Shawn Bowen (near lane) and Mark Sanders.  (Dennis Mothershed photo)

DRO AA/FC Challenge at St. Louis

Bowen Dominates Series Opener

Words by Jeff Burk 
Photos by Dennis Mothershed and Don Eckert

The Hedman Husler Hedders DragRacingOnline.com AA/FC Challenge presented by Comp Cams opened its sixth season with a brand new race, the Nitro Rendezvous at Gateway Motorsports Park just across the Mississippi River from downtown St. Louis. Although the car count was a little short, the racing action was exceptional with teams coming from Washington, Oklahoma, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin.

Defending DRO national champion Shawn Bowen and the Bowen family’s “Violator” nitro flopper continued their domination of DRO series dating back to last year.

How dominant was the Bowen team? The only word to describe it is TOTAL! They were the quickest and fastest car from the first qualifying lap of 5.827 at 245.32 mph to their semi-final round 5.817/244.69 thrashing of number-two qualifier Mark Sanders in the “Mr. Explosive” Mustang.

In between crew chief and tuner Mike Bowen tuned up the Pontiac and, as a result, they reset the Gateway Motorsports Park track AA/FC record for ET and Speed to a stellar second-round lap of 5.765 at 254.32.

Qualifying 

Even though the field was one car short there were still two qualifying sessions Saturday night and the fans got a show despite the short field. Due to the threat of rain in the area, the show was moved up to make sure to get the rounds in. Bowen led all qualifiers with his 5.82. He was followed by IHRA series regular Mark Sanders in his first DRO series appearance driving the “Mr. Explosive” Mustang tuned by his son, Jake, who ran an effortless 5.915/245.63.

Rounding out the qualifying was Aussie ex-pat Barrie “Bazz” Young driving his Jerry Newman-tuned “Down Under Thunder” ’69 Camaro to a early shut off 6.881/154.74. Oklahoman Fred Farndon’s Chevy followed at 7.395 and Greg Jacobsmeyer’s Mopar was at 7.432.