More Canadian individual talents spotlighted!….courtesy of KHR….
Prime Pick Addition –– NHRA team owner/driver Ron Capps announced recently (at SEMA) the addition of Canadian talent extraordinaire Rob Flynn to his expanding Ron Capps Motorsports organization.
Flynn (a native of Edmonton AB) has been named lead tuner of new RCR Carlyle Tools Top Fuel dragster, which will be driven by Maddi Gordon.
The 2026 season will see Maddi (a former TAFC class racer) embark on her rookie season competing within NHRA’s professional ranks. She will drive the team’s first ever Top Fuel entry.
Ron Capps with Maddi Gordon and Rob Flynn
“It really feels like everything is starting to come together now,” said Capps, “With the addition of Rob, it feels like we’ve got all the major items in place and can start to fill in the blanks and really proceed full speed ahead with our 2026 plans.”
“I’ve known Rob and his family for quite a long time,” Capps added. “We worked together at Don Prudhomme’s years ago when I drove for Snake. I’ve always admired him and his style of leading a team. What’s always impressed me about him is his professionalism on and off the track. He’s got a great record, and we feel he will be a great fit with our organisation.”
Flynn brings more than three decades of tuning knowledge to the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel team — having been part of numerous high-profile NHRA race teams. His track record includes 36 wins as a nitro crew chief.
“I feel so lucky we were able to lock Rob in as my crew chief,” Gordon said. “It’s comforting knowing that he has experience with first-year drivers.”
Gordon, who closed out her stint as a Top Alcohol Funny Car driver with three national event wins and a third-place finish, will begin the Top Fuel licensing process this winter and will make her professional debut aboard the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel dragster at the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., March 6 – 8.
Serious Recognition — Aspiring and very talented dragster driver Brandon Barker (from Smith Fall ON) did receive some high profile honours this week (at PRI) when he was named and included within their annual DI (Drag Illustrated) — 2025 “30 Under 30 Issue” issue. That was the 10th edition of the industry leading magazine’s annual celebration of drag racing’s most promising young drivers, tuners, crew members, content creators, and industry professionals.
“The 30 Under 30 Issue is one of our biggest and most meaningful projects every year,” said Nate Van Wagnen, editor-in-chief of Drag Illustrated. “What started as a simple effort to highlight the young people making an impact in drag racing has become a defining movement in the industry. Ten editions in, we’ve honored hundreds of racers, engine builders, tuners, media professionals, manufacturers, and series officials who represent the sport’s next generation. This year’s class is one of the most diverse yet, covering every corner of drag racing.”
Honourees received custom “30 Under 30 jackets”, along with gift certificates and prizes from numerous program partners. Lincoln Electric will once again award a major prize package – including a TIG welder, welding kit, and welding class – to one honoree selected by random draw. This year’s program sponsors include Elite Motorsports, Lincoln Electric, Moser Engineering, P2 Contracting, PEAK Performance, Red Line Synthetic Oil, Stroud Safety, Strange Engineering, and VP Racing Fuels.
Brandon Barker is coming off a truly sensational 2025 racing season which saw him dominate most weekends while out and about racing within Eastern Canada. That cumulated to no less than three season championships – including the Super Tour Series, a Luskville Dragway Track Championship and the NHRA John Scotti National Open series (S/C title).
Brandon Barker
“Being within the “DI Top 30 under 30″ listing — is a huge honour for me,” Brandon stated. “It’s something you earn through both on and off track success and I’m so fortunate to have racers, peers, and other supporters who believe I am worthy of making it on this list. This isn’t just about on track success — it does reflect my overall passion for the sport and how much I love it and want to succeed.”
Can-Am Crowning Achievement — Eastern Canada’s very popular Can-Am Stock/Super Stock series, which concluded it’s 30th season of operations in 2025 — honoured both it’s third decade and it’s champion recently during a season-ending function. For the 2nd time in its history – Chuck Nagy (from Niagara Falls) prevailed as overall points title for a very close season chase — just edging out a number of close competitors.
Now 2X Can-Am Stock/SS circuit champion – Chuck Nagy
For Nagy, (a member of the CDRHF), who had won his first Can-Am Series title a decade ago (2015) — the championship was not without some hurdles and did require the employment of both his Castle Plumbing & Heating presented race cars (a GT/GA Cavalier & SS/AS Beretta) – to accomplish it.
“We were coasting along with our Cavalier until June but then a broken engine kinda crushed any momentum,” Chuck revealed. “But fortunately my SS/AS (normally for NHRA competition) then kept me in the hunt. We got the Cavalier back out right in time for the final series Can-Am Labour Day race at Cayuga – and that semi final round finish there was enough to win the championship — by a single point. It’s great to get the title back — I hope I don’t have to wait another 10 years for the next one!”
Posted with files by Bruce Biegler — Allison B. McCormick – Nate Van Wagnen
Photos courtesy of Ron Capps Motorsports & Wally Clark – DragRaceCanada File Photos by Steve Lowry & Bruce Biegler
