Edelbrock World Finals
Fontana, California
November 17, 2007
Final Qualifying Order
Hughes Performance
Pro Street
Driver E/T Speed
R. Walker 6.444@215.65
J. Mihovetz 6.460@216.13
C. Hairston 6.468@216.69
M. Bowman 6.475@220.62
K. Blubaugh 6.475@217.32
E. Thornton 6.616@216.62
G. Nevarez 6.635@211.30
K. Kuhns 6.662@199.40
J. Scialpi 6.726@215.07
J. Mock 6.836@210.54
J. Hanger 6.923@212.43
K. Wilson 7.313@183.15
PSCA Edelbrock World Finals
Last weekend the regulars of the PSCA's Hughes Performance Pro Street circuit were back at in Fontana for the final race of the season. Many were coming off of stellar performances at SCSN III earlier this month while others had something to prove before seasons end. What was evident however was the fact that the west coast is home to arguably one of the largest and quickest Pro Street contingents in the country. Saturday's qualifying was simply amazing as it took a run in the 6.40s to make the top five.
Randy Walker from Palm Desert, California led the way with a 6.44 posted in the very first round of qualifying. The animated Walker Automotive Team has been a fixture in the west coast Pro Street wars since the early 90s. The 74 El Camino has evolved from an actual street car to one of the quickest nitrous cars on the west coast. Following Walker was current PSCA ET record holder John Mihovetz who's Cougar continues to impress with regular runs in the low to mid 6.40s.
John Mihovetz Continues to impress with the Mod Motor Combo....
Team WFO's Kelly Blubaugh runs a career low 6.475 to qualify 5th
Clint Hairston duplicated his strong qualifying runs at the SCSNs with more 6.40s in the slick small block GTO. Long time favorite and all around good guy Mike Bowman began to show streaks of greatness from his earlier days as the west coast's favorite son ran his first 6.40s with the new combination. Rounding out the top five was Kelly Bluebaugh and the WFO team with their new Fulton combination yielding its first run in the 40s.
Many of the top runners including Thornton, Kuhns, Scialpi, Mock and Nevarez struggled with their set-ups during qualifying and were down on the ladder following Saturday's last qualifying session. Jeremy Hanger showed some great potential in the Studebaker as he pedaled a big wheelie, lifted several times and still ran 212 MPH out the back door.
Gil Nevarez had the quickest Blown Car during Qualifying (6.635)
Jeremy Hanger posted a career best MPH in Qualifying (212.43)
Sunday's eliminations brought several upsets, none bigger than #12 qualifier Karl Wilson running his first six second pass and defeating #1 qualifier Randy Walker in the process. 
Karl has been slowly sorting out his blown small block combination and is starting to run with the big boys. Next up was John Scialpi who continued to struggle against a now consistent Mike Bowman. Bowman got out to an early lead and never looked back with a 6.58 at 218 MPH. Speaking of struggling, Kirk Kuhns has been going crazy trying to sort out his Willys with the small cubic inch Hemi. Kuhns finally got the thing to work and tripped the lights with a 6.356 @ 220 MPH and in the process put the first leg on John Mihovetz's ET record by .001. Kelly Bluebaugh was on the receiving end of Kuhn's run and despite a big hole shot did not have enough to hold off the hard charging Willys. Mihovetz, Thornton and Mock were all able to advance as Hanger, Nevarez and Hairston all ran into tire shake or starting line problems.
SCSN III Runner-up Jimmy Mock did not have the same success at Fontana as he crossed the centerline during the 2nd round of elims against eventual race winner Mike Bowman!!!
Kurt Kuhns posted the quickest pass of the weekend with a blistering 6.356
In the Second round Wilson improved on his previous 6.92 with a 6.91 but it was not enough for Big Ed Thornton's 6.43 at a blazing 225 MPH. Bowman used another consistent 6.51 at 218 MPH to take out Jimmy Mock who experienced handling problems and crossed the centerline. Kuhn's put a little too much power in the Willys against Mihovetz and John kept the record and won the round with a 6.44 to Kuhn's 6.45.
Mihovetz rattled the tires in the semis against Bowman who put down yet another 6.54. Thornton received a bye into the final and smacked down another 6.43 securing lane choice in the final. Thornton and Bowman - two long time west coast hitters would meet in a Pro Street final for the first time in years. This would also be a PSCA first with two twin turbo big block cars facing off for all the marbles. Unfortunately for Thornton it ended early as a blown head gasket sent water under the tire and Ed was forced to watch Bowman slam down another 6.50 for his first PSCA Pro Street win. Not all was lost for Thornton as he and the Accufab 57 team won their 4th PSCA Pro Street Championship. John Mihovetz finished 2nd in the points just ahead of John Scialpi and the Woppado team.
Ed Thornton Earned his unprecedented 4th PSCA Pro Street Championship!!!
The PSCA will be back at it on January 25-27 at the Strip in Las Vegas for the 10th Annual Mickey Thompson Tires Winter Nationals. Congratulations to all the other winners and class champions listed below:
Choose Association!!
