Maritime Canada drag racing fans received something very special recently – courtesy of avid Canadian drag racer Daniel Mercier.

Mercier, from Quebec, made some drag racing history at New Brunswick’s thriving Miramichi Dragway, when he thrilled a large crowd with some runs in his Nitro Nostalgia ’70 Camaro Funny Car. Daniel was a featured component for Miramichi’s “Fall Brawl” event – held Sept 11-12th.

Daniel’s runs in his car marked the first time in Miramichi’s drag racing history (first opened 1997) that a nitro-burning FC has trekked down their surface.

And to say that Daniel Mercier did give the crowd their money’s worth would be an understatement. In addition to his reputation for interacting with fans as a prime Canadian drag racing ambassador — his talented race team also delivered on the race track – setting both ends of the 1/8th mile track record.

Daniel made some impressive laps — including a 3.853 secs at 192.44 mph and also a 3.819 secs at 196.46 mph. His personal best in his show-stopping quality Camaro (which features a paint scheme/design by reputed Montreal area artist “Fito”) had been a 3.83 secs.

“It was a dream weekend for me and the entire Mercier Racing team,” Daniel posted after the event. “Thank you Marc (Comeau) for the invitation and congratulations to the track team who did excellent prep — a big wow.”

For Miramichi Dragway – bringing in Daniel for an appearance added in even more creedence to this race track’s already solid and growing reputation.

“Dan and his crew had been at Miramichi Dragway two different occasions in the past,” confirmed Marc Comeau – Track Manager. “About a year ago we talked that it would be fun for him to come back with his new Nostalgia Funny Car. But at that time with Covid restrictions being in effect, it just wasn’t really possible. But after 21 months went by and we finally got back to racing here in July — we reconnected 3 weeks ago about our Fall Brawl. I gave Dan a call and we confirmed all later the same day.”

“It was the first time we’ve had a Nitro car go down our track,” Marc added. “Most of the people attending had never experienced it either. After his first hit, everyone stood up to watch and feel this beautiful car go down. People were clapping hands, yelling and cheering, was almost like they had won the lottery. It seems like Wow couldn’t have been said enough!”

Fans will be pleased to know that conversations with Daniel and his team have already started for next year. If his NHRA race schedule can permit it — his team will return.

“There is a very impressive level of professionalism which his whole race team has,” Marc added. “From their set up in the pits to putting the car down the track — they make it look so easy — which we all know that with this level of car — that it’s definitely not easy.”

Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos by Chris O’Neill