A representative summary of just some of the great Canadian racer participation from NHRA’s recent “Big Go”….

Justin Bond (near lane) came within just a whisker of winning drag racing’s ultimate prize event!  The talented Mission BC racer placed R/UP to his Bahrain 1 Racing teammate and defending World Champion Kris Thorne for the US Nationals FuelTech Pro Mod Series title. Justin (who qualified #2) in fact had a quicker ET in the title bout (5.777 secs to 5.827 secs) but that could not ultimately overcome Thorne’s superior starting line RT.

Kingston Ontario native Jason Kenny also just missed at Indy – placing R/UP in the Super Comp 8.90 division!  Jason racked up 6 win lights – but lost in a very close double break out final (8.880 to 8.897 secs) to Devin Isenhower.

How tough was Top Fuel racing at Indy? Quebec’s Daniel Mercier found that out in real time. Despite a very decent 3.876 secs run – that fell well short of the stout 3.822 secs to make the field.

The Ottawa-area Ken Gaffney & Sons Motorsports had very strong participation at Indy with drivers Shawn Gaffney and Marty Reinhart (from PA) running 3 cars.  Sean drove the two black cars (above) in Stock and SS and Marty was behind the wheel of a the team’s SS/GA Camaro.

The father and son team of Wendall and Mark Howes (from New Brunswick) gave Indy a go once again with their Mopar cars.  Wendall drove the team’s ’68 Dodge Dart in the Dodge HEMI Challenge (but lost in round #2). Mark raced his E/SA ’70 Duster in Stock to round #2 – after qualifying very well at -1.175 secs sub index.

BC-based Canadian TAD powerhouse Shawn Cowie did have a rather surprising 1st round exit at Indy this year. Shawn qualified a very strong #4 (5.290 secs) in the Mundies Towing dragster — but lost out in round #1 to eventual event winner Madison Payne by a 5.266 secs to 5.324 secs count.

Canada’s Eric Latino (Whitby ON) entered his second career event for Pro Stock. Eric put the GESi Camaro into the show #14 with a 6.641 secs. He raced Aaron Stanfield in round one and delivered a superior .013 RT in that match only to then lose by a close margin:  6.613 to 6.640 secs.

Soon to be Canadian NHRA Pro Stock racer Sienna Wildgust was at Indy – educating herself and taking in all the class action. Sienna will be part of the dynamic KB Titan team equation beginning at Gainesville next March!

Maritimes native Brian Oakes (who now resides in NC) entered his ex-John Armstrong Camaro in Super Stock at Indy. Brian lost out in round #2 with the very famous SS/CA classed 1969 model.

Ryan Stack was the only Canadian entered in the event’s TAFC program. Stack (from Wingham ON) drove the Larry Dobbs-owned Camaro to 5.718 secs to qualify 14th – but lost out to Kyle Smith in round #1.

Posted by Bruce Biegler

Photos by Steve Embling 

Link to some additional Canadian racer photos from INDY : HERE