Yep, the old guard owners and drivers demonstrated outstanding engineering or driving skill, it was intoxicating to watch.
They quickly migrated to the 392 Chrysler Hemi and a 6-71 to get the near 1000 horsepower they wanted. Now the computer controlled drag race only custom engines turn out 10 times that, and the cars go so fast it necessitated a shorter track. The driver that could handle that would be impressive indeed.
The rivalry in the old days was intense, East vs West (California), but the camaraderie was just as intense, too. They kept secrets, but not grudges. These guys were just regular Americans living in a place where an ordinary guy could have a quality motor car, and make it go like Hell if he wanted to.
Is this a great country or what?
I once talked to one of the drivers about the idea of a home-dragster category. No clutch tricks, pure foot throttle with no computer....in other words, make a car that many people could build with lower costs.
The problem is that there would be so much competition in the field that some would never make money. And the extra cars would take away from the sponsor’s advertising effects. Even worse (for today’s crews), the current star drivers would become known as spam in a can when compared to the “real” drivers.
Because they have everything to lose and nothing to gain, the Force/Schumacher faction that controls much of drag racing would never allow the money to go there. Why spoil a good living?
Oh, well.