New Fan Magnet!  — Dave Kowalski did turn a lot of heads at NHRA’s Arizona Nationals where he debuted this very radical —  Top Sportsman class – Chevy Nova.  Kowalski made only limited runs at the race and the car had a mechanical failure which took him out of competition.  His effort however did not go unnoticed, as he was given the NHRA award for Best Appearing — (but most certainly the tech and detail could have qualified it for Best Engineering to! ) “I never expected to win anything — the goal was to get a start on the race season early and get the car chassis, suspension and tuning sorted out,” David said. *Editors Note: More details on Kowalski’s amazing project (from Fort St. John BC) will be featured to DragRaceCanada.com > in the not too distant!)

Flirting With First Again! — Vegreville Alberta’s Will Yakimetz came close again  to winning his first NHRA national event when he placed R/UP in the Right Trailers-presented Top Sportsman class at Phoenix with his supercharged Camaro.  Will qualified #6 (6.525 secs) and won three rounds before losing in the close final to California’s Rob Mendenhall – a first time NHRA winner.

Getting Tuned In! —Canadian Rob Flynn was most pleased with the effort of his new Top Fuel team and young lady rookie driver Maddie Gordon – part of Ron Capps Racing in 2026.  Flynn helped to tune Maddi to a superb #4 qualifier (3.806 secs) and then a “final four” round finish on Sunday in the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel Dragster.

Spider Solid in Super Comp! – Devout Western Canadian drag racing proponent Mark Simmons (from Medicine Hat AB) had another strong showing in Super Comp 8.90 index racing.  Mark, the owner of Spider Electric,  was driving this new car at Phoenix and advanced to the third round — the best finish for Canada within NHRA’s “index” class categories at the Phoenix race.

Race #2 Results — The 2026 comeback season for Todd Lesenko (from Edmonton) continued at NHRA Phoenix last weekend. Todd’s 2nd race driving for Jim Dunn Racing team did fall just short of qualifying – with his best run being — 4.255 secs (bump 4.181 secs).  ” The weekend did not go as planned, but we are more motivated than ever as we go into Jim Dunn Racing’s home track in Pomona,” said Todd.  “Before the race season began, Jim Dunn told me it’s going to take three races to get this thing going — we have lots of new parts on this car and a new driver.”

Brantford Ontario’s always highly motived Chatterson Racing did lead the charge for Canadian entries in TAD at IHRA Benson.  Driver Jeff Chatterson (who did win a IHRA Nationals title last year) qualified for the event during what was that team’s first competitive outing for 2026 – but lost out in round #1.  Chatterson Racing are planning multiple IHRA nationals event appearances for this year’s racing calendar in their ever evolving injected nitro car.

Two very interesting other efforts from Canada in IHRA T/AD did include the circuit debuts for young Canadian drivers Daniel Flewelling (top) and Ryan Harris in the class.  Daniel is the new designated driver for Clif Bakx’s popular “The Bull” from Manitoba.  Flewelling, who lives in the Thunder Bay area – qualified 8th – but lost out in round one.  For Ryan Harris, (KHR Burford ON) – his first race in the very swift 1/8th mile IHRA class produced a promising best of 3.636 secs – which just missed the bump.

Career Quick Short Times — Canada’s Larry Dobbs and his driver Ryan Stack did give it a go at the IHRA’s season opener in North Carolina.  The only Canadian entry for the TAFC class did qualify strong (mid-pack #4) with some very rewarding math for the iconic team. “The 3.665 we ran in qualifying was my career best to the 1/8 mile and the 212.43 mph is the fastest 1/8 mile mph that Larry’s car has ever went,” confirmed Ryan (from Wingham ON).

Canadian Hall of Fame member Les Davenport (from Calgary) once again laid his tuning wisdom upon the formidable Ultrasonic TAFC raced by Ohio’s Phil Esz. Esz qualified #1 and won two rounds – but had a mechanical failure in the final round.