The racing industry has had GM as a mainstay for racing parts for the better part of 50 years. Even today, the aftermarket frame companies (like Johnson and a few others) make "new" metric GM frames. They simply were very popular as is already pointed out. Engine wise, the aftermarket has caught up for all the brands. Ford & Mopar is still more expensive than the classic small block Chevrolet, but the Gen II SBC's are often as expensive for replacement parts as other makes.

Ford's 347 is a great engine. We want to buy them, but we can build a motor for cheaper than the crate price of $7300.00. A caveat there is that the SBF is fully loaded with all the parts required, except flywheel and Carb. The Ford is also hand built,while the Chevrolet crate is cast and built in Mexico on an assembly line, the same line that makes the marine engines for other manufacturers such as Volvo-Penta, Mercruiser, etc. In the end, we may change our mind and wind up buying the 347SRT or the new 347 JR next year which is rated at 350 HP with a 4 BBL if we stay in the LLM class. Like every other team out there, it all comes down to money and which tracks will allow / sanction these "crate" motors compared to other ways of building race engines.

Delaware is a very fast track, where a solid and reliable engine is a must. The new FORD Spec engine for ACT is NOT yet approved for competition and there is a concern with respects to price and it's not a FORD Racing PN # - yet. There are two great equalizers that the Ford finally has to compete with the GM Crate motors. One is weight parity (Fords and Mopars have always had more top end weight) and medium riser intake manifold compared to a 'built' motor dual plane that's been mandatory for years at most tracks.

Given the current economy, there's talk that the new Ford ACT motor maybe shelved because nobody can afford new power plants and even the engine builder & ACT maybe having second thoughts since it's not approved yet by FORD Racing and there's a lack of commitment by race teams to the new engine program.

Everyone for sure wants to see more competition and different makes. The new direction that NASCAR Nationwide is taking for 2010 is a good example of significant change on the horizon with the updated Ford Mustang, Chrysler Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro replacing the current 4 door models. No word on how the Toyota Camry will look, since it's not available in a 2 door model. We're going to look a building a similar version as a late model for next year.

There are always going to be fans of different makes and doubters too. One thing I think still remains true, nobody wants to see a single class engine and / or make on the race track. NASCAR fans I think have proven that with the new COT car which has no distinction, lacks the ability to have passing (consistently) on the superspeedways unless there's a draft pack of 3 to 5 cars and nobody can barely tell who's who without looking at the car #, since even the paint schemes seem to be getting more basic all the time....

But then, that's just my opinion....

great post-thanks