A Dandy Double Up — Veteran Canadian Super Stock racer Chuck Nagy (Niagara Falls ON) carved out a great outing within the Eastern Canadian-based highly popular Can-Am Stock/Super Stock racing series. Driving his now Chevy Cavalier GT/GA entry, Nagy moved all the way up into a tie for the points lead this season so far with an impressive undefeated weekend — winning 2X at the circuit stop hosted at Empire Dragway in Western NY. Those double dates were race numbers 5 & 6 for the scheduled 14-race series for 2025. On Saturday, Nagy,  a Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame member, topped a 33-car field when he beat Jeff Ruttan in the final round. Then on Sunday, he completed his weekend rout (over a 29 car field) by stopping Chuck Weber in the final.

Tennessee Tour Stop — The Paton Racing Top Fuel dragster made it’s second NHRA national event appearance of the season during the weather plagued edition Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol TN., last weekend. At that event Paton Racing, who are touring in celebration of 60 years in the sport in 2025, continued its positive reputation for providing a platform too for up-and-coming drivers to compete within the NHRA ultimate class category. This weekend featured again Cody Krohn (from Englewood FL) back in the cockpit for some more career development & race experience.  Both car and driver did perform well at Bristol with Cody guiding the PDS/Fast Eddie Speedwear dragster into he program as #12 qualifier at 4.048 secs. But alas on Sunday round one unfortunatley the car had to be shut off on the starting line.

Cody Krohn & Todd Paton

Strong Showing — A serious tip of the hat to Ontario’s Matt Latino who had another strong showing within NHRA’s Pro Stock class ranks alsoat Bristol’s Thunder Valley.  Matt, was driving the GESI Camaro race car usually guided by his father Eric. In that, he had his best career qualifying effort so far — an impressive middle of the pack #8 placing at 6.674 secs. Matt then dropped some jaws when he collected a win-light over class legendary driver Jeg Coughlin Jr., in round one of competition. In round two he did however lose out to top championship contender (and KB/Titan Racing team stablemate) Dallas Glenn by a 6.668 secs to 6.686 secs count. 9/10 observers agree however — this race effort did move the meter for the name Matt Latino (from Port Perry ON) within NHRA’s 2025 Rookie of the Year mix status.

Matt Latino

Local Ambassadorship — Quick 32 Sportsman Series competitor Shawna Woudstra has drag raced for over 20 years, but when she climbs into the cockpit of her Top Dragster this season, she will be making her debut as the “Fortinos Fuel for Kids” driver. Starting in the sport’s level-entry class of Junior Dragsters, the Burlington, ON native has over those years progressed to larger, faster cars with the help and guidance of parents Dan and Brenda.  
 
As an ambassador for the grocery retailer, Woudstra will help raise funds for school initiatives by leading the Fuel for Kids programs at all 24 Fortinos locations in Southern Ontario.
 
“I’m super excited to be officially announced as the driver of the Fuel for Kids program,” she said. “Students get a presentation to learn all about racing, followed by a BBQ fundraiser at their local Fortinos store, where 100 percent of the proceeds go back to the school. Over the past decade, Fuel for Kids has raised over $250,000 which has helped strengthen community ties and hopefully inspired a few future racers.”
Look for the bright red race car at a Fortinos near you and join us for a hot dog to support your local community.”
 
Fortinos has been involved with the Fuel for Kids program for a decade, putting money back into the community. A big part of this effort goes to partners Maple Leaf, Saputo, Piller’s, General Mills, Lay’s, Black Diamond Cheese Strings, Conagra Brands, Wonderbrands, WK Kellogg Co. and Stemilt Fruit.
 
“John Fortino’s philosophy, since the beginning in 1961, was to build strong ties with the communities we operate in,” said senior vice president Peter Weicker. “Fuel for Kids is the best, most unique and differentiated community giveback program I’ve ever seen, so the fit with Fortinos’ franchisees was obvious.”
 
Shawna’s team will be highly visible again this season making appearances not only at Ontario racing facilities but also within the Quick 32 Sportsman Series which is part of Empire Dragway’s eighth-mile drag strip program in Leicester, NY.

Shawna Woudstra