events for nearly a decade. His only season-long pursuit of an NHRA title came in 2010, when he earned the NHRA Division 2 Championship in both Super Comp and Stock Eliminator and led the national Super Comp standings late in the season before being overtaken by Gary Stinnett. Bogacki finished the season ranked 2^nd in Super Comp and 6^th in Stock eliminator.

 

“I learned a lot in 2010,” said Bogacki. “The season and our chase of the NHRA championship really made me respect the racers that do it year after year, and always seem to finish near the top of the standings. Competing for a championship is a grind; it’s grueling physically, mentally, and financially. It seemed like we pieced things together and patched things up all season. Although we had a great year on the track, all I had to show for it was a worn out mind and body, and a depleted bank account. I told myself I’d never do it again unless I had all the pieces in place. Last season, we took a year off and bracket raced almost exclusively. The year gave me an opportunity to reflect and think about what I really wanted to do, and to start putting those pieces in place to step into the NHRA wars with the best team we could possibly assemble. I’m confident that we’ve done that, and we’ll chase the NHRA tour with great focus in 2012.”

 

Bogacki’s Super Comp and Super Gas machines will sport signage for major sponsor ThisIsBracketRacing.com, an instructional website for sportsman competitors designed and run by Bogacki himself. In addition, the team will feature associate marketing partnership from Tinsley Drilling and Company, C.A.R.S. Protection Plus, Advanced Product Design, JEGS, Bill Taylor Enterprises, and Mickey Thompson Tires.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“APD, Mickey Thompson, JEGS, and BTE have been a huge part of our race team for a long time,” said Bogacki. “I’m happy to have them along for the ride in 2012 and the years to come. You won’t see much change in those relationships, except that we will be stocking APD products on the trailer, and I’ll be an at-track sales rep for APD carburetors and fuel systems. Tinsley Drilling & Company is new to the team this season, and I’m tickled to have the opportunity to work with Neil and Joanna Tinsley and their family. We met at one of our TIBR ‘Live’ schools last year and hit it off instantly. They’re great people who share our passion for sportsman drag racing. I really look forward to working with them in 2012 and beyond.”

 

“C.A.R.S. Protection Plus is quickly becoming a household name in sportsman drag racing,” he continued. “C.A.R.S. is a company that specializes in used car warranties, and they offer the most comprehensive and affordable services on the market. Anyone can purchase a C.A.R.S. Protection Plus warranty for any vehicle, you just have to go through an authorized C.A.R.S. dealer. For more information, visit www.CarsProtectionPlus.com.”

 

Luke Bogacki Motorsports will depend on several manufacturers exclusively for products used within the racing team. Obviously American Race Cars and Charlie Stewart Race Cars are the team’s chassis builders of choice as manufacturers of Bogacki’s Super Comp Dragster and Super Gas Corvette Roadster, respectively. All team vehicles are powered by engines built by the professionals at Huntsville Engine & Performance in Huntsville, AL using BRODIX cylinder heads, engine blocks, and intake manifolds exclusively. Luke Bogacki Motorsports machines feature Moser Engineering axles, center sections, and the companies new line of brake kits. Both of the team’s NHRA entries are outfitted with Auto Meter’s “Stack” Multi-Function Data Logger and accessories. Lucas Oil is the exclusive lubricant of Luke Bogacki Motorsports.

 

The team looks to complete the new CSRC roadster by late-March and begin testing in hopes of making their NHRA debut at the Texas Motorplex LODRS event April 20-22 before continuing south to Houston Raceway Park for the NHRA O’Reilly Spring Nationals the following weekend. In total, the team will attend 9 NHRA Full Throttle Series National events and 8 Lucas Oil Division Series Events in pursuit of an NHRA Lucas Oil Championship in 2012.

 

“We’ve got a lot of work to do, but the ball is rolling in the right direction and I’m extremely excited about the season,” said Bogacki.

 

In addition to the marketing partners listed above, Luke Bogacki Motorsports also depends on products and services from a host of quality manufacturers, including: K&N Engineering, Ohlins Shocks, Wiseco Pistons, Renegade Racing Fuels, Hedman Hedders, K&R Performance Engineering, B&M, Todd’s Extreme Paint, J&J Engine Diapers, Frankenstein Cylinder Heads, Nitrous Express, DragRaceResults.com, Nitroplate, Milodon, ISC Racer’s Tape, Paintchip Designs, Dedenbear, and Dixie Racing Products.

 

 

Paul Barrentine 1953-2012

On Monday, January 16th, we lost our founder, Paul Barrentine.   He passed away suddenly, surrounded by his family and friends.  He worked in this industry since 1983, founded Memphis Performance, and co-founded BTE.  


Memorial services for Paul Barrentine will be held 2 PM Tuesday, January 24th, at the Collierville Funeral Home, 534 West Poplar Avenue , Collierville, Tennessee. Everyone is welcome. We all really appreciate your phone calls, messages, and emails

We will end our business day early on the 24th, at noon, to honor his memory.  

Bogacki Continues Beech Bend Mastery with Strong Tenn-Tuck Performance

Bowling Green, KY: 

 

 

 

Luke Bogacki drove his ThisIsBracketRacing.com backed American Race Cars dragster to a pair of final round finishes in last weekend’s Tenn Tuck Triple Crown bracket series event at Beech Bend Raceway inBowling Green, KY.  The Tenn Tuck Triple Crown is recognized as one of the most competitive big dollar bracket racing series’ in North America, routinely hosting several of the best sportsman racers in the nation. In Friday night’s $5,000-to-win event, Bogacki took runner-up honors after falling to 5-time NHRA champion Jeg Coughlin, Jr. in the final round.  A day later, he scored a $5,000 victory when he bested Buddy Ferrell in the final stanza.

 

“My car was really good all weekend,” said Bogacki.  “We just got this motor back from Huntsville Engine and it was a thrash to get everything together in time for the race, but it all paid off.  The car was flawless.  I didn’t do anything special behind the wheel, I just had good timing.  I made a handful of real nice runs, and they just happened to come when I needed them.  When I made mistakes, my opponents made bigger ones.  I was just in the right place at the right time.  I haven’t had a great season, but hopefully this will be a nice shot in the arm as we move forward with the season ending swing of big bracket events.”

 

Bogacki credited several marketing partners for their role in his teams continued success.  In addition to his own online sportsman racing driving school, ThisIsBracketRacing.com, Bogacki thanked American Race Cars, Huntsville Engine & Performance, K&N Engineering, Mickey Thompson Tires, Bill Taylor Enterprises, and JEGS.  He also acknowledged the following manufacturers whose products the team depends on week in and week out: Lucas Oil Products, J&J Engine Diapers, ISC Racer’s Tape, APD Carbueretors and fuel systems, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, Milodon, B&M, Rockett Brand Racing Fuel, Auto Meter, Nitroplate, Hedman Hedders, Todd’s Extreme Paint, Nitrous Express, Moser Engineering, Sparco, Frankenstein Racing Heads, Ohlins Shocks, Dixie Racing Products, Sunset Racecraft, K&R Performance Engineering, Figspeed.com, Wiseco, PimpMyCrew.com, and DragRaceResults.com.

 

A less than stellar season by Bogacki’s lofty expectations would be considered solid by most: Saturday’s victory marked his 15^th final round appearance of the season and his 7^th victory.  Of his 15 final round appearances, 5 have come at Beech Bend Raceway as Bogacki continues a history of incredible results at the western Kentucky facility.  He won the Tenn-Tuck Triple Crown points championship in 2004 on the strength of a March weekend sweep of the $10,000 main events (a feat that has yet to be duplicated in the history of the series).  He has appeared in a whopping 12 Tenn-Tuck final rounds in the past seven years, winning 8 of those matchups.  In addition, he earned top honors at the Beech Bend NHRA Lucas Oil Divisional event, taking the Super Comp crown in each of the last two seasons.  Bogacki, now a resident of southern Illinois, has claimed at least one victory at Beech Bend Raceway each season since moving from Texasto Alabama in 2004.

 

 

 

“I don’t know why I’ve had so much success at Bowling Green,” said Bogacki. “Honestly, it probably has a lot to do with my attitude.  Beech Bend is my favorite race track.  I love the facility, and the Jones family really takes care of their customers.  So I’m usually having a good time when I’m there, and I always feel like I race better when I’m having fun.”

 

BTE's Aftermarket Powerglide Case Repair Service

BTE's Aftermarket Powerglide Case Repair Service

A broken output shaft or drive shaft can be devastating for the entire
driveline. Often the transmission housing or case will be damaged
severely. This is especially costly if you are using an aftermarket
case. ($800+!) But fear no longer, as BTE now has the ability to
repair most cases that have experienced this type of failure. Send us
your housing for inspection, and if it is salvageable, we can install
an insert into the rear of the case that will replace the damaged
section, resulting in a 100% functional transmission.

High Volume / Flow Powerglide Filter Kit

High Volume / Flow Powerglide Filter Kit

BTE 248800 / BTE 248850

If you've improved your transmissions fluid capacity with one of our
deep pans, another easy to install upgrade is our Super Filter kit for
the powerglide transmission. In a racing transmission, we want to
feed the transmission all of the fluid it needs; if it ever starves
for fluid, then the transmission will not perform at its peak level or
even fail in an epic fashion. This kit is an easy way to open up even
more fluid flow potential. The kit, available in two versions, uses
a Torqueflite style filter that has a much larger surface area than
the standard powerglide fluid filter. This kit installs in just a few
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kit includes a paper style filter, but we also have a screen style
filter for even higher flow. Like our deep pan kit, pair this with a
fresh filling of our BTE transmission fluid for best results.

BTE Transmission Pressure Gauge

BTE940700 BTE Transmission Pressure Gauge
Having information real time information about engine RPM, oil
pressure, or fuel pressure are very important. Equally important, but
often overlooked, is information on the pressure level of your
automatic transmission fluid. Each transmission has an optimal
pressure range for each gear, and BTE's Transmission Pressure Gauge is
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the driver's seat. Low or dropping fluid pressure can indicate a
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can prevent costly transmission failure. With a maximum pressure
rating of 300 PSI, it will work for most applications. We also have 2
line kits available with lengths of 6 and 12 feet in length. The
gauge is manufactured by the leading USA performance instrument
company, and is available in attractive silver. We will also have
this gauge available in black sometime in the second half of 2011.