Champ’s Clout — Defending 2024 NHRA Lucas Oil World Champion Shawn Cowie was as usual in top form for the TAD class car mix at the Summit Racing NHRA Nationals. While the BC-based driver did not win his (Canadian history making) final round pairing versus McKenna Bold (details HERE) — his path to the final round was still impressive versus the sea of injected nitro cars present there — which tend to have advantage during hot summer racing conditions. Shawn qualified #3 (5.258 secs) and convincingly rolled past opponents Jackie Fricke, Matt Cummings and Kirk Wolf to make his 39th career NHRA national event final round.

Another Ace for AK! — Kingston-Ontario native Al Kenny earned his 13th career NHRA national event title. The veteran racer who is now based from Florida, drove his Dan Page-built/Jegs backed dragster to five weekend win-lights — including a shut off pass of 6.360 secs over his opponent Tony Elrod – who had a foul start – in the final . Kenny, who was the NHRA World Champion for Super Comp (8.90) racing back in 2012, had qualified mid-pack #16 for the tough T/D class at Norwalk – which drew in 34 cars for its entry list.

This victory is Carol Kenny approved!

Spencer Gone Green? — A lot of attention last weekend again for aspiring and NHRA “Rookie of the Year” candidate Spencer Hyde who debuted a super cool “Jack & The Green Stock” wrap on the Jim Head Racing fuel Funny Car. This special edition tribute car to his grandfather Jack Hyde (who was in attendance) was an immediate fan favourite. Spencer qualified the car #9 (4.005 secs) but lost out this time in round one when tire smoke snuffed out his chances versus Daniel Wilkerson – in a battle of Ford Mustangs.

Show Stopper Invasion!— Three very significant and meticulous Top Sportsman class car builds from Canada did “brave the border” to make entry for that class racing at NHRA Norwalk. While none of them did find victory lane on Sunday — it was safe to say that the entries of Wes Goddard (’58 Nash – Ariss ON), Jeff Gabel (’71 Duster – Stratford ON) and Gerard Milette (’63 Corvette – St-Etienne-des-Gres PQ) — all gathered much deserved attention. Wes was the quickest qualifier for the three – going 6.604 secs 222.66 mph (8th for 25 car field).

Can-Am Collaboration — I’m not sure this has ever happened before within NHRA national event level competiton (?)  At Norwalk – the 1-2-3 qualified cars for Top Alcohol Dragster class racing — all had Canadian content – either Canadian driver or Canadian-owned. In addition to McKenna Bold (Red Deer AB) Q#1 & winning the race and Shawn Cowie – Q#3 & placing R/UP : the #2 qualified car was veteran Greg Hunter who is now behind the wheel for the Doug Doucette car from Winnipeg MB.
Hunter, (above photo) who now lives in Colorado, previously spent much of his deep career for drag racing while living in Southern Alberta.  He clocked a quick 5.245 secs to secure that best ever NHRA Q position.
TAD at the event did include two other Canadian cars  – both nitro injected. Todd Bruce (from North Dakota) was driving Clif Bakx’s newest edition “The Bull”, from Manitoba (photo below) — and Ontario’s Jeff Chatterson were also entered. Bruce got Clif’s car into the program #9 (5.304 secs) while Jeff did have trouble finding the right combo this weekend – with his 5.436 secs best missing the swift bump.

Pro Stock Prestige — The NHRA Pro Stock class resume for Canada’s Eric Latino (Whitby ON) continues to build.  At Norwalk, Latino raced for the first time in his career within the prestigious annual GETTRIX Pro Stock Callout field – contested on Saturday for which just to qualify for speaks volumes. Eric faced off but fell to his KB/Titan Racing teammate Matt Hartford in round one by a count of 6.615 secs to 6.653 secs however. Hartford went on to win the event. On Sunday – for the NHRA Summit Racing Nationals eliminator — Latino did beat Deric Kramer in his round one — only be be shut off on the starting line in round two because of a slight water leak.