2016 Shoot Out Rules posted

[Brett C]

Originally Posted by Jeff Teuton

As we had heard, the unblown cars are written out the program, unless they can run faster than a blown car. Imagine that. Fastest 8 get to run. Don't matter which motor. Sounds like a Chevrolet deal to me. It's no secret Chevy has not done too well in the Naturally Aspirated classes in the shoot outs. So just write out the rest of us. Bo Butner, Kevin Helms, David Barton, just for starters now have Stock Eliminator cars only and those guys just come to mind early. There are a few more. Hawk is a player. Some V10 cars (mine included) So it's blown or nothing.

Any chance that those who were N/A before (and competitive) that switched to blown combos in the off season knew before the rest of us??? Hmmm!

[David Barton]

This is all news to me. I wish I had connections like that.

I personally think this is a great start to something better for those who want to make the move. It's certainly not for everyone, I get that, but it separates them from the rest of the field which is exactly what everyone has been asking for. They're also giving people a chance to try it with an alternative if they don't qualify. At least the NHRA is trying to make it work. I'm very surprised to see this in motion. Maybe it's because the NMCA lit a fire under their behinds?

The way I read the rules I thought they meant quickest 8 from each class. I hope I'm right. Would be stupid otherwise.

[Superfan1]

Jesse, thanks for your thoughtful response.

[Lew Silverman]

Does anyone know where these rules are posted? They're not in the new 2016 Rulebook.

The new format seems to be a better way for GM, Ford and Chrysler/Fiat to showcase their new cars, so we know they're happy! But it does make things a bit confusing, at least for me! To wit:

• Is the Quick 8 a "race within a race within a race"? Will there still be a "Factory Showdown" at these selected events?
• Will the FS/XX and FS/X entries who don't qualify for the "Quick 8" run the "Factory Showdown" or will they be allowed to make adjustments and run their "normal" Factory Stock class. If everyone is correct, there will be 8 less FS/XX entries running in the "Showdown".
• How does the NHRA allocate points for the FS/XX and FS/X entries? If they're only running 4 times-a-year, how do they make-up the points they don't earn in their "normal" FS/-classes during the regular season races?

The "Quick 8" seems to be a great marketing tool, for both the NHRA and the manufacturers! The new TV coverage on Fox Sports should really be able to play this up!

[GUMP]

Here's the link.

http://nhra.com/story/2016/2/22/fact...wdown-sponsor/

[robzneed4speed]

The only question I have are they going to run the quick 8 to completion both Saturday and Sunday, or rounds each day, or only run the final round on Sunday?

[Jeff Teuton]

Hard to understand the logic here. Too simple to have A/FX and B/FX and why have a run off anyway. The Shoot Out's have been horribly administered in the few years they have been here. We won the first NA in Indy, and NHRA had to order another Wally; there was none, but they did and promptly. The indexes were a mile off so the rest of the field was not happy. Two years ago Nick from American Racing Headers offered to sponsor a NA class for the year. He was turned down by NHRA because he did not want to do the blown cars also. I do not agree with Jessee and David that this in a good direction. Of course Jessee Kershaw is always more politically correct than me. Between Ford, Mopar, and Chevrolet there are about 800 of these new cars produced, but in my humble opinion this free multi-million gift to the racing community and mostly NHRA has been treated as unwanted children. And in my earlier post I thought Chevy had input on this. I have been told that this is not true. I apologize. It does not make sense to rule out cars you produced, and Brian Massengill who sponsored the series is written out. Now who in the world would write out the Sponsor? With this post, I am seeking help in Indy to tear down the five cars I am bringing. Jessee can be the Social Director (Beer Boy) of the group, and David Barton and Mike Keener and the rest of the NA guys will be teardownologist.

[GT1707]

I,as Jeff mentioned in his post above cannot understand the logic of this change. How do you change the rules 3 weeks before the first race? Yes, I understand that we can still try and qualify for the quick 8, but in reality what chance does an NA car have against a blower car, heads up??

I don't know about Ford or Dodge but it is my understanding that Chevrolet sells more NA cars than blower cars, so why would the NA cars be made uncompetitive in a series that they were created for?? One would think the the NHRA would want both NA and blower cars showcased!

In conversation with Brian M. he was not aware of this rule change until after the contract was signed, and as Jeff mentioned Brian does not have a competive combination, at this time,to run in the series that he is sponsoring, since he runs an NA car? How does one convert from an NA to a blower combination, plus the chassis upgrade required in 3 weeks, 3 months or even a year if they choose to do so??

I also do not agree with Jesse but understand his position and needing to be politically correct.

As David mentioned, if it does not include both NA and blower cars it would be stupid!

Now I know what the Pro Stock Truck guys felt like, spend a pile of money then have the program, as it was stated, changed in the middle of the game.

Sorry for the rant but had to make my feelings known!!😡😡

Jim Boburka
FS/C 1707

[GUMP]

Originally Posted by Jeff Teuton

...Too simple to have A/FX and B/FX and why have a run off anyway...

I guess there is only so much sponsor/payout money on the table? I don't know, but I would love to have a N/A class that had potential to put me in the "Big Show". I am not so sure that I want a blower car. And I would be pretty upset if I went down that road and then they changed things up again!