"...notice the 12.12 on the windshield..."
Yeah, I mentioned that.
Maybe that was the nat record, at that time, and NOT a dial-in for that car.
Didn't Stockers back then run off their class nat record, RATHER THAN dialing their own, with any time equal to, or quicker than an NHRA dictated "Index" ?
I know I've read about some racers having their record "bombed", at a track which had really good weather conditions at the time of the record run. When that happened, any cars running that class, which could NOT run the record time, or quicker, became non-competitive, instantly. So, I assume there were lots of cars retired from class racing, unless they could run the record or quicker, with another legal engine for that car.
I can see how the index system was a good thing to help the sport survive.
As for the nat records, I just read in the Jr. Stock book that all the old nat records were wiped out, for the beginning of the '72 season. With the new Pure Stock type rules, it appears as tho most of the higher class Stock records were in the 13's.
I suppose that's why Truman Fields was able to set a new record for C/S, in '73, without dipping into the 11's.
As soon as the Stock rules began once again to allow soft tires & headers, the records for the upper classes quickly dipped into the 11's. But, the index system was there to protect the slower cars, & allow then to remain competitive, even when somebody bombed their nat record. So, I stand by the statement that the index system saved Stock class racing.
I personally think the Stock rules have gone too far, with unlimited valve spring pressure & cam duration. Also, allowing the super high tech(& high cost) lightweight auto trans has increased the cost of building & maintaining a Stocker, that will have a chance in a majority of the heads-up runs it has.
To be able to win most of your Stock heads-up runs, you'll now have to run quicker than most Super Stockers did, back in the '70's.
It seems that when I think about this, the 1st thing that always comes to my mind is that the '74 SD455 T/A, raced by H-O Racing Specialties, set the SS/KA nat record @ 11.31, in '77.
Think of all the Pontiac powered Stockers that can now run quicker than that SD455 powered Super Stocker. A good comparison is Brad Burton's 455HO powered '72 Stocker, which has run well into the 10's, for several years now.
Stockers ain't been anywhere near "Stock", for a LONG time !