Lang, Bauer, Konopacki victorious at Canadian Nitro Nationals

Words by Bruce Mehlenbcher
Photos by Brad Turk

Round three in the Pro Modified Racing Association, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series was completed July 3, and each of the drag racing series produced new event winners.

The racing took place during the Canadian Nitro Nationals at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, over the holiday weekend.

Winning his first PMRA race was Kenny Lang. It was also the first PMRA race for the team from Grande Pointe, Manitoba. Lang, driving the Summit Racing Equipment 1969 Camaro, qualified fourth in the field, and bested Derek Hawker of Corbyville, Ont., in his Corvette in the final for the win.

Semi-finalists for the PMRA race were Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ont., and number-one qualifier, Vito Montesano of Maple, Ont.

Winning his first Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts event was Bob Bauer Jr. of Elma, New York. The Top Sportsman driver, who competes in his big block-powered 2007 Pontiac GTO, won in the final over Billy White of Gadshill, Ont., in his RE/MAX White & Wild Top Dragster entry.

This series is comprised of 16 Top Sportsman cars and 16 Top Dragster cars, which compete in their respective divisions, and the top eliminator in each division goes into the final to determine an event champion.

The final round was the best showing for White so far this season, but he broke at the line, giving Bauer the victory. Bauer had qualified 11th in the Top Sportsman field, while White qualified his small-block supercharger Chevy dragster in fourth.

Bauer eliminated Rob Gray of Ingersoll, Ont., in the Top Sportsman final, while White won over Jamie Bridge of Napanee, Ont., in the Top Dragster final.