As is always the case – Canadian racer participation during NHRA events held in Las Vegas is impressive.  Here is a photo essay capturing just some of that.

Darrell Dietz (from Medicine Hat AB) was the #1 qualifier in Super Stock with a numbing 1.218 secs sub index run in his Mustang. He also won his FSS/D class runoff title.

Darrell Dietz (from Medicine Hat AB) was the #1 qualifier in Super Stock with a numbing 1.218 secs sub index run in his Mustang!  He also prevailed to win his FSS/D class runoff title.

More improvement from the Paton Racing team at Las Vegas. After qualifying #15 – event designated driver Shawn Reed ran a career quick 3.931 secs during a round one loss to Leah Pritchett.

Legendary Western Canadian Super Stock racer Abe Loewen was once again in the mix with his familiar Regina-based SS/DM Grand-Am

Legendary (and recent Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame inductee) Super Stock racer Abe Loewen was once again in the mix with his familiar Regina-based SS/DM Grand-Am.

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Kelowna BC-based index racer Mike Shannon entered both his S/C and S/G machines at Las Vegas but was eliminated in round #2 in both categories.

Kelowna BC-based index racer Mike Shannon entered both his S/C and S/G machines at Las Vegas but was eliminated in round #2 in both categories.

Gord Gingles raced Clif Bakx's powerful Manitoba-based car in TAD and qualified #4 with a 5.381 secs.

Gord Gingles raced Clif Bakx’s powerful Manitoba-based car in TAD and was the quickest Canadian car entered — he qualified #4 with a 5.318 secs

Edmonton's Ken Reich returned to the cockpit of his Speciality Auto C/SMA Cobalt - he qualified #18 - but had a red-light foul in round #2

Edmonton’s Ken Reich returned to the cockpit of his Speciality Auto C/SMA Cobalt – he qualified #18 – but had a red-light foul in round #2

Greater Toronto Area native racer Stefan Kontos made his first NHRA national event appearance at Las Vegas in the KonRodz Racing Mustang. Stefan's pretty decent 6.006 secs just missed the TAFC cut.

Greater Toronto Area native racer Stefan Kontos made his first NHRA national event appearance at Las Vegas in the KonRodz Racing Mustang. Stefan’s pretty decent 6.006 secs just missed the TAFC cut.

Eddy Plaizer (who has historically ran well at Las Vegas) was a surprising 2nd round causality in Super Gas

Eddy Plaizer (who has historically ran well at Las Vegas) was a surprising 2nd round causality in Super Gas eliminations.

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The father and son team of Wendall and Mark Howes towed all the way in from New Brunswick with their Mopar cars for the event! Wendall won his SS/AH class and Mark won in SS/IA class racing.

Calgary's Jirka Kaplan was a surprising DNQ in TAFC with his usually hard running Camaro. His best run of 5.863 secs fell short.

Calgary’s Jirka Kaplan was a surprising DNQ in TAFC with his usually very fast running BearsPaw Petroleum Camaro.  His best run of 5.863 secs fell short.

Great to see Toronto native Jeff Arend back behind the wheel of a fuel car! Jeff drove Peter and Helen Russo's Australian based Chevy in the program #16 with a very nice 4.045 secs lap.

Great to see Toronto native Jeff Arend back behind the wheel of a fuel car! Jeff drove Peter and Helen Russo’s Australian based Chevy into the Sunday program #16 with a very nice 4.045 secs lap.

Tom Nolan (the man behind very successful Winners Choice Racing) qualified #20 in Super Stock with his Chevy at -.850

Tom Nolan (the man behind very successful Winners Choice Racing) qualified #20 in Super Stock with his meticilous Chevy at -.850

That's Stacy Hunter backing up her husband Greg in TAFC competition. Greg qualified Geoff Goodwin's Red Deer-based car #16 but lost out to World Champ Jonnie Lindberg in round #1

That’s Staci Ann Hunter backing up her husband Greg in TAFC competition. Greg qualified Geoff Goodwin’s Red Deer-based car #16 but lost out to World Champ Jonnie Lindberg in round #1

Medicine Hat's Kristen Ashby tried her hand again in NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle - but her best run of 7.417 secs missed the quick field.

Medicine Hat’s Kristen Ashby tried her hand again in NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle – but her best run of 7.417 secs on the RBR Hayabusa missed the quick field.

Saskatchewan's Bruce Smidel entered his A/EA in Comp. He went -.608 to qualify ninth - but lost in round #1

Saskatchewan’s Bruce Schmidel entered his A/EA in Comp. He went -.608 to qualify ninth – but lost in round #1

Don Thomas continued his tradition of racing at Las Vegas with his Spruce Grove AB-based GT/DA Pontiac.

Don Thomas continued his long standing tradition of racing at Las Vegas events with his Spruce Grove AB-based GT/DA Pontiac.

Byron Setters drove one of two Setters Racing cars entered. Byron qualified 29th with is 2013 Cobalt Super Stocker.

Byron Setters drove one of two Setters Racing cars entered. Byron qualified 29th with is 2013 Cobalt Super Stocker.

After winning X2 in NHRA national event competition this season - Shawn Cowie's first round loss was unexpected.

After winning X2 in NHRA national event competition this season – Shawn Cowie’s first round loss was certainly an unexpected development.

All Photos by Bob Johnson