Norwalk: Ed Hoover race summary

NORWALK, Ohio-Ed Hoover made his best showing since winning the season-opening Winter Nationals in March during the 23rd annual Mopar Parts World Nationals at Norwalk Raceway Park. The event is the seventh of eleven on the IHRA Summit Drag Racing Series.

>From the opening of the event, Hoover was in championship form, steadily improving his performance through the three qualifying rounds. The Gilbert, S.C., resident ran a career-best elapsed time of 6.362 seconds at 221 mph, good for the number three spot.

In round one, Hoover defeated Tommy Mauney of Shelby, N.C., with an elapsed time of 6.468 / 212 to a 6.503 / 216.

Round two was Hoover's before it began when his opponent Roy Wasko failed to make the call to the starting line. Wasko was unable to repair engine damage sustained in the previous round. Hoover made a single run and shut it down around the 1,000 foot mark and coasted to 7.021 / 144 time.

Hoover met Mitch Stott of Mill Spring, NC., in the semi-final round but the drag racing gods were not on his side. Hoover rolled the beams and fouled, handing the victory to Stott.

The next IHRA national event is the Parts Pro North American Nationals in Epping, N.H., Sept. 8-10.