Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

When are these going to replace Pro Stock? I was watching this video and seems to me this is what "Pro Stock" is all about. REAL CARS , going fast. Chevy , Ford and Mopar represented . Unlike what Pro Stock has become. I enjoy THIS and don't even WATCH Pro Stock anymore....haven't since W.J. retired.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEwKel_UT8k

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

It is a great class from a fans point of view. Real cars and all three makes involved. Lots of good folks involved too!! They are dealing with some growing pains here and there but still a great show!! The NMCA version is also a great show.

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

Never.

How and why would cars that are 40 mph slower replace Pro Stock category?

Left on their own, neither would draw spectators.

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

Never!

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

You guys that say NEVER........you just make me LMAO.
Is that ALL you care about is E.T.?
Why don't we just ban door cars all together and drive nuthin' but dragsters..........

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

I agree. The FS/XX are a much better show than P/S AND all three makes are involved. There was no bigger fan of Bob Glidden and the old P/S class than me but those days are gone. Now it is the Camaro show with nothing at all related to a production car. Pro Stock suffers from the same fate as NASCAR. There is nothing "stock" about a composite bodied tube chassis.
Whether FS/XX "replaces" P/S is really irrelevant at this point. P/S will never be what it once was and FS/XX will continue to grow.

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

Couldn't agree more! I used to tune in every week to watch Pro Stock but I don't think Ive seen more than two races this year. Pro Chevy Stock is nothing but boring. Factory Stock has been a great shot in the arm for Drag Racing but they are trying to screw that up now (Chevy isn't dominating anymore). We can't have that!! FS should get the same TV time as any of the Pro classes. Jim

After thought: The current Pro Chevy Stock cars are such mutants you can't even tell they are Chevrolet's!! Good thing it's usually printed on the car somewhere! Nobody to blame but NHRA. They allowed and fostered the mutations and factored the Fords and MoPars out and then insulting them by telling them they can always run a Chevy engine if they want to be competitive.

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Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

To reiterate....Never!

We race Stock because we appreciate the nuances and challenges involved with the category.

The preponderance of fans attend to watch the caricatures perform.

There were five unique models competing in Pro Stock during the last event. Exactly how is this category a better show for the general admission fans that attend?

FS/XX will be relegated to the dust bin of NHRA categories soon enough.

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

I see One eight year old Pontiac, One six year old Mustang,a two year old Dodge and a non qualifying eight year old Cobalt. All of which were over a tenth slower than the thirteen Chevies. Yup, what a show. FS/XX relegated to the dust bin? There is more factory support in FS than anything short of FC and TF. It ain't going anywhere. Jim


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Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

There certainly isn't much of anything factory or stock as it relates to these cars.

I would suggest a similar performance disparity is and will continue to manifest itself among FS/XX performance.

I see a new category on the horizon..................a 7.90 elapsed time category for this group. Maybe Jr. Pro Mod?

I can understand the appreciation for this level of performance from people seated in or standing around their Stock and Super Stock cars watching FS/XX.

The same can't be said for those that show up to watch on Saturday and Sunday.

Stock class participants can't live vicariously through this category simply because someone decided that "Stock" should be included in the nomenclature.

Maybe Factory Comp?

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

I'd like to see the new Pro Stock more "Stock" than pro-cartoonish.

* Use Stock factory dimension body panels ( no jelly bean shaped stuff )

* Use Stock factory outside dimensions on the engine. Anything goes on the inside. As long as it looks like a stock block on the outside. Wt. /per cu. inch weights like Comp.Eliminator with a min. car wt.

* Let them go to Super Stock size tires

Now that is my idea of Pro Stock

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

I'll agree that most of the fans could care less about the technology and engineering of ANY sportsman class car; but they don't watch Pro Stock either. All they want is nitro and silly Countdown drama. However, you might be surprised how well FSS is catching on among fans who care about brand diversity, factory involvement, and most importantly relate-ability because of the stock appearance. FSS is in the spirit of what PS was intended to be, and since Pro Stock has become FUBAR let's replace it!

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

bull s*** !

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

Nothing more boring than Fool Ragsters and Ha Ha cars unless they crash !

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

HUH , WUUUUUT are you talking about. BTW 5 models? And WHAT were they?

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

Jody, I agree with you 100%. Pro Stock was my favorite class from its inception in 1970; and, because I bleed Ford blue, Bob Glidden was my favorite. As you stated, those days are long gone, and FS/XX is growing rapidly!

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

I wasn't a fan of the newer "crop" of muscle cars til I watched FS/XX. If the NHRA has some "vision" for lack of a better word , this IS the future. Pro Stock had its day as a "showcase" for representing factory performance.........certainly NOT the case with contemporary Pro Stock.

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

They may as well run the new factory FS/XX cars replace Pro Stock. They certainly seem more like Pro Stockers than traditional Stockers!

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

My point exactly...........but maybe not "your" point.
These cars are WAY closer to "Pro Stock" than Pro Stock ( current ).
Pro Mod , way more entertaining than P.S.

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

The only cars competing were:
Gray motorsports
elite
Ken Black racing


The rest were making time runs.

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

For factory stock to survive NHRA needs to add it to way more then the 7 events it has now. There is not 1 event anywhere near the west coast. It is now a half country class. Also it will need to be available in the points meets. As it gets more popular there will be entry limits like in every other class. If it is not a class that you can run in a points meet in order to get grade points to even enter the FS/xx in the future at the national events, you need to drop 200 lbs out of your car to 3360lbs and that requires a completely different setup, so you have to convert your car to run FS/AA with a sportsmen lite and a breakout and a dial in to be able to get the grade points I know that is not a requirement now but that will change every year Chevy adds 69 cars Ford and Mopar 50 each so that's 169 more cars of which about 50-60 are XX supercharged cars. Also it would help if NHRA backed off on some of the changes allowed and keep it as close to how it came built to keep the cost down and give the average racer a chance to be competitive. When you turn it over to schumacher to add to all his professional teams what will chevy and Ford do the same then you have another Prostock. Right now the cost is 130,000 for the car 45,000 for the engine upgrade 35,000-40,000 for a transmission 7.50 cage and suspension and brakes. And that is before a motorhome and trailer and assorted equipment. A lot of money to spend to get to just a few racer or 7 if your willing to travel across the entire country. And still not be competitive with factory backed teams. NHRA needs to think this class through before it is ruined.

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

You nailed it ! But its almost impossible to get NHRA to "THINK" about anything through except the Fuel Junk !

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

With DSR involved and now leading the pack, this will NEVER be a class that the even SUPER well off Sportsman can compete in.



I don't see anyone being able to throw the money, time or R&D at the cars to keep up with them... IMO this is the worse thing that could have happend to the class and will discourage more people from jumping in. (I hope I'm wrong!)

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

Ross, I believe I read in another post, that you campaign an FS car. In another post, in this thread, it was mentioned cost was 130k for the car, plus another 80k or so for engine, trans, etc. and it won`t be enough.
I think Pro Stock will turn here and into Pro Mod sooner rather than later.
Mike A114

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

Understood , but why can't "well heeled" racers that can afford to run Pro Stock not do the same thing in XX? I don't get it.You dont think anyone can compete because DSR racing is involved?

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

I do run a COPO car in FS/B, but do not run FS/XX. I am very fortunate to be lucky enough to run the normal eliminator but by no means can hang with the gentlemen that run that class.

Now that DSR is involved I believe my original estimate is no long even in the ballpark of what it would take to have a car that can be competitive with the caliber of competitors now involved.

Again I am not trying to “pee on the parade” just don’t see how anyone not on their level keeps pace.

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

Look a Charlie in pro stock! He is an unbelievablely taleted man and has more then most have to offer and look where he is in the Prostick class! This is by no means a dig on him, but he didn’t have anything for the field when it came down to the nitty gritty!!!

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

There are a few reasons one is prostock is a pro class FS/XX is a sportsmen class, PS runs in 24 events VS 7 PS gets national sponsors you would be luck to get a local Co. to give you anything for 7 events that gets very little tv time. DSR can in their shop build and test engines all day long with factory support It doesn't matter how well heeled you are how do you do that unless you own your own shop and are willing to stop running it as a business but as a personal sponsor. There are plenty of other reasons most tied to a 7 race series cost annualized over 7 races is a big one.

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

All it will take is one bad 175 mph crash with glass all over the track. That will take the shine off the apple! This combo wasn’t designed for the kind of speeds that are to come

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

Isn’t that kinda similar to Barton then? Engine builder, factory support. He probably has more customers then DSR, leading to more data as well? Even Elite and their program? Love the class, but it has plenty of cuts causing some bleeding.

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

The best "talent" in conventional N.A. drag race power plants are "showcased" in Pro Stock. Thats it , period , end of story.
You'd have to "force" their collective hands , so to speak , buy eliminating Pro Stock entirely. Then , perhaps with enough incentive , they migrate to F.S.
AS for eliminating P.S.
My guess is that will happen soon enough. And the sooner the better.
Its not 1985-1995 anymore.
Within 5 years.

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

Nobody in the stands when they run. Just like Pro Stock.

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

That's , if true , unfortunate.
What I don't understand is the "separation" or cult mentality thats evident in drag racing. The "heads up" crowds that show up at those events apparently don't "translate" to NHRA class racing.

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

I think the difference is Barton builds engines for customers many of the Copo cars run his engines any one can go to Barton and order some engine upgrade. That is not the case with DSR they have a bunch of pro teams and as far as XX they build for there team, I don't see where they have a retail business where I can go to have an engine built to compete with them. Barton is competing with all his customers. Also Dodge turned over their XX race program to DSR I don't see where Chevy turned over there program to Barton or Elite or any race team. There is a big difference

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

Bischoff builds the engines for DSR cars, so yes appears you could call Tony and just order an engine to compete. Same as Copo teams, just call Stanfield for the best. All it takes is a fat wallet. That is the problem with this class as all heads up racing. More $ and resources usually create an advantage. Especially the $$$ part!

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

They (including Pro Stock) don't make enough noise or run fast enough to excite the average spectator. First national event I went to so I could watch old friend Mike Edwards run his Pro Stock car, (I was not racing then, but working too much) I was amazed that the stands fill up for the fuel cars, empty when they finish. Was not aware of that when racing. Go to the stands when fuel cars are not running, sit about anywhere you want.
They don't watch Comp, either. Even fewer in the stands when the .90 throttle stop cars run. I understand that one. LOL

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

At the "end of the day" as they say ( outside of the fuel circus show ) , me , you and all the guys with cars the spectators don't seem to appreciate ( the fans with little or NO hands on experience ) just don't get it . I could care less ........to me its a "party' for the racers BY the racers.
Yes , except for the .90 cars.......they dont count.........LOL

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

I like hearing this.........
I just sent my heads up there 2 weeks ago for "improvement" Go Preston..........LOL

Re: Factory Stockers FS/XX
 

BES also builds COPOs, Cobra Jets along with Mopars. Tony and his team are top notch guys! If you can race it they can build it.