BC Boys Face Off – The second of two consecutively held NHRA Pacific Divisional races at Las Vegas (April 19th) – did feature an all Canada class conclusion – for Super Stock eliminator racing. In the championship round it was two BC-based drivers facing off with Rick McKinney’s GT/NA Camaro lined up against Darrell Stobbe’s SS/JA Malibu. The win light came on in McKinney’s lane this time as his 10.89 secs (10.83 dial in) defeated Stobbe (Abbotsford BC) who had a red light foul start.
For veteran McKinney (from Richmond BC), this was his fourth career NHRA win at the Lucas Oil Divisional level. It came over a 44-car field and from the 23rd qualified position.

Silver Medalists! — Canadian racers Justin Bond and McKenna Bold both had terrific events at last weekend’s NHRA 4-Wide Nationals (at Concord NC) – with both drivers collecting R/UP finishes. Justin Bond – driving his Mission BC-based JBS Equipment ’68 Camaro was a tower of power throughout the race – running very consistently and very fast. After qualifying #1 for the field over 22 other cars (5.661 secs) Justin placed first in both his first two “quads” for the 4-wide format event to advance to the championship round. But as fate would have it – he lost that decision to defending NHRA Pro Mod World Champion Mike Stavinos – but only by a minuscule margin. In fact Justin ran low ET of the entire event in the final (5.658 secs) but that came up just short to Stavinos’ 5.669 secs ET because of a .016 to .036 RT differential.

In TAD class racing — McKenna Bold (Red Deer AB) was impressive while advancing to her 2nd career NHRA “nationals event” level final round finish. Racing the Randy Meyer Racing/Diezel Excavating dragster, McKenna drove a great race to make the final round quad from the #10 qualified position — posting runs of 5.272 secs and 5.283 secs consecutively to finish first in each. In the final she ran her best time of the zMax Dragway event (@5.264 secs) but that lost out only to Joey Severance who ran a winning 5.203 secs.  McKenna’s quick starting line RT in the final was the difference for earning her the runner-up equivalent event finish.

Flirting With A First — Again! — Ontario-native father and son racing team Eric and Matt Latino again were near the verge for making Canadian drag racing history last weekend.  As devote Canadian drag racing fans do know – never has a Canadian Pro Stock driver won at the NHRA national event level — but the notion for that (coming soon) became even more pronounced last weekend at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals.  Both drivers delivered terrific efforts — Matt Latino qualified a career high (3rd) at 6.527 secs and Eric placed mid pack at 8th (6.550 secs). On Saturday at Concord – both – were in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty” Pro Stock Challenge event – final round “quad”  Then on Sunday, Matt followed that up by taking his team car to the “final four” Championship round for Pro Stock – only to succumb to severe tire shake.  Place your bets ladies & gents! 

Fuel @ Four-Wides — Canada’s top two Top Fuel dragster team names were in attendance at NHRA’s 4-Wide Nationals – with DM Racing and Paton Racing both filing entry. Dan Mercier qualified on the bump (3.868 secs) but delivered an improved 3.800 secs 326.32 mph in his first round “quad” – but that wasn’t quite quick enough to advance. Paton Racing made their first NHRA race appearance of 2026 — but with Kentucky’s Keith Murt – back in the cockpit. Their new look car (photo below) – sporting livery for Murt’s Company (MurtCo) – did run a best of 3.930 secs during qualifying but that math fell just short for making the field – placing 17th for 19 cars entered.

Todd Paton