Hough doubles up at Pacific Raceways

By Eric Lotz

Mike Austin and Brian Hough raced to victory Aug. 22 at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Wash., and the NHRA Northwest Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Austin, Medford, Ore., advanced to his second final in two days facing off against Shawn Cowie, Delta, B.C. in both and getting the better of Cowie in Saturday night’s final in Top Alcohol Dragster.  Austin, who is battling Cowie for the division championship, outran Cowie with a 5.499 second pass at 259.86 mph to Cowie’s 5.575, 240.25.  On Friday, Cowie got the best of Austin in the completion of the rain delayed Lucas Oil event from Mission Raceway Park.

Fellow Oregon racer Hough of Junction City, beat Jeff Ashwell in round one then had a bye run in the semifinals in advancing to the Top Alcohol Funny Car final with Southern California racer Steve Gasparrelli of West Covina.  Hough’s 5.624 second lap at 258.53 proved too much for Gasparrelli’s 5.804 at 252.95.  Both racers are in the top 10 points nationally.  Hough has all but clinched the NHRA Northwest division championship where Gasparrelli is in contention for the NHRA Pacific Division.

Darryn O’Connor also doubled this weekend out of Fort St. John, B.C. in the Top Sportsman class winning over Craig Olson with a 7.381 at 178.95 after taking the Mission Raceway win on Thursday against Spencer Martin.

The state of Washington was well represented in the winner’s circle led by Aaron Strong, Auburn, Wash., over Brandon Huhtala in Comp Eliminator and Dallas Glenn, Covington, Wash., defeating Tommy Gaynor, Vancouver, Wash., in Stock.  Also winning for the home state were Michael Dalrymple, Sunnyside, in Super Comp; Dustin Martin, Federal Way, in Super Street; Brian Phillips, Prosser, in Top Dragster; Jeff Havens, Yakima, in the Sportsman Motorcycle class presented by Harley Davidson; Jody Murray, Bonny Lake, in Super Pro; and Allen Macham, Everett, in Pro ET.

In the Super Stock class it was Art Congdon, Calgary, Alb., holding off Jim Isherwood of Sumas, Wash., and Mike Shannon, Kelowna, B.C., downed Andy Boen, Yakima, Wash., in the Super Gas class with his 57 Corvette.

 Northwest Division racers head to Champion Raceway for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, Sept. 25-26.