2 Ford Pro Stockers in 2009 (2 Viewers)

[BlueStangGT]

I'm guessing all of those cars ended up racing on the IHRA circuit stuffed full of Jon Kaase 800 ci monster motors. That red Nitro Fish Mustang is a beautiful looking car, and those ZX2's were very swoopy looking. Wonder how they compared to the Mustangs aerowise?

I don't remember about the Stang... seems like it went to a Top Sportsman racer maybe. The Escorts were sold and shipped down under. The motors were still for sale just a few months ago cheap... like around $20k ea. (or less) cheap.

Wonder where Mr. Blakeney is these days? Haven't heard much about him. He sure shook up some folks with that small block of his.

Not a clue... I suppose he's either piling up cash with no racing habit to feed or perhaps he's enjoying retirement. His old car (Silent Thunder) had been campaigned in Comp for the last couple of years by a real nice guy from Washington named Mark Wolfe. Last I knew he had the whole thing for sale.

Jim Cunningham should hire Bob Panella as a consultant on this project. He seemed to have a good handle on making Ford power back in those days. If memory serves me, he's a pretty good shoe as well. No offense Jim, but if you're going to invest all that money, you might as well have two killer drivers.

That won't be the first time Cunningham's heard that one. Seems like I heard that Panella's sworn off the Ford thing for good.

 

[Johnny Mopar]

I agree, we won't see "The Cat in the Hat" anytime soon at a drag racing event, but please, don't tell me he can't afford it. Have you seen his P-51 Mustang collection? How many people currently work for him? How many companies does he own? What's his net worth?

I don't think he's in the "richest 500 in America" class, but don't worry, Jack has plenty of resources available to fund a Pro Stock team. He could probably even talk some of his NASCAR sponsors into helping to foot the bill. He could most likely build the cars in house to save additional money if he chose to.

I just think he chooses not to, which is probably a smart business decision based on potential earnings vs costs. Above all else, Jack knows business.

Jack absolutely sold off half his team to generate another revenue stream to remain competitive. In business, why else would you sell half your company?

Regarding NASCAR revenue, they just announced a round of layoffs at NASCAR headquarters. It's hit that sanctioning body as well. Teams are consolidating (Petty/Gillette) to save revenue as corporate sponsors cut back or completely back off. There is no such thing as asking a corporate marketing partner to "help foot the bill". These days every marketing commitment has to be justified to stockholders...especially with all the corporate misdoing of late.

 

[Vince]

I don't remember about the Stang... seems like it went to a Top Sportsman racer maybe. The Escorts were sold and shipped down under. The motors were still for sale just a few months ago cheap... like around $20k ea. (or less) cheap.

Not a clue... I suppose he's either piling up cash with no racing habit to feed or perhaps he's enjoying retirement. His old car (Silent Thunder) had been campaigned in Comp for the last couple of years by a real nice guy from Washington named Mark Wolfe. Last I knew he had the whole thing for sale.

That won't be the first time Cunningham's heard that one. Seems like I heard that Panella's sworn off the Ford thing for good.

Thanks for taking the time to answer all my questions Tom.