NHRA Las Vegas Canadian Photo Extra!
DragRaceCanada was truly impressed by the Canadian racer participation during last weekend’s NHRA Big O Tires Nationals held at Las Vegas!
Our rough count showed over 40 Canucks entered in all classes — which might very well be some sort of modern-day record for the number of Canadian racers at a single NHRA national event (?) Needless to say it would be a gross disservice if we did not post a photo extra from the race — so kudos to all who were there — and please enjoy our essay below…
Alberta’s Tom Nolan was the top qualifying Canadian in Super Stock running his ’09 Pontiac to 1.107 under the index to qualify 4th. Tom then had two round wins..
Don Thomas (also from Alberta) had a very strong run in Super Stock — winning 4 rounds before falling to World Champ Jackie Alley.
That is two of Canada’s all time greatest drag racers — Barry Paton and Bernie Fedderly!
NHRA Seattle winner John Evanchuk entered the potent “Red Wolf” at Las Vegas — John qualified #12 but fell in round one due to tire shake.
British Columbia’s Ridley Racing TAD had a super strong Las Vegas event. Alaska-based driver Ray Martin took Hugh’s car to the “final four” in the category
Calgary’s Bill Hutchings entered his very cool ’80 Volare in Super Stock — he qualified the SS/MA car and won his first round match.
This first round match up in Super Gas paired off two Canadian Corvettes — with Al Kenny (far lane) topping Dave Stobbe
Don St. Arnald continued his rise in TAD class racing. Don qualified strong with his injected nitro car but lost on a holeshot in round one.
One of the most talked about new Pro Mod cars at Las Vegas was Al Billes’ Corvette. Pete Farber drove it into the 2nd round of competition.
Saskatoon’s Sheldon Erfle ran well at the event. He qualified his GT/FA Olds in the middle of the SS pack and won two rounds.
NHRA Super Comp World Championship contender Stephan Kondolay (from Chilliwack) was at the event — but exited surprisingly in early competition.
A big shoutout goes to Canada’s Rob Flynn who tuned Bob Vandergriff to the Top Fuel event title!
Oregon’s Adam Bowdish drove the Edmonton-based Cavalier owned by Ken Reich to a semi final round finish in Competition eliminator.
Recently crowned NHRA Nostalgia Nitro FC World Champion Jason Rupert drove Geoff Goodwin’s Red Deer-based TAFC at Las Vegas. The team qualfied #13 with a best run of 5.723 secs
Toronto’s Ray Commisso towed out to Las Vegas for the Pro Mod series finale. He qualified #9 at 5.968 secs at 245.45 mph.
Al Kenny went to the “final four” in Super Comp. Can you say NHRA WORLD CHAMP? — Coming Soon!!!!
DragRaceCanada was totally impressed by this super clean SS/JA ’64 Chevelle entered by Darrell Stobbe (from Abbotsford BC)
One of the more surprising developments for Sportsman racing at Las Vegas was the very unusual early exit from competition by Regina’s Abe Loewen
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Congrats to Canadians Greg Hunter and team owner Kenny Gilmour who ran their career bests at the event — 5.384 secs and 267.80 mph during qualifying.
All photos by: Bruce Biegler
To view additional images from NHRA Las Vegas please visit the event photo gallery: HERE