Hood scoops are back in Pro Stock!

[Steve Wayne]

I think you have to look at whether it’s dying from two different points. Yeah it doesn’t look as if the class is dying based off of participation in the class, sure it’s not what it used to be but there are quite a few millionaires that like to have a sandbox to play in. But when you look at the fan investment in the class, its clear it’s slowly dying. For every one fan that talks about how great the class is and it’s still alive, there are 6 more who don’t like the fact the class is all Camaros and where it is currently at, and don’t even care to watch the class. So the diehards can beat the drum all day long, but it’s very clear that a good chunk of fans have lost interest in the class. What difference does it make that the shelf is stacked with bread if nobody is buying it.

 

[mick]

if the racers participate, the class remains part of the pro/tv broadcast and definitely there are sponsors
that participate, probably a lot that are sponsoring so they are seen by others in the racing industry.
leasing power is attractive if you're busy running a business all week long.

 

[TSK]

A big problem I see is other manufacturers not producing cars that are PS material, I hope GM and MOPAR bring back models that will fit the mold

Don’t hold your breath as far as Mopar being interested. Because, as sure as the sun rise, NHRA will penalize them as soon as they start winning.

 

[z28]

PS is down to one brand and two engine builders from probably around 15 of each. No new cars or manufacturers on the horizon, not really any new blood to speak of coming in. OK so a few new ones have but they all have the same last name, they also just write a check no new innovation

. So yes PS is dying the death of a thousand cuts. PS used to bump many cars a weekend now they barely have full fields. How long before the two guys get tired of beating their own and each other before they move on ?? How long before the small guys leasing from the big guys get tired of not being able to win?? Freeman is already going into TF pretty aggressively.

keep in mind the cost to start a PS operation and not having any kind of PS engine building experience. A lot of these guys want to run a car but not have to spend the money to develop their own program. Their option to lease has enabled more the ability to play.

 

[HoodooVoodooAngus]

Bring out the Cadillacs!!! True 500 cid.

Careful, they were FWD

 

[ironpony]

Careful, they were FWD

We used to joke run them in reverse.......

 

[Ponyhntr]

Contrary to internet belief, rules makers don’t hate non-Chevrolet brands….

NHRA expands Pro Stock competition with Ford and Dodge engine parity initiative

New 11,000-rpm limit for Ford and Dodge opens the door for increased manufacturer diversity beginning at Charlotte 4-Wide Nationals

www.nhra.com

 

[ironpony]

Contrary to internet belief, rules makers don’t hate non-Chevrolet brands….

NHRA expands Pro Stock competition with Ford and Dodge engine parity initiative

New 11,000-rpm limit for Ford and Dodge opens the door for increased manufacturer diversity beginning at Charlotte 4-Wide Nationals

www.nhra.com

The new fuel spec hurt the HEMI more than the RPM but it is a start, LOL. Do they really think all the guys are going to run and get their cars out of mothballs, write big checks to try and compete again? God forbid they came out and won, NHRA would reverse that in a heartbeat
Too little too late.

 

[Nunz]

The new fuel spec hurt the HEMI more than the RPM but it is a start, LOL. Do they really think all the guys are going to run and get their cars out of mothballs, write big checks to try and compete again? God forbid they came out and won, NHRA would reverse that in a heartbeat
Too little too late.

Maybe, but it is a positive step. Don't expect overnight results, but the new RPM rule combined with allowing scoops may ignite some new activity by later in the season and into '27.

 

[ironpony]

Maybe, but it is a positive step. Don't expect overnight results, but the new RPM rule combined with allowing scoops may ignite some new activity by later in the season and into '27.

Unless I have missed something there are no Fords or Mopars running to take advantage of this new rule. The Cuadra Fords were running DRCE last I knew.

 

[TSK]

Maybe, but it is a positive step. Don't expect overnight results, but the new RPM rule combined with allowing scoops may ignite some new activity by later in the season and into '27.

It’s more of a joke instead of a positive step.
NHRA legislated the class into the fiasco it has become.
The end result was having the Fords and Mopars abandon the class to let the GM teams play with themselves.

 

[Ponyhntr]

Just an FYI, the current group of people in the NHRA Tech Department (at least involved with PS) is completely different than the people that instituted EFI, the rev limiter, etc…

Maybe, just maybe, they are trying to do right by the class.

 

[TSK]

Just an FYI, the current group of people in the NHRA Tech Department (at least involved with PS) is completely different than the people that instituted EFI, the rev limiter, etc…

Maybe, just maybe, they are trying to do right by the class.

Why do the lyrics from the song, “Won’t get fooled again”, by The Who come to mind?

“Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”

 

[drag racer]

They said 2 independant teams didnt want this,my guess is mcgaha and delco??

Learned yesterday it is Eric & Matt Latino

 

[none]

I know some of you guys don't like facts but.....
As I have pointed out before from 1982 until 2016 the Pro Stock rules were completely unchanged.
34 years, Dodges won races, set records and won championships. They designed a completely new engine platform in 1999. No rule changes. Zero.

So the tired "Every time MOPAR starts running good NHRA steps in and holds them back" is simply not true.

Allen Johnson won the championship in 2012, and the rule change came in 2016. So NHRA wanted to punish MOPAR and it took them four years to figure out how to do it? Do you REALLY believe that?

Alan

 

[65 Goatboy]

I'm staying out of the way. You guys keep poking a stick in a hornets nest.

 

[aakar]

Wonder why we are talking so much about hood scoops, while what will be underneath them is sooo much more interesting?

 

[Paul]

The only OEM I could see coming back is Dodge, they are spending quite a bit of money in racing this year and are looking to grow in NASCAR. Ford is too cheap.

 

[TSK]

As I’ve said before, once NHRA started their weight breaks in 1972, that were heavily in favor of the SBC, that effectively killed the Hemis.
Wally Parks later admitted that was a mistake.
How does mister red letter explain why only DRCE engines are now the only powerplant being used? Why did NHRA change the rules mandating the engine must match the car? They knew they the Fords and Mopars were not going to introduce new engine platforms.
So NHRA got away from the original intent of Pro Stock and changed the rules allowing any engine in any body, knowing only DRCE engines would be used.
Yes, Mopars had a good run in the early 500 c.i. era while NHRA may have left things alone for a while.
Allen and Roy Johnson did a great job representing Mopars, often times being the only Mopar, and it was hurtful when they decided to leave the class.
For those 34 years there really only one successful Mopar team.
After that, the RPM limit was instituted only because the DRCE engines were apparently killing their valve springs trying to wind that high. But the Mopars needed that extra RPM. Hence the rule change that adversely affected only the Mopars.
The spec fuel was another change that seemingly negatively affected only Mopars.
How about allowing the engines to run as many RPM as they want, and allowing the use of the fuel previously utilized?
I do have one question because I just don’t know the answer; has there ever been a rule change in Pro Stock that negatively affected only those with DRCE powerplants?
But, just like the discussion of wanting to return to the 1/4 mile for fuel cars, discussing wanting to see Pro Stock getting back to its roots, that poor horse is dead, and I’m not going to beat on it any more.

 

[65 Goatboy]

Wonder why we are talking so much about hood scoops, while what will be underneath them is sooo much more interesting?

Because we can't see them?