Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

Unless I miss counted, there are 5 "slow" stockers in the top 104 cars at final count for 2020. There were almost 850 cars in Stock Eliminator this year, so not a bad representation of the slower class cars. Way to go boys!!!!!

I love watching a slow car race a really fast car. Yes, I root for the slow one.

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

For myself, having a lower classed Stocker is what is comfortable for my racing skills. I started with a slow street car and the fit into Stock was a natural.

After time I became a little burned out, but when newer cars started running in the 8`s, that was the motivation to get my car competitive again, I love the mammoth head starts!

Congrats again to the great finishes of those that finished very well this year!

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

I have spent the last 6yrs of racing having goals of the Top 20 in D7, and the Top 200 nationally. Thanks to my win on 10/11, and my 1/4 finals finish 10/09, they allowed me the 8th place in my division, and sole possession of 61st nationally....by far my best season ever as a stocker racer, and I am VERRRRY THANKFUL FOR THAT!!!🏆

If I had a much better budget, I have talked about racing a second car like some of my buds who do. However, I most likely would use the funding to improve my current operation (truck, trailer, and car).

As for the FWD v RWD slow car comment, I must say that I wanted to race my 1st race winning car (A 1976 Chevy Vega 140ci 2bbl and Turbo 250 automatic. With this car I won the '77 Bandimere Speedway MemorialDay High School Drags King of The Hill Championship as a senior at Denver's South High School. 2yrs later, I won five bracket races in six final rounds at Mile High Raceway, and (as an alternate for the '79 Div V ET Finals Bandimere Speedway team), I was the lone semi-finals participant. When I found my car 13yrs later, it had a Pontiac 4cyl and a 5spd in it, so that ruined my Vega thoughts, and turned me to the Cavalier. I'm thankful for my Z24 living up to its original magazine ad..."Beware the Z24. Cavalier's running with the big boys now."

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

I think this could be a loaded question. For me and my personal experience as a driver only I feel there is a threshold. I had the opportunity to drive Mike and Bj Graham’s U/SA off and on for a couple season and I’ll be the first to say it was a blast being #1 qualifier everywhere but when it came to bracket racing with a dial on it that was a Challenge. There are so many variables that affect lower horsepower cars. I also drive Angelo Phillips L/SA mopar that runs 11.9s/.80s at 110 mph and that car is much easier to bracket race being 110mph only puts u behind by maybe 20 mph at most unless ur racing a cobra jet or something like that.

But Answering your question “ is there an advantage I would say no because anytime the race is unfolding behind u I feel that’s a disadvantage. I think a mid to low 10 second stocker would be the sweet spot to be in stock. Example I’ve raced super street and been on the slow side and the fast side of things slow side being 122 mph and the fast side being 163mph. Being to far on one side other the other is difficult but I’ve also ran a 140 mph super street car as well and my win % was much higher then the other 2 cars.

So again my perspective is from a driver stand point only and by no means am I being disrespectful to the guys with the slower cars.

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

The faster car has the advantage! Period.

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

Yeahhhhhh......................No!

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

I think the real question is...." Which type of race car ( slow or fast ) has the most disadvantages "

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

I think that some drivers will do well in anything. Fletcher is a great example.

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

I think I will throw this into the mix about advantages or disadvantages.

Take a look at Jody Lang's Malibu Wagon. True, it is neither a slow car or a fast car, classed L,M, or N at various events. Jody has placed in the top 10 numerous times and will be carrying the big number 1 next year.

While the car is more than capable of winning, I think Jody's skills help put the car in the winner's circle. Yes he has had some loses in early rounds on occasion, but overall if Jody is at an event he is in the running for a win. There are many other driver's that fit this description, also.

I guess the point of my ramblings is to say the driver is as important as the car. Can a slow car win, YES, but I think a faster car is less affected by changes in weather, altitude or other things that affect a car, making it harder to dial. Just ask a guy like Gary Hampton about that.

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

My opinion, FWIW
If you have one of the slower cars out there, and can't put together a consistent, good package, you probably need to find out why. That is, unless you enjoy forking over your hard earned money to the house.
Same goes for the faster guys, although you'll probably pick up a few more lucky rounds, the way the rules are currently structured.

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

I'm pretty sure the 8-9 second cars don't say "perfect I have a 14 second or slower car this round." Slow cars are always tough races. I've been around long enough and raced in division one when .530 Mike Smith with his U/SA wagon and Mr. Six cylinder Nova Billy Nees were always in the late rounds.
I drove Larry Zugehoer's spirit of 67 U/SA wagon once. It had a great crisp sound and would snap off the line. I've had neck surgery since those early 70's. Turning around that long looking for my competitor would hurt these days.

Happy Holidays,
Paul Haszlauer

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

The advantage of a slow car is a clean tree and very little chance of a heads up. Disadvantage is mother nature messes with you real bad with weather.

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

Case in point, at the Kearney NE Midwest Class Racer event in October. My best run was -.66 under, index was 15:76. That was with a 10-15 mph NW wind. Track runs SE/NW. During Sunday elimination, the wind switched to the S/SW at 10-15 mph. My last elimination round, I dialed a 14:81 and went a 14.79, -.97 under. -.31 pick up strickly because of the wind change. I made no changes to the car, just tried to dial the best I could.

#5458

Curt Rees

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

Well, you can believe it or not but my 6 cyl. Nova would move .01 for every MPH of wind. In other words, if we went from a 5 MPH head wind to a 5 MPH tail wind the car would pick up a tenth!

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

I need to correct myself. It was the early 80's. I'm old but adding 10 yrs to my age made my bones ache.

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

Two things that really seem to help with the weather changes }

https://i.postimg.cc/pry0ggwt/CAM00631x.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/ydpjXLkp/20200209-114659.jpg

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^I can agree with that^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

That would have been a great car to buy when you put it out there in Feb. Another of my poor 2020 decisions to not go for it. Is someone campaigning it now or have a 2021 resurrection planned?

Wonder if we could start a TruStart poll without the drama? Nay, probably impossible unless YoKen can work his magic.

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

Ron I will tell you this, I like tracks that are south facing (such as my home track WHPMSP). Vegas being a north facing track is tricky because it has changing wind speeds and directions. However, my last race of 2020 was lost by only .0057 (in spite of a .100rt against a .008). Yes changing weather conditions affect slower rollers more so than faster cars, but I liken our kind of racing to chess or checkers at speed (the moves you choose will either make or break you, and that affects faster cars too)! I love the challenge, and look forward to more opportunities to prove one can win with a FWD or slower classes car!

Re: Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes
 

I'm having trouble attaching the pictures, but there is a car less than a mile from me that looks just like the one Yac posted the picture of. I've noticed it for a couple of days, but today I saw that there is a for sale sign on it. It's even the same color. If someone near New England wants to build a slow stocker, here is an option. It is located in Bellows Falls VT, 802-591-2337. If you have any trouble making contact, contact me and I'll stop and inquire about the car.