If you can't see the lack of veracity in that remark, given that the "American" Harleys have to be given a HUGE advantage in the form of a displacement increase over the Jap bikes, just so they can win, then you need to go back and study your elementary physics and math 101.
It's like allowing a 900 cubic inch flathead Ford engine to compete in Pro Stock; if you give them enough cubic inches, no matter how poor the engine design, they'll be competitive.
When Harleys pull the same amount of weight per cubic inch as the 4-cylinder motors, and WIN, they will finally have someting to brag about. And, pigs (well, "hogs") will fly.
Until then, it's apples and oranges. in PSM....
What other eliminator in Professsional Drag Racing racing has such a skewed, (handicapped) system?
None.
It's unique, and not in a good way. What they have now, is exactly like allowing somebody to build a 750 cubic inch Pro Stock American Motors (AMC) engine to compete against everbody else's 500 C,I,D. motors, at the same weight.
Ridiculous. And, nothing to brag about when they eeke out a win against the other bikes that pull so much more weight-per-cubic inch.
It's not racing; it's just show biz for NHRA, and the usual ethical considerations (parity through consistent specifications) that adorn other Pro categories are nowhere to be found...
I don't see where celebrating a "win" under such conditions is cause for much elation, when you examine the circumstances under which it occurred...
I'm as full of pride for our country as the next guy, but in this case, the Emperor has no clothes... sorry.
My 2-cents...
Bill, in Conway, Arkansas