[Evan Smith]

Ford and Roush are not tied at the hips at all when it comes to drag racing. Roush is listed as the manufacturer of its Roush Mustangs, not Ford. It is of course a Ford Mustang, but with Roush's own government certified engine parts, body parts, suspension and most importantly, engine calibration. Roush is not an aftermarket company in this sense, it is the actual manufacturer of the vehicle, as listed on the window sticker. When you purchase one of these cars, you get a Roush Mustang. This is similar to Saleen and Steeda Mustangs Becoming the "manufacturer" takes a huge investment and is far more involved than just throwing on a blower and body kit.

Roush got its cars listed in the NHRA books on its own and they carry a 430 (or 435) and 510 hp rating depending on the package you choose. These are 4.6 liter, 3-valve engines as opposed to the 5.4 4-valve in the CJ. The 435 hp version has a small blower, the 510 has a blower similar to the one on the GT500 and the CJ. Neither is near as favorable as the CJ. From what I have heard, Roush is building one or two of it's own cars for Super Stock, but I don't expect to see a flood of them.

Ford worked for over a year on the CJ with NHRA. If NHRA saw fit to give it a special class, it would have done so. You can't blame Ford for wanting to build a winner. Ford knows the consequences of building a total ringer. I have explained to the powers at Ford in great detail how it would not look good to go out and own Stock Eliminator without some hard work.

Evan