2016 Shoot Out Rules posted

[Mike Keener]

Jesse,

Thank you for your response and expressing your personal viewpoint as well as that of Ford Racing!

As you are aware I also have a huge personal investment in the NA part of the program and totally disagree with these new rules which virtually wash away any chance of an NA car making the quick 8.

The sad part of this story is that it such an easy fix. All they have to do is back the S/C combos off from having the ability to make an extra 200 HP more than than most had anticipated when they were created. There is no way to bring parity any other way via adding or subtracting weight until the field has been tightened.

Trust me I know from first hand experience that the fans will not care about these cars running in the 8.0's. What they will care about is a wide disparity between number 1 and number 8. All they really want is close heads up competition and they won't care if they run 8.70's as long as it's exciting. Top Stock proved this at Norwalk in 2000 when 25,000 screaming fans watched a group of great Stock Eliminator cars run heads up running 10.20's. The excitement level was so huge that the Top Fuel and Pro Stock drivers and crew members emerged from the pit areas to see what all the noise was about!

With that being said I agree with you in remaining patient and let's see how this all plays out. NHRA has taken a good first step in the right direction in their attempt to do something very positive with the Factory Hot Rods and Paul and I will continue to support the class until changes are eventually made. We will not be at Gainsville but will follow your advise and attend Englishtown, Norwalk, and Indy in support of FS/X cars.

Thanks again for your support!