[Doug Hoven]

I think there are two ways of looking at this issue. On one hand, yes there are combos that have picked up quite a bit since the last time the rules were changed, whether this be due to aftermarket parts, relaxed tech, etc. However, not all combos really "recovered" in a way since the last index change because they either don't get any aftermarket parts, or they don't benefit from what is the "norm" as far as tech goes nowadays. I personally am not a "player" indexically by any means, mainly limited by funding, but if the indexes were to change, I'm going to keep racing, but I can't say the same for others in a similar situation. To comment on the lack of young stock/ super stock racers, if I'm being honest, if I hadn't been loaned a car for me to put my own drivetrain in, I probably would have just put a C4 in my mustang, and gone bracket racing instead.(Which I've considered doing just for more seat time). I've had conversations with quite a few racers my age, and the consensus is always the same. They can't find the incentive to run stock when the entry fee is more than the typical entry for a 10k bracket race. Unless you're born into a wealthy racing family, or are given the opportunity to drive someone else's "fast" stock/super stock car, lowering the indexes is just going to push what little "new blood" considering building a car away. IMHO, if the indexes were to be lowered, I think NHRA should consider leaving the FWD indexes alone. I find it funny how back in "the day", you were given horsepower arbitrarily if you went fast, but racers just shrugged their shoulders and kept on racing when it happened. Now, everyone complains how much money they have in their engines, and its offensive to think the really fast combos deserve HP. "I've spent tens of thousands on my engine, and have to slow it down so I don't get horsepower, and it's NHRA's fault for not catering to guys like me" Sounds like a story CNN would report.