6-Pack - Doug Cook’s 1972 Nova Blasts a 6.90 at 209 MPH on Leaf Springs in Testing for World Cup Finals Next Week
After two-plus years away from the scene, Doug Cook and his storied 1972 Chevrolet Nova has experienced quite the comeback in 2024.
Following a complete rebuild, plus a ton of upgrades, the Nova has already put in a bunch of street miles, delivered a chunk of solid runs on the track, and even scored a Sick Summer class win. But Doug and the crew aren’t done yet, and they accomplished another one of their goals this week.
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One of Doug’s goals with the car is to get it in the 6-second zone, and another is to be the first leaf-spring car to run a 6-second pass in drag-and-drive competition.
When the Nova got its competition debut at The Reunion at Bradenton Motorsports Park in April this year, it came in with a handful of test session shake down runs. Despite a warm track surface and not ideal weather conditions, Doug was able to clock a pair of 7.2-second time slips in qualifying.
Just a couple weeks later at a private test session at Bradenton Motorsports Park, on just the fifth full pass on the car, the Nova delivered a 7.004 at 202.39 MPH with a 1.189 60 foot time.
Doug knew he had a chance at one of his goals just over a month later at Sick Summer Presented by Motion Raceworks. He got close, but had to settle for a 7.06 at 206 MPH best run in route to winning the Super Street class and the coveted Sick orange helmet that goes with it.
After some time off during the hot summer months, the twin-turbocharged modern LT-powered Nova was put back into service at the popular FL2K event at Bradenton Motorsports Park three weeks ago.
Qualifying second with a 7.11 at 207 MPH blast in the Street Car Shootout Elite class, Doug found the 7.0 and 200+ mph performance arena in eliminations to earn a final round berth opposite Jim Braun, but rain ended the chance for those two to line up.
That moved Doug’s focus to World Cup Finals (WCF), scheduled to start next week at Maryland International Raceway. Because the performances at WCF are usually very quick due to atmospheric conditions combined with Jason Miller’s track prep, Doug decided to up the ante a bit.
The proven Harrell Engine and Dyno (HED) engine was giving its walking papers from the Nova’s engine bay, and an all-new HED-built LTR engine was slid in place, with a pair of G45 Garrett turbos providing the additional air.
In addition to more power on tap, the engine program shaved 120 pounds off the Nova. M & M handled updating the transmission, and combines with a Pro Torque converter to pass the ponies rearward to the leaf-spring supported 9-inch rear end.
Doug also tapped the services of Ron Rhodes, a noted suspension guru that has carded a 0.99 60 foot time in his own ‘68 Camaro on 275 drag radials and leaf springs.
At a recent test session at Bradenton Motorsports Park, Doug Cook checked off a big box with the Nova. With Job Spetter tickling the keys on the Motec ECU system, the Nova delivered a 6.905 at 209.69 MPH blast, with a 1.265 60 foot time!
The eighth-mile came in 4.579 at 168.79 MPH, and Doug feel ready for WCF. “We are ready to head to Maryland, and try our hand against some of the baddest around at WCF,” said Doug.
Check out the action below in Motion Raceworks latest video:
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Motion Raceworks, KWS Images and HED.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com