Dean Cook Wins Stock at NHRA New England Nats

Dean Cook claimed his second national event win at the NHRA New England Nationals in Stock Eliminator.

EPPING, NH – After winning his first national event in the early 1980’s, Dean Cook waited over 30 years for win number two. On Sunday, Dean stood tall in the winners circle as he captured the Stock Eliminator Wally at New England Dragway.

Driving his stick-shifted C/S ’71 Mustang, Cook held off Angelo DiTocco in the final round. Although DiTocco grabbed a .030 lead at the tree, he misjudged the finish line giving the stripe to Cook by .007. Cook capitalized by running .037 over his 10.72 dial-in to collect the long awaited victory.

Cook wasted his best reaction time in round one when his .016 light was minutes ahead of Robert Constantine’s .342 reaction time.

Cook caught a break in round two after posting a .200 reaction time. Luckily his opponent, Thomas Auger turned it -.016 red to advance Cook. Cook then met his son in round three.

The elder statesman of the family prevailed when Cook II went red. In round four, Cook benefited from his third straight redlight win after George LaBelle fouled out.

Cook battled another veteran class racer, Lenny Williams, in the semifinals. The race would be the closest of the day with Cook taking the win by .0003 or about one inch.

Runner up DiTocco was competing in his fifth NHRA national event final round. Although he came up one win light short of the winners circle, DiTocco did stop red-hot Joe Santangelo from reaching his fourth final of the season.

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