I need to apologize!!

[Rory McNeil]

Originally Posted by Dave Reuland

NHRA did lower the indexes back in the early 90's, I believe, by 2 or 3 tenths. But many complaints reversed that decision as I recall. I talked to several stock racers this weekend in Pheonix and lowering the indexes was a very popular answer to this whole problem. The slowest car in stock was -35 under the index. That would have left him with a .15 second cushion. As a racer, I always enjoyed watching qualifying. Not anymore, almost every car was running 70 to 90 under. That ruined watching qualifying for me. It's not 1977 when I started in Stock. Even my old home built car will run -50 under the index. Times change, so should the indexes.

NHRA did drop the Stock indexs down 3 tenths in 2009 or 2010, the fast guys were still the fast guys, the slow guys were still the slow guys, the only thing that was really effected was the slowest guys at the bottom of the qualifying sheet. If they couldn`t run at least the new index, some opened their wallets and "stepped up", but many just threw in the towel, and either quit or went bracket racing. Not really sure how making the fields even smaller, by discouraging the low buck, or guys that want to do everything themselves, or guys that like running a considered "un competitive" combo, because they like that car or engine, really is a benefit to the future of class racing. Seems some guys are complaining about dwindling car counts, not really sure than kicking to "bottom feeders" in the crotch is going to help in that department. Not everybody has the budget to buy a new COPO, or Cobra Jet, or even the budget for a $15,000 + pro built engine. And some guys, just like tinkering with what they have. Yes, aftermarket heads, intakes, carbs, lightweight brakes, seats, $6000 "trick" transmissions have allowed some guys to pick up their pace considerably, but not all combinations have the whizzy engine "enhancements" available to them, and others may not want to alter their cars to that extent. I have never seen Casey Miles Z/28, but I think it is great that guys like him are still out there racing, with an old school car.

[Larry Hill]

I would enjoy the reinstatement of the qualifying points with a twist. The twist would be ten qualifying points equals a grade point. It would be great to have the qualifying points included in the points chase. That will make some interesting runs later in the year.

This is about performance

[DG]

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

I would enjoy the reinstatement of the qualifying points with a twist. The twist would be ten qualifying points equals a grade point. It would be great to have the qualifying points included in the points chase. That will make some interesting runs later in the year.

This is about performance

Agree, there needs to be more incentives to go fast for the AHFS to work. The way it is currently, NHRA has incentivized .70 under runs. Bobby Fazio had a nice list of such incentives. The SRAC should take up consideration of a performance incentive program that if widely supported by currently active racers, should be recommended to NHRA.

[jmcarter]

Believe Qualifying #1-5 should be recognized (either as average highest position based on 5-8 races or even at the individual race) with awards ($) but not count toward the points chase. In that scenario is it likely that D'Agnolo wouldn’t be carrying the Number 1 on his car? Probably. Would D'Agnolo, Kevin Helms or Jody Lang need to change classes and acquire or build the best combo in order to prove they worthiness to wear #1? Would hate to see the deepest pockets have an advantage over the best drivers.

[Mike Pearson]

Here in D2 the Volkman's company Service Department Solutions sponsors a low qualifier award at each race for stock and super stock. It has become quite an honor to receive that award at each race. Some will run hard to get it and the possible bye first round. Thats a nice incentive. Thanks to the Volkman's for the awards.

I would hate to see an index reduction. I feel that would hurt the divisional car counts more than the nationals. I dont think it would help with the AHFS and the manipulation.

[5389stk]

my 2 cents , this used to be a performance class. Get rid of the ahfs leave the factors alone and look at them every 5 years. That way everybody can race the way they want. If you go 1.30 under you get torn down automatically. slow guys can race, guys that want to run fast can race, bracket racers can race the way they want. if you do not like heads up races maybe this class is not for you. Every time they try to fix the ahfs all they do is screw it up worse then it was.

[Larry Hill]

Jim that is the way it’s been for years good vs evil , talent vs performance, pitching vs hitting, and so on. It’s the best racer not just the best driver. Let’s throw some spice into the equation. How many heads up runs have you seen the champions loose. All the champs have good equipment and some have great equipment. If we go to qualifying points it will open up a chance for a few dark horses.

[Sean Gaffney]

Originally Posted by 5389stk

my 2 cents , this used to be a performance class. Get rid of the ahfs leave the factors alone and look at them every 5 years. That way everybody can race the way they want. If you go 1.30 under you get torn down automatically. Slow guys can race, guys that want to run fast can race, bracket racers can race the way they want. If you do not like heads up races maybe this class is not for you. Every time they try to fix the ahfs all they do is screw it up worse then it was.

thank you!!

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by jmcarter

Would hate to see the deepest pockets have an advantage over the best drivers.

Jim! It's always been that way! Why change now?

[DG]

Originally Posted by jmcarter

Believe Qualifying #1-5 should be recognized (either as average highest position based on 5-8 races or even at the individual race) with awards ($) but not count toward the points chase. In that scenario is it likely that D'Agnolo wouldn’t be carrying the Number 1 on his car? Probably. Would D'Agnolo, Kevin Helms or Jody Lang need to change classes and acquire or build the best combo in order to prove they worthiness to wear #1? Would hate to see the deepest pockets have an advantage over the best drivers.

Personally, I would love to see the the top drivers putting it all on the line in qualifying to compete for a championship. How cool would it have been last year in stock to see Brad Burton and Jimmy Hildago Jr trying to grab top qualifying points in Las Vegas and Pomona to gain advantage in championship points. A Stock/Superstock champion should be both a great driver and accomplished performance tuner. Burton and Hidalgo exemplify both standards.