Ed Hoover spent much of Friday morning at the NHRA Springnationals, thrashing to bring his engine up to code per the NHRA rulebook.

Hoover, a GSA NHRA Pro Mod racer from Columbia, SC, was one of eleven teams flagged for infractions, the result of a spot check of rules pertaining to supercharger opening and wheelbase. He was fine on the wheelbase, but .175 of an inch to large of an opening did him in on the supercharger.

“We just had to shrink the opening a bit,” said Hoover, as he worked away. “They had a rule that I didn’t know about. The supercharger I have is about four years old. They have made some rules since I had this supercharger built.”

Ed Hoover spent much of Friday morning at the NHRA Springnationals, thrashing to bring his engine up to code per the NHRA rulebook.

Hoover, a GSA NHRA Pro Mod racer from Columbia, SC, was one of eleven teams flagged for infractions, the result of a spot check of rules pertaining to supercharger opening and wheelbase. He was fine on the wheelbase, but .175 of an inch to large of an opening did him in on the supercharger.

“We just had to shrink the opening a bit,” said Hoover, as he worked away. “They had a rule that I didn’t know about. The supercharger I have is about four years old. They have made some rules since I had this supercharger built.”

Hoover is in his first full season on the NHRA GSA tour since 2002, when the series was considered an exhibition division. He won an exhibition race in 2001 and reached four final rounds in NHRA competition.

“It’s no big deal, just had to weld a little bit of it up,” Hoover said. “It all sounds easy, but you have to take it [supercharger] all apart.”

Hoover and one other driver had a supercharger infraction.

Seven teams were flagged for wheelbase violations.

The rulebook mandates the Pro Mod wheelbase is 115-inches. The teams outside of the rules were no more than a half-inch beyond the standard.

Traditionally chassis builders will stagger the two front wheels to provide the cars with better rollout. The adjusted front wheels will likely result in improved sixty-foot times.

Danny Rowe, a four-time winner on the NHRA series, found himself on the wrong side of the wheelbase check.

Rowe was given time Friday morning to rectify the issue.

“I’m glad they are checking this stuff,” said Rowe. “The fact we were on the long end of the rule … which we were a quarter-inch off … its good that they are checking the cars this closely. I think the fact they are going to check this is going to show consistency in the enforcement. That will make it exciting for all of us because there will be no question.

“I think this sends a strong positive message. I think it’s great the NHRA is putting in the time and effort to make sure this is all right. I think the fact they are concerned sends a strong message about our future.”

Likewise, Hoover isn’t bothered in the least with the NHRA’s spot check of the rules.

“A rule is a rule and you have to go by it,” Hoover said. “I am glad the NHRA has taken these steps, I want to race in a level playing field. I like to know that when someone wins a race there has been a fair shake. Vice versa, I want everyone to feel they’ve gotten a fair shake when I win.”