Wes Buck and Drag Illustrated Facebook Live

[Ron Middleton]

I know a lot of you guys don't give two hoots about a lot of the other drag racing events/classes but I think a lot of you guys should listen to his live discussions on Wednesday afternoons. He has some real good points and ideas. One of the things he points out and I think is exactly point on is there is no real rivalries any more. At least not any that bring any public notice like it did back in the 60's and early 70's. Just a thought about about how we might can get involved in making a difference in our sport. Take a listen

[boostedf22c]

Definitely a good watch/listen.

The one last week was really good to. Mainly because they talked about the type of cars that we race. And that they might be the next big wave.

And dare I say that the future of Pro Stock might be turbo'd 4 cylinder cars?? Every single manufacturer has a turbo 4 cylinder model now? Just a bold statement for conversation purposes.

On NHRA's reddit, there was a picture of my car with the caption "Future of Pro Stock?"

[Ron Middleton]

No doubt Carey. Wes still has a love for NHRA/IHRA and sportsman racers but he's right about the popularity of it and how the spectators seem to love the rivalries that the outlaw/grudge type racing has. The rivalries of the 60's and early 70's is a large part of the popularity of drag racing to spectators during that period of time.I think motor racing as a whole has gotten too politically correct and the rivalries have diminished.

The Factory Stock cars and Hemi Shootouts, etc. could be built up but it's like most of the participants and promoters just overlook the marketability of it all. JMT.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by boostedf22c

And dare I say that the future of Pro Stock might be turbo'd 4 cylinder cars?? Every single manufacturer has a turbo 4 cylinder model now?

About a million years ago, Michael Beard pitched a similar concept to then IHRA President Bill Bader. International Pro Stock was to be 2 liter turboed motors, stock type block and heads, RWD with steel roof and quarters. Glass hoods, doors and fenders.
I thought that it was a good idea then and I still do especially with the popularity of these types of cars with young people. Think of what it could be if even a couple of World Manufacturers got involved! Instead, we got Pro Stock Trucks.

I would love to see the Factory Shootout cars become the next generation of Pro Stock. It just almost seems like a natural evolution.

[Jim Caughlin]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

About a million years ago, Michael Beard pitched a similar concept to then IHRA President Bill Bader. International Pro Stock was to be 2 liter turboed motors, stock type block and heads, RWD with steel roof and quarters. Glass hoods, doors and fenders.
I thought that it was a good idea then and I still do especially with the popularity of these types of cars with young people. Think of what it could be if even a couple of World Manufacturers got involved! Instead, we got Pro Stock Trucks.

I would love to see the Factory Shootout cars become the next generation of Pro Stock. It just almost seems like a natural evolution.

Oh yeah 4 cylinder cars are loved by the spectators. I was in the position of chasing a 55 Chevy SS/P car in my 4 cylinder SS car a few weeks ago, I virtually had to dodge the beer bottles that they were throwing at me on the return road. I'm pretty sure that the average drag racing spectator is out there to see classic muscle cars, not 4 cylinders car and/or late model cars. If you think I'm wrong, park a 69 Camaro next to a 2016 Camaro in a parking lot and see which one get all of the attention.

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

[boostedf22c]

Originally Posted by Jim Caughlin

Oh yeah 4 cylinder cars are loved by the spectators. I was in the position of chasing a 55 Chevy SS/P car in my 4 cylinder SS car a few weeks ago, I virtually had to dodge the beer bottles that they were throwing at me on the return road. I'm pretty sure that the average drag racing spectator is out there to see classic muscle cars, not 4 cylinders car and/or late model cars. If you think I'm wrong, park a 69 Camaro next to a 2016 Camaro in a parking lot and see which one get all of the attention.

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

This is the exact opposite of what we have experienced. The amount of excited fans that visit us in the pits is pretty crazy. And almost all of them comment on how they love the car because it's not like all the others, it sounds different, it looks different and it hauls ***.

I can appreciate any well built car, classic muscle included. But I feel your incident is isolated. And don't think the average drag racing fan gives a crap about classic muscle cars anymore. The proof is in the stands. Stock, super stock (probably the 2 biggest classes of AWESOME classic muscle cars in my opinion, and what drew me to class racing) no one is in the stands when they run. It's sad, but true.