Re: Entry level class?
 

I posted my opinion on the order/ranking of what I thought was entry level classes. Stock was 3rd in my ranking.

What I didn't share is Stock is my favorite class & the main reason I come to CR. I have been lucky enough to make some passes/compete in a Super Stocker during a bracket race. Anyway, hopefully someday I will have the same/similar opportunity to race a Stocker.

Re: Entry level class?
 

LOL! We met eyes several times but you would not acknowledge. When it happened my first thought was "he said he never would do this" but here he is??? Recently I found out the "truth" which you of course deny and deflect. Have you ever had an original idea?

Scott and Shawn are two great guys and know what their doing. Most of us saw you buy a former SS Bird after watching Shawn do well with his for years running one of Scott's big small blocks which were coming on the scene back then.

Re: Entry level class?
 

you are flat out LYING, we never had your claimed conversation!

Disagree and apparently many stock eliminators disagree as well being that the Big 3 have sold in excess of $250,000,000 factory built stock eliminator cars to date.


says a pathetic loser, a nobody who has never met me nor my son yet spends his weekends watching the live feed from my home track, waits until one of us, misses the tree or gives up the stripe so he can comment on my and/or my son's performance on DRR yet your silence is deafening when we're killing it and WINNING! Same reason you are here posting now, you're a pathetic loser!

Fact is you are more often than not a 1st round runner up at the Vegas Fling and have never competed in the Vegas Fling Million!

More facts, you don't travel outside your duck pond! Prove me wrong, AGAIN as I have done the last several years, I invite you to line up against me this year at the Galot and Bristol Flings. AGAIN, WE know you won't be there!

As to my performance last year...I just got back into the seat in 2023 of my Firebird to compete after sitting out competition for 5 years because my son wanted to compete in S/ST and top bulb with it. Further, when I stepped out it was a footbrake car and as of 2019 it's a top bulb car. Despite having never let go off the top, I was very competitive and went rounds on both entries Friday and Saturday at the Summer Fling last September AND I turned on the win light against my son who's one of the best under 30 in the country!

start at 4:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N1bSLwioDk

Re: Entry level class?
 

Originally Posted by 1320racer
As to my performance last year...I got back into the seat of my Firebird after sitting out competition for 5 years because my son wanted to compete in S/ST and top bulb with it. Further, when I stepped out it was a footbrake car and as of 2019 it's a top bulb car. Despite having never let go off the top, I was very competitive and went rounds Friday and Saturday at the Summer Fling last September AND I turned on the win light against my son who's one of the best under 30 in the country!

"I" this and "I" that. "Me" this and "Me" that...

Surely indicates you are an egotistical, self-centered, J-Off who is detached from reality

Re: Entry level class?
 

Ed, this ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ has nothing to do with what I said! I SAID that you can buy one and just go racing and be under the index but you won't be competitive. Now you apparently understand numbers but not the English language so why don't you humor an old man and tell him in numbers just how many of those $250M worth of "factory stock eliminator cars" are raced in their as-sold condition? How many have been bought and put into collections, never to be raced? More than you think.

Re: Entry level class?
 

says a life long jealous, D-bag LOSER who just registered here as El Duderino to bait me!

Re: Entry level class?
 

Billy, I don't know and neither do you but the fact remains, that despite you not liking it nor liking where stock eliminator has gone and continues to go, the truth is it's never been easier to compete in stock eliminator with the introduction of factory race cars. That said, there was a time where STOCK production cars competed right off the showroom floor making it an entry level class and it's still today with these factory cars in my opinion and many others that I have spoken to over the years, including current stock racers.

Re: Entry level class?
 

Damn the never ending thread............ I'm going to have to make more popcorn.

Re: Entry level class?
 

Glenn save some for me! This is certainly one of the more amusing threads in a while especially with opinions coming in from people that have not raced in both classes. That being said I have raced in both SST and Stock. I believe the intent of both was for them both to be entry level but for various reasons neither are now. The expense of Stock has turned it into anything but entry level and various rule changes and technology has made it even worse. Same goes for SST, with the invention of the throttle stop SST went from taking your 10.70 bracket car to you better bring a purpose built 9.50 or better car if you want to be competitive.
So the real answer here is there are no entry level categories anymore and eventually that will be an issue in keeping all of these categories alive.

Re: Entry level class?
 

That I can get behind and stock will die long before S/ST based on the current median age and lack of young racers coming into the class.

Re: Entry level class?
 

There ya go! THE END

Re: Entry level class?
 

:D

I knew we could find common ground

I won't call stock entry level if you/they don't call S/ST entry level.

Re: Entry level class?
 

Hoo Boy Ed, I (me personally) never called S/ST an entry level class. First page, first post. I can only be responsible for my own actions.

Re: Entry level class?
 

I guess that's possible also but being the Gators quota filled up before it actually opened this year I don't see it anytime in the foreseeable future. But honestly Ed looking around the staging lanes at a NHRA event I don't see a lot of young bucks in any of the categories other than the kids of current racers. I myself am a first generation racer in my family but I was practically raised around it since quite a few of my friends parents raced.

Re: Entry level class?
 

age of NHRA racers is a huge problem for them and the survival of class racing. As previously I previously stated...


but that's another topic for another day.

Re: Entry level class?
 

Well I will throw my two cents in here with another point of view, After reading all the comments here, some funny, some not not so much. I dont think there is a entry level class at all. I think it is more of what level to do you want to enter a class. I know first hand by my own experience and witness others that all/any class from Top fuel to Jrs.will be very competitive if you want to get to the winners circle. The commitment and effort put into it is more of factor than anything. I bought a stocker so I could get more seat time and warm up before running my FSS at events.
I was running it in FS/C at the time all stock, figured that was gonna be fine and leave it that way until Craig Madox handed me my butt in Denver with a heads up run. After that I put in a lot of time and effort to make mine better. The level of competition in any class at a divisional or national event is very impressive. Perfect or very near perfect packages while it may not be the norm, they are very common. I personally like heads up racing more than bracket but that is my own opinion as is everyone else. I was able to make it to two semi finals with my stocker at National events last year and I will admit that was harder than winning races in FSS. I tell people that if racing FSS is "checkers" then racing STK is "chess" I lost both those semis from letting the other people in my head. Most stock racers are so tuff, I say they are mean enough to eat their own young LOL as are the racers in all the other classes

Re: Entry level class?
 

Excellent post OneFarmer!! I too noticed when I got a junior for my kid 13 years ago that there were kids having fun and driving "junk" (like mine) and there were others who were very serious and had more in the junior than my whole operation, lol!!

You're right, "entry level" is a really loose term, my older kid was into basketball, had size 16EE shoes which we couldn't get locally and had to get his sneakers from "twobigfeet.com" I **** you not. $375 for a pair of sneakers!! Some kids had nice sneakers and went to away games and others had "entry level" sneakers and couldn't afford the away games.

"I don't think there is a entry level class at all. I think it is more of what level to do you want to enter a class. "

Great point. Only reason I'm stepping up to a stocker after all these years is...if not now, when? I've always loved them, I want to try. If I'm handed my butt every race and can't hit the index, etc, then I'll bow out and recognize that I don't have the talent or ability to compete at that level. No shame, just reality. (of course I'm not smart enough to quit when behind so I'll be the guy with the ratty looking car mixed in with the S/SS jewelry, lol!!)

Re: Entry level class?
 

I can agree with this too BUT the path to success in what we do and by success I mean winning championships, costs a lot of MONEY! without it, you're just "having fun", getting in the way of those who are chasing championships while you get off bragging that you got lucky and took out some hitter, some former champion, some racer chasing a championship, all of who have spent far more money and time then you on their program.

Re: Entry level class?
 

I plead guilty to having fun and don't mind at all to get in the way.

Re: Entry level class?
 

Fun is good but it's not why we go racing and not why I've committed my time and resources for decades. We are competitors and compete to win races as a means to championships. Our fun starts after the winner's circle photos.

Re: Entry level class?
 

Ed, this^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ is probably the most ridiculous thing that you've ever posted, at least it's in the top3! So, what's the buy-in to be serious about chasing points? What does it take to be a "hitter"? Who makes that decision? Maybe you can arrange it so that a local Racer who's "just having fun" has to beat "some hitter, some former champion, some racer chasing a championship" two out of three before the local Racer gets credit for the win because he's "just having fun".
Ya know, most if not all of the "hitters" who I know (including all of your pit-area neighbors) are very humble when it comes to their accomplishments.

Re: Entry level class?
 

B.S.!

Re: Entry level class?
 

Dear Ken Miele,

Please shut down this well intended thread that has been sabotaged by one member of this great forum. It's become something beyond ridiculous.

To my fellow members,

If you agree please like this post. If not that's also okay with me.

Frank Castros

Re: Entry level class?
 

Billly, I’m driving so I’ll keep my reply short, I’m not wanting to die today life is good and I’ve got a few more championships I plan on helping my son win before I leave this rock.

I couldn’t care any less about what you think of my comments but James agees:D nor are they BS.

As to being humble, that’s for speeches after the fact! Champions, winners are all in, stop at nothing to beat the other guy, know they are better than you and take great joy when they hand you your azz. Nothing wrong with that, they are competitors! Oh and I’ve spoken one on one over the years with some of the best that have ever staged a car, you’d be surprise what they have said.

Re: Entry level class?
 

Ed, I've been there once or twice. When you put on your helmet, you do what it takes to rip out your competitor's lungs. Race is over? You put it behind you.
We're not racing now, where's your humility?

Re: Entry level class?
 

Billy, I’ll do me, you do you. Me being me has afforded me a very good life in every aspect.

Re: Entry level class?
 

Ed, I'm a very lucky man and I wouldn't trade places with anybody!

Re: Entry level class?
 

Can you imagine announcing you've broken X and does anyone have a spare and someone says, "yes I have one but we're competitors, so no"????

I've never seen anything like that, heck I lent my kids competitor a spare engine, spare alchy carb and installed it because he didn't think he could.

Maybe in the "real world of racing it's all cutthroat"?? If so, not interested, life is too short to take a hobby that seriously. As you said, helmet on I'll gouge your eyes out, but helmet off we'll laugh about the run. And yes, I ALWAYS give a thumbs up to my opponent regardless of win or more importantly, my loss to them.

Re: Entry level class?
 

Nor would I

Re: Entry level class?
 

There’s a ridiculous comment, who said anything about that?

Re: Entry level class?
 

I'm sorry if I misinterpreted your statement above, I guess we have different opinions as to what "all in" or "stop at nothing" actually means?

My only hope when I get beat is that whoever beat me goes on to win, so I'm cheering for them, lol. I guess I'll never be a champion, but I'm ok with that, I just love drag racing, win or lose.

Re: Entry level class?
 

With this mindset, you never will.

As the great Vince Lombardi said…

“Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser!”

Re: Entry level class?
 

I love all of the friendships I've been able to make over the years doing this and it's one of the reasons I enjoy running the NHRA races but I got to say if I didn't think I could win I wouldn't even leave the house.

Re: Entry level class?
 

Quoted for the truth!

Translation he nor I have devoted our time and resources to make friends, no we’ve done it to compete and we race to WIN!

Re: Entry level class?
 

****Spoiler Alert****
If you don't want to read, non-OP material, turn around & block my name or skip reading my post.

Cupcake,

I'm good with being a nobody, better than being nobody trying to be a self-proclaimed somebody like you! I'll correct your wrongs. I don't spend my weekends watching you or your son. I wait until the race is done & fast forward till I see a white Firechicken then watch YOU being a clueless driver. It doesn't take long with the few rounds YOU go!

As for your son, I very rarely watch him. As for complimenting your son on DRR, I did it on numerous occasions with both a written congrats & the big clapping emoji. You are being selective with remembering, because you were butthurt for me not acknowledging you.

Your son is the talent & YOU have zero talent for driving. All YOU are, is a glorified seat warmer! ;)

Facts, your facts are delusional as always; keep on trying to make yourself feel better loser. Get it right, it's the Spring Fling Million.

More of your delusional facts. I just made a short racing trip 7.5 hours to Tucson Dragway for the Hangover Nationals. While I was sicker than a rabid dog & did pretty well collecting 3 checks; no wins so you don't take it out of context.

As for proving anything to you, there's no need. You have been invited numerous times to come out West by me & another to come out to race the Spring Fling Million. Guess what, YOU are a no-show loser. All you want to do is keyboard BS about it!

We don't want to hear about your sniveling excuses trying to race your Firechicken. I'm sure your son took pity on you & gave you the win light. Wow, you think you won against your son, YOU must be great. :rolleyes: I beat Bertozzi in the 2nd or 3rd round of the Million, I'm positive he didn't take pity on me; I must be great. Get over yourself!

Again, YOU are a glorified seat warmer with zero talent for driving! Your son is the talent, that's commenting/complimenting your son! I did the same on DRR, just in a different fashion.

Re: Entry level class?
 

Girls, You're both pretty....

Re: Entry level class?
 

lmao

Re: Entry level class?
 

Somebody on this thread reminds me of "FOGHORN LEGHORN".

Re: Entry level class?
 

Son!

Re: Entry level class?
 

Loser, I am great and I don't think I turned the win light on against my son, I know!

Again, you're a nobody and you have never competed in the Vegas Fling Million or any other million, FACT! nor will you in April! You’re a squirrel that found a nut once bfd! What did you get for that, a lollipop? Now crawl back into your hole and keep watching the live stream clown. :p