[AveryMcLawhorn]

I?ve really enjoyed the thoughtful dialogue in this thread from everyone involved.

Do I personally agree with the Supra in Stock Eliminator? Not exactly. But I genuinely appreciate seeing something fresh and more modern in the class. I understand the mindset and the creative interpretation of the rules that allowed this car to fit within the classification guide. That said, I do want to express a bit of caution ? it feels like we?re inching closer to a single eliminator class with all the rule changes being proposed or implemented. I found myself agreeing with something GUMP said in his interview: older parts are becoming increasingly scarce, and we need to find ways to adapt if we want to keep this form of racing alive.

Credit where it?s due ? GUMP deserves recognition for challenging the status quo and trying something different. There are plenty of more "modern" cars I?ve dreamed of building and seeing in the guide, but I don?t have the resources or connections to make that happen. Hats off to Mr. GUMP for having both, and for taking the leap.

For those who don?t know me, I?m 31 years young. Compared to the crowd I usually race with, I?d say I?m on the younger side ? though I swear I have the mindset of someone in their 60s. I race a 1966 Chevy II and have a deep love for classic cars. I?ll always choose cool factor over pure performance if I have to pick.

That said, as someone from the younger generation, I strongly disagree with the common narrative about what it takes to get younger people into class racing. If you don?t believe me, go to your next test-and-tune or no-time event ? at least here in Eastern NC ? and see how many younger folks are out there.

Racing is alive and well. Young people are still car people. Performance still matters. But most aren?t interested in spending $50K?$100K+ on a car that runs 9?11 seconds. The reality is, we?ve collectively made this sport incredibly expensive to enter. When someone can spend $15K?$20K on a 2000s+ Camaro or Mustang, throw on a $1,500 induction system, and run 8s or 9s in a street-driven car ? that?s a tough value proposition to beat. Heck, in drag and drive event, the NA winner was a modern Camaro running in the 9's. And the more budget friendly cars are slower, then a modern stock car.

And let?s not forget the kids coming out of Junior Dragsters. Many of them end up in dragsters or door cars, bracket racing for more money, with lower entry fees and fewer restrictions. I?m 100% committed to class racing ? I love it to my core ? but the financial barrier is real, the reality is we are slower ETs for more money. Most young people just don?t have the disposable income to spend big money to run 10s when a factory car can do it with minor upgrades.

Just my two cents ? take it for what it?s worth.