After two days of rain delays at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series
at Pacific Raceways, Sunday’s eliminations went off without a hitch.
And for Top Alcohol Dragster racer Shawn Cowie it was worth the wait.
The Delta, B.C., resident won his fifth race in as many tries. Steve
Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., didn’t mind the setbacks, either, as
he wheeled his Top Alcohol Funny Car to the winner’s circle for the
first time this year.
Cowie went into eliminations from the No. 1 qualifying spot and squared
off against No. 2 qualifier Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., in the
final. Cowie laid down a 5.370-second, 268.81 mph pass which was more
than enough to cover Severance who slowed to a 16.152-second run at
52.69 mph. Severance was also runner-up to Cowie at the division’s
race last week at Spokane County Dragway.
Gasparrelli, who claims the NHRA Pacific division as his home, took on
Clint Thompson of Klamath Falls, Ore., in the final. Gasparrelli made
the best run of the weekend, a 5.585-second, 257.38 mph effort, against
Thompson. Thompson ran 5.651 seconds at 252.19 mph.