What's wrong with Stock?

[Greg Hill]

I'm a little bit hesitant to get in to this because it's been beat to death since 2008 when the first Cobrajets were announced. My good friend Bruce Noland was probably the first person to warn us about the potential of these new purpose built factory race cars. I remember him saying that he talked with some of the Ford racing guys at the sema show and that they told him those cars should run 9.20's. Fast forward 6 years and the fastest stockers are running 8.50's @ 150mph. My personal opinion is that cars running this fast have no business in Stock.

I think the new cars are good for NHRA racing just not good for stock eliminator. Between rules that are made only for the new cars and BOGUS horsepower ratings,they have made those of us who run old cars who have to run against the new cars in the same class, largely uncompetitive. Given who runs NHRA and their lack of knowledge and not caring we probably should not be surprised. None of the top management has any understanding of the roots and tradition of stock, plus they are very short sighted and have no vision for the future. If they were forward looking they would showcase these new cars with the pros, not put them in with stock to beat up on the real stockers at 8:00 A.M.

To do this they should make 5 or 6 FX classes with their own indexes and AHFS and run them just like comp. Maybe a 32 car field at most nationals and 64 at Indy. No dialing in, no breakout. My feeling is that this would give the manufacturers more visibility and give the racers an opportunity for some serious sponsorship dollars. Just imagine Charley Downing getting chased down by David Barton. A little 281 c.i. Versus the mighty 426 Hemi. The manufacturers and NHRA could really promote this and make it a big part of the SHOW!

If people want to run the newer cars in stock they should run cars and motors that are made and sold to the public. You could give these newer cars a reduction in shipping weight so they don't have to be so heavy and maybe some hp reductions because these motors already have a lot of things the older racers use.

This doesn't have to be an either or proposition. It could be a win win for everyone. I will say one other thing, as long as the traditional stockers continue to support what's going on and attending National events, nothing is probably going to change. 2/3 of the cars that entered Indy were older than 2008. Take those entry fees as well as crew fees away, you have a substantial source of revenue decline for NHRA.

An example of what's really wrong is that Scott Burton left Indy before eliminations because he had a heads up run with a new car that had him covered by 4 or 5 tenths. Any of you that know Scott know that he has a very fast traditional stocker that he has worked his *** off over the years to make fast. This is WRONG!

[BLAZER]

Originally Posted by Greg Hill

I'm a little bit hesitant to get in to this because it's been beat to death since 2008 when the first Cobrajets were announced. My good friend Bruce Noland was probably the first person to warn us about the potential of these new purpose built factory race cars. I remember him saying that he talked with some of the Ford racing guys at the sema show and that they told him those cars should run 9.20's. Fast forward 6 years and the fastest stockers are running 8.50's @ 150mph. My personal opinion is that cars running this fast have no business in Stock.

I think the new cars are good for NHRA racing just not good for stock eliminator. Between rules that are made only for the new cars and BOGUS horsepower ratings,they have made those of us who run old cars who have to run against the new cars in the same class, largely uncompetitive. Given who runs NHRA and their lack of knowledge and not caring we probably should not be surprised. None of the top management has any understanding of the roots and tradition of stock, plus they are very short sighted and have no vision for the future. If they were forward looking they would showcase these new cars with the pros, not put them in with stock to beat up on the real stockers at 8:00 A.M.

To do this they should make 5 or 6 FX classes with their own indexes and AHFS and run them just like comp. Maybe a 32 car field at most nationals and 64 at Indy. No dialing in, no breakout. My feeling is that this would give the manufacturers more visibility and give the racers an opportunity for some serious sponsorship dollars. Just imagine Charley Downing getting chased down by David Barton. A little 281 c.i. Versus the mighty 426 Hemi. The manufacturers and NHRA could really promote this and make it a big part of the SHOW!

If people want to run the newer cars in stock they should run cars and motors that are made and sold to the public. You could give these newer cars a reduction in shipping weight so they don't have to be so heavy and maybe some hp reductions because these motors already have a lot of things the older racers use.

This doesn't have to be an either or proposition. It could be a win win for everyone. I will say one other thing, as long as the traditional stockers continue to support what's going on and attending National events, nothing is probably going to change. 2/3 of the cars that entered Indy were older than 2008. Take those entry fees as well as crew fees away, you have a substantial source of revenue decline for NHRA.

An example of what's really wrong is that Scott Burton left Indy before eliminations because he had a heads up run with a new car that had him covered by 4 or 5 tenths. Any of you that know Scott know that he has a very fast traditional stocker that he has worked his *** off over the years to make fast. This is WRONG!

YOU are 100% correct--Don't enter or BUY a factory race car-the good old days and older cars of INDY are gone-

[John Leichtamer Jr]

To bad Farmer & Marty are gone, it would be a whole different story.

Hammer

[C and W Racing]

I didn't realize that the number 1 qualifier was one of those under rated factory hot rods. Lol.
Chuck

[John Kelley]

Chuck ?? Chuck WHO ??

Factory Hot Rods should be seperated from Dealer bought STOCK cars.........

[stocker396]

Greg is right, BUT You have to be patient.... Word I have from the "ivory Tower of Glendora" is you are looking at the "NEW PRO STOCK" In the next 2 years Pro stock in its current formt will be replaced by the "Super Cars" NHRA needs to shake it up. Current Pro stock is TOO expensive , has no real fan base, AND Spectators dont identify with the cars. SOOO If you havent noticed, ALOT of pro stock teams already have COPOS,CJ's and Drag Packs and are testing them. Warren Johnson in recent interview was asked why he was not attending events replied "We are working on a new LS based engine program for what is in the future and securing sponsorship for that program"
Simple, NHRA Is doing a long term replacement strategy so they do not get another pro stock truck debacle.
I will continue to run my car and wait and see...
Imagine, Dan Fletcher a PRO STOCK driver! I Cant wait!

[Larry Fulton]

Originally Posted by john leichtamer jr

to bad farmer & marty are gone, it would be a whole different story.

Hammer

Agreed!.... Wally & Farmer & Marty

[Mike Carr]

Why is there even the thought to legislate 90% of the cars currently in Stock (2007-older cars) out, so the 10% of new (2008-newer) cars can have their own playground? Seems backwards to me. Put the F/X cars in their own Class(es) and leave Stock alone. All the F/X cars in one class--the factories will have their own Class with no AHFS or penalties, can run all-out and get all the ink.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Mike Carr

Why is there even the thought to legislate 90% of the cars currently in Stock (2007-older cars) out, so the 10% of new (2008-newer) cars can have their own playground? Seems backwards to me. Put the F/X cars in their own Class(es) and leave Stock alone. All the F/X cars in one class--the factories will have their own Class with no AHFS or penalties, can run all-out and get all the ink.

Mike, how dare you bring common sense and reason into this.

[RJ Sledge]

Greg

Very good original post Greg.

We all seem to agree that the problem is about "Bogus" hp ratings on the New Cars, Factory Influence (spelled $$$$), lack of enforcement of Stock rules for F/S cars and NHRA not following their own rules, etc.

So what can be done to persuade NHRA to do anything different?? I like the idea of not contributing to their bottom line and staying away from the National Events, but I don't see that happening. Just look at how many attended INDY knowing they had no chance of making the Eliminator, but its their money and time and they chose to go and had a good time.

Who speaks for the majority of us? Who could/would talk to NHRA? Most important is who would listen at NHRA??

Trying to get all the Stock Racers to agree is like trying to herd a bunch of cats, slim chance of that happening.

RJ