NHRA’s marquee annual US Nationals includes “Bucket List” wins by two iconic Canadian racing teams….
Canada was most certainly included — within the NHRA event highlight reels from the Cornwall Quality Tools US Nationals — as two Western Canadian teams were left standing proud.
Defending NHRA Lucas Oil World Champion Shawn Cowie — who entered the US Nationals for the first time with the #1 embossed on the wing of his Mundie’s Towing & Recovery TAD – collected his much sought after first NHRA U.S. Nationals win.
The talented Langley-BC based group used consistently quick math to stop a seriously star studded field at Indy — after qualifying #2 (5.201 secs) for eliminations.
Shawn drove by Madison Payne (with his event best time 5.175 secs) in round #1 and then Jon Bradford and Melanie Johnson to advance to his 3rd career NHRA US Nationals final round – but this time he came out on top.
In that final Shawn moved first and simply would not be denied paired against first time finalist Jamie Noonan, recording a winning 5.254 secs at 276.69 mph — while Noonan succumbed to tire spin.
This win was the 27th of Shawn’s ever-increasing NHRA career count — and the second this season.
“Indy has been on my “bucket list” for pretty much my entire racing career,” he said satisfied. “I’ve been to the final twice before (2010 & 2016) but just couldn’t seal the deal. The magic of winning Indy is a real thing (!) because it’s an event that carries so much significance.”
“We had a great performance in the car all weekend and I’m really proud of my team for making it all happen.”
The Cornwall Quality Tools US Nationals also did include an important exhibition component – the latest round for the 2025 Legends Nitro Funny Car tour (featuring the Nostalgia FC class).
That scheduled 8-car field saw the legendary Hodgson Racing Team (from Edmonton) prevail with the team’s newest driver, Nathan Sitko again showing his inherent driving skills.
The Hodgson Racing Firebird, sporting both the team’s legendary “Bubble Up & Pacemaker” livery/motif found their stride after qualifying #5 for the program.
Nathan Sitko took the measure of Todd Miller and Geoff Moise in rounds #1 and #2, before posting his best run of the event at a perfect time — in the final round.
His 4.757 secs at 235.15 mph pushed his team to victory lane while final round opponent Jon Capps shut off with tire spin.
“It’s over a week later and we’re still riding high from Indy,” Nathan stated. “It’s really is hard to put into words what this event win means.”
“This win is the biggest accomplishment of my racing career, but it belongs to our entire team, our sponsors, and especially our families who make it possible for us to chase this dream. To hoist a Wally at Indy is every drag racer’s dream — I’m so grateful for the support of my wife and kids, because without them I couldn’t do what I love at this level.”
“This “Bubble Up” Funny Car is more than just a race car — it’s a piece of Canadian drag racing history. So to bring the team back to a Indy winner’s circle (Gordie Bonin – 1979) — more than four decades later — is really something to be proud of and is something I’ll never forget.”
Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos by Dave DeAngelis & courtesy Cowie Racing
View more Canadian Racer images from NHRA Indy at the LMLC Media event gallery: HERE
