INDIANAPOLIS, IN – This is John Waldie’s final Canadian Connection drag racing report from the 70th anniversary of the US Nationals in Indianapolis, IN. Several Canadians put in strong performances in the sport’s most prestigious event.
British Columbia’s Stan Sipos and his tuner, fellow Western Canadian Les Davenport (both are Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame (CDRHF) members) made it to the Alcohol Funny Car final at Indy, in search of their eighth major event title.
Recent American transplant Jason Kenny (Kingston, ON native and son of CDRHF member Al Kenny) made it to the Super Comp Indy final for the third time in his career!
In Pro Stock action, Eric Latino (above) also secured his position in the ‘Countdown to the National Championship’ with his qualifying effort at the US Nationals.
Quebec’s Dan Mercier (right) recorded spectacular ET and speed marks at Indy (3.759 seconds @ 321.58 mph) while qualifying 10th in one of the most competitive Top Fuel fields in NHRA history.
Canadian Pro Mod racers Justin Bond, Jordan Lazic and their international teammate Kalid Al Balooshi earned three of the four available top Pro Mod spots. They were joined by Canadian Scott Wildgust, in 16th, in one of the best fields in US Nationals Pro Mod history.
From Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. through until Monday’s finals, over 900 racers took to the starting line at Lucas Oil Raceway Park.
THE FINALS
Clay Millican emerged as the Top Fuel champion at Indy, going 3.792 seconds at 327 mph over the ‘up in smoke’ four-time world champion Steve Torrence. This was Millican’s seventh overall win of his career, his first-ever at Indy, and his first victory of the season.
Millican has a strong connection to drag racing in Canada because of his time as the most dominant Top Fuel winner in IHRA history, which made him a fan favourite at Toronto Motorsports Park, Grand Bend and Edmonton. I’ve had the pleasure of having Clay stay at our home, in Ontario, and he always remembers his legion of Canadian fans and many great moments ‘north of the border.’
Austin Prock and his emotional family and crew were dominant in Funny Car over Ron Capps’ US Army-themed NAPA entry. Prock went 3.885 @ 328 mph to Capps’ 3.93 @ 331 mph. NHRA legend Don ‘Snake’ Prudhomme was in Capps’ garage throughout the weekend and commented that, “Funny Car has never been so competitive, and here we are on our sport’s biggest stage.”
Pro Stock winner Aaron Stanfield won over Jeg Coughlin, going 5.651 seconds to Coughlin’s 5.652! Stanfield also doubled up, winning in Factory X over Lenny Lottig.
Sienna Wildgust qualified well and joined her dad with his Pro Mod on raceday; yeah team Smokies! And Eric Latino and Team KB Titan are still in contention heading into the Countdown!
In Pro Stock Motorcycles, Gaige Herrera’s .000 initiated 6.763 second win over Angie Smith’s 6.892 came after having additional weight added to his bike. And being friends with Byron, Janice, Terry and their team for over 30 years, Gaige’s comment about their commitment seems very appropriate!
Stan Sipos and Les Davenport’s Top Alcohol Funny Car final round appearance came to an end when Sipos brought up the revs and rolled through the beams early, giving the win to Sean Bellemeur. The Canucks missed out on an eighth Wally, which ended up being Sean’s 40th and his third at Indy.
Kingston, ON’s Jason Kenny – appearing in his third Indy final – went eight rounds in Super Comp, which was won by Wade Archer. Well done, Jason and family!
In conclusion, thank you all for joining us on our journey through this year’s 70h anniversary US Nationals and congrats to the more than 20 Canadian teams who participated and allowed us to be part of their drag racing family.
