These drivers are leaving Pro Stock.

The Mountain Motor deal was welcomed with open arms by the 500-inch guys -- who told me they knew the class was in trouble -- now is a “no-go” as far as running the two against each other head to head. Rumor is the Mountain Motor cars may replace the 500-inch cars at three or four of the races that were dropped. That would make sense at Bristol and Atlanta since they were at one time IHRA tracks.

On the plus side, Matt Smith plans on running an Elite car at events where the bikes don't race. Fernando Cuadra, who runs Summit Racing Equipment, has a couple of sons who may step in and drive along with a friend of his who has plans to or already has purchased Erica Enders’ Dodge Dart Pro Stock car to race. With the new rule of running any motor in any body style, he could run a Chevy engine in the Dodge, that doesn't set well with any Mopar fan or most purists of the class. Charlie Westcott Jr. has been beating on his Ford combination so he will make selected events.

So, 2019 opens the door for new drivers, new teams, and new sponsors. The question is, who is willing to spend a million plus to lease a car, or more to own their own team when first-round money doesn't cover travel expenses.

Rumor was, as rumors go, NHRA hinted that if the owners could secure funding to cover the purse, like the Pro Mods, they could keep their 24-race schedule. I don't see that happening, so 18 races it is in 2019. What lies ahead in 2020 I say depends largely on full fields at the 2019 events and butts in the stands. Get your program here -- $20.00 each!