No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

I recently had a conversation with someone close to NHRA who said that Glendora is considering not including Stock and possibly Super Stock at the 50th anniversary Winternationals. Apparently, due to limited pit space, they would exclude one or both of these classes so that they can debut Top Dragster and Top Sportsman at the event as new National Event classes. In the context of this being a celebration that recognizes the history of this event in the formative years of the NHRA, I think this would be a terrible decision. As many of you recall, in 1960 the explosion of factory muscle cars was just starting to take place and in just a few years the factory muscle car wars were dominating the drag racing scene. Stock Eliminator spawned Super Stock which led to Factory Experimental cars, leading to the birth of Funny Cars. How could they even consider not including these cars as part of the event? I have no bone to pick with the 'Top' classes, but they have no history with this event. Their debut could be a significant 'event leader' for another subsequent national event. So when the 50th Anniversary Celebration rolls around, I hope the NHRA doesn't forget to invite the bride to the party.
Steve

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

It would make much more sense to exclude Super Comp or Super Gas

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

Although not a racer, but a true fan, I agree with Dave. Probably hurt some guys/gals feelings, but when gas was all out and not throttle stopped it was a whole lot more fun to watch.

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

First of all, I say anyone who puts forth the effort to race at that level should be able to race. If they want to add classes, then add days to the race. Race one category to completion on say Tue, one on Wed, one on Thur, and so on until the weekend. Then they can mix the remaining sportsman classes up like they do now. If you start on Tue, that would allow a rain day if needed. Sportsman cars racing Tue, Wed, and Thur could park in the Pro pit area because they don't get in there till late Thusday. Also a competitor finished racing on Tue, Wed., or Thur., could vacate and allow parking for cars in the remaining categories. There could be an area to stage some rigs for those folks who wanted to stay for the remainder of the race. If a person raced on Wed., he could be back to work on Thur. and save some leave. All sportsman categories could rotate thru the Wed, Thur, Friday thing. Make room for all to play! It's kinda like nascar...trucks Fri, Nationwide cars Sat, Cup on Sunday. Example: S/G Tue, S/C Wed, Stock Thur, S/S Fri, then Top Dragster and Top sportsman on the weekend. The bonus for S/G and S/C is they can turn off the stop, and race top on the other day with the same car. Those guys would be all over that, car counts would surely be up and that means $$$ for Glendora. It's all good...more cars, more racing, industry grows....get it!

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

I'd rather see S/SS and S/ST/S/G/S/C fields at this race at 64 cars,T/S,T/D and Comp at 32 cars.I think that would work,and give the fans a good mix of categories.

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

Makes more sense to me to run T FOOL. HA HA CARS, and the alcahol cars on Monday after the race is already over.

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

I was more impressed with top dragster and top sportsman until I learned they just bracket race once they qualify.

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

STEVE
I first heard about this at the Mile Hi Hationals. I couldn't believe it. I have called NHRA three times asking the question and was told that the decision had not yet been made. At the 2009 Winters the biggest thing as far as the fans were concerned was the new mustang display. They were 4 deep all the way down the display all weekend long. These were not geezers either, they were younger kids wondering how they could afford to buy one of those things..I can't believe The Ford Motor Co. would stand to be excluded after all the exitment that ther cars brought to drag racing last year...As for Top Dragster and Top sportsman, most of these guys are S/G and S/C guys that have moved up so balance the quotas between these 4 classes and we can all race...As far as pit space ...Isn't this race held at the L. A. County Fair Grounds..that is like huge... make the pits bigger

THAT IS ALL...

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

It would be a mistake to leave out the cars that were there in the beginning. None of the Super Classes were there 50 years ago. The whole NHRA platform that we see today was built on the backs of the Stock and Super Stockers ... I hope NHRA comes to their senses, just my opinion ...

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

If they (NHRA) delete the Stock and /or Super Stock classes at the 2010 WinterNats, they are just slitting their own throats----just watch.......talk about ripping the heart out of this sport....Have no pity for the fools if they pull this stupid stunt. My .50 cents worth....WJ

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

I think they if they dont have Stock an Super Stock Nhra will loose half of there racers. Stock and Super Stock is the backbone of this sport. Nhra is just gonna shoot them selves in the foot. just my 2 cents

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

I hate to say it but you better get used to it. They dont care about any of you guys and girls except for your money from memberships, numbers, certifications, etc. They KNOW you are not going anywhere. Oh a few might quit and say screw it but the majority will stick around. The fact that stock and later S/S was there from the beginning dosent mean poop to them.They are looking for a show and not having to have a lot of overhead (Tech People). Not to mention all the bitching about blown Mustangs and HP ratings. Its a matter of stream lining the program.

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

Not Impressed. :mad:

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

If this turns out to be true, I guess I can save my money and also stay home.

Now if this turns out to be true, how about a combo stock/superstock race
at Fontana's drag strip that same weekend?

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

Sooner than we think

As stated in August in the Bogacki DQ thread

In 5 years I'm sure it won't matter as the bracket Super Stock. Stock and .90 cars will be gone from the NHRA National Event circuit. All you have to do is pay attention to IHRA's (Top Dragster & Top Sportsman) newer classes
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Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

What did you expect from them?

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

And just what do you think stock and S/S does now except for the very rare (and I mean very rare) heads up run and the even rarer race that has class runs? Its a dying breed. Dont take this wrong as all I care about is stock and S/S but step back and look at the big picture. Theres a lot of money in stock and S/S but there is even more money in the pockets of Top Sportsman racers. The costs of these cars far exceed the cost of even a SS/AH car in a lot of cases. These guys dont understand building a class car by a set of rules and dont want to either. They are nothing but Pro Stocks with nitrous or a blower runing brackets but they are FAST, loud, pretty, and showey, and thats what appeals to the spectator. They are a lot less work to police for the racing associations as there are no rules except safety and wt, fuel. They only need to check the wt and fuel (no 10 or 20 % nitro allowed with the alcahol) during qualifying. No need after that during eliminations. I hope Im wrong but look for being excluded more and more as time goes on.

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

I'm just a dumb Okie. I though maybe it was a real heads-up race deal, the way they treat them like they are some kind of stars.

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

if this is true it is a "testing of the waters" from nhra to see if the spectators care and how much we bitch...
but once again we will take it, we will never get together and boycott a race, we will never stand up to nhra...we are just a bunch of wimps bending over whenever they ask with our pants down. we just love it that way.

captain jack

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

Once again, here is a thread based 100% on a rumor with no facts and/or a real source. If you are going to make such claims, list some facts and a real source or don't bother us.

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

Evan, exactly.

It would be beyond stupid for NHRA to shut out class cars right when the mfgs are starting to build and advertise these types of vehicles.

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

No Ed.....Your not a "Dumb Okie".....You just were not that familiar wih the class rules. I dealt with them for years in the past. Top Sportsman and Top Dragster are even allowed delay boxes just like any electronics fast bracket class. The sad part is they are treated as stars with the best pit parking and allowed tow vehicles to staging while the real racers are pushed to the "south forty".

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

Update on Winternationals entry: Word from racers at the track this morning indicates that there will be NO lockouts at the 50th event. Out-of-town racers who asked about leaving Stockers on the west coast over the winter were reportedly advised that Stock will be contested in February.

c

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

I agree with Evan. Post anything and people will spread it like fire.

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

Have some respect, Steve Hagberg wouldn't get on here and post nonsense rumors.

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

Thanks Chuck.

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

Well just look who started this thread and that will tell the whole story, it aint the first time!!!

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

If he had any respect for this community he would have posted facts, not rumors. Such as who he heard it from so there is accountability for such a statement.

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

It seems to me that if someone says they called NHRA and asked and they said they haven't decided yet that means they ARE/WERE thinking about it.....that no longer qualifies as a rumor does it?.....

D L Rambo

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

Ed,I wasn't trying to beat up on you.I didn't realise you weren't familiar with their format.We've had them here in Div 1 for quite a while and everyone is pretty familiar with how they run.And yes,they do get preferential parking when they race.
And Jack,is that with or without sand in the Vaseline?

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

RULER, at least Steve Hagberg uses his real name. Tom

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

Yup it's not my real name, but then i,m just stating facts not starting RUMORS without the facts to back them up!

Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?
 

Why are you afraid to use your real name?