Factory experimental

[Alan Roehrich]

This is not about these cars not being Chevrolet cars. There are plenty of the Chrysler cars that are getting bulldozed by this. Not just the 396, 427, and 454 Chevy cars are taking a hit on this. What about the Hemi cars and the Max Wedge cars? Yes, they'll get blown away by these new cars. What about the guys with the old style Fords who don't have the cash get a new CJ or Roush car, and some backing to go with it? Or don't want one?

As much as anyone might want to make this a problem with a favorite brand, it simply just isn't. It's about a new car coming in to an established class it does not belong in and running over everything in sight, regardless of brand.

The idea of "wait for them to get factored, wait for the AHFS to get them" just does not work. Everyone here knows how long it takes the AHFS to get around to a new combination and bring it in line. Sometimes it takes 5 years or more, and sometimes it just doesn't happen at all.

Yes, factory involvement can be good for the class, and for the sport in general. But not when a factory takes advantage of the situation and sends a ringer in to completely eliminate competition. It does not matter what factory. There was a time when sanctioning bodies did not tolerate or accept this behavior, and some still do not. However, some sanctioning bodies have been consumed by greed, and no longer have any real regard for the grass roots of the sport.

[Billy Nees]

I have to get back into this to bring up a point that hasn't been made yet. I am the worlds worst businessman so maybe someone on here can enlighten me on this. Why would GM or Chrysler dare to jump into Stock with a new model when they are almost guarenteed to get their brains kicked in by the Cobra Jet? I have heard that the race Challengers aren't being built, is this correct? If so, why aren't they? Could it be that their SRT8 6.1 Hemi which is carrying a HP rating of 420 would look downright lame against a 4 valve supercharged car rated at 425 HP? To me, NOT building them looks like GOOD business sense! It seems smart to wait for the Hurst Challenger with the supercharged 6.1 to go against the CJs. The problem with that scenerio would be what can they rate the Hurst cars at when the rating on a base 6.1 is already 420? Maybe 425? I don't think that even Compton would buy that one! What about GM? Let's see, we can build a base 6.2 2008 Vette but it's at 430 HP! That's right, look it up, the BASE car is in the guide at 430 HP! I've raced some of the WORST combos in the guide (by choice) and I gotta tell you that even I wouldn't race a 2 valve, cam in block, naturally aspirated 376 ci motor against a 4 valve, overhead cam, blown, 330 ci motor. Where I'm going with this is I don't believe that Fords entry into Stock with this obviously WAY under rated CJ is going to help bring GM and Chrysler back into it. It's just not good business sense to go racing and get creamed!

[Billy Nees]

OBTW, all of the hype about Garlits racing a Challenger in Stock? It ain't happening unless they hurry up and get the Challenger in the guide. No guide, no race.

[Len Imbrogno]

To Alan and Bruce's point, creating a specific class for the new Mustang, as well as a race version of the new Challenger and Camaro, was exactly the concept that was looked at prior to my departure from NHRA. As a matter of fact, there were several meetings with representatives from all three manufacturers and they were all on board with the concept. The class was to be called "American Muscle" and allow the three American manufacturers a chance to showcase their latest performance cars. This type of a concept would most likely breath a renewed interest by the auto manufacturers in promoting products they actually sell and as Dick Butler stated, would give Stk and SS "a chance to retake part of the show".
Not sure what happened to this idea, but perhaps NHRA could take another look at it going forward.

[keith ohanesian]

Its called you left Len.