Jim,
I had the privelege to work with and interview Ronnie at Monster Mopar Weekend at Gateway a few years back. We booked two SS/A (stick cars) in to match race each other and it brought the house down. I had both guys on the PA challenging each other...it was a hoot.
And yes...it sounded like an automatic on every gear change...it was a sight to see, and hear. It's amazing to see how violent those cars are when they drop the hammer on them. I'm convinced they leave "harder" than anything else. There are quicker 60' times out there, but nothing on gasoline is as violent.