A Look at the New Pro Stocks

Words by Kay Burk
Photos by Michael Fischbeck

Joey Grose’s Camaro

The Pro Stocks had a test session at Wild Horse Motorsports Park outside of Phoenix a few days before the start of the NHRA season at the Winternationals in Pomona, Calif.

All Pro Stocks are handicapped by major changes to the rules this year. Key changes include removal of the hood scoop, electronically controlled throttle body fuel injection systems replacing carburetors, an NHRA-controlled 10,500 RPM rev limiter, a front-mounted air inlet, and shortened wheelie bars.

Jason Line’s Camaro goes through tech.

Removal of the hood scoop will significantly improve driver visibility.

“It’s a completely different viewpoint,” said Greg Anderson, who has five Pro Stock career victories at Pomona. “Now we have to make sure we don’t see too much and it becomes a negative. You’ll have to train yourself to not be distracted.”

While that shouldn’t be an issue for long, other rules changes will present a steeper learning curve and continued work.

“It’s tricky to operate the throttle,” he said. “It’s really difficult to get them at that low, staging rpm. A lot of that will fall on the driver to get his car staged properly and do a proper burnout. If you can’t get the car to stage properly, it’s not going to matter what it runs like down the track. There probably will be a few drivers who going to look a little silly for a while. It could hurt the ego of some of these drivers.”