Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

NHRA Technical Department Makes Parity Adjustments to the SAMTech.edu NHRA Factory Stock Showdown

Based on the SAMTech.edu NHRA Factory Stock Showdown performance numbers from the first five races of the 2019 season, the NHRA Technical Department is reducing the minimum weight for all pre-2019 Chevrolet COPO and Ford Cobra Jet combinations from 3,525 lbs. to 3,450 lbs. Additionally, the 2019 Cobra Jet 327 combination upper supercharger pulley size will be increased from 3.750 inches to 4.000 inches and the 2015 Drag Pak 354 combination upper supercharger pulley will be decreased from 3.125 inches to 3.000 inches.

As a reminder no other changes may be made to all approved superchargers, including, but not limited to upper or lower pulley sizes, gear ratios, cases, rotors, etc. All other permitted combinations in the SAMTech.edu NHRA Factory Stock Showdown will remain unchanged. These rule changes will go into effect immediately. NHRA reserves the right in the future to make additional rule changes to control performance and maintain parity in the category. The updated SAMTech.edu NHRA Factory Stock Showdown Rules and Procedures document can be found on NHRARacer.com under Rules/NHRA Factory Stock Showdown/Rules and Procedures.

Re: Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

I agree with the weight reduction, I agree with decreasing the upper pulley size on the Drag Paks, but I don't agree with increasing the upper pulley size AGAIN on the Cobra Jets. Just my 2 cents.

Re: Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

I only agree with the weight off the pre-2019 cars. The DP has already been 7.85 on a less than perfect pass and that was before it got 75lbs off. With this pulley change it is now capable of bottom 70s if not 60s in good air.

Sure is more expensive to race a CJ than the other 2 brands.

Re: Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

At Norwalk last week the only Dodge that qualified was Leah Pritchett at 8.01. Allen Johnson, Mark Pawuk, and Joe Welch didn't make the cut, even with the 75 lbs off. The adjusted altitude for most of the weekend was between 2100' and 2500'; so the air wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible either. By looking at my avatar, you can tell that I am a Ford fan; but I do want all 3 brands to be competitive so that Factory Stock doesn't become what Pro Stock is now.

Re: Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

Yes, but that doesn't erase the 7.85, it doesn't erase the 7.89 that had a better 60-330 than the 7.85 did. It was already proven to be capable of at least an 83 and that was before the 75lbs got taken off.

Re: Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

If this is the run your referring too then you are mistaken. The crew chief even stated during an interview earlier this year that they threw the kitchen sink at it and it stuck. I believe they tried to do the same with Mark Pawuk's car and it roasted the tires. By the way, that 60ft time is one of the five best 60fts of the year. Factory Stock Podcast Episode 8.

1.158 3.270 5.029 139.26 6.555 7.852 173.21

Re: Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

Oh but I'm not mistaken, the 7.89 had a better 60-330 split, see image.

Yes it was one of the best sixties. Kevin Skinner has some of the best sixties every race, you wanna give him a break too?

Re: Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

That some good data regarding the splits. Ultimately, I disagree with your basis for judging parity. Parity can't be determined simply on potential but potential and what the cars are doing on the track. I believe that the data collected so far would dictate a change to helpout the dodges. Obviously I'm biased but i also dont think I'm off base either. I haven't looked at the averages but if they tell a different story, I'll happily admit I'm wrong.

Re: Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

I certainly don't have the stats to back my opinion up, but it would appear to me that to anyone that was watching these cars the same day at the same track would think that the Cobra Jets were the fastest, then the COPOs then the Drag Packs.

With these three cars being so different, making them "equal" is no easy task.

Re: Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

I know it is hard to make 3 different cars equal. As long as they keep all 3 competitive with each other is all that I ask. I hope this doesn't become another Pro Stock fiasco.

Re: Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

Server problems caused double post - deleted one.

Re: Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

I really have no preference for one brand winning over another, but as others have said already the parity thing is getting out of control.


This is a stock class. To me, the entire point is how well the factory did in designing parts and how well the racers are able to get the most from them.


If the NHRA is going to spend all its tech efforts in trying to make the cars' performance the same, what is the point of racing them? Just a reaction time show?



I want to make clear that in my mind it's hurt the class when manufacturers are allowed to simply slap a part number on a bigger blower or other moves like that. That's a no brainer, sort of like allowing another stage of nitrous. It doesn't reward good engineering or R&D in the least.


Early after the class got started, I was happy to see the same interest like there was in the early days of Pro Stock and things looked pretty much the same to me as back then. But this whole thing has taken a strong turn into 2019 style with awards for competing and "there are no losers".

Re: Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

Wait until they find out the Challengers have been holding back HP in the tune for later release.


Ron

Re: Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

[QUOTE=Andys dad;591546]Wait until they find out the Challengers have been holding back HP in the tune for later release.


Ron[/QUOTE

You're going to be "waiting" for awhile.....as in... forever Mike

Re: Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

I would agree with you 100% at Norwalk. However, the race before that at Topeka a COPO was quickest.

If you look at these best ETs from each race, and remember at the 2nd race and the 3rd race, that the CJ and the COPO were both running pulleys larger than the race prior, yet the DP remained just about as far behind the CJ as it was in the beginning, and much further behind the COPO. Then the last 2 races it is 75lbs lighter and still remains way behind, finishing off farther behind than it was at the beginning of the season, even after all of those rule changes in it's favor.

This makes it seem that rule changes are being made based on current performance, disregarding past performance. What I see is teams running 2 brands that continue to work and make progress, while the other is actually going backwards.

Re: Parity Adjustments Factory Stock Showdown
 

The DP car have the least efficient blowers of the group! No one to blame but themselves.

The older 2.9 Whipple is a heat pump in comparison to the Whipple on the Cobra Jet cars, their 3.0L duel inter cooler is much better. The COPO are much smaller at 2.65L but it’s a roots style. (More efficient air pump)


I seriously think they should all have run the same blowers like it was at the start of the class. Then adjust pulley size and weight to make the parity truly work. If they would have just made pulley changes last year like this year it would have been a way different game.