Expressed 25th Edition « DragRaceCanada.com

Expressed 25th Edition

by editor on Aug.08, 2025, under ACE MFG Northern Exposure

Grand Bend Motorplex celebrates with it’s 25th Anniversary Canadian Nationals…

The WDRA Canadian Nationals played out under Chamber of Commerce perfect weather along the scenic shorelines of Lake Huron last holiday weekend (Aug 1-3).

The historical and summer staple annual drag racing attraction included once again headliner – the Paton Racing Top Fuel Dragster, with driver Todd Paton lining up against new comer Kyle Satenstein — driver for the Leverich Racing Top Fuel dragster from Michigan.

For the Paris ON., based Paton Team – the Grand Bend Motorplex appearance was once again a homecoming event as well as being part of this fabled Canadian team’s 60th Anniversary tour – happening in 2025.

“We went back for the 25th running of the Canadian Nationals, hoping to make some great passes for our Ontario fans,” said Todd Paton. “We ran a 4.12 @ 292.78 mph on the first lap against Kyle and then ran a 4.11 @ 295.66 mph on a solo pass later in the evening to help close out the show.”

“As always, it’s a great time running at “the Bend” — as it brings back a lot of some special memories,” Todd added. That’s the track where I first got behind the wheel of a Top Fuel dragster (or any dragster for that matter) back in 2003 and it’s also where I got my first Top Fuel win back in 2010.”

The weekend’s attraction also pegged in Canada’s regional strength within the injected-nitro TAD category.

Jeff Veale and Jeff Chatterson were two of the talented Ontario-based injected nitro cars on hand. Veale was the quickest for the breed at Grand Bend hitting a 5.37 secs best.

Jeff Veale (Stoney Creek) paced those A-Fuelers with his opening run at a stout 5.37 272 MPH but lost some body panels on that run ending his weekend. Jeff Chatterson (from Brantford) ran a 5.40 at 260+ MPH best and relative newcomer Brian Peeters (from Windsor) made three very consistent runs as he continued his learning curve in the class.

Ryan Stack, talented young driver for Larry Dobbs Camaro TA/FC made a very nice hit on Sunday going 5.58 250+ MPH which was just shy of his 5.53 track record.

GBM TA/FC track record holder Ryan Stack (Wingham ON) and team owner Larry Dobbs produced an impressive 5.59 secs ET.

For the 2nd year in a row in Pro Mod the winner was Quebec’s Claude St Maurice with a 3.98 secs @ 186 in the final to win over Austin Vandergeld’s 4.06 @ 183. That category final was held on Sunday.

Quebec’s Claude St. Maurice collected his 2nd straight WDRA Canadian Nationals Pro Mod title!

Halton Hill’s Jay Santos continued with his hot streak on Canadian soil — scorching the Grand Bend Motorplex track record at 3.622 @ 209.80 MPH. Santos, appeared primed to win again after running a number of 3.6 secs ETs — but his event winning objective ended prematurely in round one when he took out the 1/8th mile cone = DQ. Santos currently holds the all time quickest 1/8th Pro Mod run in Canada – set at 5.619 secs early this summer @ rival Toronto Motorsports Park.

Jay Santos – reset the GBM track record.

The race weekend did include round #2 for the Bears Performance Products PSDS (presented by Strange Engineering) featuring Top Sportsman and Top Dragster.

In Top Sportsman Rob Gray driving the Wilson & Gray car took the title – leaving first and running 4.438 (on a 4.42 dial) over Paul Coull’s 4.365 (on a 4.34 dial). In Top Dragster Jesse Searson ran 4.781 on a 4.78 dial to take the win over Shanna Woodstra who also ran on her dial 4.422 on a 4.42 dial.

Rob Gray – driving the Wilson & Gray Chevy Cavalier – won the Bear’s Performance PSDS title.

Quick 8 bikes saw Josie Brooks pick up the win with a 7.87 @ 159 over a red-lighting Dan Beaulieu while Outlaw Sleds went to Dave Marshal with a close 4.47 to 4.48 secs decision over Rob Loew Sr.

In the Bracket race portion of the event — Jeff Talbot was the No Box ET winner (over Dave Moon) and Jesse Searson doubled up on the day winning Box ET when his competitor could not make the call. Each driver collected $2500.

Brandon Satchell emerged as the winner of the Bike/Sled class with a win over his good friend Rob Rock — who broke out in the final.

One of the area’s hottest Motorcycle racers – Brandon Satchell – once again claimed victory lane.

Levi Dill conquered the Junior Dragster program by winning over Connor McRoberts with both a starting line advantage and running closer to he dial.

Russ Lethbridge put on another great show for the crowd – piloting his Hellfire – Freightliner to an awesome starting line show and then speeds of 216 and 218 MPH on his 2 passes.