Quebec’s Daniel Mercier collected his first ever “National Event” level win since his migration to Top Fuel racing — taking the title at the IHRA’s Outlaw Nitro Series race at Ohio’s Dragway 42 — last weekend. At the 1/8th mile format event, Daniel qualified #2 for the 10 cars entered and defeated (fellow Canadian) Smax Smith in round one, Lex Joon (from the Netherlands) in round two and then American driver Jakes Sanders in the final round. Mercier’s 3.029 secs clocking in round two was low ET of the meet and Daniel became the fourth different Top Fuel winner in the four IHRA races so far this season.  “It’s my first win in Top Fuel, so it’s amazing,” Mercier said. “This race is for my hero, Terry McMillen, who’s a good friend to me. I love this guy. He helped me get started in Top Fuel years ago.”

The father and son duo of Eric & Matt Latino (Port Perry ON) most certainly made impact statements last weekend at the NHRA’s Midwest Nationals event (St. Louis area). For the first time in NHRA nationals history a Canadian qualified #1 in the Pro Stock category – with Eric Latino grabbing that distinction following a blistering 6.515 secs in his GESi Chevy Camaro.  But after Eric was upset in round #1 (by an unreal .001 RT from Troy Coughlin Jr.) — it was son Matt who took over as Canadian flag bearer for the race.  And Matt advanced to his best finish so far in NHRA racing – a superb “final four” placement driving his FASS-Diesel Solutions-presented Camaro.  Matt beat out Aaron Stanfield and Chris Vang in rounds 1-2 — but fell short of eventual event champ Greg Anderson in the semis by a 6.551 secs to 6.601 secs count.

Eric Latino was not the only #1 qualifier recently within NHRA nationals racing. At the NHRA Carolina 4-Wide Nationals at zMax – Mission BC’s class powerhouse Justin Bond rebounded from his rough & tumble US Nationals appearance with an impressive pole qualifying effort for Congruity Pro Mod – at 5.713 secs (low ET of the race).  Bond did however not advance from Quad Round #1 despite a solid 5.756 secs in the supercharged Al-Anabi Racing Camaro,  within the immensely quick/competitive Pro Mod field in attendance.

Some “serious strategy” upcoming from Alberta’s Casey Plaizier within NHRA’s  Top Dragster class championship hunt.  The Edmonton-based driver who remains in valid contention for both NHRA’s Pacific Northwest divisional title and also for the overall NHRA World T/D title — is upgrading for the remainder of 2025.  Casey has reached agreement to run a car owned by Aaron Steinkey — this 2010 model TNT with a 674” engine and a kit of nitrous.  Plaizier, has been testing extensively, and will take the combo to attempt some serious swings at all three remaining NHRA nationals coming this autumn: Dallas – Las Vegas & Pomona Finals.

Some “Bike Boot Scooting” from within Ontario just recently did feature Canadian record setting performances during the CHU event held at Toronto Motorsports Park!   At that race reigning Canadian Pro Bike class record holder Jesse Vanbetlehem (Oakville ON – above photo) upped Canada’s ET performance anti to an all time quick 6.750 secs racing his Suzuki GSXR.   Jesse won the race — but congrats also need to go to his final round opponent, Brant Rossi (Windsor ON – below), who was also credited with some record setting math.  Rossi, aboard his Suzuki Hayabusa, ran some surreal terminal speeds at Cayuga — including a new all-time record fast for Canada 219.03  mph!