Hood scoops are back in Pro Stock! (12 Viewers)

[z28]

Why would anyone think this is going to revive fan interest in this class? We already have several other classes with cars that have hood scoops that look too much like Pro Stock cars. I agree with Mark's comment above, that they need to get other brands like Ford and Dodge back in, but we know that is very unlikely.

this is something the racers asked for. see Richard Freeman's interview: https://nhra-podcast.libsyn.com/811...ck-motorcycle-and-burgess-on-history-and-more

 

[GumbyWVU]

Or WJ... but Frank Iaconio is only 25 minutes from me......

Doesn't Kenny Delco run Iaconio engines?

 

[GumbyWVU]

Pro Stock was built on many brands competing with many different engines. Now we have 20 Camaros with a 50-50 split of same spec engines from two main builders, spec racing at its worst.
I could not think of another worse business model.
Now we will change the rules once again to try and level the playing field. So all the current FI systems will be shelved and everyone will be running the new system because it will be faster. So we will be back to one style of car with the same repetitive engine set up.
The only reason it is close racing is there is no innovation left, they have gotten all they can out of existing tech and rules package. And if they let carbs back in they will all go back to carbs because carbs are faster.................

"Now we have 20 Camaros with a 50-50 split of same spec engines from two main builders, spec racing at its worst.
I could not think of another worse business model."

But isn't this essentially the model for Funny Car? It is, IMHO, even more rediculous to give manufacturer car names to funny car bodies, when the only difference is the paint/wrap. (Just like NASCAR, yuk.)

Maybe the same can be said for the model of PSM. I don't hear/read who appear to be seemingly anti-GM people on here refer to that class as "Pro-Suzuki" even though the same conditions affect that class.

Not arguing, but trying to take an objective look at it. I agree with the other posts that desire more body styles competing in PS, and I wanted to see "foreign" cars involved for many years in PS, but it never happened for "reasons". Would love to have seen a PS Altima Coupe, or a older PS BMW 328 coupe, etc.

I tend to also agree with points of Steve's post above too. Kind of that old adage "build a better mousetrap".

But, I have to concede, it may be too late for much to change for better/more competitive options in PS.

 

[Under_Pressure]

I much prefer the hood scoops, though the correct thing to do is just leave all of this up to the teams/engine builders. Hood scoop or no? Up to you. Front throttle body or top? Whatever you prefer. Carbs or fuel injection? Take your pick. It's sad that people take it for granted these days (in many motorsports, not just PS drag racing) that such things should be dictated by the rulebook.

 

[GumbyWVU]

I much prefer the hood scoops, though the correct thing to do is just leave all of this up to the teams/engine builders. Hood scoop or no? Up to you. Front throttle body or top? Whatever you prefer. Carbs or fuel injection? Take your pick. It's sad that people take it for granted these days (in many motorsports, not just PS drag racing) that such things should be dictated by the rulebook.

Would be interesting to see how a mix would work.

 

[camaro]

lot of people seem to forget, that when you a have category that employs the same rules for everybody such as (TF/FC/PS) and a heads up format, all the competitors will eventually gravitate towards the highest performing brand or part. It's the 'nature of the beast'. All of the top fuelers look exactly alike All of FC are Shaped alike and thus pro stock follows suit. Years ago Legendary Ford man Bob Glidden, briefly switched to a Chevrolet and I'm sure it was not because he was secretly a Chevy fan, but at the time he did what he thought he needed to do, to remain competitive. I remember WJ commenting once, that he didn't care what brand he was driving, as long as it was competitive and financially made sense

 

[chop]

And if they let carbs back in they will all go back to carbs because carbs are faster.................

I was told by somebody who would know the EFI has surpassed carbs making HP. I would assume with the scoops and the throttle bodies being directly over the manifold that would be even more true.

 

[stitcherbob]

Doesn't Kenny Delco run Iaconio engines?

And Christian Cuadra. Greg Anderson got his first two wins with Frank’s engines.

 

[you]

Speaking of Cuadras. Are they done?

 

[camaro]

Speaking of Cuadras. Are they done?

if they are done, i'm not surprised. I'm guessing They poured more money into pro Stock, than anyone has ever and yet came up nil!

 

[BOO BOO]

Only took 10 years for NHRA to fix there mistake.

 

[sammi]

The sheep are out of the barn, its raining and its way past midnight. Pro (stock) Camaro has ran down a cul de sac and can't find reverse. (think of the marching band from Animal House). The only solution is a category that closely minics cars one can purchase from a dealer. Spec racing is a great excuse to go get an animal style double double.

 

[ironpony]

Would be interesting to see how a mix would work.

One would be favorable and they would all progress over to it or if it wound up between brands, well we know how that would end. However there is only one brand now so...................

 

[Funnycarfanatic]

But is Chevys presence because Chevy is involved, or because the Camaro body is supposedly the most aerodynamic? I’ve heard from several people that the Mustang body is just as aerodynamic if not better, but I’ve also been told there isn’t enough proof with those cars to justify a switch when the Camaro is more than proven. In a class that is as close as Pro Stock and Pro Mod, you don’t want to give yourself any disadvantage by running a body that’s less aerodynamic. And as far as the get a life comment, everyone is entitled to their opinion. If you have always went to an ice cream shop and had several different flavors, then they start only having one flavor, you’re gonna get tired of that ice cream shop and the same flavor over and over. That’s Pro Stock in its current form.

But is Chevys presence because Chevy is involved, or because the Camaro body is supposedly the most aerodynamic? I’ve heard from several people that the Mustang body is just as aerodynamic if not better, but I’ve also been told there isn’t enough proof with those cars to justify a switch when the Camaro is more than proven. In a class that is as close as Pro Stock and Pro Mod, you don’t want to give yourself any disadvantage by running a body that’s less aerodynamic. And as far as the get a life comment, everyone is entitled to their opinion. If you have always went to an ice cream shop and had several different flavors, then they start only having one flavor, you’re gonna get tired of that ice cream shop and the same flavor over and over. That’s Pro Stock in its current form.

GM Performance has provided crucial support to teams developing the naturally aspirated engines. Add the direct support kb has gotten from Chevy in the past, name me another manufacturer willing and ready to put that kind of investment in the class? The class has put out amazing racing with a sole manufacturer. Maybe instead of wanting the good old days back let's get a life and appreciate what we have

 

[ironpony]

"Now we have 20 Camaros with a 50-50 split of same spec engines from two main builders, spec racing at its worst.
I could not think of another worse business model."

But isn't this essentially the model for Funny Car? It is, IMHO, even more rediculous to give manufacturer car names to funny car bodies, when the only difference is the paint/wrap. (Just like NASCAR, yuk.)

Maybe the same can be said for the model of PSM. I don't hear/read who appear to be seemingly anti-GM people on here refer to that class as "Pro-Suzuki" even though the same conditions affect that class.

Not arguing, but trying to take an objective look at it. I agree with the other posts that desire more body styles competing in PS, and I wanted to see "foreign" cars involved for many years in PS, but it never happened for "reasons". Would love to have seen a PS Altima Coupe, or a older PS BMW 328 coupe, etc.

I tend to also agree with points of Steve's post above too. Kind of that old adage "build a better mousetrap".

But, I have to concede, it may be too late for much to change for better/more competitive options in PS.

Well if we want to look at all the categories I would have to tend towards agreeing with you. Nitro is more of a circus show and PSM there is not much you can do to make a motorcycle look different between brands. But yes the racers are going to gravitate towards what the winning combos are. PM is heading in this direction too.

 

[ironpony]

lot of people seem to forget, that when you a have category that employs the same rules for everybody such as (TF/FC/PS) and a heads up format, all the competitors will eventually gravitate towards the highest performing brand or part. It's the 'nature of the beast'. All of the top fuelers look exactly alike All of FC are Shaped alike and thus pro stock follows suit. Years ago Legendary Ford man Bob Glidden, briefly switched to a Chevrolet and I'm sure it was not because he was secretly a Chevy fan, but at the time he did what he thought he needed to do, to remain competitive. I remember WJ commenting once, that he didn't care what brand he was driving, as long as it was competitive and financially made sense

And if you go back a few years when all three brands were doing well NHRA changed the RPM and fuel spec and basically eliminated 2 of the three.....................

 

[ironpony]

GM Performance has provided crucial support to teams developing the naturally aspirated engines. Add the direct support kb has gotten from Chevy in the past, name me another manufacturer willing and ready to put that kind of investment in the class? The class has put out amazing racing with a sole manufacturer. Maybe instead of wanting the good old days back let's get a life and appreciate what we have

And when MOPAR did it with AJ and he and Jeg won a couple of championships NHRA dropped the RPM and changed the fuel spec basically making them non competitive. HEMI's were running more rpm to make the power

 

[Axman]

How about a F/SS engine in a current p
PS chassis? Those motors all make similar horsepower as a 500 ci motor.
2350 lbs current slicks and a 5 speed manual

 

[Under_Pressure]

Obviously everyone is going to gravitate to the best combination, and that's fine. But at least it occurs organically and not someone deciding that "X" should be the only combo allowed. It still allows people to be different and try to develop different combinations.

 

[TSK]

Obviously everyone is going to gravitate to the best combination, and that's fine. But at least it occurs organically and not someone deciding that "X" should be the only combo allowed. It still allows people to be different and try to develop different combinations.

That’s not been the case in the entire history of pro stock.
There have been countless rules changes that adversely affected the Mopars and Fords, but never the GMs.
The final straw were the RPM limit and the fuel change.
Everybody and his brother knew the Mopars were done at that point.