Could Top Stock Come Back?

[Alan Roehrich]

I love Top Stock, I worked with Dick Butler when he tried to revive it a few years back. He and I sponsored Top Stock and Top Super Stock at Bowling Green out of our own pockets.


I think Top Stock is viable, however, you need only look at the quota issues this year to see that it is not going to happen at NHRA national events. Especially if you exclude the FS/FX cars, which you obviously should do.


Bret is correct, there are a few cars that a 2001 cutoff would exclude that should be included. How about 2005-2006? Or just no FS/FX cars?



Where Top Stock is possible is at the National Open events, and the LODRS events. You'll need to gain some cooperation, and some sponsors. Friendly tracks such as Bowling Green, with Broc Porter managing it, will work with you, within reason.



While Todd is correct, making it 8.0# per HP may make it easier for a few AA cars to enter, that really just makes it A/S-A/SA heads up. Honestly, it excludes more of the C and D cars that move up, and try to play "giant killer", which tends to involve a few more cars, AND gives the crowd some underdogs to cheer. We had a couple of natural D cars run at Bowling Green, and they had a decent showing, as well as a good time. When we race, we run AA/SA, we have a 435HP combination, and have considered a 445HP combination. So we also understand where the AA guys come from when they say that they don't like the 8.25# weight break. But I think it needs to stay at 8.25#.


The continuing popularity of the A Stick challenge at Indy shows that there is interest in something such as Top Stock, among racers, spectators, and even a few sponsors. And I think that's how/where you start the return of Top Stock.