Now that the dust is settling from an action packed 2025 Gulf Western Oil Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway the drama, heartfelt tributes, and unexpected twists, solidified its status as the biggest drag racing event outside of the United States.
Coming into the event the teams had high expectations from a performance perspective but the record setting conditions we have gotten used to seeing at the Winternationals didn’t show up.
The event commenced with a poignant tribute to Hayley Turns, a cherished member of the greater drag racing and Pro Stock community. A one-minute silence was observed, reflecting the deep respect and camaraderie within the racing fraternity. This moment set the tone for a weekend that would blend fierce competition with profound moments of unity, racing for Hayley.
As qualifying began, the track conditions were less than ideal, leading to slower times than usual across the board. Despite these challenges, the usual front-runners showcased their skill and determination to make it into the tight 8 car field. John Barbagallo experienced a dramatic moment in Q1 when his car veered left, colliding with the timing blocks. Thanks to the swift response of Unique Racing, the damage was promptly fixed, allowing Barbagallo to continue for Q2 on Saturday. Aaron Tremayne emerged as the sole driver to improve his time in Q2. The qualifying bump spot was set at 7.042 underscoring the competitive nature of the field.
Race day on Sunday brought its own set of challenges. In round 1, timing issues led to confusion over the winner between Rick Chilton and John Barbagallo. Ultimately, Chilton secured the victory with a 6.94. In another matchup, Tyronne Tremayne defeated Omar Sedmak, while Aaron Tremayne advanced past Mario Polito.
The second round intensified rivalries. Tyronne Tremayne faced Rob Dekert, with Dekert having issues before staging, allowing Tyronne the win in what would have been another tight race between the two. Meanwhile, Aaron Tremayne triumphed over Rick Chilton, who had a wild ride when his parachute lever broke and the parachutes didn’t failed to deploy. Fortunately, the Rick was unharmed.
The finals featured an all-Tremayne showdown. Aaron Tremayne clinched the victory after Tyronne’s uncharacteristic red light, marking another double Winternationals final for the Tremaniac Racing team.
Rob Dekert’s consistent performance throughout the weekend has extended his lead over John Barbagallo in the championship standings, positioning Dekert in the best place possible heading into the final round at the Spring Nationals in October.
With the 2025 Gulf Western Oil Winternationals concluded, the Pro Stock community now sets its sights on the Spring Nationals at Dragway at The Bend from October 3–5, 2025. The event promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the season, with Dekert aiming to maintain his championship lead and the Tremayne brothers looking to build on their recent success.