|
08-31-2014, 10:47 AM | #1 |
VIP Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Louisville , KY
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 63
Liked 270 Times in 68 Posts
|
What's wrong with Stock?
I'm a little bit hesitant to get in to this because it's been beat to death since 2008 when the first Cobrajets were announced. My good friend Bruce Noland was probably the first person to warn us about the potential of these new purpose built factory race cars. I remember him saying that he talked with some of the Ford racing guys at the sema show and that they told him those cars should run 9.20's. Fast forward 6 years and the fastest stockers are running 8.50's @ 150mph. My personal opinion is that cars running this fast have no business in Stock.
I think the new cars are good for NHRA racing just not good for stock eliminator. Between rules that are made only for the new cars and BOGUS horsepower ratings,they have made those of us who run old cars who have to run against the new cars in the same class, largely uncompetitive. Given who runs NHRA and their lack of knowledge and not caring we probably should not be surprised. None of the top management has any understanding of the roots and tradition of stock, plus they are very short sighted and have no vision for the future. If they were forward looking they would showcase these new cars with the pros, not put them in with stock to beat up on the real stockers at 8:00 A.M. To do this they should make 5 or 6 FX classes with their own indexes and AHFS and run them just like comp. Maybe a 32 car field at most nationals and 64 at Indy. No dialing in, no breakout. My feeling is that this would give the manufacturers more visibility and give the racers an opportunity for some serious sponsorship dollars. Just imagine Charley Downing getting chased down by David Barton. A little 281 c.i. Versus the mighty 426 Hemi. The manufacturers and NHRA could really promote this and make it a big part of the SHOW! If people want to run the newer cars in stock they should run cars and motors that are made and sold to the public. You could give these newer cars a reduction in shipping weight so they don't have to be so heavy and maybe some hp reductions because these motors already have a lot of things the older racers use. This doesn't have to be an either or proposition. It could be a win win for everyone. I will say one other thing, as long as the traditional stockers continue to support what's going on and attending National events, nothing is probably going to change. 2/3 of the cars that entered Indy were older than 2008. Take those entry fees as well as crew fees away, you have a substantial source of revenue decline for NHRA. An example of what's really wrong is that Scott Burton left Indy before eliminations because he had a heads up run with a new car that had him covered by 4 or 5 tenths. Any of you that know Scott know that he has a very fast traditional stocker that he has worked his *** off over the years to make fast. This is WRONG!
__________________
Greg Hill 4171 STK |
08-31-2014, 11:10 AM | #2 | |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Wasthere,England
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts
|
Re: What's wrong with Stock?
Quote:
|
|
08-31-2014, 11:19 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Orange City Fl
Posts: 764
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Re: What's wrong with Stock?
To bad Farmer & Marty are gone, it would be a whole different story.
Hammer |
08-31-2014, 11:28 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 554
Likes: 5
Liked 10 Times in 1 Post
|
Re: What's wrong with Stock?
I didn't realize that the number 1 qualifier was one of those under rated factory hot rods. Lol.
Chuck |
08-31-2014, 11:55 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tightwad,TEXAS
Posts: 911
Likes: 6
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
|
Re: What's wrong with Stock?
Chuck ?? Chuck WHO ??
Factory Hot Rods should be seperated from Dealer bought STOCK cars......... |
08-31-2014, 12:06 PM | #6 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Santa Fe TEXAS
Posts: 107
Likes: 2
Liked 57 Times in 15 Posts
|
Re: What's wrong with Stock?
Greg is right, BUT You have to be patient.... Word I have from the "ivory Tower of Glendora" is you are looking at the "NEW PRO STOCK" In the next 2 years Pro stock in its current formt will be replaced by the "Super Cars" NHRA needs to shake it up. Current Pro stock is TOO expensive , has no real fan base, AND Spectators dont identify with the cars. SOOO If you havent noticed, ALOT of pro stock teams already have COPOS,CJ's and Drag Packs and are testing them. Warren Johnson in recent interview was asked why he was not attending events replied "We are working on a new LS based engine program for what is in the future and securing sponsorship for that program"
Simple, NHRA Is doing a long term replacement strategy so they do not get another pro stock truck debacle. I will continue to run my car and wait and see... Imagine, Dan Fletcher a PRO STOCK driver! I Cant wait! |
08-31-2014, 01:42 PM | #7 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Renton, Washington
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
|
Re: What's wrong with Stock?
It's definitely alittle disappointing watching some very good cars not get in this show, I have a fairly fast car and was #104 time will only tell how far NHRA plays the game.
|
08-31-2014, 02:06 PM | #8 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Re: What's wrong with Stock?
Since 2008 and the crying never stops..... some people just love to complain.
__________________
Sam Tufano |
08-31-2014, 02:34 PM | #9 |
Veteran Member
|
Re: What's wrong with Stock?
Yup, Bruce was right! Wow! Did I just say that? Wow.
Pro Stock MUST and WILL change, just watch! Jim .
__________________
Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 D2 National Open Stock Champion 1981 D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association. SSSSA Forum Moderator |
08-31-2014, 02:35 PM | #10 | |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Emmett, Idaho
Posts: 219
Likes: 1,210
Liked 16 Times in 8 Posts
|
Re: What's wrong with Stock?
Quote:
My hat is off to the racers who took their traditional S/SS cars to Indy to do battle!
__________________
Gordie Kissner SS 6010 STK 6010 Last edited by Gordie Kissner; 08-31-2014 at 02:41 PM. |
|
|
|