2009 was a memorable season for Wade Owens and if his performance at the Jeg’s NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals is any indication, the veteran drag racer from Cape Girardeau, Missouri is in for another standout year.

 

Owens has driven his self-built 1966 Chevelle to an NHRA National Open win, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional runner-up, four heads-up class championships, the number one qualifying spot at the 2010 Cajun SPORTSnationals and a fourth place points finish in the NHRA North Central division 2009 Stock Eliminator points.  Wade’s headline nabbing success is representative of his hard work, both on and off the drag strip.  Owens is a service manager for two Dodge dealerships and works equally as hard to make his 283 cid Chevelle among the quickest in the country.  He loves the challenge of finding more horsepower and does so successfully.

 

Wade’s father, Terry Owens, got him started behind the wheel of 1968 Road Runner that Wade was supposed to drive on the street and to school.  Wade’s plans to drive the Road Runner soon fell through when the local Sikeston Drag Strip reopened and his father chose to race the car instead.  Wade then bought an all original 1966 Chevelle.  Owens still owns the original Chevelle, the same car he drove to High School, took his wife out on dates in, and hopes to one day “do it right” and fix up the classic muscle car “the way I want it.”

 

While Wade is best known in his ’66 Chevelle, he has enjoyed a variety of other bowties over the years.  He competed in Super Stock from 1993-1995 in his 1969 Camaro, he raced his 1968 Chevelle in 10.5” tire competition, and even owned a 1959 Biscayne show car.  Show car quality should come as no surprise considering the immaculate presentation of his Chevelle drag car that exceeds many show car standards.

 

Wade thanks his wife, Joyce and son, Alex for their continued support.  Alex serves as Wade’s crew chief and is an AtTheDragStrip.com photo contributor who hopes to jump behind the wheel himself in the near future.