George & Ruth Hoover
All racers with love to have a supportive family, few have had the good fortune enjoyed by Tom Hoover. Tom has been drag racing on a professional level for well over 30 years and his parents have been along for nearly the entire ride. When Tom began his infatuation with cars, his father George worked on them at his Hoover Wheel Alignment shop in Minneapolis, but really didn’t pay that much attention. However, when Tom turned up with ex-“Big Wheel” dragster, it aroused the curiosity of this lifelong mechanic. Well into his 50s, the senior Hoover became hooked on drag racing. Tom’s mother Ruth, decided that she wasn’t going to be left behind and got completely involved in every part of the operation from washing uniforms, filming races, to acting as the team social director. “Ma and Pa Hoover”, as they called themselves, pitched in and did whatever it took to get the job done. George established himself as a crew chief and in the late 60s along with Pete Robinson and Connie Kalitta help to develop the Single Overhead Cam Ford for drag racing. Driving the truck, seeing to the crew’s needs, and doing promotional chores were all the things done by “Ma and Pa” at an age when most folks are rocking on the front porch. Married in 1925 George and Ruth were into their 68th year together when Ruth passed away in January 1993. Of course, this was a tremendous blow to the entire Hoover family, but George has worked hard all his life and has simply carried on despite the loss and health problems. At 91 George was still a vital part of the Hoover/Pioneer Funny Car team continuing to travel to most NHRA national events and perform nearly all of Tom’s cylinder head and piston/rod work. The Hoovers rate as Minnesota’s-if it’s not America’s-first family of drag racing.