Some photo highlights from NHRA’s season ending AAA Auto Club Finals which again featured some very memorable Canadian race car and driver participation…..

Edmonton's Don St. Arnaud once again provided a "wow factor". The injected dragster driver qualified #1 in TAD with a 5.200 and sped to the fastest mph ever in the class at a national record setting 285.83 mph. Don fell short of victory lane however - losing a narrow semi-final round decision.

Edmonton’s Don St. Arnaud once again added in a big event “wow factor”.  Don’s injected-nitro dragster qualified #1 in TAD with a 5.200 secs and also sped to the fastest mph ever in the class — a national record setting 285.83 mph! Don did fall short of victory lane however – losing a narrow semi-final round decision.

Representing Team Mission and also NHRA Division 6 - Kerry Stone raced his Dodge Dart to the semi final round for the event's highly prestigious Summit Racing National ET Finals.

Representing Team Mission and also his NHRA Division 6 – Kerry Stone raced his Dodge Dart to the semi final round for the event’s highly prestigious Summit Racing National ET Finals.

So very cool that Toronto-native Jeff Arend got a stint driving the very high end Paton Toyota FC at Pomona. Jeff took full advantage of that too = recording a career quick ET (3.939 secs) to qualify #10 and then ousting Matt Hagan in round one.

So very cool that Toronto-native Jeff Arend got a stint driving the very high end Paton Toyota FC at Pomona – subbing for sidelined Alexis DeJoria. Jeff took full advantage of that too – recording a career quick ET (3.939 secs) to qualify #10 and then ousting Matt Hagan in round one.

Darcy Clarke switched his normally Stock eliminator and very cool '64 Fury into Super Stock for the AAA Finals. The Spruce Grove AB based classic went to the 2nd round of eliminations.

Darcy Clarke switched his normally Stock eliminator class and very cool ’64 Fury over to Super Stock for the AAA Auto Club Finals. The Spruce Grove AB based classic went to the 2nd round of eliminations.

Medicine Hat's Dave Burden was a first time qualifier for the Summit Racing National ET Finals. Dave went to the semi final round for the Super Pro class.

Medicine Hat’s Dave Burden was a first time qualifier for the Summit Racing National ET Finals. Dave, ran well too — he went to the semi final round for the Super Pro class.

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More good stuff and improvement for the Canadian based Paton Racing TF dragster at Pomona. With US-based driver Shawn Reed at the controls the team hit a career quick 3.949 secs to make the TF program.

More good stuff and improvement for the Canadian based Paton Racing TF dragster at Pomona. With Northwest US-based driver Shawn Reed at the controls the team delivered a career quick 3.849 secs to make the tough TF program.

Rod MacKenzie once again entered his show-stopping '57 Corvette in Super Gas at Pomona. The New Westminster BC racer however lost out early in class eliminations.

Rod MacKenzie once again entered his show-stopping ’57 Corvette in Super Gas at Pomona.  But this time the New Westminster BC racer lost out early in class eliminations.

Left coast TAD class powerhouse Shawn Cowie qualified strong at Pomona - but could not handle eventual event winner Joey Severence in round #1

Left coast TAD class powerhouse Shawn Cowie qualified strong at Pomona – but Shawn who has won at Pomona before — could not handle eventual event winner Joey Severence in round #1

Don Thomas who normally goes deep into eliminations with his Alberta-based Super Stock Grand Am -- was a surprising first round victim this time.

Don Thomas who normally goes very deep into eliminations with his Alberta-based Super Stock Grand Am — was a surprising first round victim this time out.

Greg Hunter drove Geoff Goodwin's Red Deer AB based Synoil Chevy to some very rewarding math during TAFC qualifying - hitting a 5.524 secs and a stout terminal speed of 261.78 mph.

Greg Hunter drove Geoff Goodwin’s Red Deer AB based Synoil Chevy to some very rewarding math during TAFC qualifying – hitting a 5.524 secs and a stout terminal speed of 261.78 mph.

Congratulations again go to Calgary's Bob Gullett who emerged victorious for Stock eliminator racing at the AAA Auto Club Finals - his first career NHRA national event win!

Congratulations again go to Calgary’s Bob Gullett who emerged victorious for Stock eliminator racing at the AAA Auto Club Finals.  That was his first career NHRA national event win!

Posted by Bruce Biegler

Photos by Bob Johnson