Pre0season testing 98-01-14

January 14, 1998

Cheek, Kirk, Williford fast in pre-season Pro Stock testing

DARLINGTON, S.C. -- International Hot Rod Association Pro Stock World Champion Floyd Cheek and two-time IHRA Pro Stock world champ Doug Kirk established unofficial quickest and fastest runs in the sanctioning body's history during a pre-season test last weekend at Darlington International Dragway. Cheek, driving the Dynotech Ford Probe, covered DID's quarter-mile in 6.653 seconds at 208.23 miles per hour. Cheek's mile per hour mark is unofficially the fastest in IHRA Pro Stock history. Kirk powered his Gary St. Denis-owned Dodge Avenger to an impressive 6.633 second pass at 207.46 mph, and then followed up with the quickest unofficial elapsed time in Pro Stock history at 6.626 seconds. Steve Williford, driving the Williford Farms Chevrolet Monte Carlo, recorded a career-best run of 6.694, 206.69. "The track has been awesome and the weather has been ideal for testing this early in the year," said DID track manager David Johnson. "If this is any indication, we can expect some record-breaking performances for all classes at the upcoming IHRA national event in May." Darlington International Dragway will host the second IHRA national event of the 1998 season, April 29-May 3.