“Observation and Occurrence” from Alberta’s premier annual drag racing event!…..
With a history of over 20 years strong, the Rocky Mountain Nationals continues to be Alberta’s biggest feature drag race.
The 2025 edition of the now iconic event saw two huge new groups of cars in attendance, as the event featured a NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Funny Car points race, in addition to several of the famed Street Outlaws making the trek to RAD Torque Raceway to compete in Outlaw Pro Mod.
Six Street Outlaws regulars made the long haul all the way to RAD Torque Raceway, where they were joined by 10 Pro Mods from across Saskatchewan, Alberta and Washington – which resulted in a stout field of 16 fast door cars. In an effort to stay with the Street Outlaws theme, pairs in qualifying were decided by chip draw, with no times being shown on the scoreboard and no qualifying order.
On Sunday, however, a lengthy oil down and rain on the way resulted in the cancellation of the event prior to the completion of Pro Mod eliminations.
Defending event champion Ryan Griffin bought his twin turbo Mustang to Edmonton all the way from Olympia, Washington. Unfortunately the car had issues with one of the two turbos on his setup and without a spare, they figured their weekend was over. However, former Pro Mod racer (and current crew member of Rick Barnhart’s Mustang Pro Mod) Dean Branham was able to lend him a turbo, where Ryan was able to use the mismatched setup to finish qualifying before Sunday’s cancellation.
Ryan Griffin – who won a RMN title in 2024 – returned with his turbocharged Ford Mustang.
Montana based Nate Sayler brought his Street Outlaws Nova to Edmonton to compete in Outlaw Pro Mod. He was the number 1 qualifier before an unfortunate oil down and rain cancelled Sunday’s eliminations.
Nate Sayler’s Montana-based Street Outlaws Nova was the #1 qualifier for the event’s feature Outlaw Pro Mod race.
In Nitro Funny Car, eight cars were in attendance to compete for valuable NHRA Hot Rod Heritage points. Famed Funny Car owner Bucky Austin (from Washington State) brought the “Northwest Hitter” to RAD Raceway with hopes of extending their Hot Rod Heritage points lead. The team was greeted by a warm welcome by the Edmonton faithful.
Hometown racing hero Tim Boychuk was the #1 qualifier for Funny Car class racing.
After Shane Westerfield piloted the Austin & O’Brien Racing machine 8th in qualifying for the strong Nitro Funny Car Field, he was paired with number 1 qualifier – Edmonton’s own Tim Boychuk — in round 1. Unfortunately Boychuk ran into issues and handed the win to Westerfield, where Shane laid down a 5.832 @ 252.67 mph the quickest and fastest pass of the round.
In the second round Westerfield got by Jason Bussey with an impressive 5.688, the quickest pass of the event, which set him up against fellow American Derrick Moreira in the finals. Unfortunately Derrick ran into issues on the burnout, giving Shane a bye in the final, where Shane laid down another impressive lap, a 5.740 @ 257.00 mph. Once in the Winner’s Circle, Shane, Bucky and team then grabbed the warm welcome banner that previously hung from the Suites and ensured it was part of their celebration.
The highly formidable Austin & O’Brien Racing Camaro prevailed for the Rocky Mountain Nationals Nostalgia FC title.
The 2-car Canadian NFC family operation, Jason and Donovan Bussey each piloted their Firebird Nitro Funny Cars to semi final appearances (photos below). Jason beat Cal Tebb and Donovan beat David Brant in round 1. Unfortunately they would both go on to lose in the semi finals.
Other feature classes included the 6.90 Funny Car group, Cops vs Outlaws, Pro Fuel Bike and X275 Chicago Shootout. In X275 action, Parkland County, Alberta’s John Cuglietta picked up the win over Spruce Grove, Alberta’s Chris Gould in the final.
X275 class winner – John Cuglietta
NHRA class car racing was presented within the NHRA National Open/John Scotti Canadian Championship Series – originally scheduled as a “double header” race for the weekend.
Norm Lapointe picked up the win in Saturday’s Stock/Super Stock program. Racing his vintage Camaro, he beat Darcy Clarke’s Mopar in the final.
Veteran racer Norm Lapointe (Sherwood Park AB) did win Saturday’s NHRA Open Stock/Super Stock Combo event.
Jason Mercer and his cool C4 Corvette Roadster knocked off last year’s winner James Elliott in the Saturday’s Super Street final. Other Saturday winners included Corey Newman (Super Comp), Rory Moser (Super Gas) Brandon Peck (Jr. Lightning), Sarah Duchene (Jr. Thunder).
Jason Mercer’s C4 Roadster – won in NHRA Super Street Index class racing.
On Sunday, prior to the completion of the NHRA bracket program and Outlaw Pro Mod eliminations, a lengthy oil down followed by inclement weather – unfortunately cancelled the completion of the event.
RAD Torque Raceway has subsequently announced that the NHRA National Open race has been rescheduled to September 5-7, 2025, with full event details to follow shortly.
As for ticket purchasers, anyone with a ticket for Sunday of the 2025 Rocky Mountain Nationals received a complimentary ticket to Sunday of the 2026 Rocky Mountain Nationals, in addition to a complimentary weekend pass to the Smoked Out Shootout on August 15-17 at RAD Torque Raceway.
Post and photos by Louren Sansregret
