So, Indy 2020...

[kansas stocker]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Class winners in and fill the field with fastest qualifiers?

Worked for years. As I remember it from my youth, you either won class or went home.

[Dave Muller]

I'm not fast myself (well, not yet anyway) but I vote for go fast or go home.

[Bob Mulry]

Just a heads up...….

INDY 2018 had Class Winners in L/SA and N/SA that didn't qualify for the Eliminator....

Both Class Winners beat other racecars in their class HEADS UP to earn a Wally.

42 Factory Stock racecars entered and 32 Factory Stock racecars qualified for the Eliminator.

25% of the Stock Eliminator field was made up of Factory Stock racecars.

It almost appears that the name of Stock Eliminator should be changed to Factory Stock Eliminator

This is just another case of the NEW NHRA discarding history.

You have probably heard it before but it appears that the NEW NHRA doesn't have a clue and possibly never will.

[Kevin McKenna]

Originally Posted by Bob Mulry

Just a heads up...….

INDY 2018 had Class Winners in L/SA and N/SA that didn't qualify for the Eliminator....

Both Class Winners beat other racecars in their class HEADS UP to earn a Wally.

42 Factory Stock racecars entered and 32 Factory Stock racecars qualified for the Eliminator.

1/3 of the Stock Eliminator field was made up of Factory Stock racecars.

It almost appears that the name of Stock Eliminator should be changed to Factory Stock Eliminator

This is just another case of the NEW NHRA discarding history.

You have probably heard it before but it appears that the NEW NHRA doesn't have a clue and possibly never will.

How is that discarding history? It's more like history repeating itself.

The '55-'57 Chevy guys all complained when the '61-'63 lightweight Fords, Pontiacs, and Mopars showed up.

The '61-'63 lightweight guys complained when the '67-'70 Big block and Hemi cars showed up.

The '67-'70 big block and Hemi guys complained when the LT1 and EFI cars showed up.

The EFI guys complain about the Factory Stock cars.
It's called progress and it's inevitable. And believe me, I absolutely love the fact that there are so many cool old cars still racing in Stock.

[Dan Bennett]

Originally Posted by Kevin McKenna

How is that discarding history? It's more like history repeating itself. ...

Kevin, I usually agree with you so often that it almost gets embarrassing. And I still agree with part of your post. Racers have always complained about new combinations and technology that affects their chance to win. They always will.


But discarding history has to do with how class winners are now treated. In every sanctioning body I can think of, the cars were separated into classes with roughly the same performance. The cars that won class were the best of their kind. And then, to choose the overall eliminator, those winners raced each other.


To me, it just comes down to believing that winning class means something. It's been part of the process to find the best performing car of the race. But now, multiple cars who weren't even the best in their class will take the place of others who won their class.

[Whalen3186]

I'm all for most of the history and traditions of our sport but this idea is a step backwards in the wrong direction.

Two L/SA cars show up at Indy, car A is -1.10 under the index and car B is -.50. Car A red lights to give B the class win. Say the #128 qualifier is the M/SA class runner up is -.90. No way should the -.50 L/SA make the eliminator before the -.90 M car.

If a particular class has an index problem (ie SS/AH) fix the index, don't screw up the whole category.

[1matcoman]

Originally Posted by Whalen3186

Two L/SA cars show up at Indy, car A is -1.10 under the index and car B is -.50. Car A red lights to give B the class win. Say the #128 qualifier is the M/SA class runner up is -.90. No way should the -.50 L/SA make the eliminator before the -.90 M car.

No disagreement, sir. But, shame on the -1.10 car who red lights to the -.50 guy. j/s

[Bob Mulry]

Originally Posted by Whalen3186

I'm all for most of the history and traditions of our sport but this idea is a step backwards in the wrong direction.

Two L/SA cars show up at Indy, car A is -1.10 under the index and car B is -.50. Car A red lights to give B the class win. Say the #128 qualifier is the M/SA class runner up is -.90. No way should the -.50 L/SA make the eliminator before the -.90 M car.

If a particular class has an index problem (ie SS/AH) fix the index, don't screw up the whole category.

The 1.10 under car will get in based on performance and not driving...

Do you think that driving should count for something in a drag race??

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Whalen3186

I'm all for most of the history and traditions of our sport but this idea is a step backwards in the wrong direction.

Two L/SA cars show up at Indy, car A is -1.10 under the index and car B is -.50. Car A red lights to give B the class win. Say the #128 qualifier is the M/SA class runner up is -.90. No way should the -.50 L/SA make the eliminator before the -.90 M car.

If a particular class has an index problem (ie SS/AH) fix the index, don't screw up the whole category.

How about two K/S cars race for the trophy. Car 1 goes -.91 . Car 2 goes -88 and beats car 1 on a holeshot. Car 1 gets to run the eliminator @ # 126. Car 2 ( class winner) ends up #132 , and gets to watch car 1 on race day.
Fair? Right?

[Kevin McKenna]

Originally Posted by Dan Bennett

Kevin, I usually agree with you so often that it almost gets embarrassing. And I still agree with part of your post. Racers have always complained about new combinations and technology that affects their chance to win. They always will.


But discarding history has to do with how class winners are now treated. In every sanctioning body I can think of, the cars were separated into classes with roughly the same performance. The cars that won class were the best of their kind. And then, to choose the overall eliminator, those winners raced each other.


To me, it just comes down to believing that winning class means something. It's been part of the process to find the best performing car of the race. But now, multiple cars who weren't even the best in their class will take the place of others who won their class.

Sometimes history needs to be discarded. Imagine a return to 1968 rules. 200 or more SS cars show up, only the class winners and low qualifiers get to race. There's a catch. There are only about a dozen classes and the field is just 32 cars. Everyone else goes home. Imagine trying that structure today with so many different combinations and so much new technology. I'd argue that class racing would have died long ago if we didn't move away from that format.

(Oh, and Dan, don't agree with me that often. You'll thank me later.)