Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

There's a post on Facebook that's got me thinking. I feel that one of the coolest things to happen in Class Racing in the last twenty-five years was Top Stock. Is there any way that we can bring that back?

(2001 and older cars)

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

Gump Hopefully we will meet in Gainesville. I think it would be a great class to be contested at Indy. I'm willing to put up some money to make it happen. I think others would also too. BP

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

I know I have been saying it for about 3 years now “if top stock ever made a come back that’s where you can find me!” I would love to see this happen and would absolutely help in anyway to make it take off. 💪🏼 -Cody

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IHRA Top Stock was an outstanding category and an incredible show.

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Of course the poor turnout for Top Stock at Ken’s race will be used to justify not running it. Meanwhile let’s make the Baby Gators class eliminations the next best thing. Hope the Gators quota deal will not deter folks from making long tows for the Divisional…full 128 car fields would be great.

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One of the things that might help participation is make the weight brake 8.0 instead of 8.25. Easier for some of the AA cars to run it.

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Our stuff was never great in Top Stock but we would drive for miles just to race in it.

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Just more blatant discrimination aimed at HP challenged individuals like myself!

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

Good morning to all,
I only ran Jr. Stock and THAT my fellow Class Racers was the most fun I had Drag Racing !!!!!!!!
I also feel as Class Racers that's where most of us would love to participate.
All out, first to the finish, with everything you got. I realize I'm in the autumn of my racing career but that's still the coolest type of racing.
At this point I'd just like to give Dave Ley a shout out on this because I believe he spearheaded most of this in the beginning. If someone could figure out how we could make this happen again, it would be Great.
Just my Two Cents but it was Good Fun.

Respectfully,
Henry Kunz 1534 H/SA

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

There's always that one guy....

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

We ran Top Stock at Indy open in 2009, I believe. Can't remember the sponsor but it was very much fun even though we needed a little more steam. Would love to see it come back.

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

Hey now....


Bring it back but minimum 40% stick shift ;-)

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I wouldn't limit the years and would just have traditional stockers eligible, NO FS cars. There is newer than 2001 cars in the guide that were massed produced. That's what would be neat is to see new vs old muscle.





Bret Velde
2003 ??/SA

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

To Mr Kunz :
and others ' i have actually been working on a Full program for a new Jr stock eliminator - so i suppose i will just add top stock to it.
More later, i have sponsors -including myself who have expressed interest. perhaps we should meet at gainsville. Rock

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

Good morning Professor and all,
I would enjoy taking you up on your offer to meet at Gainesville, but can't do so at this time. Work and time won't allow at this point. Don't let that stop your progress with this.
There will be a few obstacles you'll have to endure, Maybe you should reach out to Mr. Dave Ley and get some insight from him. At this point in time I would say he's the Subject Matter Expert. Please continue to fight the good fight.
Have a Great Day.

Respectfully,
Henry Kunz 1534 H/SA

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Are you talking about a heads up, no break out one weight break class ?????

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

SO .... why did it die in the first place?

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We had it at the IHRA National events we had at Grand Bend it was great. From what I knew the tech was very hard to police, it's hard to find people that want to spend all night taking their engines apart . It's also hard to take the oil pan off on first gen cars.

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

The IHRA version of Top Stock got out of hand way too fast. I got a bunch of parts together to build a Buick GS. By the time that I was ready to start the build the combination was no longer viable!

What I am talking about is A, B, C Stockers having a little fun within the existing NHRA rules.

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

I put some sponsorship money up in 2006- 2007 with Dick Butler when he was really trying to get it going with NHRA. I even built a 2003 Cobra for the class, but it all kinda faded away. When they ran at the US Class Nationals in 2001 it was awesome!! Hopefully some day it can be reality and stick around.





Bret Velde
2003 ??/SA

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

Our trailer company has in the past sponsored or co-sponsored
independent stock and superstock combos on the West Coast
for a number of years.
We would be interested in co-sponsoring and participating in
a Western Jr. Stock race.

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I was at Maple Grove that weekend and it was one the best events I ever witnessed.

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

I love Top Stock, I worked with Dick Butler when he tried to revive it a few years back. He and I sponsored Top Stock and Top Super Stock at Bowling Green out of our own pockets.


I think Top Stock is viable, however, you need only look at the quota issues this year to see that it is not going to happen at NHRA national events. Especially if you exclude the FS/FX cars, which you obviously should do.


Bret is correct, there are a few cars that a 2001 cutoff would exclude that should be included. How about 2005-2006? Or just no FS/FX cars?



Where Top Stock is possible is at the National Open events, and the LODRS events. You'll need to gain some cooperation, and some sponsors. Friendly tracks such as Bowling Green, with Broc Porter managing it, will work with you, within reason.



While Todd is correct, making it 8.0# per HP may make it easier for a few AA cars to enter, that really just makes it A/S-A/SA heads up. Honestly, it excludes more of the C and D cars that move up, and try to play "giant killer", which tends to involve a few more cars, AND gives the crowd some underdogs to cheer. We had a couple of natural D cars run at Bowling Green, and they had a decent showing, as well as a good time. When we race, we run AA/SA, we have a 435HP combination, and have considered a 445HP combination. So we also understand where the AA guys come from when they say that they don't like the 8.25# weight break. But I think it needs to stay at 8.25#.


The continuing popularity of the A Stick challenge at Indy shows that there is interest in something such as Top Stock, among racers, spectators, and even a few sponsors. And I think that's how/where you start the return of Top Stock.

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

I’ll get going on a diet for both the car and driver if Top Stock comes back around here!

Watching Top Stock at the 2001 Class Nationals is one of my favorite memories from being a kid at the track.

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

What’s the weight break for Jr Stock? Would be cool to have a heads up class for the high hp small block cars.

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

US Class Nationals
21 Top Stock paired for first round
Matt Morgan #1051 Low ET 10.370
Paul Mercure #2503 Top speed 127.41

134 Stockers paired for first round
103 Super Stockers paired for first round

Nitro Joe did the qualifying sheets and I had help doing the pairings in the lanes.
I grabbed some of the sheets that we had laying around after the race and kept them for posterity
If any one is interested I can post the round pairings I have.
It is not a full set.
I will have to get to my shop computer to post the pairings by rounds.
I'm not familiar with this new computer format at my home..

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

In division one I've tried to get Jr stock going. First at 11lbs/hp and then at 11.5 lbs/hp.

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

This all sounds like a good time and a great idea. But unlike 20 years ago or so, not sure exactly how long ago Top Stock was thriving, drivers and engine builders have a handle on fuel injection. The LS camaros and corvettes will win every single event thats entered by a lot. If a 396/375 chevy or a big block mopar engine wins, you can bet it is basically a super stock motor. IHRA allowed the crate motors in Top Stock which NHRA would never do. And those were solid Top Stock combos. It would be cool to see these heads up, big wheelie races. Factory stock showdown can't even draw a crowd, not sure NHRA really cares about this.

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I don't see it happening with the early model cars. The factory support is with the later model factory race cars, no one is interested in the old stuff anymore unfortunately.

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Oh, OK!

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I dont see it happening on the NHRA level. There are already too many classes in sportsman and they are trying to reduce the amount of sportsman at the nationals. Maybe they could be run at some of the more successful association races like the ECSSA or the CCRA.or possibly at national opens.

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

How about a "United States Top Stock Association"?

It could get started with some four car match races. You could do it at any track and pretty much any event. Do it all year and have a season ending invitational for the badest of the bad.

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

Good afternoon to all,
After thinking of this most of the morning - and I know this idea is really far off the radar, but like Mike suggested, to have it at or in conjunction with an Association race. What do you think the chances of a Top Stock and Jr. Stock - stand alone race? This way racers aren't going to have to "set up " there're cars for Heads Up and then switch back to Bracket Mode to run an eliminator ? Yeah - I know , it's out there.
I've trying to come up with various ideas that would help but its tuff , as everyone well knows!
Then maybe have " Bottom Stock" to help fill in the gaps in time.
Keeping you in mind here Billy.

Respectfully,
Henry Kunz 1534 H/SA

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

https://youtu.be/zJVYea1AWSg

Nuff said.

Bring Back Top Stock

And I hope you still have your Buick parts Gump.

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

If it does come back the rules need to be strictly enforced. The IHRA rules were bought and sold to the fast burn folks and later sold to the LS crowd. All of us non players lost interest, Jerry and I included.

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

Love to see this make a come back. Probably a last ditch effort for the go fast guys. But it sure seems like people don't want to break away from there normal Routine to make it happen from the outside looking in. They get excited about doing it once a year at indy. Why not make every race a indy? Especially being that's even getting taken away.

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

Top Stock would have to be contested at National Opens with no AHFS. We could do it second round of qualifying. Ladder based of of first round of qualifying. Winners race each other third round of qualifying. If Q4 is not available than the fastest wins. Of course the track would be asked to let us run at back of qualifying or the front of round next. So no lolligaging.

Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

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Re: Could Top Stock Come Back?
 

For sure don't let those pesky LS cars in. At 26 years, they're too new and modern!

Al Corda