NHRA News: Cowin to run entire 2002 POWERade Series (12/18/2001)

Cowin to run entire 2002 POWERade Series

12/18/2001

"With the confidence we have in ourselves and the sport, we're putting it on the line for an all-out assault in 2002."
-- Andrew Cowin

Australian drag racing sensation Andrew Cowin has announced that he and his Cowin Family Racing team will contest the entire 23-race, $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series tour in 2002.

Buoyed by strong performances in 2001, the sport's increasing popularity with both race fans and television viewers, and the signing of Coca Cola's POWERade brand as the NHRA series' major sponsor, Cowin believes the time is right for he and his team to make the commitment.

"Drag racing is loud, colourful and exciting and it's the fastest growing motor sport in America," Cowin said. "We believe we're capable of being competitive against the best drag racers in the world and with the confidence we have in ourselves and the sport, we're putting it on the line for an all-out assault in 2002.

"We've raced on a part-time basis the last three years and our performances have become stronger as we've gained more valuable experience. With that experience and the full backing of my family and team, I believe we're ready to tackle the tour full-time and aim for nothing less than event wins and a top 10 finish."

The 22-year-old son of Australian drag racing legend Graeme Cowin has been a standout since debuting his 6,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster in the U.S. in early 1999, covering the standing quarter-mile in as quick as 4.58 seconds and regularly reaching speeds in excess of 320 mph.

In his debut season at age 19, Cowin became the world's "quickest and fastest teenager" when he completed a 4.58-second, 313-mph pass -- a mark that still stands today. That same season Cowin also became the youngest Top Fuel finalist in U.S. Nationals history when he raced veteran Cory McClenathan for the sport's most prestigious title at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

In April 2001, he reached his second career final round and raced Kenny Bernstein for the SummitRacing.com Nationals title at the Strip in Las Vegas. While at the 50th Anniversary NHRA Nationals, held in July in Pomona, Calif., Cowin recorded his first Top Speed of the Meet' reaching 321 mph on Pomona Raceway quarter-mile.

Contesting just 15 of the 23 NHRA national events held during 2001, Cowin finished an extremely creditable 11th in points; the Sydneysider ranked as high as eighth before a scheduled mid-season return to Australia.

"History shows we are capable," Cowin said. "We qualified at every event we attended this year and consistently in the top half of the 16-car field, so there's no reason not to expect anything less than a competitive effort.

"Drag racing is all about consistency, especially with Top Fuel dragsters; when you're trying to produce 6,000 horsepower, they are extremely volatile and tend to be temperamental. Our aim is to be consistent -- not necessarily the fastest -- and if we achieve that then we'll win races."

Along with the Cowin Family Racing team's strong performances during 2001, other major factors in their decision to commit to a full 2002 campaign has been steadily increasing spectator attendances, a massive 60-percent jump in the television ratings, and the signing of Coca-Cola's POWERade as the NHRA's new major sponsor.

"The POWERade Drag Racing Series has never been more popular than it is now -- it has been recognised as second only to NASCAR and ahead of both the CART and IRL," Cowin says. "And now that POWERade has become title sponsor of the NHRA, the sport looks set to become more popular -- it's going to explode. Coca-Cola will market drag racing like it has never been done before and that's going to take us to the next level.

"It is an exciting time for drag racing and we are excited about the prospects for the Andrew Cowin and the Cowin Family Racing team. We really want to be a part of it and, hopefully, we'll be a major part of it."

Having spent five weeks at home in Sydney following the conclusion of the 2001 series, Cowin will return to the team's Palmdale, Calif., base to prepare for the coming season in the week following Christmas.

"It is tough leaving home and travelling to the other side of the world to race -- living on the road and being away from my family and friends," Cowin said. "But, this is the opportunity of a lifetime, it is something I have always wanted to do and I'm just jumping out of my skin wanting to get back into my car and race. I'm ready to go!"

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