Misconception on a slow stocker winning

[James Hensler]

When I raced Division 3 out of National Trails there was a 1964 Nova 6 cylinder 4 door if I remember correctly. The thing ran something like 18 seconds and trust me NO ONE. Wanted him in the other lane!

[Larry Merk]

Gary Gandee didn't get the memo that slow cars don't win and doubled up this weekend winning both races and $4,000 with his U/SA Mustang at the Northwest Class Racers double-header race at Renegade Raceway in Yakima, Washington.

[Mark Yacavone]

First, Congrats to Brent K for his r/u in race 1 last weekend.

I hope he doesn't mind me mentioning this, but there are no secrets on the 'net anymore...It was on NHRA TV, NHRA Y/T, Div. Live Timing, and DRC.
Every run, around 70 mph. Even the announcer mentioned this.The car runs about 83-84 mph.

For the dozen who will read this, and the half dozen who might reply, .....
Spot dropping? Holding and then working the finish line brakes? Giving it up and hoping the other guy is holding, big time? Trying to dial on the money, and hoping the other guy has no room?
What works for you? What doesn't ? Mum is the operative word here?

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Spot dropping? Holding and then working the finish line brakes? Giving it up and hoping the other guy is holding, big time? Trying to dial on the money, and hoping the other guy has no room?
What works for you? What doesn't ? Mum is the operative word here?

It could or even should be any of the above, with the decision made in the final 500 feet of the racetrack. Why give the opponent a stationary (relatively speaking) target to hit?

I love watching that car go rounds, which it does pretty regularly. Congrats on a great day!

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

First, Congrats to Brent K for his r/u in race 1 last weekend.

I hope he doesn't mind me mentioning this, but there are no secrets on the 'net anymore...It was on NHRA TV, NHRA Y/T, Div. Live Timing, and DRC.
Every run, around 70 mph. Even the announcer mentioned this.The car runs about 83-84 mph.

For the dozen who will read this, and the half dozen who might reply, .....
Spot dropping? Holding and then working the finish line brakes? Giving it up and hoping the other guy is holding, big time? Trying to dial on the money, and hoping the other guy has no room?
What works for you? What doesn't ? Mum is the operative word here?

Very belated thanks for the nice comments you said about my wins early this year, and 2yrs ago yesterday Mark. When I look back on that race I have to give GOD Big Time thanks that I won several of those rounds, because one or two thousandths of a second (or even .009 difference vs Jody), could've taken me out in a few of those races. Fortunately for me it must've been my day, and I will be thankful for all the luck I had! I went to that race feeling really good thanks to my quarter-final finish two days earlier, and losing a very close race to the Super Stock Mustang of John Calvert 2wks prior (that was winnable also).

I watched Brent's race, and maybe he did lift a little....I've done that more times than I care to remember! It's absolutely harder to judge a car that spots you 4 + seconds at the starting line, but you Mark, Brent, myself and Bill, Billy, Rob in FWD Stockers, and all of the slow running RWD others have proven it's not impossible! I was rooting for you Brent, and echoed the sentiments of the great Alan Reinhart, when it went the other guys way, and by how close it was! Sometimes you get penalized for slowing down too much, not enough, or not at all.

Keep doing what you're doing Brent, and I will do my best to do so as well!

[Ed Carpenter]

Originally Posted by cicero819

Why is there a concensus that you need a fast car to win or even compete. Let's put aside the first to red light syndrome. If you run the numbers and have a good reaction time with the slower vehicle and don't run in a car that is twelve hundreds under in your class, you should have the same chance of winning, even greater now that some cars with super powers(lol) can have problem with traction. Hope some you guys can help.CR

Toby and Jody Lang don't seem to have a problem!

[lvd2340]

You can win in a slower car, raced a 12sec footbrake street eliminator ride in Super Pro @ Lebanon Valley. Qualified #1 for our track @ the Division 1 Bracket Finals. Fast cars can have a tough time judging the slow guys. Yes there's always the chance of red lighting first. Since i was always the slowest i always had to look over my shoulder, race enough of the fast cars and you'll figure out where they all should be. I got to race enough dragsters i was able to figure out if they would catch me or not. It can be done just not as easy like people said weather changes are more of a challenge with the slower cars. But they can be deadly, like people said look at Lang, he's racing a slow brick of a wagon and is killer with it. It can be done just most people choose to go fast, many think ya gotta be fast to win. Nope.

[GTX JOHN]

I better hide this thread from my kid and his N,O,P/SA Aspen 318 Wagon which is alway one of the slowest cars.....
as I do not want to discourage him from winning rounds.

2010 Div 7 Allstar in Stock
Went to US Nationals 2010 and beat a couple of the very Best Drag Pack Cars.
4th in Div 7 2010
3rd at Winters' 2012. Stock

His ragged 11 Sec. SS Aspen has beaten several New Mustangs and
8 Sec. Modified cars at National races that run 40 to 50 MPH Faster.

My old 13 Second Valiant won Pro Track Champ. LVMS against Mostly
8 to 10 Sec transbrake cars that are 60 MPH plus faster on our Div 7 Winning Team and I can't findthe bathroom without a flashlight at Night!

If you cut a light and know your car and weather well enough to Dial it right AND know where the finish is.......You will be OK with your slow slugmobile!

Just my .02 worth, sorry for the rant.

We bring to the races cars we can afford to build and still
pay the rest of our bills and eat regular every day!

There are not many people in our neck of the woods that can
race 100K plus cars.........If you can that is good and you are fortunate!

Irving Family Racing

[The Hawk]

It is possible to be competitive in the slower cars. Look at Stan Kopejtka`s runner up at the LODRS in Great Bend last month in a EF/S Dodge. That`s his second final in a few year span. I myself have been fairly competitive with my old Buick V6 V/SA cars over the years,winning one Division 5 event and the Division 5 Championship in `96. It`s gotten tougher to win,everyone`s gotten way better and cars are more consistant.

[cicero819]

I'm really glad to see the response my tread has brought out. John I've seen your son's car at Indy last year and you and your family are what this sport is all about, Hawk I love that great article many moons ago about you and your Buick in Bracket USA, also have followed many great racers such as Don(the worm) Elgin and his very consistent Pontiac. I've have raced for many years and I have always been a supporter of slower race cars in stock and just wanted to see why so many are pulling away from the slower class. Don't get me wrong I love watching the new breed of quality fast new style retro Mustangs, Challengers and maybe Camaros when they do come out, they bring excitement to our sport but we can't afford to lose the thinking men(Billy Nees,Mark Yaccavone and so many out there that I might forget to mention), low dollar solution to the races. Lesson no 1, keep records,2) check weather station 3)keep equipement in tip top shape 4)let them chase you and Ed we won't bring the subject of worse red light.lol I could name a bunch of racers who have made quite a name for themselves running slower cars in brackets such as the late Steve Taylor and his wife Brenda runninng stock Cavaliers against all type of race cars and winning, Dan Fletcher(running anything with an engine) Bob Mullaney with his $1 dollar car Nova, Jody and Toby Lang from Washington State, Bret " Mr Dirt" racing various rental cars, Chuck Gillian in California, and many more who have won with slower cars, it's possible!Claude p.s. keep them coming. this is very helpfull when I'm knee deep in grease working at night on My Camaro K or L/SA now.lol