Wed, 4 Nov 2009, 02:04 PM Cowie and Oliver Win Big in Las Vegas

Courtesy of NHRA Field Marketing Photo copyright 2009 Auto Imagery, Inc.

LAS VEGAS --

Standing: Dan Fletcher, Jody Lang, Max Tafoya and David Bogner Kneeling: Daniel Oliver, Troy Coughlin Jr. and Shawn Cowie

Shawn Cowie and Daniel Oliver both picked up their first national event wins of the season this past weekend at the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Cowie, DeLta, B.C., qualified 5th in Top Alcohol Dragster and worked his way through the field to take out hometown racer Brandon Johnson, Las Vegas, in the final with a 5.353 seconds at 267.69 mph pass. Cowie beat No. 1 qualifier Monroe Guest in the semifinals with a 5.391, 267.53 after disposing of Mark Niver in round two.

Oliver, Whittier, Calif., came from the seventh qualifying position to take the win over Alexis De Joria, Bronson, Fla., with a mark of 5.658, 254.09 to De Joria's quicker 5.641 at 255.63 mph.

In Comp Eliminator it was defending event champion and the 2008 NHRA Lucas Oil National Champion Dan Fletcher taking the trophy over Ross Wilson while Jody Lang faced off against his brother Toby in the final of Stock Eliminator. Jody took the win, his 17th national event win of his career.

Troy Coughlin Jr. led the JEGS camp with a win in Super Comp against Anthony Castillo for the first win of his young career; David Bogner put his Dodge Daytona in the winner's circle in Super Stock; and Max Tafoya won over Val Torres in Super Gas. Torres still has an outside shot at the NHRA Lucas Oil Super Gas National Championship but needs a win and a runner-up finish at the last two events of the year.