The latest update as of November 18, 2024

SHAWN COWIE - 2024 Top Alcohol Dragster WORLD CHAMPION

It's been a very long time, 18 seasons in all, from his Top Alcohol debut at a Division Six points meet at Mission Raceway Park in May of 2007. After a total of five second place finishes, including four consecutive from 2017 to 2020, three third place finishes, and two fourths, he finally reached the championship podium yesterday at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip by taking a first round win over Mike Coughlin. Along the hard road that he's travelled to this pinnacle, he's overcome a major highway crash that nearly cost him his right foot, almost ended his racing career, and kept him out of the seat for more than two years. Then the loss of his strongest supporter and inspiration, his father Ron Cowie, who lost his battle with cancer in April of 2022. He's overcome all those obstacles, and with the support of his wife Taylor, his children, and one of the hardest working crews in drag racing to reach his ultimate goal.

Here's how he expressed his feelings yesterday on Facebook

Dreams do come true! I couldn't have asked for a better day. Just waiting for it all to sink in. The amount of people that were rooting for us to pull this off/congratulated us/text us after first round is the reason I love this sport so much. Obviously I've been at this for a long time and the ultimate goal is to win a world championship. There are a million people to thank that made this possible along the way: my crew Nick, Thom, Pat, Kelly, and James for never giving up when things got tough this year and believe me there were a few moments! I have the best and most loyal group of guys around! My wife and kids for being so patient with me being away doing this and always supporting me win or lose. My sister for not giving me heck when I'm away from the business and backing me the way Mom and Dad did. Norm Grimes for your infinite wisdom over the years and teaching me so much; you are one of the greatest to do it in this sport and I'm so grateful I got to learn from the best. My sponsors Mundie's Towing, West Can Auto Parts, NGK Spark Plugs and Core Garage Solutions for their continuous support. I'm/our team is going to savour this one! 2024 Top Alcohol Dragster World Champs and it feels damn good! So thankful and grateful!

Coming into the second, and final, round of qualifying, Shawn Cowie was solidly in the upper half of the field in the #3 position, after a very good 5.254 - 277.32 pass on Friday. With cooler air and track temps and a corrected altitude of only 1200 ft, conditions were ripe for some great performances. That was reflected in the cars that ran before him, as he was already bumped down to #5 before launching to a brilliant 5.181 - 279.09 to jump back up to the #2 spot on the ladder.

A few hours later it was time for the main event: the first round of eliminations. Running in the final pair of the round, Shawn knew that his closest pursuer, Jackie Fricke had already advanced to the quarterfinal round, so he had to win this round to be certain of winning the championship. Facing veteran Mike Coughlin in a McPhillips Racing car, Cowie faced a tough challenge, but he was more than up to the task, pounding out his quickest run of the event, an awesome 5.180 - 278.58 to easily cover Coughlin's centerline teasing, early shutoff effort.

While the scoreboard told the tale, the crew got busy with the serious business of celebrating Shawn Cowie's historic World Championship winning run. After so many Top Ten appearances in the standings, thirteen in all, the team finally climbed to the top rung on the success ladder.

Here's a few more shots (borrowed by Shawn Cowie's Facebook page) of (left to right) surrounded by cameras after getting out of the car on the top end following his winning pass over Mike Coughlin in the opening round of eliminations, then appearing on the championship podium with his wife and crew, and sitting by itself, the 2024 World Champion Top Alcohol Dragster trophy, the big gold Wally.

One final shot of Shawn staging up as the sun sets over In-N-Out Burger Pomona dragstrip.