Epping Event Recap

EPPING - Event Recap

by Larry Sullivan EPPING, N.H. - SUMMIT FastNews - Excellent weather conditions propelled competitors at the 1998 IHRA North American Nationals to new heights of performance, shattering several records enroute to the final round of eliminations Sunday. When the racing was over, Doug Herbert, Jay Turner, Stewart Evans, Scotty Cannon, Von Smith, and Larry Snyder stood atop the winner's podium at New England Dragway. In Top Fuel, Herbert made an unopposed run in the final round of Top Fuel when his opponent, Tommy Johnson Jr., was unable to repair chassis damage suffered in a huge engine explosion in the semifinals. Rather than taking an easy stroll down the track, Herbert used the opportunity to back up the 310.91 mph speed he'd posted in the semifinals with a 4.749 second, 310.34 mph clocking. His elapsed time in the semifinals, 4.745 seconds, was already backed up as the new IHRA elapsed time standard. In Top Fuel Harley, Jay Turner defeated Bob Spina with a 6.766 at 204.51 to Spina's slowing 6.843 at 181.11. Earlier the two had traded the IHRA ET and speed record back and forth, Spina getting the last ET record at 6.603 and Turner the last speed record at 206.01. In Pro Stock, Stewart Evans took home his first national event win with a 6.694 second, 207.56 mph run against Daniel Seamon, who ran a quicker 6.684 at 207.82, Evans' better reaction time producing the win. Seamon's elapsed time set a new IHRA record, while Evans' driver Chris Holbrook reset the speed mark at 209.23. In Pro Modified, Scotty Cannon continued his dominance of the category, defeating Tim McAmis in the final round with a 6.487 at 216.41 mph to McAmis' slowing 6.903 at 158.82. In the semifinals Cannon lowered the ET record to 6.348 at 222.33, the speed also a record. In Alcohol Funny Car, Von Smith posted the win with a track record elapsed time of 5.884 seconds at 239.74 mph, besting Jimmy Rector, who had handling problems. In Super Eliminator, Larry Snyder posted a 6.207 at 221.38 to defeat Gary Leczner. Earlier Snyder reset the category ET record to 6.153 seconds. In other final rounds -- Rusty Cook posted double wins, Quick Rod - defeating Eric Pierce, and Super Rod - defeating Mike Sawyer Top Dragster - Edward Careccia defeated Rick Willard Top Sportsman - Marco Abruzzi defeated Ron Gregoire Modified Eliminator - Doc Bilbrey defeated Matt Decoff Hot Rod - Rick Cooper defeated Bitsy Satterly Super Stock - Kent Hanley defeated Marc La Brecque Stock - Paul Crowe defeated Ralph Conte Electronics ET - Ken LeBlanc defeated Steve Clukey No Box ET - Al Reed defeated Peter Kabelka Electronics vs No Box Final - Reed defeated LeBlanc Results provided by the FastNews Network, courtesy of Summit Racing Equipment ** http://www.summitracing.com/ **