"I always wanted to race in America," Mostrom said. "It's different. Everybody is better at driving the cars; more professional."

Mostrom made his IHRA debut two weeks earlier at Epping, N.H., where although he failed to qualify, his 526 c.i. Ford-powered 1963 'Vette earned Best Engineered Pro Car honors. Mostrom missed the bump again at Rockingham, but still didn't leave empty handed, as he took home the Best Appearing Pro Car award.

Mostrom met Mike Faucher when he purchased a 1967 Nova Pro Mod from him in 1996. The Nova has since been sold to a racer in China (!) and Mostrom hand-built his current '63 Corvette in Sweden and had it shipped by boat to compete with IHRA at two events this year.

HARD LANDING

For a split second after beating Steve Spiess in the second round of Pro Stock eliminations, Carl Baker was happily looking forward to racing John Montecalvo in the semi-finals, but the excitement was just starting for the North Ridgeville, OH-based driver.

Carl Baker's 2001 Cougar suffered extensive damage in his crash at Rockingham, but the driver was able to walk away because the roll cage held up perfectly.

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