Lack of traction is nothing new.

[art leong]

Traction problems are nothing new. Years ago stockers were always the first out, and first after a big cleanup. And that was way before the traction enhancements.
I can go back to the world finals in Ontario CA. in 1979. It was a one lane race for the most part. If you were in the right lane, you went home. Bald spot was bad in the right lane.
We were running the Challenger. Had a bye run in the semi's. I studied the lanes real closely and walked it out between the bald spots and figured we could get enough tire on the good spot wide our wide ***** Challenger I lined him up just right on the bye the car hooked great then just idled down the track. Tex and Jeff Powers (ford mustang 428) flipped for lane choice. Tex won flip and picked the right lane, Jeff asked him "you mean you want me in the right lane. Tex said no I want you to have a better view of me chasing you down (D/SA to our B/SA) . and when I lock them up it tends to slide that way.
Well Jeff thought we just gave him the world championship. We puttered around (cooling the motor)and let most (maybe all of the others) run first. I remember every car in the right lane losing. Tex was sitting in the car as I gave him the thumbs down each time. Jeff was watching every move I made. When we went up I got Tex where I wanted him. The tree came down and we actually left first (he had the spot (about 2 tenths I think). Then it was just get it in high and stick the fender out.
But that race was a one lane race for all the narrow rear cars. That was in the Wally days, but I don't think Buster was at that event.