"VAN" (Sports Desk - 06.02.2026) :: Damon Paton made his A-Final debut in the XPRO Nitro Funny Car championship at the 2024/2025 finale back in November, and on January 24, he qualified for his second – this time at the 2026 season opener (Willowbank Raceway's Pro Alcohol Nationals).
With two wins from two races, and a personal best ET for his new car also achieved earlier in the day, Paton was feeling confident that he could challenge for his first ever Gold NDRC Christmas Tree – unfortunately, he wouldn’t have the chance with extreme weather bringing a premature close to the event.
Even so, the fact that Paton is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with in the flame-throwing bracket is undeniable, and fans would be well advised to keep an eye on the Queensland racer at the next round for the XPRO Nitro Funny Cars – Dragway at The Bend’s Riverbend Nationals across March 28-29.
“Willowbank was a bit of a whirlwind – pun intended!” laughed Paton, who has a brand-new car for 2026.
“Saturday’s qualifying was not great for us. In the first qualifier we had some issues with the clutch that did not allow the car to reverse after the burnout, which ended Q1 with no time. The second attempt I made a mistake with the procedure after the burnout which slowed us down on the startline, but we put down a number that got us into the middle of the field. I felt after Saturday we definitely had left some on the table and had some work to do.
“Things turned around for us on Sunday. We had a close race with Adam Murrihy in the first round but came out with the win. In the second round we had Josh Leahy.
“Josh was the top qualifier and had been the man to beat all weekend to that point. We laid down an awesome 4.09s pass which was a PB for the new car and the second quickest ET I have ever ran and took the win.
“Only one other car in the field could get two wins so we were guaranteed a spot in the A-Final and after the car PB in the second round, we knew we were in a good position going into the final.
“Unfortunately, right after that pass, the weather came in strong, cancelling the rest of the event.”
While disappointed with that result, the form up to that cancellation sees Paton’s feeling full of vigour heading into the Riverbend Nationals.
“It definitely was disappointing – I felt like we were peaking at the right time and had a solid chance to take home the gold tree but, but unfortunately there is nothing anyone could do about the weather,” he said.
“As disappointed as I was, the other guys in the class had done all the work to get their cars to the startline and were strapped in ready to go and did not get to run. I think that would have hurt a bit more.”
After taking out the runner-up honours at the Nitro Nationals – last season’s finale – in November, Paton’s drive for a Gold tree is stronger than ever.
“Getting the Silver Christmas tree in the last round of the 2025 championship only made me hungrier to get that Gold tree,” he says.
“My team and the Aeroflow workshops boys have put in a lot of work to give me a killer new car this year.
“A lot has gone on behind the scenes to get to this point, so it will be a huge high for not only me, but the whole team and the entire Aeroflow workshop to get our first win. It will forever be a highlight in my racing career, no matter what happens going forward.”
When he looks ahead to the rest of the 2026 season, Paton says the focus is on keeping the momentum going – with not only that breakthrough win, but a championship challenge front of mind.
“We were in the A-final at the last round of 2025, we should have been in the A-final of the first round of this season. The points are reset, and we have a championship to chase,” he said.
“The plan is to chase the wins and stay at the pointy end of the points, so we are in a good position when we arrive for the final round at the Spring Nationals at Tailem Bend in October.”
As he gets ready to head to Dragway at The Bend next month, Paton takes a moment to highlight the work that goes on both at the track and behind the scenes to make it all possible.
“I want to send a big thanks to my crew, I couldn't do this without them – we had a few bumps on Saturday during qualifying at Willowbank but these guys and girls never quit,” Paton said.
“I also want to say a big thanks to my family – they follow me around the country, supporting me in doing this. I know it is not easy for them, and I appreciate it so much.
“A huge thanks as well to the Aeroflow Funny Car workshop. This new car is amazing to drive and already showing how fast it can go after just five passes.
“Recognition must also go to our valued sponsors: Paton Diesel Services, X-PRO by Aeroflow, Rocket Industries, and Bang Shift.
“And last but not least, a big thanks to Graeme and Wendy Cowin and Morice McMillin for trusting myself and our crew with this beautiful car they have built.
“Bring on the Riverbank Nationals!”
The Riverbend Nationals will be held at Dragway at The Bend on March 28-29, featuring the XPRO Nitro Funny Cars as well as Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Mod, Pro Alcohol, and the Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship.
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