Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Hood scoops set to return to NHRA Pro Stock category in 2027 season
National Hot Rod Association ^ | April 8, 2026 | NHRA Communications

Posted on 04/10/2026 6:52:28 AM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701



NHRA has announced changes to the Pro Stock class for the 2027 season, including the return of hood scoops and the switch to two top-mounted 4-barrel style throttle bodies, as it continues its efforts to increase parity and participation and reduce overall long-term costs for teams.

Hood scoops will return to Pro Stock bodies beginning in the 2027 season, along with removing the single forward-facing throttle body and replacing it with two top-mounted 4-barrel style throttle bodies. This comes from the NHRA Technical Department’s continued effort to add more parity, continue to increase participation, and reduce overall long-term costs for teams.

This announcement comes a decade after the Pro Stock category transitioned from two carburetors and hood scoops to electronic fuel injection (EFI) and flat hoods in 2016.

EFI will remain for 2027, but hood scoops will return to the popular category, which has seen strong participation in recent seasons. After extensive discussion with teams, racers, engine builders, and crew chiefs, the strong majority were in favor of adding a hood scoop air entry back to Pro Stock cars, starting next season.

By adding the hood scoop back, along with the new dual-throttle-body EFI setup, the consensus is that it will provide a more beneficial and efficient way to tune the cars, with less variation from car to car.

“The general feeling among competitors and stakeholders is the current low/front air-entry setup makes the engines more difficult to tune and creates more variation from car to car than it should,” NHRA Director of Engineering Clinton Snead said. “By adding the hood scoop and top-mounted/dual throttle bodies, it should eliminate those issues, which should help all teams, but especially the smaller and lower-budget teams.

“We’re excited about the return of hood scoops and the addition of dual throttle bodies in Pro Stock. There was considerable momentum from teams, racers, and engine builders to make this move, and we believe this should draw added interest from fans as well, returning to more of the classic look fans have associated with the category.

“The class is in a strong place as far as overall participation, and we’re confident this move will only continue to add to the depth and interest in Pro Stock.”

Along with the strong visual element of hood scoops, the addition was made with an eye on increased e.t. performance.

Hood scoops will only be required to meet a limited number of measurement rules, similar to previous guidelines. The 2027 rules package for Pro Stock will also include loosened rules on throttle bodies, manifolds, and air inlets.

The new top-mounted dual throttle body rules will be based on dimensional requirements, allowing teams to build their own units or work with outside companies. The manifold rules will also be opened up to allow for increased innovation and performance.



TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: drag; dragrace; dragshow; hoodscoops

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.

Drag shows will change next year as hood scoops will replace flat hoods on Pro Stock in 2027. This prepares as the proposed 2028 Chevrolet will likely be unveiled and body style could be used by the factory teams.
1 posted on 04/10/2026 6:52:28 AM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: WhiteHatBobby0701

Reminds me of Mad Max’s V8 Interceptor


2 posted on 04/10/2026 6:56:16 AM PDT by MarlonRando
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WhiteHatBobby0701

When did they stop calling them “carburetors”????


3 posted on 04/10/2026 6:59:15 AM PDT by JBW1949 (I'm really PC.....Patriotically Correct)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JBW1949

Throttle body injection was added to Pro Stock in 2016.


4 posted on 04/10/2026 7:03:46 AM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701 (The State of UCLA.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: JBW1949
When did they stop calling them “carburetors”?

While a carburetor (from carburet; "to combine with carbon") mixes air and fuel inside, some fuel-injection systems add fuel directly to the cylinders instead of mixing them before entering the cylinder.

5 posted on 04/10/2026 7:13:33 AM PDT by T.B. Yoits
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: JBW1949

“When did they stop calling them “carburetors”????”

They still call them carburetors.


6 posted on 04/10/2026 7:30:02 AM PDT by TexasGator (-11..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

Comment #7 Removed by Moderator

To: WhiteHatBobby0701

Pro stock change back to hood scoops good deal NHRA made Pro Stock lab rats for Detroit now ban the forced use of 4-barrel style throttle bodies and the 10,000 RPM limit and go back to the 11.000 + RPM range.

The are race cars not lab rats


8 posted on 04/10/2026 7:53:15 AM PDT by Vaduz (NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JBW1949
When did they stop calling them “carburetors”????

When they switched to EFI.

9 posted on 04/10/2026 7:54:41 AM PDT by Disambiguator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: JBW1949

When did they stop calling them “carburetors”????

***********************************

My lawnmower has a carburetor


10 posted on 04/10/2026 7:59:20 AM PDT by dagunk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: WhiteHatBobby0701

That car looks kinda funny.


11 posted on 04/10/2026 8:10:02 AM PDT by Paladin2 (YMMV)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dagunk

I think John Deere’s new X series garden tractors have EFI. Kawasaki engines.


12 posted on 04/10/2026 8:15:23 AM PDT by MachIV
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2

That’s not a Funny Car....it’s Pro Stock.


13 posted on 04/10/2026 8:19:10 AM PDT by V_TWIN (America....so great even the people that hate it, won't leave)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: WhiteHatBobby0701; V_TWIN

Pro-Stock has always been my favorite class. Fond memories of going into the pits as a kid and being able to see the cars up close. Bought t-shirts directly from Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins and “Dyno” Nicholson out of their trailers.


14 posted on 04/10/2026 9:01:32 AM PDT by philled (I’m free to say whatever I - Whatever I like— if it’s wrong or right it’s alright.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: philled

Me, too. I worked for Pat Musi when he ran pro stock.


15 posted on 04/10/2026 9:04:26 AM PDT by ebshumidors ( !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: philled

I worked as a handicap starter and later as track EMT at an NHRA dragstrip back in the late 1960s early 1970s and saw a lot of the old time Pro Stock champs. For a time NHRA ran a AA gas dragster category with the dragsters using pump gasoline instead of the nitromethane. This class evolved into two engine behemoths which were amazing to see. I was amazed how they could get to engines to run in sync back before electronic engine controls.


16 posted on 04/10/2026 9:51:52 AM PDT by The Great RJ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: The Great RJ

I think part of my affection stems from it being a huge deal when they’d come to our small strip in SD. Was lucky enough to take in the NHRA Nationals at Brainerd MN.


17 posted on 04/10/2026 10:00:51 AM PDT by philled (I’m free to say whatever I - Whatever I like— if it’s wrong or right it’s alright.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: MachIV

I think John Deere’s new X series garden tractors have EFI. Kawasaki engines.

***************************************************

Would not surprise me.

My 2015 Harley has digital port injection.
My lawnmower is a little push job, not even self-propelled.


18 posted on 04/10/2026 11:14:10 AM PDT by dagunk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: dagunk

My Traverse is the first GDI car I’ve ever owned. I’ve had throttle-body injection, port injection, and now direct injection.


19 posted on 04/10/2026 12:49:23 PM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701 (The State of UCLA.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2

Drag queen Erica Enders (6-time Pro Stock champion, two carburetors, 4 EFI) has that trademark of eyelashes on her headlights.


20 posted on 04/10/2026 12:51:49 PM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701 (The State of UCLA.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson