Edmonton’s 2025 edition Rocky Mountain Nationals – presented at RAD Torque Raceway – showcased season round #4 for the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage’s Nitro Funny Car division.

That 8-car grouping featured six Canadian entries and two from the USA – within pursuit of valued NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series points.

Highly reputed Funny Car team owner Bucky Austin brought in the points leading “Austin & O’Brien”  Northwest Hitter Camaro, now driven by Shane Westerfield, with high hopes of extending their current Hot Rod Heritage championship points lead. 

The team, who are based from Washington state, and who are the defending 2024 series champs, did struggle early, placing only #8 on the final qualifying grid.

But on raceday Sunday – they most certainly found their stride  – while winning the event and expanding their overall points margin.

Westerfield paired off versus #1 qualifier Tim Boychuk (5.778 secs) in round one but when hometown Edmonton racer Boychuk ran into issues — Westerfield laid down an 5.832 secs at 252.67 mph for the win light.

In the second round Westerfield’s team stepped up again while defeating Canada’s Jason Bussey with a very  impressive 5.688 secs — low ET of the event. and top speed at 257.88 mph. Then in the final round versus fellow American Derrick Moreira (who is based from Hawaii), Shane clocked in an uncontested single at 5.744 secs 257.00 mph when Moreira’s car was shut off after the burnout.

Posted by Bruce Biegler

Photos by Louren Sansregret