[Rory McNeil]

Although I have only been running in Stock for 8 years now, I have been hanging around with a few buddys Stock & S/S cars for more like 20. And in that time, it seems that most "new" racers have either moved up from the brackets, or are following Fathers, Uncles, or older brothers who have been racing class for years. I have seen very few 20-30ish racers entering Stock or S/S without prior family involvment.
In addition to a limited Stock schedule (typically 1 NHRA Nat`l event and maybe 3 LODRS), I also run in a stickshift association bracket series, and have ran in a local Stock-S/S association, both close to home, and have noticed that even our local tracks bracket program has been dwindling over recent years. Now some must be blamed on the economic situation, and skyrocketing real estate costs, however, I think than many younger people don`t like the "silly" restrictive rules that are the backbone of Stock & S/S. Our local tracks Friday nite "Street Legal" races are normally very well attended, but the majority of cars are either imports, late model cars, or 80`s-90`s Mustangs & Camaros. I have talked to a bunch of these younger people, and most think having to spend money on "junk factory" heads is crazy, when you can buy new aluminum aftermarket stuff for less. Why spend money on a blueprinted class legal engine when you can go faster with a nitrous oxide kit, or a supercharger? They don`t care how poorly their cars suspension is setup, a low 12 second car going 125 MPH is not uncommon. Plus they don`t want to pay more at the gate, and possibly lose 1rst round, when thay can "race" the street legals all night for $25. or $30. Sad but true. JMO