NHRA "FIXED" Factory Showdown

[Dan Bennett]

Looking at how quickly things have changed since St Louis last fall, I'm going to put on my tinfoil hat and speculate that Mopar is doing the same strategy Harley used with the bikes.


It's early in the year - you back things down until you get some breaks since "you can't run with the others". Later in the year when things really count, you unleash the hounds and put enough tuneup back in to stay ahead of the pack. But, never ever show everything you've got.


Sure, the other manufacturers could have stepped up and have now gone past them. But that still doesn't explain how either Pawuk or AJ lost a tenth or so from last year, assuming they did any development or not.



And no, I'm not a raving fan of any manufacturer. In fact, the first successful car I raced was a 340 Duster.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Dan Bennett

It's early in the year - you back things down until you get some breaks since "you can't run with the others".

Well, stuff like THAT NEVER happens in Stock and SS! That's a terrible thing to say that it would EVER happen in Factory Stock Showdown!!!

[countrypuppy4865]

Points to consider to create more parity:
Everybody runs the same blower
Make the weight based on the ci (maybe sliding scale)

Also the fastest non Ford car is a Mopar

[Rat Raceway]

WFO “Factory Stock podcast” has some great insight from the racers!

Barton said he thinks everyone should have to run a restricter plate. Same size hole for air coming in could be a huge equalizer.

No way they will ever get everything on a level field. Just do the best you can with what you have and go for it...

[Dan Bennett]

The thing is, I'd just as soon that they never be equal. That's what made the early days of Pro Stock so interesting. Everybody has to play by the same rules and the best builders and tuners found the advantages as time went on. And those at the top kept changing places as each of them thought up something new.



What I don't want is for any differences in the car's performance to come from manipulating the process to get an advantage that wasn't earned. Is Brand X a bit porky? Don't put weight on the cars that aren't. Let Brand X figure out how to build a car lighter/smaller than the other guys.


Yes, it's 2019 and I'm living in the past. The manufacturers are not going to make investors mad by spending more money (better product? Naw; more dividends? Always!), and the NHRA can't afford (!) to hire even a single person to ride herd on what's being done to the cars.

[fredjohnston]

Sources are telling me these cars will soon be allowed to run the electric shocks, similar to what a pro-stock car is using. This supposedly will help them "get down the track" and put on a better show.

[DG7050]

Originally Posted by Dan Bennett

The thing is, I'd just as soon that they never be equal. That's what made the early days of Pro Stock so interesting. Everybody has to play by the same rules and the best builders and tuners found the advantages as time went on. And those at the top kept changing places as each of them thought up something new.



What I don't want is for any differences in the car's performance to come from manipulating the process to get an advantage that wasn't earned. Is Brand X a bit porky? Don't put weight on the cars that aren't. Let Brand X figure out how to build a car lighter/smaller than the other guys.


Yes, it's 2019 and I'm living in the past. The manufacturers are not going to make investors mad by spending more money (better product? Naw; more dividends? Always!), and the NHRA can't afford (!) to hire even a single person to ride herd on what's being done to the cars.

Agree. I watched Pro Stock on TV yesterday and man was it boring. Pro Stock used to be my favorite class. The sameness and parity created by NHRA has made it like watching .90 index cars. Factory stock feels more like old school Pro stock, keep it that way.

[Coleydog]

Sign of today's times, everybody equal, don't keep score, all get a participation trophy. I think Barton's right, restricter place, same displacement, same basic suspension (not exotic), 9" tires and same weight. Also untouched body!

[Bobby Lundholm]

How about the huge $1,500 check Skillman won?

[Bob Lasko]

Originally Posted by DG7050

Agree. I watched Pro Stock on TV yesterday and man was it boring. Pro Stock used to be my favorite class. The sameness and parity created by NHRA has made it like watching .90 index cars. Factory stock feels more like old school Pro stock, keep it that way.

They had 1st round on tv that lasted for about 20 seconds. Fuel cars got a lot more time. This would make anything boring