International Hot Rod Association - IHRA
page 2
Hoover Claims Torco Pro Modified Shootout Title
Defeats Mike Castellana to claim biggest single-day payday in Pro Modified
racing
Martin, Mich. (Aug. 2,
2008) – As Ed Hoover sat in the staging lanes, waiting for IHRA’s track
staff to clean up an extensive oil-down, he tried not to think about what
was at stake. He was set to square off with Mike Castellana in the final
round of the $100,000 Torco Pro Modified Shootout, and the track clean-up
caused him to sit there in the driver’s seat of his ’68 Camaro and try to
think about anything but the fact that the winner of the race would pocket
$50,000.
Hoover’s mind was at ease because he knew, regardless of how much the track
and weather conditions changes from the time he left his pit area to when he
would actually head down the track, he had the right guy making the calls on
his car.
“It was tough sitting there, but those things happen,” he said. “Al Billes
calls all the shots on this car and he made all the right calls today.”
When the wait was over Hoover claimed the $50,000 first prize before the
race even began. Castellana, one of the steadiest drivers in the Pro
Modified ranks, lit the red-light by a razor-thin -.002 of a second. Though
he won the Shootout at the starting line, Hoover had no idea he had earned
the top prize until fellow competitor Jim Halsey talked to him at the end of
the track.
“I didn’t see his red-light. I knew I had to be on my game and I didn’t know
what kind of light I had,” Hoover said. “But for $50,000 I’ll take it. This
was a great win for Trussell Motorsports and my entire crew. I got out of
the car kicking myself in the head, then Jim Halsey came over and told me he
red-lit. I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t lying before I got too happy.
I couldn’t believe it.”
Hoover had to drive through the strongest field of Pro Modified racers
assembled this season to claim the championship. In the first round he
defeated Halsey, then knocked off defending World Champion Scott Cannon Jr.
in the semifinals. Castellana topped Kenny Lang (a two-time winner on the
circuit this season) and Chip King to advance to the run for the money.
Halsey could not believe how the final round unfolded.
“This is great. I’ve never been in as big a money race as this one and Mike
usually doesn’t make mistakes like that,” he said. “He’s a great driver and
I respect him for everything he’s done. But it was our turn. You have to
have a little bit of luck on your side.”
Castellana pocketed the $20,000 runner-up prize.
The Torco Pro Mod Shootout championship continued a recent hot streak for
Hoover. He advanced to the final round in Budds Creek a month ago before
winning the Mopar Canadian Nationals at Grand Bend Motorplex in late July.
Though it took a little while for Hoover to get on track this season he had
a simple explanation…new car blues.
“We turned a corner in this car, we have it working good and that’s what you
get when you have good equipment,” Hoover said. “This G-Force car has been
very good to us. Our car last year was great but it took a race or two to
get a handle on this one. But it has a window in it now. It could be wrong
and still go down the track fast. That’s what you have to have because the
track changes, the sun comes out, people oil the track and it changes. You
have to have a car that can take all the elements. We feel like we have
that.”
Added Incentive for Rocky Mountain Nationals
Professional Racers making the trip to the 2008 Rocky Mountain Nationals at
Castrol Raceway in Edmonton will have additional incentive this season.
The Rocky Mountain National IHRA Crew
Bonus will provide the top 12 Alcohol Funny Car drivers and the top 18 in
both Pro Stock and Pro Modified (according to IHRA points standings
following the President’s Cup Nationals) with a free car and driver entry,
plus four crew entries, for the 2008 event. This will be in addition to the
Edmonton travel incentive already in place.
“This is another way we want to take care of our racers. We understand the
tow to Edmonton for the Rocky Mountain Nationals is the longest on our
circuit and, with the price of fuel, our racers could use a break,” IHRA
president Aaron Polburn said. “With our cash incentives this is a great
opportunity we hope our professional drivers will take advantage of. We
think a free car and driver, with the additional crew entries, is an
excellent added value. This is a great idea Rob Reeves from Castrol Raceway
wanted to see in place and we all owe him a thanks for this.”
Here are the details of the cash incentive program:
Category Points Position Incentive
Torco Racing Fuels / Knoll Gas Pro Nitro Top Fuel Top 12 $7,500
Torco Racing Fuels / Knoll Gas Pro Nitro Funny Car Top 12 $7,500
Alcohol Funny Car Top 12 $2,000
Torco Racing Fuels / Knoll Gas Pro Modified Top 18 $2,000
Torco Racing Fuels /Knoll Gas Pro Stock Top 18 $2,000
In order to receive these incentives, a team must hold a top 12 or 18
standing in their class, make two rounds of qualifying (including the “Night
of Fire”), and if qualified, run the first round of eliminations. If you do
not qualify, but otherwise meet the above criteria, you will still receive
the incentive amount.
Content of this web site is copyright by Motorsports Addiction Racing News & Tim Johnson Motorsports Photography. Photos & stories submitted to this site are the property of the original writer or photographer and should not be copied or reproduced without permission.