Could Top Stock Come Back?

[GTX JOHN]

Originally Posted by ProfessorRock

To Mr Kunz :
and others ' i have actually been working on a Full program for a new Jr stock eliminator - so i suppose i will just add top stock to it.
More later, i have sponsors -including myself who have expressed interest. perhaps we should meet at gainsville. Rock

Our trailer company has in the past sponsored or co-sponsored
independent stock and superstock combos on the West Coast
for a number of years.
We would be interested in co-sponsoring and participating in
a Western Jr. Stock race.

[Frank Castros]

Originally Posted by Henrys Toy

Good morning to all,
I only ran Jr. Stock and THAT my fellow Class Racers was the most fun I had Drag Racing !!!!!!!!
I also feel as Class Racers that's where most of us would love to participate.
All out, first to the finish, with everything you got. I realize I'm in the autumn of my racing career but that's still the coolest type of racing.
At this point I'd just like to give Dave Ley a shout out on this because I believe he spearheaded most of this in the beginning. If someone could figure out how we could make this happen again, it would be Great.
Just my Two Cents but it was Good Fun.

Respectfully,
Henry Kunz 1534 H/SA

I was at Maple Grove that weekend and it was one the best events I ever witnessed.

[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.

[Andrew Hill]

I’ll get going on a diet for both the car and driver if Top Stock comes back around here!

Watching Top Stock at the 2001 Class Nationals is one of my favorite memories from being a kid at the track.

[DG7050]

What’s the weight break for Jr Stock? Would be cool to have a heads up class for the high hp small block cars.

[Adger Smith]

US Class Nationals
21 Top Stock paired for first round
Matt Morgan #1051 Low ET 10.370
Paul Mercure #2503 Top speed 127.41

134 Stockers paired for first round
103 Super Stockers paired for first round

Nitro Joe did the qualifying sheets and I had help doing the pairings in the lanes.
I grabbed some of the sheets that we had laying around after the race and kept them for posterity
If any one is interested I can post the round pairings I have.
It is not a full set.
I will have to get to my shop computer to post the pairings by rounds.
I'm not familiar with this new computer format at my home..

[Glenn Briglio]

Originally Posted by DG7050

What’s the weight break for Jr Stock? Would be cool to have a heads up class for the high hp small block cars.

In division one I've tried to get Jr stock going. First at 11lbs/hp and then at 11.5 lbs/hp.

[PozQB14]

This all sounds like a good time and a great idea. But unlike 20 years ago or so, not sure exactly how long ago Top Stock was thriving, drivers and engine builders have a handle on fuel injection. The LS camaros and corvettes will win every single event thats entered by a lot. If a 396/375 chevy or a big block mopar engine wins, you can bet it is basically a super stock motor. IHRA allowed the crate motors in Top Stock which NHRA would never do. And those were solid Top Stock combos. It would be cool to see these heads up, big wheelie races. Factory stock showdown can't even draw a crowd, not sure NHRA really cares about this.

[Joey Bohannon]

I don't see it happening with the early model cars. The factory support is with the later model factory race cars, no one is interested in the old stuff anymore unfortunately.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Joey Bohannon

no one is interested in the old stuff anymore unfortunately.

Oh, OK!