A highly talented and aspiring Canadian racer continues his mastery within the heart of Texas…..
It was one year ago that Alberta’s Casey Plaizier collected his breakthough first NHRA national event win when he prevailed during the 2018 version AAA Texas Nationals held south of Dallas. Last weekend this young gun driver mirrored that performance.
Casey, driver of the Plaizier Racing team’s ’63 Corvette, managed a (tough to achieve in drag racing) successful title defence when he prevailed in Super Gas 9.90 index racing — a class that is widely regarded as one of NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing’s most precise categories.
Plaizier, whose father Eddy is about as dedicated as you can be within drag racing (owner of a multi-car team) — combined some great driving with some good fortune to collect Wally #2 at NHRA’s highest event level.
Casey’s victory came from the pole. After first hitting a index perfect 9.900 secs run during time trials — he then negotiated his way though the field using a great series of starting line reaction times. After winning five rounds of completion he moved into Sunday’s winner take all championship final versus home state Texas racer Tim Nicholson.
In that trophy dash – both drivers left together (.025 & .023 RT) but the win light came on in Casey’s lane after his 9.913 secs @ 160.16 mph effort.
“Last year it was just the two of us at the race (Eddy & I), but this year our crew included my family and my fiancé,” Casey smiled. “Also because of rain last year the finals were on the Monday — no crowd – no media etc. So winning here this year on Sunday in front of all the great fans and TV coverage makes up for that. We had a good race and the car ran well — but I also had a few breaks — got a bye run at the right time. But that’s drag racing — sometimes you need to get a bit lucky to be good.”
Casey and Eddy also did have a good run in the event’s Super Street (10.90) index class at Dallas. With Eddy driving the team’s Pontiac Firebird (formerly owned by both Bruce Perkins/Ken Reich) they flirted with a potential event double up. Eddy went to the “final four” in that category losing out by only a very narrow margin to eventual winner John Leibham.
“It was a very nice weekend for Team Plaizier,” Eddy beamed. “Casey did a terrific job driving, I’m very proud of him and everyone works hard on this team. I did have a good run in Super Street. In the semis I had a good light (.002) but it was dark then down track and I got a bit lost and broke out. But Casey’s win more than made up for any disappointment.”
Plaizier Racing were quick to point credit to their dedicated list of sponsors and supporters that includes (engine builder) Flyin’ Ryan Bell, RAD Torque Systems, Iron Garage, Ace Manufacturing, Burnwood Dental, Thompson Construction, Impact Power Coatings, GTT Trading and Stealth Graphics.
The team also dedicated their victory to the memory of fellow Canadian Kevin Boyer (Team Ace Racing member) who unexpectedly passed away back in Alberta on the Friday during the event.
Post and photos by Bruce Biegler