From the Nitro Nationals at Rocky Mountain Raceways to the Rocky Mountain Nationals at Castrol Raceway, IHRA’s west coast swing continues this weekend as drivers from all over the globe converge on Edmonton, Alberta, Canada for the seventh annual River Cree Resort and Casino Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Paradise RV.

While the IHRA it typically considered more of an east coast racing organization, the past two weeks have proven the sanctioning bodies’ continued commitment to expanding its borders and growing its presence across North America.

From the Nitro Nationals at Rocky Mountain Raceways to the Rocky Mountain Nationals at Castrol Raceway, IHRA’s west coast swing continues this weekend as drivers from all over the globe converge on Edmonton, Alberta, Canada for the seventh annual River Cree Resort and Casino Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Paradise RV.

While the IHRA it typically considered more of an east coast racing organization, the past two weeks have proven the sanctioning bodies’ continued commitment to expanding its borders and growing its presence across North America.

For drag racing fans that means more racing at a track near you, but for the drivers that expansion means more miles logged on the trucks and trailers hauling the rigs from one stop to the next across the U.S. and Canada.

Two drivers in particular, Pro Modified veteran Ed Hoover and Top Fuel ace Bobby Lagana Jr, have learned the hard way what growing the IHRA brand is all about.

Lagana, a New York native who has traveled with the IHRA for both of their west coast stops and Gilbert, S.C. native Ed Hoover both made the long haul to Edmonton this weekend and both are hoping to make the long trips pay off with wins at one of the largest drag races in North America.

“The best part about this event is the fans. They don’t have a lot going on up here so they really appreciate the IHRA coming up here,” Hoover said. “I remember a few years ago we got here on Friday and it was pouring outside. Despite the rain, I had more fans come by that day and thank me for coming than I do during most sunny days.

“They are all nice people and they take the time to thank you for being here. You don’t see much of that anymore.”

Hoover’s crew began their journey one week and 3,000 miles ago, making it to the Edmonton track early this week. Hoover, however, decided to meet his team a few days later in an effort to avoid fatigue behind the wheel.

While the trip is long enough in a plane, behind the wheel the miles – and the wear and tear on both the equipment and the body – can really add up.

“We spent a week and roughly $4,000 on maintenance alone just to make the journey,” Hoover said. “It beats them to death during the four day drive and that is why I fly because the driver doesn’t need to be tired on Sunday.

“But once we get up here, the fans make it all worth while.”

Top Fuel veteran Lagana reiterated that thought.

Lagana, who rarely passes on a chance to race, made the trip to Salt Lake City last weekend for the IHRA Nitro Nationals and wasted little time packing up and heading across the border for the race in Edmonton this weekend.

“We were in Salt Lake City when I made the comment that maybe we should have our heads examined as far away from home as we are, but it was beautiful out there,” Lagana said. “Already being in Utah the trip wasn’t bad coming up here. I have been here every single year except for one and I really think it is a pleasure racing here.”

And Lagana isn’t done yet. Immediately following the race this weekend Lagana and his crew will pack up and head back across the border for an event in New Hampshire next week. He will then return to Canada a week later for the MOPAR Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend.

“We are definitely going to see the country. From the Midwest, east, central and west, we are going to see it all,” Lagana said. “These are dedicated racers. Every car that is up here and even some of the guys who wanted to come but couldn’t make it, they are all hardcore racers. That is what the IHRA is all about – dedicated racers.” 

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