COWIN RETURNS TO TF COMPETITION

Andrew Cowin will return to U.S. drag racing in 2006 driving a Top Fueler for owner Scott Griffin. Cowin, who was injured in a non-racing accident two years ago, will compete on the 11-event IHRA circuit and a limited number of NHRA events. He is the son of famed Australian racer Graeme Cowin.

Mark Carrier, Cowin's former car owner and a longtime friend of Griffin, will advise the new team. Griffin, in the insurance business in Wilmington, NC, has raced Top Dragster and Super Comp, and was an instructor at Roy Hill's Drag Racing School.

 

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Keith Stewart, formerly with Cowin and most recently with David Baca, will direct the crew and Ryan Beadle, son of Raymond Beadle, will handle marketing and media relations.

"I am very happy for these guys," Carrier said. "This is a team filled with youth and enthusiasm. When you interject a healthy dose of young players into any sport, it bodes well for the future. I see a lot of good things coming forth from this program." (DRO file photo) [12-01-2005]

PRUDHOMME ADDS SUMMIT

Summit Racing Equipment will be the "official mail order company of Don Prudhomme Racing" for the 2006 season. The Summit logo will be added to both the Miller Lite dragster driven by Larry Dixon and the Skoal Racing Funny Car of Tommy Johnson Jr., along with the drivers' firesuits and pit crew's uniforms. [12-01-2005]

TODD TO DRIVE MENARDS FUELER

J.R. Todd, 23, is the new driver of the Menards Top Fuel Dragster owned by Dexter Tuttle. Billed as "The Quickest, Fastest African-American in Motor Sports," Todd began driving a Jr. Dragster at the age of 10, earned his Super Comp license at 16, and then moved to Top Alcohol Dragsters. He earned his IHRA Top Fuel Dragster license in 2000.

Todd will join the Menards team in Las Vegas for preseason testing before the season-opening NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, CA. The Winternationals will mark Todd's official debut as an NHRA driver in the Top Fuel category. [12-01-2005]