Factory Cars to Pro Stock in 2018 - Speculative Web Article

[Carguy49]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

Okay, at this point, this has devolved into guys, including myself, who don't race a class, not just trying to adjust rules for a class that we don't race, but either suggesting wholesale changes, wiping the class out completely and starting over, or just plain suggesting letting the class die, and screw the guys who run it. That's just bad form, and totally uncool, I'm out of this.

Alan, I totally get where you are coming from. I enjoy reading all your thoughts on any subject that you comment on.

Pro Stock is dying and we, probably, can't stop it from happening. I have loved and followed the class closely from it's beginning. The early Pro Stock cars were fun to watch. The class had much appeal to racers and spectators alike. I just checked the stats and in 2008 there were 52 cars in the class and in 2016 there were 27. I believe that in the late 70's or early 80's there were about 15 Pro Stock cars in Division 6 alone. I hope the class can be fixed, but not going to hold my breath.

[impstocker]

Not being mentioned here is the most obvious draw for the TV and Spectators..

Heads Up Racing

no handicap racing on the "Outlaw Racing" shows, they have better ratings than NHRA

Will Lamprecht

[Todd Geisler]

The Factory Stock Shootout is the modern day Pro Stock to me.

The current Pro Stock class will not grow as it sits.

[cutta]

There's still the issue of money. If the current PS contigent(KB racing, Gray Motorsports, Elite, McGaha, etc) jumps into this class, we will be back to less than twenty cars in no time. Big money racing programs will likely keep the "little guy" home. 23 events will likely keep the "little guy" home. Do we really have 20 new racers willing to pour at least $500,000/yr in a racing program for multiple years with new investors backing them. When you think about the bigger issue in my mind, it's a popularity and a new money issue issue. How do we address the new money issue and convince that money to stay.

And if there is a move like this on the way, it would be wise to keep the current investors/racers involved so you have the best possible chance to keep that money as well. New investors haven't loyally invested millions for years so relying on new money alone is risky.

Side note, it maybe time for NHRA to invest some money into joint education programs with high schools to build interest into racing earlier on. All major motorsports organizations should look into doing that. Plane that seed early.

[Mike Keener]

IMHO making this a big tire class with roll cages capable of 8.50 or quicker elapsed times basically obsoletes any existing FS car because it makes no sense whatsoever to back half and tear a perfectly good roll cage, etc, etc out of a 135,000 serial numbered factory hot rod.

To me it makes far more sense to just build another car if that's what NHRA should decide to do.

[Jason Fuller]

If the big three want to sell cars then include a heads up bracket under the speed and et needed for a roolbar and race "taxes" I mean seat belts every two years.....


The big three should pay me for my ideas too.

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[Chris DeGidio]

14x32 tire, steel body with carbon fiber front, Liberty 5 speed,must use OEM engine,have max cubic inch and minumum weight and let 'em have at it.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Chris DeGidio

14x32 tire, steel body with carbon fiber front, Liberty 5 speed,must use OEM engine,have max cubic inch and minumum weight and let 'em have at it.

Sounds great on the surface, but you'll have weight breaks within four events.

[Randall Klein]

In an unlimited class you will lose MoPar & Ford fairly quickly if they even try (see Pro Trucks and current PS)
Sheer numbers and Corp interest by Chev will always dominate unlimited

Current FS at 9" allow all 3 entities to think they got a shot

If the big 3 would pressure ($) NHRA to run when fans are in their seats instead of early AM and late sessions, their appeal would quickly become the real PS; too bad the suits can' t see what fans really want, heads up, cars that look like cars, and corp competition and less I forget the wheel stands

[grncpe]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned pro stock truck. That class seemed to be growing but then the nhra pulled the plug on it. I could see the same thing happening with this. It's a shame but like so many have said, money rules. I couldn't afford to race in super stock until I was in my 40's there is no way a younger generation can or wants to afford the type of racing we do. My kids like the new cars, but it's a dream to them to even own one. Kids nowadays have their priorities in different places than us.