Canucks revitalize drag race series
After a lull of several years, there was the return of Canadian racers in the Ontario-based Pro Modified Racing Association in 2022. This season, the PMRA will be joined by teams from the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, a group that raced on Canadian and U.S. drag strips with the PMRA.
Large car counts the two series experienced a dozen years ago are not expected, but it is good to see a re-emergence of these popular classes in quarter- and eighth-mile drag racing.
“We are excited to see the keen interest in the return of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series,” said Bruce Mehlenbacher, director of operations for the series.
“These events will be a great venue to showcase Top Sportsman and Top Dragster racing, and I hope we get more racers to join us,” Mehlenbacher added.
Last year, Mehlenbacher worked with Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Challenge’s John Mazzorana in presenting two events at New York’s Empire Dragway with 18 Pro Mods.
This year, two shows are planned, in July and August, on the Leicester, N.Y., track with Canadian Pro Mod teams plus competitors in the Quick 32 Series, which features Top Dragster and Top Sportsman cars.
Pro Mod drivers expected to compete include Spencer Hyde and Scott Wildgust, both from the Stratford area, and former TD driver and Orillia native Melanie Salemi, who is now based in Buffalo, N.Y.
Recently, several former Quick 32 teams announced their intention of racing at Empire, including Kevin Wicke of Stratford and his Top Sportsman Dodge Stratus and Diane Thiffeault of Timmins with her Top Dragster entry.
The Canadian-based series travelled to several tracks in Ontario, Quebec and the U.S. states of Michigan and New York between 2004 and 2014.
“Not many thought we would be back,” stated Mehlenbacher, who directed the PMRA, the Quick 32 Series and the Pro Bike and Sled Series, which offered a well-rounded package of drag racing. “Working with John (Mazzorana) has been terrific and, with last year’s success with the Pro Mods and the return of our Canadian racers, we’re hoping to continue not only with more Pro Mods at these events but with the Quick 32 Sportsman Series teams, as well.”
Let’s hope that some of those future events include racing at tracks in Canada.
We are excited to see the keen interest in the return of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series. BRUCE MEHLENBACHER DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SERIES
Weekend winners
Ohsweken Speedway held its Oakwood Transport Trucker Night with regular racing on the dirt oval.
Josh Hansen of Beamsville won the 360 Sprint Car feature, while the Crate Sprint main went to Jess Costa of St. Thomas. Winning the Thunder Stock feature was Vittoria’s Ryan Beagle, and Ashton Dickie of Brantford won the Mini Stock feature … More dirt oval racing took place at Merrittville Speedway with Mat Williamson of St. Catharines winning another 358 Modified feature. The Sportsman feature was won by Nelson Mason of Niagara Falls, Pete Reid of Stevensville took the Stocker main and Mod Lites was won by Josh Sliter of St. Catharines … Cole Weber won the 46-lap Bill Zardo Memorial race at Flamboro Speedway last Saturday … And, for his Sunday drive, Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden of Team Penske won a record-setting $3.666 million (U.S.) from a total race purse of more than $17 million.
TIM MILLER IS THE AUTHOR OF SEVERAL BOOKS ON AUTO RACING AND CAN BE REACHED AT