Flirting with First (Again!) — Victoria BC’s Stan Sipos had another rewarding event experience driving the Sipos & Davenport Racing TAFC during last weekend’s NHRA Texas Fall Nationals (held near Dallas TX).   Sipos had a terrific R/UP placing at that event – losing the final round to defending NHRA World Champ Sean Bellemeur – due largely to some tire shake.  Stan, who has been hanging around late for all events attended this season, was the #1 qualifier for the class — hitting a career best 5.398 secs at 271.62 mph. (Canada’s all time quickest TAFC ET!!)   Before being forced to peddle the car in the final – Stan had beaten out Chip Beverett (5.416 secs) and Madison Gordon (5.447 secs).

A Very Noble Effort – Kudos to Ontario’s Charlie Kenopic who had gratifying appearance at the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals while racing in the JEGS Allstars event held that weekend.   Charlie, representing his NHRA Northeast Division One, went to the final round for Super Gas before losing out by a super scant .002 red light.  Kenopic, had defeated Trevor Larson (from Minnesota) and Roger Warren (from Texas) in the first two frames for that prestigious competition.

Count Cowie In! — British Columbia TAD powerhouse racer Shawn Cowie kept his chances for a potential successfull NHRA Lucas Oil World Championship well in tact after the NHRA Dallas event.  While he did not win this time out – his “final four” placing in the class — was still beneficial.  After qualifying mid-pack Shawn delivered win lights over Madison Payne and Jackie Fricke but his 5.252 secs did fall short of Jon Bradford’s 5.192 secs in the semis.   As of today – Shawn does sit #1 in the 2025 NHRA world standings — 659 points — 11 ahead of Matt Cummings.

Nice Number! — Another “tip of the toque” as we Canadians like to say (LOL) – to Winnipeg’s Doug Doucette Racing team.  At the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals, it was former team driver Alan Bradshaw (from Odessa TX) back in the cockpit for that weekend – when current team driver (Greg Hunter) had a family conflicting event.  And Bradshaw guided Doucette’s injected nitro car to a career quick “for the team”  5.192 secs at 279.75 mph — and qualified #3.  Alan won his first round match-up but could not handle Joey Severence in round #2.   Severence went on to win the event.

Late Season Look — The New Brunswick-based Howes Racing “House of Mopar” has added yet another toy to it’s impressive arsenal.   During the season-ending NHRA National Open held at TMP last month – Ontario fans got a brief first look at Mark Howes’ latest episode – this 2019 model Dodge Challenger – a SRT 1320 Package Car – 6.4 L motor program. “It’s a naturally aspirated car that was sold through the dealers as a street car — therefore it fits for traditional NHRA stock,” Mark Howes revealed.  “It’s a new challenge coming for me – trying to take a more modern weapon to the very busy and competitive A/SA wars.”  Since  acquisition, Mark has received help from Canadian legends Allyn & John Armstrong who built the Hemi motor and FJ Smith who has now optimised the chassis.  This story will continue in 2026.

No Mercy Taken — Some pretty significant Canadian drag race highlights from the infamous outlaw and independent annually held — No Mercy 16 event – at Georgia’s South Georgia Motorsports Park (Oct 9-12).  That race produced a big class win from Fort Erie Ontario’s Joe Muro who took his ’70 Camaro (above) to victory within the races’ “Gangster X” 5.30 class.  Muro pocketed a cool $10G for his efforts – prevailing over a 60+ car invitational.   X275 class racing featured  career quick math for Canada Heads Up founder/racer Ian Hill.  Hill (from Welland ON – photo below) ran what was then a career best 4.140 secs time slip at 176.88 mph which qualified him #2 amongst the 26-cars entered.  He then went even quicker — 4.139 secs — while scoring a 3rd round finish = Canada’s fastest ever X275 class car run!