(Words and photos by Joe Grippo) – A while ago up here in the Land of NED, the 2017 NHRA D1 seasons came screeching to a halt with the running of the Pennsylvania Dutch Classic National Open for the 46th time at Maple Grove Raceway. We have a few galleries of sportsman drag racing action coming up for your viewing pleasure from the event. Let’s kick it off with Stock Eliminator.

Stockers are classified using a system that divides factory shipping weight by NHRA-factored horsepower. Bodies must be unaltered and retain a full factory interior. Tires are limited to a maximum 9-inch-wide rear slick. Engines must be correct for the make and model vehicle and must retain stock cylinder heads, intake manifold, and carburetor. Modifications are limited to a basic balancing and rebuild with only a few performance enhancements. Cars are handicapped using an index system, and the breakout rule is enforced.  This class is filled with classic muscle cars, late model iron, trucks and even some front wheel drive screamers. Stockers are the most rules limited race cars out but they can fly…literally.

Hell, we are a few months from the first 7 second run in Stock. While purists may bemoan the Automatic Horsepower Factoring System (AHFS), liberal class guides and rule books being stretched to the limit, but the 9” slick is still the great equalizer. And while surely many will disagree, in this author’s opinion, Stock is still the greatest small tire show in drag racing.

Here’s the first half of a photo sampling of the 120 + Stockers that ran at the Dutch to see my point