[Mike Volkman]

Can't speak to stock combos but can to SS.

Several years back (10-15 years) NHRA started splitting the same engine combination up - AT THE RACERS REQUEST - to protect their combinations. We called it the Bob Dennis rule. Smart guy who had 57000 combinations of Olds engines.

I get it we all spend lots of time and money to go the fastest.

If the head gasket was .002 different, the cc or runner volume varied by couple cc, smaller vs larger carb it was now a different combination. Back then, we always picked the best engine combination with the parts given. There was (and probably still is) a 305 combination that has a head p/n listed among several others in the blueprint sheets, but is not in the approved head list with port volumes. Because of this bogus p/n it now make it a different combination even though there are no specs. I think there were 5 or 6 305 SS combos (trying to remember) as a result of this splitting of hairs. It resulted in never being able to push the other guy out as they just played a number/paper game with combo. Nothing new.

At one time, again in SS, there were 4-318 combinations to pick from. Now there are many across SS because of the change.

This rolling back on combos into base groupings started 2-3 years ago. The 67-69 350/300 was the 1st I knew of. They were NHRA rated anywhere from 313 to 332 with the same engine. They're back to 2 now with a rating of 313 for OEM head and 318 with aftermarket. And, NHRA did not hurt the higher factored combos - actually had the racer in mind -and based it off the OEM head, or lower HP rating. Good deal I thought.

I for one applaud them for taking the initiative and think that since we are a performance based class, that we should all race each other and not hide.