NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN
Janice Vessey stands with her 1976 Plymouth Duster during the NHRA National Open on Sunday, July 21, 2019 at the Medicine Hat Drag Racing Association strip.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken
With the second Wally of her career in sight, Janice Vessey realized she’d need to go through father-and-son duo Ted and Lorren Buzunis if she hoped to get her hands back on the National Hot Rod Association’s most coveted prize – so the Hatter put the pedal to the metal and came out on top.
“I was kind of worried about it because I was up against two good racers for the last two races, and they’re father and son,” said Vessey, who took home the Wally in Saturday’s sportsman class at the NHRA National Open, hosted by the Medicine Hat Drag Racing Association. “When I took the father out I was quite nervous because the son is good too. It was close, very close.”
Vessey added racing is a family endeavour in her life as well, as nearly a dozen drivers – mostly related – make the trip to the strip for each race day alongside her.
“There’s 11 that came out this weekend, the entire group. There’s a couple who aren’t (family) but a lot are,” she said, adding it’s great to have a common hobby to bond over. “We take a trip to Vegas every year for racing and last time we hauled down seven cars. It’s great because everybody does everything together.”
The family ties run through the vehicles as well, as Vessey’s 1976 Plymouth Duster made its way into her trailer after being owned by her brother and brother in law.
“It was his first car and he sold it to my brother, and then I bought it from my brother. So it’s kind of been through the family,” said, who sat fifth in the local standings with 156 points heading into the weekend. “(The Duster) is pretty consistent, actually it’s very consistent. It runs around 12.20, in there.”
Medicine Hat is one of just two stops on the NHRA National Open circuit. With the second being all the way up in Edmonton, Vessey says it means a lot to be able to compete on such a grand stage right here at home.
“It’s nice. We have it every year and it’s great. It’s really good to have it here,” she said, adding Saturday’s victory was as sweet as they come. “That one was awesome, because it’s the National Open.”
Results were not received by the News as of Monday’s press deadline.
