Tue, Dec 1, 08:45 AM Wally Stroupe Posts Win at the Citrus Nationals

Courtesy of Bobby Bennett

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Wally Stroupe might have gotten off to a hot start with a devastating fire at the season-opening IHRA Winter Nationals, but his conclusion was another hot affair of a different sort. The veteran chassis builder from King's Mountain, N.C., put together an impressive barrage of 6.5 second runs on a tricky racing surface to win the Citrus Nationals crown over Inman. S.C., driver Quain Stott.

An elated Stroupe had not planned to make the trek to the Moroso Motorsport's Park hosted event in West Palm Beach, Fla. He explained, "This was a last minute decision for us to go there. I am thankful that we made the gamble and came down here. I would like to thank my parents, Barry and Barbara for being there for me. Most of all, thanks to Trim Parts, Inc., they stuck with me when I was down and not too many sponsors would have done that. This win couldn't have at a better time for us."

Stroupe qualified second in the eight-car field, and used a 6.59 to stop local Pro Modified racer Bill Empke in the opening round. He wounded an engine with a 6.64 et that was enough to stop Jeff Ensslin. That necessitated an engine change between rounds and that was a wise move as Stroupe set low et with a 6.57/213 to stop the low qualifier Stott.