Some big Canadian news at NHRA Las Vegas was Paul Noakes debut in Top Fuel. His best run was a very decent 4.017 secs at 310.63 mph – just short of qualifying.

Cranbrook BC’s Craig Cawte tried his hand in NHRA Pro Mod again but his 6.084 secs just missed the 6.076 secs bump. That’s Craig with his son Curtis.

Defending NHRA World Champ Al Kenny (from Kingston) went to the 4th round in Super Comp class racing.

Todd Lesenko gave it a good go in Fuel FC racing but a finicky car prevented him from making Sunday’s rather tough qualified field.

Jim Bell’s absolutely awesome turbocharged Ford Mustang (from Edmonton) was competitive at Las Vegas — but his best of 6.096 secs fell just shy of making the Pro Mod field.

Rick Pike from Langley BC had a nice effort in Super Stock – lasting until round #3 with his tried and true ’56 Chevy SS/NA car.

Quebec’s Daniel Mercier made his first ever racing appearance at Las Vegas — he qualified #8 with a 5.400 secs and beat Joey Severence in round #1.

That’s Paul Noakes with Todd & Barry Paton – maybe and quite possibly a early peek into the future for Canadian Top Fuel racing ; )

For the 2nd year in a row at Las Vegas-2 – the fantastic Ford Fairlane owned by Alberta’s Tom Nolan went to very late rounds in Stock. His driver Tibor Kadar took the classic car to the semi-final round.

Ontario-based Pro Mod powerhouse Eric Latino raced at Las Vegas for the first time in his career. Eric qualified in the unlucky #13 slot and got beat by Danny Rowe in round one..

2011 Las Vegas-1 winner Shawn Cowie qualified his Delta-based machine #12 but lost out to fellow BC racer Hugh Ridley’s car in round number one.

Jirka Kaplan’s Calgary-based Mustang hiked it’s wheels nicely during this 5.634 secs qualifying run.