Hoover qualifies for quickest-ever Pro Modified field in drag racing history

ROCKINGHAM, NC. – If Ed Hoover had run a nitrous car this weekend, he would have been a spectator on Sunday. As it turned out, the former nitrous runner turned supercharger advocate blistered the Rockingham Dragway racing surface to  quickest run of his storied career with a 6.074, 233.08 to qualify eighth.

Hoover unfortunately lost a close decision in the first round to Danny Rowe, but not before turning in one of his best performances of 2006.

Hoover had a formula that mandated his approach to the sometimes tricky Rockingham surface.

“We just wanted to get down the track in the early going and that’s what we did,” Hoover said. “We turned it up when we had to. You can’t get greedy. This is my hometown track now that Darlington is gone.”

Pro Modified -- 1. John Russo, Chevy Camaro, 6.012, 234.74 vs. 9. Alan Pittman, Chevy Bel Air, 6.080, 229.86; 2. Josh Hernandez, Camaro, 6.030, 235.47 vs. 10. Steve Bareman, Dodge Stratus, 6.083, 237.09; 3. Carl Spiering, Camaro, 6.036, 235.97 vs. 11. Eddie Ware, Camaro, 6.083, 232.23; 4. Scott Cannon, Pontiac GTO, 6.046, 232.51 vs. 12. Tommy D'Aprile, Chevy Corvette, 6.093, 230.88; 5. Troy Critchley, Plymouth Barracuda, 6.061, 237.25 vs. 13. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.096, 233.03; 6. Tony Pontieri, Bel Air, 6.062, 235.35 vs. 14. Mike Stawicki, Camaro, 6.098, 215.44; 7. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.067, 233.64 vs. 15. Raymond Commisso, Camaro, 6.100, 234.78; 8. Ed Hoover, Corvette, 6.074, 233.08 vs. 16. Danny Rowe, Corvette, 6.106, 232.39.

PRO MODIFIED:

ROUND ONE -- Danny Rowe, Chevy Corvette, 6.070, 231.99 def. Ed Hoover, Corvette, 6.119, 230.06; Raymond Commisso, Chevy Camaro, 6.140, 224.62 def. Mike Janis, Chevy Cobalt, 6.345, 217.77; Tony Pontieri, Chevy Bel Air, 6.037, 234.94 def. Mike Stawicki, Camaro, 9.287, 98.06; Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.158, 230.10 def. Troy Critchley, Plymouth Barracuda, 6.172, 234.74; Scott Cannon, Pontiac GTO, 6.109, 225.75 def. Tommy D'Aprile, Corvette, 6.139, 231.00; Eddie Ware, Camaro, 6.129, 231.75 def. Carl Spiering, Camaro, 6.218, 230.53; Josh Hernandez, Camaro, 6.022, 236.38 def. Steve Bareman, Dodge Stratus, 14.774, 43.37; John Russo, Camaro, 6.073, 232.51 def. Alan Pittman, Bel Air, 6.583, 194.44;

QUARTERFINALS -- Hernandez, 5.990, 236.80 def. Pontieri, 6.048, 234.49; Cannon, 6.055, 231.00 def. Rowe, 6.041, 231.28; Commisso, 6.108, 232.23 def. Ware, 6.145, 229.08; Russo, 6.115, 231.48 def. Stott, 6.120, 231.40;

SEMIFINALS -- Commisso, 7.805, 145.11 def. Russo, 15.575, 51.49; Cannon, 6.537, 207.85 def. Hernandez, 7.619, 161.75;

FINAL -- Cannon, 6.051, 226.16 def. Commisso, foul.