Surprise, surprise – Ed Hoover and Kenny Lang met in the final of an IHRA Pro Modified national event.

In what has become quite the rivalry, the top two drivers in IHRA Pro Mod points – and perhaps two of the best quarter-mile drag racers in the world – went head-to-head for the sixth time this season and the fourth time in an IHRA national event final round.

And this time it was Lang’s turn to lead.

Surprise, surprise – Ed Hoover and Kenny Lang met in the final of an IHRA Pro Modified national event.

In what has become quite the rivalry, the top two drivers in IHRA Pro Mod points – and perhaps two of the best quarter-mile drag racers in the world – went head-to-head for the sixth time this season and the fourth time in an IHRA national event final round.

And this time it was Lang’s turn to lead.

Lang, in his seventh consecutive final, snapped a two-race losing streak to Hoover in picking up his second consecutive victory Sunday at the Amalie Oil North American Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H.

“It has been good this year. Obviously it has been seven in a row for us and of course having Ed is tough, but getting by him is great,” Lang said. “It puts us in a comfortable position with two races to go.”

And that comfortable position is at the top of the championship standings – some 74 points ahead of Hoover.

“Coming in here I just wanted to keep pace with him and leaving here with another 20 points is great,” Lang said. “It could have gone either way.”

Lang (Grande Pointe, Manitoba) ran a solid 6.017 elapsed time at a new track record pace of 241.63 miles per hour in the final to drive around Hoover (Gilbert, S.C.) who hit the cone at mid-track and nearly took out Lang.

Hoover had a nice launch, but immediately veered left and almost took out Lang before giving up on the run.

Lang kept in it for a new track speed record.

“I saw him coming over. They obviously had a better light than me and all of a sudden I saw him walking over into my lane and I thought he was going to tag the car,” Lang said. “Luckily we made it through and he was alright.”

Along with the season-defining win over Hoover, Lang also recorded wins over Andy Jensen and John Russo to reach his seventh final in eight tries.

In the semifinal round Jensen set a new mark in IHRA Pro Modified competition with the first ever turbocharged round win as he got around John Russo in the opening round.

In other first round action Hoover recorded an easy win over Pete Farber, Lang defeated Tony Pontieri and No. 1 qualifier Montrond defeated Chris Russo.

Now it is down to two races for the pair of drivers who always seem to find themselves matched up on race day.

“We always seem to be up against him at some point,” Lang said. “He is a tough competitor and we try to be the same.

“There are two races left and still a lot of racing to go. We will be ready.” 

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