Ed Hoover - Epping Report

Final Round Appearance at Northern Nationals for Ed Hoover comes just short of second season win

EPPING, NH - Ed Hoover again stunned the Pro Modified contingent with impressive runs in both qualifying and eliminations at the IHRA Parts Pro North American Nationals in Epping, NH. Friday's rain delay cut into qualifying sessions, making each run that much more important to Hoover, fresh off his win at Norwalk. But, in spite of his best efforts which took him all the way to the finals of the Mopar Parts World Nationals two weeks ago, Hoover's equipment could not hold up to his determination to win, leaving him as a semi-finalist for the weekend.

In qualifying, Hoover continued to shine in the afterglow of his Norwalk win by hammering out a 6.419/220.08, good enough to stand as the quickest nitrous entry and third in the prospective qualifying order. He stepped up again in the final session with a 6.397/219.97, good enough for the third spot.

He had to face Steve Cossis in the first round. Hoover gave the advantage to Cossis at the start and then reeled him in with a 6.426/219.58, overpowering Cossis' 6.526/216.76 for the win. Going into the second round of eliminations against 'The Iceman', Shannon Jenkins, Hoover laid down a smooth 6.566/190.81 and took the win when Jenkins got out of the groove and shut down. Going into the semifinals against Al Billes, Hoover appeared to be on his way to a second consecutive final. The two combatants stayed close until the halfway mark when Hoover took a slight lead. Unfortunately, Hoover was forced to lift early and let Billes advance.

Hoover and Trussell Motorsports will continue their bid for the championship at the IHRA CARQUEST Autumn Nationals in Rockingham, NC., September 24-26. Hoover, along with each Pro Modified contestant will be afforded two qualifying runs on Friday and Saturday. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday.

This event will be televised on ESPN2 with the dates TBA in an upcoming issue of the IHRA's Drag Review Magazine.