Thread: Ford in NHRA Pro Stock?

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As a fan of NHRA drag racing, I'm wondering why Ford is not more prominent in this class? I know that Jim Cunningham has attempted to make several fields this year but I believe failed in each time. I somewhat followed John Nobile in the IHRA, where he did compete with a Ford. However, I believe the NHRA field's he qualified for this season was in a Pontiac. Is it a technical issue??........Is it that Ford does not fund and/or support NHRA Pro Stock teams more prominently or devoutly. I am really curious and would love to read any theories and/or facts that any one here could provide. Thank you, Mike
PS,(keep an eye out for Beckman this weekend at Vegus in Funny Car......that is one bad-azz hot rod of late!)

I dont know for sure just a guess, But I think aerodynamics play a big part in thier non existance in pro stock. The bodys have to retain the factory roof line and the front ends cant be altered very much. And the mustangs are too flat nosed to plow air all the way down the track and be competitive. And to keep up in a tight field that is ussually within a few thousands of a second to qualify, aerodynamics are a huge part of pro stock.

Thanks mooneye, what you describe certainly makes sense..........my thinking just goes to the fact that there are actually several fords (mustangs and I think, escorts that compete in IHRA......and I believe are successful) I guess I would just like to see Ford more procactive in their interest and wanting to particpate NHRA Pro Stock.

Pro Stock is probably on the way out----with the current automotive world conditions-----why would anyone want to spent millions on a drag race program that has no chance of succeeding!!!!!!
Check out what vehicles are around you at the stop lights ---Toy,BMW,Honda,Merchese---how many mopars or Gtos do you see????

Maybe Ford is spending all their NHRA Money in Funny Car with Team Force?

Pat

I would expect that with the current conditions with all the US automakers being what it is, that major cutbacks are coming for a lot of the racing programs..... Even down to the local dealership level. A local Ford dealer who used to slide us a few parts and a few bucks for drag racing already stopped by to say there wasn't going to be much help coming this year....... I would imagine it's the same all over????

Originally Posted by Stu Cool

Maybe Ford is spending all their NHRA Money in Funny Car with Team Force?

Pat

Well, not all of it...................Wilkerson is teaming up with Tasca and will switch to a "Mustang" body next season. Given the long history of Tasca Ford has to be in play there as well.

That was an interesting announcement on ESPN II during Saturday's qualifying and then seeing Tasca at the Line with Wilkerson just prior to Wilkerson's burn-out. NHRA "silly season" is now in full swing!

Originally Posted by mikes65gal

That was an interesting announcement on ESPN II during Saturday's qualifying and then seeing Tasca at the Line with Wilkerson just prior to Wilkerson's burn-out. NHRA "silly season" is now in full swing!

Yup, I've been sitting by the phone---nobody has called yet!!!!!

Originally Posted by mikes65gal

PS,(keep an eye out for Beckman this weekend at Vegus in Funny Car......that is one bad-azz hot rod of late!)

Fast Jack did the red light thing first round, Wilkerson spun the tires second round..... Pomona is gonna be really, really good!!!!!!!!!

My first ever clubhotrod post and I tell everyone to keep an eye out for the Valvoline Charger Funny Car of "Fast Jack" Beckman??!! Yes in deed....Pomona is gonna be awesome!!

For what it's worth, I had Fast Jack figured as being in it at least to the semi-finals today.;..... Who'd of thunk he'd have picked TODAY to go red?????

Sure wish I could make Pomona!!!!! Gonna be wild---

and Schumacher----he ever gonna lose a round?????

Boring pro stock racing

Top fuel really needs to be re done----too many electronics and automation---need to eliminate some clutch discs, get rid of all the timers, dual fuel pumps and mags----Drivers job is done before the green---if they waite for the gereen they lose, if car doesn't go down track its not there fault, should be limit on number of parts they can use at a race---eight pistons per run is rediculos-----leave the motor together---limit number of people on a team---we used to do it with driver, John Keeling and me---ture sometimes some people were hanging around but it really was the three of us---driver packed chute, etc

Too many funny car teams with too many funny cars per team----

And pro stock????? whats stock???and whats pro in the automotive field???about the only thing that you could probably find at a dealer or auto shop might be a radiator cap---even Jegs and Summit probably don't stock or have available for sale any of the parts used on there sponsered cars---well maybe a guage---

On Top Fuel and Funny's, if they took away the electronics, limited the blower size, and limited the ignition to one mag.... sure would be a lot more affordable class....at least they wouldn't have to wonder if they were going to get a 16 car field!!!!!

As for Pro Stock, not much stock on them except the body shell--and only part of that... Doubt you could get heads just like WJ's off the shelf,,, but you can at least get the castings he starts out with.... I've got to admit that I still love the class, though!!!! Qualifying is usually down to a few thousandths between positions--and they still have to shift the car!!!!

Yep---kick the clutch in , yank the shifter( remember when the shifter/handle was a big thing?) ball, pistol grip, t handle?
And try to keep it wide open and going straight while banging the gears????

And I haven't see a single carbon body piece at the dealerships----or lexan windows, or hood scoop, even cars that were the same wb.