Canadian ranks within NHRA’s Super Stock class gets another notable upgrade….

Within a co-operative relationship that was developed and has been brewing over the past couple of seasons — two of Canada’s most famous drag racing family names – Fletcher & Elliott – are poised for more.

Just recently, at a test session held at the Texas Motorplex, London Ontario’s Jory Elliott made his initial first hits behind the wheel of a new Cobra Jet Ford Mustang fielded by Fletch Racing’s Bill Jr. Fletcher. This slick and very capable 2018 model car (315 CID) will target FSS/B within NHRA’s North American Super Stock class beat.

A first look at Fletch Racing’s newest Ford Mustang Cobra Jet — in testing at the Texas Motorplex last weekend.

“Bill (son to Bill Fletcher Sr.) bought the car from Watson Racing, basically as a roller, last year with the intent of finishing it as a high end Super Stock entry,” Jory revealed. “After I first connected with Bill (at Cayuga Dragway early 2024), I’ve been driving his previous team car — a 2012 model Cobra Jet, which we won class with at Gainesville (last March). Originally Bill had been looking for someone to coach him as a driver and had taken notice of my approach. I agreed to do that and it went well. He then revealed plans for the new car and that he’d like to have me drive it. It did take me some time to think about it — after the bad wreck I had at Cayuga in 2019 left me with really bad post-concussion symptoms. But we came to a deal a few weeks later.”

Jory Elliott (right) with Bill Fletcher and Bob Elliott

It was then in the summer of 2024 that things began to roll out in a serious fashion and they were on the track together. Last year they toured to 8 different NHRA Lucas Oil divisional and national open events so they could earn the maximum number of grade points – necessary — in order to obtain NHRA nationals event entry eligibility.

With that done, and for 2025 in mind they have set their NHRA season goals. The team (which also includes Jory’s famous father and CMHOF & CDRHF inductee Bob Elliott) – have filed entry for some Grade A major races (including Indy in September). They have established a high end single season goal – to chase down a NHRA National event Wally.

At Gainesville – just last March – Jory Elliott won his “Class” title in this 5.4 L 2012 edition Fletch Racing Mustang

Originally the new car was supposed to debut at Gainesville — but that was deferred due to some new car blues — before testing resumed in Texas. The (new) Fletch Racing Mustang will see first time in competition entry at the upcoming NHRA Carolina Nationals at Concord NC., later this month. After that, a full US tour is planned to max out opportunity to gain points at both the National and Divisional levels in NHRA.

These Fletch Racing Mustangs are not Jory’s first venture in Super Stock class racing. Back in 2010 he begin driving his own A/Modified Pontiac Sunfire, a car capable of 8.30 secs and 165+ mph. With that he won his first and only national event – taking the Super Stock title at the 2012 IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals at Grand Bend. Jory also spent time in the driver’s seat for his father’s GT/EA Cavalier back in 2018-19. In that he finished in the top 10 in Can-Am points (2019), but it was late that season that included his wreck at Cayuga, which totalled the car and also sidelined him.

Jory Elliott’s biggest event win came with the Super Stock crown at the IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals in 2012 in his family’s Pontiac Sunfire.

The family relationship between the Fletcher and Elliott families is deep-rooted.

“The Fletcher family and my mom and dad have been connected since the 1970s,” Jory revealed. “In fact John & Sharon partnered with my Dad and the Vanni Brothers when they ran an alcohol funny car in the early 80’s. My dad (Bob) was the announcer at Dragway Park and also worked for John & Sharon at their retail and auto sales stores in Hamilton. He on two occasions drove for John & Sharon’s team in Can-Am Stock/Super Stock racing.”

“It isn’t lost on me that the family history played a big role in this all coming together,” Jory said. “We’ve always felt like an extended part of the Fletcher Family, that’s how they’ve treated us, from my days at the track as a little kid, to now contributing to their legacy in the sport. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given.”

Jory is also so pleased to now be able to follow the lead of his Dad – who’s remarkable career journey included a myriad of Funny Car classes, including alcohol, nitromethane and even jet-powered machines.

“Being in both the Canadian Motorsports and Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame – speaks for itself!,” Jory said about his Dad. “Bob is one of only a select few Canadians to qualify and race a nitro car at Indy. He is one of only a select few that accomplished that with their own team built from scratch. He really is a “get ‘er done” kinda guy – and still is. That’s why having him with us now — makes us better as a team.”

Jory’s father — Canadian Hall of Famer Bob Elliott — at wheel of his “Northern Force” Dodge he campaigned with John Rossitter at Indy!

The Fletcher Family’s corral of Super Stock Mustangs also included this model – shown at Cayuga circa 2021 – (Bill, Danny & John)

While personally stepping into the cockpit of a fuel car currently remains only uncharted territory (due to astounding expense) at this point – for Jory — it does however provide a motivating dream.

“I’m not sure for those footsteps, I’ll ever get to follow,” he admitted. “But in the meantime and the present I’m going to do my best to be a great ambassador for the sport and my job behind the wheel. The goal right now is to represent ourselves well and compete for a win every time we pull thought the track gates in 2025.”

Jory (in true Canadian fashion) is heavily involved with Canada’s national pastime sport – hockey. Within Ontario he has been a hockey coach (10th season coming 2025-26) and his coaching tenure did include seasons as an assistant coach for the University of Waterloo.

“Goaltending is my focus in that game,” he affirmed. “I generally take on 12-15 teams a season, where I provide training sessions weekly for each team’s goaltenders. I also run private training sessions for a limited number of students – working with both boys and girls teams – up to the Junior A level.”

Jory Elliott is credited too for creating an important mental health initiative that he first founded in 2019 called: “Lift The Visor”. That program, coaching connected, is designed to help awareness and provide comfort for people struggling. He has done podcast interviews, external fundraisers and its expansion has been both inside and outside of the drag racing community.

Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos by Dave DeAngelis – Michael Autrey (Night Adder Photography)  – DragRaceCanada file photos by Bruce Biegler