The very dynamic Canadian father and son racing team of Al and Jason Kenny are poised for a furious end to 2020….

Kingston Ontario-native Kenny Racing, who are strategic and highly calculated NHRA Lucas Oil Sportsman racing specialists — do have some serious decisions to make in the very near future.

Drivers Al Kenny (who now lives in Florida) and his son Jason Kenny (a resident of PA) both had remarkable event efforts during the last NHRA Lucas Oil Northeast Divisional races of the season, held at Virginia Motorsports Park, last weekend. During that gathering — which was in fact a double header affair — both the Kennys found victory lane during the Friday schedule portion.  Al Kenny won in Top Dragster and Jason prevailed in Super Gas — dual success which did potentially change the dynamics of the rest of their race season.

Ontario natives Al and Jason Kenny have potentially set themselves up for something very special this season!

Al’s win in the Top Dragster category (which is presented by Tommy Tape at the divisional level) pretty much mathematically assured him a 2020 title for that NHRA Northeast Division. He holds a rather insurmountable points lead over his closest opponent (367 – 260).

“Dad is looking good — but it’s not mathematically a wrap just yet,” said Jason. “Due to COVID, The in-home division rules are a little different — so with some divisional races (elsewhere) still left on the schedule, in theory some division 1 racers could go hit a bunch of them and do very well and pass dad. While extremely unlikely — anything is possible.”

Al Kenny has pretty much sewed up the 2020 Tommy Tape TD title for his NHRA Northeast Division when he won this final round over Albert Staffieri last weekend in Virginia.

Al Kenny’s event win in TD (Oct 3rd) was his 10th win at the NHRA Lucas Oil Divisional level in his racing career (including Super Comp). This was a five round affair and Al won from the pole (qualified #1 6.115 secs). In the final he ran down opponent Albert Staffieri with a winning time of 6.135 secs 207.18 mph.

Jason Kenny joined his Dad in victory lane that same evening after he scored his 16th career NHRA Lucas Oil Divisional race win driving his topless Corvette in Super Gas. Jason singled in the final round when his scheduled opponent Thomas Smith had starting line DQ. Jason won six rounds that day. In fact his victory was his second within just a week because he had also won the rain delayed Jegs SPORTSnationals Super Gas final (originally from Epping NH in August) but which was run off at Maple Grove Raceway in PA (Sep 28th).

For the 2nd time – both Kenny Racing machines were part of victory lane celebrations.

“We have done this once before (doubled up) — at a Maple Grove divisional a few years ago — I believe it was 2012,” he added.

Like his father — the recent wave of success moved Jason way up the points standings (national and divisional) — he currently sits 2nd for both. Al Kenny is now rated 4th in World TD points.

So therein lies some major possibilities and also a dilemna for Kenny Racing for the balance of 2020. Despite this COVID crazy season — a chance is now very real that they could both prevail to win the most coveted of prizes — NHRA World Championships points titles for within Lucas Oil level drag racing.

Jason Kenny’s S/G Corvette also recently won the rain delayed JEGS SPORTSNaitonals event title.

“We’ve both got momentum going and shots at national championships,” Jason explained. “There are two nationals left we can both claim. We had plans for finishing off in Las Vegas — because one of those two races is rated a Sports nationals. However we’re hearing the rumors that Vegas might not happen (due to the pandemic). So right now we are looking at a Plan B — hit both Dallas and Houston instead? It’s really kind of weird — because we usually have our schedule mapped out months in advance. Dallas is in two weeks — but as of right not sure if we are going or not?”.

So the rest of the 2020 season for this race team will most certainly be interesting to monitor. It’s rare to say the least when two members of the same family score NHRA World Championships the same year but for two Canadian native drivers to potentially do that — would be extra special.

Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos by Phil Hutchison and Bruce Biegler