What's it going to take this year at Indy?

[jmcarter]

I've got a new (to me) stocker and only had a chance to run it once (the St Louis National Open) and ran .72 under. Due to extended travel I expect Bowling Green will be my only opportunity to run before Indy and and don't have much time to test a few changes I've planned. Based on last year a .72 under would theoretically get me in the top 128 but curious what everyone thinks it will take. Suppose I could make a pivot table of Nitro Joe's stats and calculate a number comparing this years sheets to last year's but since there will probably be a butt load of DP's and new Mustangs it seems like that's a waste of time so please share your thoughts.

[Mike Voth]

-0.720 would have put you in the 147th spot, theoretically.

I think -1.000 might get you in the field this year. Despite the index change for Stock and Super Stock, the qualifying numbers will be close to the same as previous years.

Will you have enough grade points to enter Indy?

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by Mike Voth

-0.720 would have put you in the 147th spot, theoretically.

I think -1.000 might get you in the field this year. Despite the index change for Stock and Super Stock, the qualifying numbers will be close to the same as previous years.

Will you have enough grade points to enter Indy?

Thanks Mike, but using the .3 across the board index adjustment and the -1.002 it took to get in last year I thought I might be safe...but you're saying everyone was holding .3 or just worked on their programs that hard since last year?

I've got 3 grade points so thinking I would make it in the 180 car field for Indy...but I've assumed things before too only to end up saying "DUH"

[Alan Roehrich]

There were a lot of cars out there "holding". You never know how bad the air is going to be at Indy, and bad air doesn't affect all cars equally.

If I couldn't get close to 1.0 under in pretty crappy air, I'd think long and hard before entering Indy.

[Mike Voth]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

There were a lot of cars out there "holding". You never know how bad the air is going to be at Indy, and bad air doesn't affect all cars equally.

If I couldn't get close to 1.0 under in pretty crappy air, I'd think long and hard before entering Indy.

Exactly! We were -0.900 to -1.000 last year and holding nothing. The old Monte had its tongue hanging out on EVERY run. We were -0.773 under at Denver last weekend and that was with a favorable altitute correction factor. Indy isn't even in consideration for this year.

jmcarter - 3 grade points?? Good luck with that. I'd be hitting a divisional/national open or 2 (or 3) before then.

[jmcarter]

Afraid I was going to hear this...guess I better get busy; may take more than merged collectors, better carb, light oil, etc to get in. I'll see what happens at Bowling Green and perhaps sooner if I get back to GA in time.

Still think 3 grade points will get in given this year's car counts, number of racers who simply can't run close to 1 under and won't attempt it and the continuing economy woes. If nothing else I'll be carrying 5-6 grade points next year and my engine builder has some dyno proven tweaks come freshening time this winter.

[james schaechter]

They allow more entries in Indy, It is easier to enter than it is to qualify for sure.

[Chuck Beach]

-.72 will get you the field in this year ...

[Michael Beard]

I got into Indy two years ago with a grade 1, and only that at the last minute (Thank you to the very helpful NHRA staff in getting the grade point credited right away so that I could enter in time).

In terms of ET's.... at least when I was there, that was the worst air I've experienced (except maybe Bristol). Be prepared to squeeze out more ET than you think!

[JeremyDuncan]

I would guess for stock it will take more than -.800 under to qualify with more than likely 20+ drag paks and Cobra Jets in attendance.