I'd like to think that the full-meal-deal transition to relevant engines/bodies/technology is truly in the works. There is a huge market segment that NHRA is essentially ignoring by not showcasing production-type vehicles with modern tech. This market segment includes, but is not limited to, OEM manufacturers, aftermarket suppliers, ancillary non-automotive sponsors, participants/builders/tuners, and _most importantly, new fan blood. Like Allen Johnson said in the CompPlus interview that if this is just about EFI and flat hoods it isn't enough. More must be done to prevent Pro Stock from becoming a history lesson and a bargain supermarket for Top Sportsman racers.
Production-dimension bodies are not that big of a stretch (pun intended) to install on existing Pro Stock chassis designs. Granted, the first generation of such a changeover might result in some mismatched body-to-chassis clearances, but only the trained eye would be able to spot it. The front overhang area would be the biggest change, though, as the current trend in production hot rods is to chop off the nose of the car just forward of the fenders. As far as aero is concerned, there are true stock-body, small-tire cars running as fast or faster than current Pro Stock cars in the back-half of the track so that issue should be quickly squashed. I'd even venture out with regard to downforce and allow adjustable front splitters and rear wings as opposed to spoilers.
I like the long-pitched idea of shorter and/or higher wheelie bars to get those cars to carry the front end for the first gear change.
In the area of power, YES to EFI, forced induction (supercharged, turbocharged), 400 cube max, production design (Hemi, LS, Coyote, iForce [Toyota], etc.) V-8's for all the reasons listed above.
