[Aubrey N Bruneau]

Yes Fishlips, I agree.. lifter striking the cam is the most likely cause of losing the puck.
Have Crane "nitro carb" 1.7 BBC rockers and Comp .080" wall 3/8" pushrods ( about an inch shorter than BBC ). I previously ran this engine for two years, with these lifters, on a cam with the same lobes, but less piston-to-valve clearance. NEVER had any problem with the valve train ( althougth it DID break an ARP rod bolt on no.1 cyl ).

The rocker puncturing was random... this bank, that cylinder... other bank... blah blah blah ( happened 4 times ). Never had a rocker problem on the valve that broke the lifter. Been running mechanical cams for 30+ years, have set a LOT of valves, know how to do it ( ask the guys at Lee Brothers Automotive in Red Deer, how much of a fanatic I am about lash ). And yes, during the time, I did 3 hot adjustments.

Ya' know, Jeff... when I was young, late teens to late 20's, I had occasion to be at a few different drag strips. Sometimes just to watch, a few times with my own car, bracket racing / just trying to have fun.
What became evident all too often, and was quite consistent, was the people. In the pits, in areas where the "stickered cars" were... the real racers, for the most part, was a gathering of rather unpleasant individuals. I'll leave it at that. But suffice it to say, it was the attitude of this "type" that kept me away from a drag strip for over 10 years. Just wasn't that much fun.
Now, I'm trying to be part of that ?

Anyhow, I'll tell you what... I'll go down to my local rcmp station here, and talk to one of the guys/girls, and see what their attitude is.
However, despite the fact that I am clearly offended by your attitude, I will take the "big picture" intent of your comment respectfully, and likely adjust my habits somewhat.