Canadian racer Nathan Sitko was sitting pretty prior to the Winternationals event rainout. During his first ever NHRA national event appearance – he drove the Hodgson Racing/Pacemaker/Bubble Up Firebird to the #1 qualified position for the event’s supplemental Legends Nitro FC (presented by Modern Warriors) program. Sitko qualified at 4.653 secs and has (so far) advanced to round #2 with a win over Kamaka Pocock.

In a rather significant career step — Ontario’s Sienna Wildgust notched a qualifying slot for NHRA Pro Stock class racing.   That early success came in only her 2nd career start when a 6.625 secs — placed her on the bump.   Sienna could not however outrun #1 qualifier Dallas Glenn in round one.

Eric Latino (Whitby ON) ran very well for the Winternationals – qualifying 12th at 6.603 secs in his very potent KB Titan Racing / GESi Camaro.  Eric lost out in Sunday round one ( to Matt Hartford) — but did record a rewarding career best Pro Stock class ET (6.529 secs) in that round loss.

“Top” class racing at Pomona did include our first look at the two new Pro-charger powered machines now campaigned by husband and wife team Tom and Donna Patterson (from Lorette Manitoba).  Tom raced the team’s ’94 Camaro TS to a #5 qualifying position (6.664 secs) while Donna took the team’s new Undercover Chassis dragster to a 6.177 secs best — to qualify #12 for TD.

Super Stock class racing at Pomona did include (from top to bottom) Western Canadian runners Rick McKinney (’96 Camaro – Richmond BC), Darrell Strobbe (’64 Malibu – Abbotsford BC) and Don Thomas (Spruce Grove AB).  All three racers have advanced to the third round of competition — the continuation of which will now be during the NHRA Four Wide Nationals at Las Vegas – coming mid April.

Following his strong R/UP finish at the recent Bakersfield March Meet – Toronto native Jeff Arend was designate driver for the “Problem Child” nostalgia FC entry at Pomona’s Winternationals.  Jeff qualified the car #3 and also won his first round. The conclusion date for that event date is currently — TBA.

Alberta’s Aaron Steinkey had his totally impressive 2-car operation at Pomona. Aaron qualified his TS Camaro #3 (6.587 secs) and his TD #16 — but did exit eliminations for both classes after round one.

There were two Cowie Racing/Mundies Towing cars in competition with Shawn Cowie (TAD) and his nephew James Cowie (Super Comp – above) entered. Shawn got into the TAD show as first alternate but strangely had a front wheel collapse after his burnout during round #2 which ended his bid.