CANADIAN CONNECTION BUSY, BUSY...

Our six-race, mid-season schedule for our Canadian competitors began in late May with the PDRA (Professional Drag Race Association) event at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH and a classic first round matchup between Stratford, ON’s Scott Wildgust (top speed of the race 210 mph 1/8th mile) vs. WSOPM (World Series of Pro Mod) winner Spencer Hyde.

On this occasion, the win went to Hyde. Be sure to stay tuned for the next matchup between two of the best up and coming Canadian Pro Mod racers ever!

The Norwalk PDRA event also featured a bevy of Canadian Top Sportsman and Dragsters (including Wes Goddard, Kayden Wicke, Jeff Gable and Tony Positano).

The NHRA’s early-June stop at Epping, NH (although eventually influenced by rain) likewise featured a wonderful turnout of our country’s best Stock and Superstock competitors, notably Number 2 qualifier John Armstrong in Stock, and Bruce Riley in Super Stock.

Our ‘east coasters’ were joined by a bevy of Quebec’s finest. Thank you, guys! Of special note was Dan Mercier’s best-ever Top Fuel qualifying run, in the field’s top half.

On June 9-11, in Bristol, TN, the NHRA Pro Stock dominating KB Titan Racing team returned to the championship trail, and although defending series champion Erica Enders captured her first win of 2023, the Eric Latino / Jim Whitley-owned group (Greg Anderson, Dallas Glenn, Matt Hartford, Deric Kramer, Kyle Koretsky and rookie sensation Camrie Caruso) would still dominate taking five of the top eight spots in Pro Stock action!

The NHRA action continued in Norwalk, OH (June 22-25), with the Pro Stock driving debut of team principal Eric Latino adding even more excitement.

Although being restricted to what was just one qualifying attempt, his Rob Downing / Dave Connolly orchestrated team – with a very ‘soft tune’ on an engine from Greg Anderson’s group –qualified admirably.

Adding even more drama, Latino executed a thrilling first round holeshot (.01 to.07) on World Champion Erica Enders in Round 1. Despite the visible starting line advantage, an electronics glitch within the crank trigger components ended what could have potentially been Pro Stock’s biggest ever debut.

In Sportsman action at Norwalk, the Alcohol Dragster class continued its remarkable resurgence led by Number 1 qualifier and racing legend Tony Stewart, at 5.19 seconds.

Canada was well represented by Jeff Chatterson and Jeff Veale, as well as Alan Bradshaw in Doug Doucette’s western Canadian entry.

Shawn Cowie was also on hand as he continued his world championship quest with capable Guelph, ON crewman Patrick Brown travelling from Shawn’s native British Columbia.

And lastly, how about the Rob Wendland-led Top Fuel team of Canada’s own Dan Mercier?! Not only qualifying in the 5.7-second zone, but recording their stunning first round victory over Top Fuel legend (and all-around great racer and nice guy) Doug Kalitta!

Coming off a first round elimination in Norwalk, Mission, BC’s Justin Bond still sits atop the ultra-competitive and fast Pro Mod ranks despite challenges from defending World Champions Kris Thorne and Jose Gonzalez.

Meanwhile, back home in Ontario, Toronto Motorsports Park hosted what has to be one of the country’s finest drag racing events, the Nitro Nationals.

A ‘standing room only’ crowd was on hand for the incredible light show on the Saturday night of the Canada Day long weekend.

A pair of Paton Racing’s nitro Top Fuel dragsters were there, along with 2023 Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame inductee Neale Armstrong’s Jet Dragster and our local Freightliner Jet Truck; the Studebaker Wheel-Stander. AA/GS Gassers and the Can-Am Stock/Super Stocks were also on the card.

Well done, Uli, Neale, Betty, Cindy, Rob, Bill, Stacee and the entire Toronto Motorsports Park crew! And a special thanks to our Canadian drag racing fans for coming out in huge numbers to support!

Across the border, the NEOPMA Pro Mod series led by John Mazzorana and 2023 Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Mehlenbacher put on a great event at Empire Dragway.

Kenny Lane, the 2008 & 2009 IHRA World Champion qualifyied a season’s best fourth, and Al Martorino (also utilizing the new Al Billes / Brandon Pesz PJS engine technology) made the ultra-competitive, 16car field led by Canadian native – and future hall-of-famer (?!) – Melanie Salemi.

Lastly, the Denver NHRA Mile High Nationals (July 14-16) saw another Elite Racing vs. KB Titan Racing Pro Stock final, this time with Troy Coughlin Jr. defeating Dallas Glenn and his Eric Latino-led team.

Please stay tuned as our drag racing season nears mid-year. Both Justin Bond and the KB Titan teams are currently leading the points in the two most exciting classes in NHRA Door-Slammer drag racing! IT