The National Hot Rod Association Technical Department this week, in response to record-breaking performances at the 50th annual Gatornationals, issued rules adjustments in the name of parity for both the Pro Modified and Factory Stock Showdown categories — neither of which was unexpected given the circumstances.

In Pro Modified, the Technical Department granted a 25-pound weight break for nitrous oxide-assisted entries without a lock-up torque converter in an effort to bring the various power adders into closer proximity. While the nitrous entry of Khalid al Balooshi recorded the quickest 1/4-mile elapsed time in history in qualifying at 5.710-seconds, it remained more than half a tenth behind the 5.643 posted by supercharged racer Steve Jackson and the 5.672 best for a turbo entry from Jose Gonzalez. In all, three nitrous entries qualified in the 16-car field.

Official statment via NHRARacer.com:

Based on E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series Presented by J&A Service performance numbers from the last portion of 2018 through the first race of 2019, the NHRA Technical Department is reducing the minimum weight of Nitrous assisted entries with a lock-up converter from 2,450 pounds to 2,425 pounds. All other minimum weights will remain the same: (Nitrous-assisted without a lock-up converter – 2,425 pounds), (Supercharged entries – 2,600 pounds) and (Turbocharged entries – 2,650 pounds). This rule change will go into effect immediately. NHRA reserves the right in the future to make additional rule changes to control performance and maintain parity in the category.

The adjustments in Factory Stock Showdown, unsurprisingly, were a bit more dramatic. 

Drew Skillman reset the national elapsed time record in eliminations at 7.718-seconds — this after father, Bill, qualified atop the field at 7.744, more than a tenth of a second ahead of the leading Dodge Challenger Drag Pak (Leah Pritchett at 7.852) and COPO Camaro (Randy Taylor at 7.853, later going 7.828 in eliminations).

The 2019 Ford engine/supercharger packages, which proved potent enough to advance the Mustang Cobra Jets three full tenths of a second performance edge versus last year’s package, had their supercharger overdrive trimmed by 17.6-percent; the 2019 COPO Camaro likewise was reduced by 10.9-percent. Pre-2019 engine combinations remained untouched.

Official statment via NHRARacer.com:

Based on SAMTech.edu NHRA Factory Stock Showdown performance numbers from the first race of the 2019 season, the NHRA Technical Department is increasing the supercharger top pulley size on the 2019 COPO 350 combination from 3.350 inches to 3.500 inches and the 2019 Cobra Jet 327 combination from 3.250 inches to 3.500 inches. This will decrease the 2019 COPO 350 combination supercharger overdrive from 147.5 percent to 136.6 percent overdrive or 10.9 percent. Additionally, this will decrease the 2019 Cobra Jet 327 combination supercharger overdrive from 146.2 percent to 128.6 percent or 17.6 percent. As a reminder no other changes may be made to all approved superchargers, including, but not limited to: (upper or lower pulley sizes, gear ratios, cases, rotors, etc.). All other permitted combinations in the SAMTech.edu NHRA Factory Stock Show.