Mechanical problem stalls Cooper's Jegs bid

A strange mechanical problem might just have kept Medical Lake’s Justin Cooper out of the winner’s circle at the National Hot Rod Association’s Jegs All-Stars Super Comp division June 2 at Route-66 Dragway in Joliet, Ill.

Following a hair-splitting victory over Val Torres in round-one of the eight car race, Cooper red-lighted, leaving too early at the start. But it was not by Cooper’s hand he said.

“I had a mechanical failure that caused the car to roll out of the stage,” Cooper wrote in an email. His opponent, Austin Williams would make a solo run and advance to the championship against Mike...