Epping: Charlie Hunt race notes

EPPING, NH - The Charlie Hunt two-car Pro Stock team can look at things on the optimistic side. Having two cars reach the quarter-finals is a whole lot better than having both exit in the opening round. At the Amalie North American Nationals in Epping, NH., the formidable Ford duo of Floyd Cheek and Gene Wilson both drivers scored holeshot wins in the first round, only to lose one round later.

Gene Wilson, the newest addition to the team in 2000, pushed his Probe to a fourth qualifying position with a 6.670/209.49. His seeding paired him opposite of defending IHRA Pro Stock champion Chris Holbrook in the first round. Wilson was the quicker of the two as he scored the win with a 6.690/209.30. He matched up against Jon Yoak in the quarters and severe tire shake forced him to lift.

Floyd Cheek, who joined the team last season, claimed the tenth position in the program and was paired against Steve Spiess in the first round of eliminations. In a battle of past national event champions, the Soddy Daisy, Tenn.-based Cheek stepped forward and beat Spiess at both ends of the track with a 6.737/207.34. He fell short in the second round as he lost to eventual final round contestant Jerry Yeoman.

The team will be geared and ready to go in two weeks when the IHRA Summit Drag Racing Series rolls into Rockingham for the CARQUEST Autumn Nationals during Sept. 21-23.