2025 CANADIAN NATIONALS RACE REPORT: Never Give Up!

ST LOUIS – Hello GJR fans!  Hoping all is well with you and thank you for your continued interest and support.  After two “not so stellar” previous events that presented challenges racing the track’s surface, Jake and the team were eager to change the direction of our performance attending the 25th Annual Canadian Nationals at Grand Bend Motorplex in Ontario, Canada.  Historically, this track has provided optimal racing conditions and is where Jake set his personal best ET in 2022 with a 5.51 s / 260.71 mph pass.

Our event here in 2023 produced solid runs at 5.61s and 5.81s.  We did not attend the 2024 race here.  We expected similar results on this visit and had expectations to match or exceed ETs.   Three exhibition style runs were scheduled; two on Saturday and one on Sunday. As usual weather conditions were also favorable for good horsepower.

The event start time was 5PM on Saturday but we were deep into the cycle with numerous cars, snow mobiles and bikes running ahead of us.  We anticipated a 6 PM run if everything remained on schedule.   Unfortunately, that would not be the case as a combination of issues at the top end of track and minor oil cleanups delayed our first run to 7 PM.  At the startup area, a quick check of the track starting line conditions in each lane did not impress us.  Good “stickiness” on the outside of the center grooves but less than optimal down the middle out to about 100 ft.  Under those circumstances we had no choice but to stay in the center area of the lane because placing one tire in good traction with the other would surely cause the car to pull toward the centerline or the outside wall almost instantaneously.

We chose the right lane for our first run. We’d be paired up with the Hamill sponsored Top Alcohol Funny Car capable of low to mid 5 second ETs.   The burnout was uneventful.  Jake staged the car and stomped the pedal on the go light.  Almost immediately the tires broke free forcing Jake to get out of the throttle and let the tires settle. Unfortunately, traction wasn’t obtained on the second attempt but finally on the third attempt it hooked up resulting in yet another disappointing 7 plus second run but at 200 mph.   Our competitor in the left lane experienced the same issue.   We did cross the finish line first giving us a “win” for what it was worth as once traction was obtained the car accelerated like it should.  Time to scratch heads and get ready for the next pass.   If you’ve ever watched the NHRA professional series it sometimes takes those pros 2 to 3 passes down the track during qualifying to get a handle on the track conditions which by the way are ever changing.   Looks like we could be in that boat as no changes or improvements to the track by event staff was evident between rounds.

A great video with multiple perspectives of the first round provided by Loud Mike Media can be viewed at the link below.  The video is a summary of most of the racing that happened but fast forward to the 14 min 36 sec time to see our run and the various camera perspectives.   Beginning at the 18:30 time mark you’ll see different perspectives of Jake getting traction and accelerating past our opponent in the other lane.  Pretty impressive.  Of course enjoy the entire video if you’d like.

For the second round we needed to make adjustments if we wanted a chance at a good run as the track was in the same condition.  Post run turn around was normal.  We adjusted tire pressure and the weather conditions dictated a change to nitro percentage but we chose to not adjust timing keeping the power level nearly the same. If we could get the car to hookup, it would be a mid-5 second run. With lane choice we chose the left lane for this run.  It was now 9:30PM and we hadn’t been called to the lanes yet.  Apparently, a racer broke a transmission and trans fluid was laid down nearly the full length of the track in the right lane.  Approaching 10 PM the event coordinator made the call to postpone the pro-mod and funny car runs until the next day.  We believed this would work in our favor giving the track workers ample time to clean and properly prepare the track for Sunday’s racing.

On Sunday, nitro percentage was again adjusted for current conditions to maintain the horsepower level and we towed to the line for 1 PM run.  Unfortunately, and with great disappointment we discovered NO additional track prep was performed overnight so we set the tire pressures at the same level as the evening before.   This was going to be another gamble on traction although the tire pressure change should help.  Jake was told to prepare for lost traction. We again raced against the Top Alcohol Funny Car. The burn out was normal and Jake staged the car in the groove similar to the first run for the same reasons.  At the hit, the result was again disappointing, Tires broke loose almost immediately.  Jake pedaled the throttle to salvage the run.  Similarly, our opponent experienced the same dilemma but we again crossed the finish line first.

Back in the pits, the turn around was normal as no motor damage was evident.  We discussed our options to salvage the final run.   As it was the last run, we really needed to get down the track to retain some pride and confidence.  Jake made the final call to sacrifice the clutch and leave the line in high gear.  In doing so, he’d eat through the clutch much faster but the amount of torque applied the rear tires at the hit would be less and hopefully we’d retain traction off the line and for the first 100 ft.  The plan was set and we chose the right lane this time knowing it had at least been cleaned and somewhat prepped from the night before.   While we could have left in high gear for the second round, we didn’t want to sacrifice the clutch and forcing a clutch changeout for the final round.

With the nitro percentage and tire pressures set, Jake taxied through the water box and performed an uneventful burnout.  At the go light, Jake mashed the loud pedal and our planned worked.  The car left the line without loosing traction and Jake executed the first solid run of our 2025 season.   A respectable 6.10s run at 244 mph.   Eh, the clutch would need to be changed anyway.

Our opponent figured it out as well and ran a solid 5.58s at 260 mph thus crossing the finish line first.  It was good way to wrap up our weekend.

It was a frustrating and also a rewarding weekend for Jake and the team.  Racing is always full of highs and lows.  The key is to continue to work through those low points and learn how to achieve better results.  We were down a crewmember for the last two events as Vince recovers from knee surgery.  We’ve missed having him around and are certain he’ll be back for next event.  A special thanks to the AllStar NFC team members that made the trip this weekend and hung in there during the struggles: Mark Hutchison, Curt Meyerhoff and Jay Broad.    Most of all, none of this would be possible without the generosity and support of our great sponsors:  AllStar Dodge Chrysler Jeep, Global Green Insurance, AMT Racing Engines, Hot Rod Grillers, Vital Signs, Kodiak Equipment, and Nu-Way Construction.   Our next event is the US Funny Car Nationals at the US 131 Motorsports Park, Martin, Michigan, 5 – 6 September 2025.