Following the conclusion of a recent on-line poll period, all votes have been tallied and the winners of the 2008 DragRaceCanada.com Canadian Drag Racers of the Year Awards program have been determined.

The awards, presented by DragRaceCanada.com co-sponsor Lucas Oil Canada, helps to acknowledge top achievements in Canadian drag racing during the past season.  2008 marked the 5th year for the prestigious program.

Edmonton, Alberta’s Tim Boychuk, who seemingly broke the mould by winning twice in IHRA Top Fuel national competition last year gathered two nominations, winning both the Pro Driver of the Year and also Most Improved/Up-and-Coming Driver honors.

Following the conclusion of a recent on-line poll period, all votes have been tallied and the winners of the 2008 DragRaceCanada.com Canadian Drag Racers of the Year Awards program have been determined.

The awards, presented by DragRaceCanada.com co-sponsor Lucas Oil Canada, helps to acknowledge top achievements in Canadian drag racing during the past season.  2008 marked the 5th year for the prestigious program.

Edmonton, Alberta’s Tim Boychuk, who seemingly broke the mould by winning twice in IHRA Top Fuel national competition last year gathered two nominations, winning both the Pro Driver of the Year and also Most Improved/Up-and-Coming Driver honors.

Driving for veteran car owner Barry Paton, Boychuk ended a very long drought within the Top Fuel category for Canadian drivers with his memorable victories.  He also qualified solidly during some select NHRA POWERade events the team attended.

“This is quite a cap to a season that was overwhelming to begin with,” said Boychuk.  “It’s a great feeling to be recognized by the fans.  I want to thank everyone who voted.  I also want to thank the Paton Family, Jimbo Ermolovich and all the crew, my wife and children, and our valued sponsors.”

Tim gathered 37.2% of votes cast to narrowly edge out Canadian Pro Mod driver and IHRA World Champion Kenny Lang for Pro Driver of the Year.  His 51.7% total of the votes was overwhelming within the Most Improved/Up & Coming category.

The 2008 Sportsman Driver of The Year honor went to Ted Barnes from Canfield, Ontario.  Barnes’ selection is a reflection of both his driving ability as well as his strong status in supporting Canadian drag racing in Eastern Canada.   Driving his ultra-consistent, Performance Improvements-sponsored 1972 Datsun 510, Barnes prevailed to win the overall title for the 12-race TNT Hot Rod Super Series which features 10.90 class competition, and is a circuit he in fact founded. 

“I want to thank DragRaceCanada for putting this program together,” said Ted Barnes.  “It's great to have a Canadian source for everything drag racing and it's fantastic to be chosen for this award.  Because this comes from the Canadian racing community through DragRaceCanada, it means quite a bit to me and my Dad (Bill).”

Ted amassed a total vote percentage of 47.8% to just edge out the 2007 DragRaceCanada Sportsman of The Year Award winner, Port Colborne Ontario’s Rob Becker.  Becker repeated his Smith Performance Specialties Stock/Super Stock circuit points title last year.

Rounding out the 2008 winners was Barrie, Ontario’s Al Billes who earned his 3rd career selection in the DragRaceCanada on-line ballot.  Billes, whose tuning prowess within the Pro Modified category is already a modern day legend, was named as the top Crew Chief/Tuner for 2008, duplicating his 2006 selection.   Billes was also a winner in the inaugural DragRaceCanada Awards program back in 2004 when he was named Pro Driver of the Year.

During 2008 Billes’ played an intricate part in the fortunes of many top running Pro Modified cars on the circuit, not the least of which was Kenny Lang’s IHRA Pro Modified World Championship.   Billes’ 51.5 vote percentage prevailed over legendary Western Canadian, Ken Murray (from Winnipeg), who guided Roger Bateman to the NHRA Division 5 TAFC title.