Factory Stock

[Paul]

I was just wondering if I was the only person who was watching Factory Stock this weekend and thought that should be Pro Stock? They look just like what you can buy from the showroom and appeared to be on the edge of control as they were going down the track. I was intrigued by watching them and I would think you could get the manufacturers to buy into this vs. the current pro stock cars.

 

[Marchboom]

That makes more sense than the current PS cars. The current PS cars should have the class name changed to, "Almost Pro-Mod".

The current PS cars have absolutely nothing in common with a factory car.

 

[TSK]

What's not to love about Factory Stock? They are showroom quality cars with big power, modern technology, and do nice wheelstands upon launching.
Replacing Pro Stock with Factory Stock gets my vote, for whatever that's worth.

 

[ironpony]

will bring the manufacturers back in full force, win on Sunday sell on Monday. Current PS is a rich mans playground and they are starting to see the "fun" factor vs investment is to high. Spoke with Roy Johnson at length over the weekend and it kinda sounded to me like they are about done with NHRA.

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

There's been a lot of discussion here and on other boards about this very topic, and the argument has always been that nobody watches these classes any more than they do Pro Stock, so what good would that do? Personally, I don't think that's a good way to gauge the possible interest in this format becoming the new Pro Stock. It's not really marketed right now as the true Factory Hot Rod class, so it's not going to get the attention that any professional level category gets. But if it were, AND the factories were to get involved, I think it could take off, personally.

Sean D

 

[ironpony]

PS has evolved so far from stock you can not even recognize the car, well actually it is easy they are all Camaros.
I would venture to say there is not one factory available part on the entire car you or I could buy.

 

[PJ]

PS has evolved so far from stock you can not even recognize the car, well actually it is easy they are all Camaros.
I would venture to say there is not one factory available part on the entire car you or I could buy.

I think the radio is still the stock am/fm with 8 track option

 

[mick]

don't know what the answer is. personally, i don't think the answer is pro-mod.......this is just one guy's opinion, but i think it
would be really cool if 20+ of these showed up at every nat. event; and provide 3-4 engine combinations to run
(two examples would be the turbo 6 toyota that runs in australia, another would be b. massels turbo cobalt)

yesterday bruno beat larry morgan in final 7.40 vs. 7.52......with weight, it would't be too hard
to get these cars on par with the candies 7.85 ss mustang
as for the title of this thread......factory stock is kick-ass.

 

[Reese]

I always said that factory stock should replace pro stock. There are a lot of after market parts that can be used on these cars and I hope if they would replace pro stock, maybe we can get the midway back. The car in Mike Larson post above is a local car that I have seen make many runs. I rather watch "Christine"(a name given by the driver Paul Candies because you never know which way she is going) make a pass than a pro stock car. Also that car is a superstocker and factory stock are stockers trying to run 7's on a 9" slick.

 

[Nunz]

Here's the problem, you still have 14-17 PS cars showing up. And even the part timers have a lot invested. What does eliminating the class do? Replacing it with factory stock is kind of redundant, we already have them out there, and they're great. But changing what you call them isn't going to pack the stands. Part of the problem is we're just in a whole different world than when this all began. We all love the Pro Mod cars, and I'm glad they are getting more attention, but many fans don't stick around to watch them. Hell, many fans don't even stick around for Sunday anymore, getting their fill on Saturday. Somehow fans have become trained to head to the stands for nitro, and leave when the session is done. So what are we trying to accomplish by replacing PS with factory stock, or PM like some people want? I'm just playing devil's advocate. If you really want a new class that fills the stands or keeps people in them, the answer may be an 8 car modern style (transformer) AA/FA category. Which is one type of dragster/FC combo. I certainly don't have the answers, but I think it starts with what the goals are.

 

[mick]

the goal, IMO, is that if nhra wants to be a viable marketing tool for auto manufacturers, and vice versa if the mnfr's want
nhra to showcase stock bodied vehicles within their professional arena, complete with tv coverage, then i think there's a spot in the pro ranks for modified stock bodied cars.......if there is a disconnect between nhra and the mnfr's, then forget it. it's all just
entertainment and fill the space between nitro rounds with whatever classes they want......am fearful it's all just entertainment. i'd be surprised if 1% of camaro, challenger, mustang sales are because someone saw one drag race.

 

[sammi]

NHRA needs to lawyer up and end the current rules package for Pro Stock. Factory stock makes much more sense. After the nitro junk and pro mod, any class that doesn't have a direct tie to a manufacturer is doomed. Race on Sunday, sell on Monday is just as valid today as it was 40 years ago.

 

[Ice Bucket]

I am a big fan of any heads up no breakout racing! The fact that they are on 9" slicks adds to the excitement. It looks like the FSS is adding more cars and stepping up the game. Just a word of caution, all heads up classes get out of hand budget wise quickly, just like the 10.5, No-Prep & NFC's!

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

Here's the problem, you still have 14-17 PS cars showing up. And even the part timers have a lot invested. What does eliminating the class do? Replacing it with factory stock is kind of redundant, we already have them out there, and they're great. But changing what you call them isn't going to pack the stands. Part of the problem is we're just in a whole different world than when this all began. We all love the Pro Mod cars, and I'm glad they are getting more attention, but many fans don't stick around to watch them. Hell, many fans don't even stick around for Sunday anymore, getting their fill on Saturday. Somehow fans have become trained to head to the stands for nitro, and leave when the session is done. So what are we trying to accomplish by replacing PS with factory stock, or PM like some people want? I'm just playing devil's advocate. If you really want a new class that fills the stands or keeps people in them, the answer may be an 8 car modern style (transformer) AA/FA category. Which is one type of dragster/FC combo. I certainly don't have the answers, but I think it starts with what the goals are.

Personally, it's not as much about packing the stands as it is about making the class more affordable so that we can get away from the constant threat of short fields. There's simply no reason to have the current format cost as much as something running fuel, especially since there isn't a strong media presence for the class. The sponsors know that and for the most part stay away, and why wouldn't they? No fortune 500 company in their right mind is going to throw 2-3 million dollars at a Pro Stocker that gets minimal coverage and/or promotion when the same amount can get you top exposure on a fuel car.

And this format is MUCH more likely to garner the interest of the factories, which could do nothing but improve the situation. Yes, we already have them out there, but they're not really showcased in any way like the professional categories are, and like I said earlier, I can't help but believe that it would help if they were. Mid to high 7's around 180mph with that current chassis configuration has been pretty entertaining the times I've watched them run. Get some of the bigger names to migrate to that class under the banner of Pro Stock and I think the fan, factory and sponsor interest would start trending back up.

Just my .02

Sean D

 

[Cliff]

The show on TV shortened the first couple of rounds of Pro/S & Motorcycle, cuz the NASCAR show had run over. Pro S got the short end of the stick again, which goes along w/ sponsors not wanting to come on board with poor TV coverage. I really do like the idea of FSS becoming the new Pro Stock, but if it does, stay with the FSS rules now in effect. Maybe even put a cap on how much you can spend for the class. Even allow clones as long as they meet the rules. No all fiber bodies or tube chassis, etc. Keep the blowers cuz those cars sound so cool on the line, rump, rump, rump and you know it's a blower motor. YES!

 

[Nunz]

Or maybe, keep Factory Stock just that, and transition the current PS cars, more on the order of what Allen Johnson had pitched NHRA on. Meaning, still tube chassis, but with the modern powerplants that are coming from Detroit.

 

[mick]

i will guarantee you factory stock will not replace PS, nor should it.

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

i will guarantee you factory stock will not replace PS, nor should it.

So you think the current configuration is good for the long-term health of the class? Not trying to start a pissing match with you, Mike. Just curious because I'm almost ready to also use the word "guarantee" in that the class won't survive a hell of a lot longer without a major change in format. Not necessarily saying that using the Factory Stock stuff will be the ultimate replacement, but I do happen to believe that it is the best platform to build on.

Sean D

 

[yoda]

We are all smart folks here; truth of the matter is: NHRA is only about the nitro show.

DRAG RACING is about all classes and all types of engineering, and if someone wants to sit in the stands eating a hot dog while it's going on, that is a bonus.

NHRA needs to seriously man up and make the national events about the two (or maybe one, from the other thread) loud cars, and send the tour around in half the venues; it's over saturated the way it is now. Friday night qualifying on tracks with good lights, Saturday eliminations and call it done.

Then let the tracks book in match races and class cars.

 

[Crazy]

We'll just have to wait and see how they (factory stock), evolve. And if they change and become more expensive. As hot rodders, we can't leave well enough alone. They will stretch the rules, treak the bodies. Just look at how Pro Mod has changed. They used to be cool looking individualized bodies. Willeys, 57 Chevs, Studes, etc. Now they all look like pro Stocks, on steroids. Exciting to watch, yet most all look alike.