What Does BUDGET Really Mean, And How The Fastest Guy Isn't Always Always First To The Finish Line

We caught a little flack last week when we described Cody Walker's Drag And Drive 9 second Dart as a "budget" build.
But, in context, in the grand scheme of things, it really is a low dollar effort given the type of competition it participates in.
By the same token we talk about how having piles of money and the best stuff money can buy doesn't necessarily mean a definite win.
Here is how you negotiate a race with a faster car to put the odds of a win in your favor.
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[@eyerollthereforeiam1709]

The only limit to horsepower is cubic dollars!

[@EitriBrokkr]

Horsepower = Time x Money^2 Always has been

[@louislavoie1238]

There is no replacement for dollars displacement

[@danwhitehead4913]

Well said

[@bobbyz1964]

Speed definitely comes with a price. Seeing guys with stroker kits, aluminum heads and all the fancy stuff not going real fast is priceless.

[@eyerollthereforeiam1709]

👍

[@MrTheHillfolk]

And then a old timer pulls in with a bunch of tricks on a stocker looking car that cost him ten bucks and smokes em all 😂

[@rustypliers74]

I have a 383 stroker but everything is cast iron

[@lilmike2710]

It really is . . And the look on their face. Confusion, agitation, and butthurt all in one facial expression. 😂 I've never been the one who won the night but Ive seen it at my local track. A stock 1979 Z-28 with an untouched 383 with a 4 speed. At the end of the night he'd sent all the money boys back to their car trailers all night long. They'd red light, they'd lose traction and cross the line, they'd spin out, bogg out and one even blew a head gasket. All he had to do was just stay consistent. Took the trophy. I didn't say his name because it's been so long that I don't remember. This was all back in the late 1980s.

[@beng1766]

Very true. Nice 122 btw, I have one myself!

[@kelvinrf]

Yep, I remember tuning a 351 I had in a 35 coupe and discussing upgrades to make it faster. A friend said leave it alone because I've seen guys spend $10,000 to go down the strip a second quicker.

[@chrissimes9445]

This is the only place I know to go for philosophy and mechanical advice at the same time! You amaze me periodically... keeps me coming back.

[@rossracing6433]

When i raced karts I'd sometimes enter my stock class kart in the open class. They had 3 times the power but they tended to blow up a lot. I took enough money from those guys that they made a rule banning guys "racing up" thr next year. Reminds me of your Prius vs. Top Fuel example

[@Monaco-BuilditFixitDriveitEver]

That’s interesting, and funny. Cool.

[@SweatyFatGuy]

I like budget builds. Being able to go faster than the next guy, while spending less money than him appeals to me.. because I have been broke most my life. Its only the last two or three years, since I paid off my mortgage and building loans, that I can afford to do things with cars sorta the way I want to. Back in the 1990s I built a $2700 Pontiac engine, $1500 of it went into the factory iron heads, and dropped it in a $200 Firebird. It went a best of 11.40@120 with a 3.42 gear and I had less than $4000 in the entire car. I road tripped that thing, and drove it for ten years without pulling the valve covers. That car beat LOTS of chevys that had more money thrown at them. The Mopar guys were going to spend more than me regardless, those guys are overly fond of their parts.. lol.. You have to know what you're doing and make the car do what it normally does, but do it better. Anyone can throw parts at it, not everyone can make basic garden variety stuff go fast for cheap.

[@wheelieking71]

It isn't that the Mopar guys are overly fond of their "parts". It is that they are cut-throat loyal to the mothership and willing to spend the money. An example of this would be that you see very few LS swaps under Mopar hoods compared to other brands. True Mopar guys ain't having none of that shit! The real reason Mopar parts cost so much is profit driven. The market share is the smallest of the big three. That means for most small to mid sized aftermarket companies to be profitable in the Mopar world, they have to charge more because they are going to sell less. Simple economics. I deal with it daily. People send me RFQs to machine parts for them. I always quote different volumes. They never, ever, understand the price differences between 50pcs and 500pcs (

[@ohm1945]

“Do it for the thrill of competition, do it for the challenge” Encore Uncle

[@Sedan57Chevy]

It's all about spending money in the right places to make the most difference.

[@robertspence831]

Look at Bottle Rocket sitting there all nice and shiny. What a cool hot rod.

[@mikepoint4717]

I’m building a 99 Sonoma right now . I can’t afford a mustang, challenger or Camaro . This build has plenty of parts for cheap and will check all the boxes for me . Quick ✔️ Cheap parts ✔️ And loads of fun ✔️ Keep these great videos coming Uncle Tony .

[@tonyt8805]

Uncle Tony........You "treed" him!!! 💯 💯 💯 He saw your "tail-lights" before he even moved. 🙈 Great job of getting off the line! 🎉 😎 🎉

[@BLOWN8CYLINDER]

Long live the underdog...... money can't buy raw talent.

[@DelozierInspiration]

Uncle Tony...motivational speaker. Sincere words at the end brother! Do the best you possibly can. I just tuned my first carb using lessons YOU taught me. Pretty cool, huh?

[@Monaco-BuilditFixitDriveitEver]

Yes, that’s awesome David!

[@BuilditandDriveit]

Very true, i always prefer the fun car over all else. as you point out compared to big dollar stuff bottle rocket may appear junk. but i would choose it every time because it is a fun car for enjoyment. the most fun i've had in old cars was in the cheap ratty ones.

[@cuzz63]

You make some good points. Back in my street racing days I figured that making the car lighter would be less expensive than adding power...then later I spent money on the suspension and frame making the car hook. Lots of wins without breaking the bank.

[@Sjmartin666]

That is why a junkyard 5.3 and a Chinese turbo is where it’s at for the time being…

[@davetypinski]

One of Uncle Tony's best videos EVER. Absolutely love the comment about ego: "Just go away." Amen, brother!

[@chrisparsons7043]

I love Bottle Rocket, it's the only practical 4-door I could get around the UK in. I'd love a 71/72 Coronet 4-door, I dont think there are any here sadly.

[@matthewcalifana488]

Extra value is what you get when buy Cor-o-net !

[@nou8257]

classic cars here in the u.s are even getting more rare these days

[@Wunkone1RT]

You have resurrected this vintage man. Need to give thanks you have become the creator of memories and future thrills. I'm that guy on my second heat, three grown men raised, on round two with a 9yr old. Found your channel months ago and love it, your channel and those you recommend have been spot on.This my first post ever. Futures will be less drawn out. Back in the day dead end street in North Jersey I fell in love with my 70 barracuda. Back then PBRs on floor in the back, garbage bag lined with 7 11 ice.... 80s awesome 318 3sp blowing oil. keystone classic g50 on back Doug thorley headers and show pipes ( bet there's still woman with burn scars on their calf from them window shaking growlers) to a 383 out of wrecked 69 charger for 75 bucks. Sold interior for 100 then got fined whatever for leaving old 318 at curb. Anyway I dug out an old 383 from back of garage that's been moved from house to house for 35yrs. You sir have got me ready to go, build with my kid. Gathering parts since first video I watched after search for 383, I can do this again confirmed by Danny @ D&D..lol and the others...All Great People. Dug up 3 sets of heads under workbench never thought I'd be porting and building another engine, last one was a 318 for a 68 power wagon in 1988. blew a rod and as I remember it was a cold winter in my girls driveway and I replaced it from underneath without pulling engine just pan and bottom of cyl wasted. I've learned stuff from your channel all the reading in the world wouldn't have taught me with no fear just fun for the future....Dont really expect an answer not even really sure where I would see it but here goes. Concern it's a 66 casting not HP either who knows where I got it back in the day. I believe the lifter bores are different size than 67 up doesn't seem like a big issue but rewatching one of your videos today you said old blocks didn't have threaded hole on right front for A body motor mounts. Car is in the future ( still have purpose built in mind) build best I can with your budget advice cast heads going roller cam seems like good insurance, new Pistons on the plan since I got dog dish stock. Haven't gone thru all measurements yet so machine work is as needed like deck and head milling etc. So this long winded 1st post asks do I need a newer block due to lifter bore and motor mount? Seems the answer gonna be no for the lifter and yeah if I want an A body but there some sentiment involved in moving around that old block through 6 moves.

[@jonathangehman4005]

Just like a "Low Budget" life doesn't mean you're losing. EGO spoils everything, for bucks up guys and scmucks like me, if it's fun and you're taking care of your people and not being a drag than you're winning. Tony's a gearhead sage. Respect

[@BareRoseGarage]

Very true UTG and a really good break down of it man! As for the slower beating the faster, oh yeah. Mythbusters actually went to the extreme of challenging a Race Car and an Olympic Sprinter to a drag race.... and the sprinter beat the car. For a VERY short distance, but he actually beat the Race Car. It can be done.

[@RaysLaughsAndLyrics]

Talent comes first Focus is key Perseverance the anchor Humility keeps focus Failure precedes success Confidence builds trust Health is a must Luck plays it's part To stay on top Money will follow the best.

[@williamcole464]

I agree, racing can be fun on a limited budget, I have raced on and off for close to fifty years. The thrill of winning is the greatest of all, and it doesn't cost huge money. Slow cars are just as much fun as the faster ones. The thrill is in the win, and It's priceless.

[@2HacksGarage]

Absolutely awesome thumbnail 🤣🤣 I agree, it’s about having fun and doing the best you can with what you have.

[@JohnThomas-vb9se]

This is just one of the reasons no-prep has such a large following, at the grassroots levels.

[@keithshepherd4693]

I wish I had Tony as a high school auto shop teacher ❤.

[@randallamik3230]

At a local track here, a Mazda MPV is the bracket champ several years running. Not fast, but consistent

[@NBSV1]

Many times someone in a slow regular vehicle can dominate open bracket racing. Just have to be consistent on the tree and a slow automatic car is likely to run the same time over and over.

[@JerkingwithJesus]

Your first statement is something I've been saying for years. Doesn't mean I hate drag racing i love it because it's not about winning, it's about seeing how the changes you have made has made the car faster. It's about optimizing proformance like all racing but in its own way, pure straight speed and acceleration. Damn drag racing has helped me learn how to tune hondas for myself and other people I have meant. It's help create a side job that's not even much work haha

[@ercost60]

Excellent message from Brother Tony of Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration.

[@ssnerd583]

Hot rodding is like standing in your back yard with a bonfire going, and throwing bales of money into the fire while singing the blues.....

[@mudduck754]

In the early 80s I had a 66 GTO that was doing low 14s I kept running with junkyard parts and was my family car my daily ride.

[@jojo-pt8sx]

Amen brother…eloquently said and honestly just refreshing to hear.

[@clembob8004]

I think the best way to approach it is to do the most you can with what you have. I don't drag race, but I love putting my foot into anything with enough balls to put me back in the seat. It doesn't take that much money to accomplish that, and it's fun as hell. Been doing it for over 40 years and it's still just as fun today as it was back then.

[@superrodder2002]

I've always loved sleepers, nobody expects you to win and when you do it make the win even better.

[@genesauter4755]

If your having fun learning and doing what else is there I used to race 3 wheelers 250 2 stroke no budget just looking at magazines to try what was being done. Ended up with 223 lbs of compression enjoy your fun tony

[@TheWhitetailrancher]

Likely the single best video you have ever put out! Enjoyed it VERY MUCH!

[@sstevocamaro]

Good wisdom there Uncle Tony!

[@yodawunn6700]

Budget racing isn't just spending the least amount possible, it's about being smart on what you do spend money on.

[@bobhill3941]

Very informative and enlightening. The way I understand "budget" based on your description is racers spend money in the areas that need to be spent to achieve maximum performance. When you mentioned about the more money you have, the faster you'll go reminded me of Street Outlaw guys. I completely agree stacking the deck in your favour.

[@Ed-G]

I must say that I've been watching your channel on and off, All of a sudden, I can't wait to watch a new video. Keep it up. Reminds me of hanging out with my Uncle growing up.

[@Monaco-BuilditFixitDriveitEver]

I love it…Build it Your Way! Uncle Tony, that is what got me back into cars. I did, and I’m happy as a pig in sh*t. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!

[@demogadget]

Thank you Buddha Tony. Wise lessons.

[@haqitman]

I think you just explained why there is bracket racing.

[@SweatyFatGuy]

A few years ago one of the biggest purse bracket races was won by a guy pulling a budget car on an open trailer going up against all the guys with purpose built bracket cars with toterhomes and big trailers.

[@davidcombs8458]

I once saw a bone stock Model A Ford with a 21 second dial-in win a couple rounds at a vintage drag event a few years ago. It’s not about how fast you are, it’s how well you know your car.

[@SweatyFatGuy]

@@davidcombs8458 bracket racing is about consistent ETs and reaction times. The slower cars have a huge advantage, which is why most tracks limit classes with purses to 13s or faster. A 22 second slant six Duster was the class champion for the sportsman class at my home track every year for as long as I was racing there. Sportsman was a trophy, no money when you won. Every car except for another slant six was catching him in every race. If you run 12s you are sitting there for ten seconds waiting for the lights to start. Its the same track the Buzzin Half Dozen Super Pro slant six Dart raced at in the 1990s. I know that car very well and it was running mid 11s at the time.. same as my low buck very mild 455 powered Firebird.

[@sirjhonson8218]

Those guys with the Chevy Monza`s and Vegas use do well. Light cars with big engines.

[@williamstamper442]

I was surprised to see the pushback on that vid. I guess most people don't understand money and the cost of car stuff. I thought of that dart as a very well thought out budget car. This stuff ain't free. 2023 prices are higher than ever for everything and it will never go back to where it used to be. Tony is exactly right and stole the words out of my mouth... context.

[@lb9gta307]

It's been consistant any time a car is called "budget" or "low budget" on youtube for years. If they don't complain about the parts not being free they complain about the tools needed to make less desireable parts work better. It's the same thing with the term "street car". By some people's definition my near stock Trans Am is a "pro mod" because it's a fair weather use car that won't drive a family of 5 and their groceries for a week through 2' of snow.

[@FrankF-vp4pt]

If your gonna play your gonna pay. I played, I payed. I now live in a pup tent and live off locusts and honey.

[@RodLininski]

The Junkyard Jet guys (based on what they said they spent) could have built an equivalent car to this if they didn’t stray from the original intent of the project.

[@dannybradley271]

It says a lot that one manufacturer's POS can "trailer" another's shiny object. Bottle Rocket is a testament to hot-rodding.

[@yukonjack.]

Well said, you nailed it Tony! 🎯

[@mraycgz]

I make enough money to spend a decent amount on hobbies. Cars, motorcycles, sim racing, guitars, amps, trucks and on and on. I’m into a lot of stuff. I could give it all up and afford a really fast drag and drive car. But I enjoy all my hobbies and what I found out is that what I really want is a mopar that will light up the tires on demand. You can do that on a budget. I have around $25,000 in mine. It’s enough.

[@pete540Z]

Look at the rigs Tom Bailey and other Drag-n-Drive winners run. More money than Prostock in many of those builds.

[@williamallen7836]

Thar happens in every drag class. There's always those who sink serious money into being the big fish in a small pond, because they have little brains & talent to not get eaten in a class that better fits thier resources. So they let big money in smaller ponds stroke thier week egos. UT wasn't speaking about these people. They are exceptions. Exceptions are not the rule; don't blind yourself confusing the exceptions with the general rule.

[@pete540Z]

@@williamallen7836 I made no judgement about those exceptions. Neither did I put them down for their choices of how they spend their money

[@woodendoorgarage]

I think people do not realize how well-sorted moderately fast car has to be for drag and drive events. It gets progressively more difficult with added power compared to dedicated strip car. Having 700hp in 360 is harder then it looks.

[@Iamthestig42069]

C5 corvette is an amazing value. Doesn’t take much and it’ll be competitive in drag racing, drifting and autocross in 1 car since the factory setup is so good to begin with. Tires and suspension setup would have to be changed between categories but it’s not unaffordable to pull off. Forced induction kits for LS1s are everywhere.

[@archivegarage7638]

I appreciate how you wrapped this video up UTG

[@TundeEszlari]

Fantastic video! 👍

[@Andy-ql9wh]

that's about the most honest advice I've ever heard, and from some one who knows what their talking about.....

[@edpetrikk2027]

Anthony ..You won the race at the light ..plus the mop guy gave you a push ..plus he had a budget mop ….P.S. Maybe next time you and Andy can do a two out of three ..make the terms before you turn your engines on and..race for ..pinks ..I’ll grab me a beer to watch that one .

[@tdeje]

I think this is great advice, Thanks !

[@paularndt6111]

Well said at the end.😊

[@jasonrackawack9369]

As an 80s kid Bottle Rocket reminds me of every "bad guy get away car" from just about every tv show I watched....CHiPS....A Team.....Knight Rider....Dukes of Hazzard.....Fall Guy....Airwolf...etc....Hollywood always used full size mid 70s mopars as disposible vehicles to crash

[@otisdriftwood8469]

It was smart tony, no question about that. Any other conditions it would have ended differently. " most likely ". Awsome race!

[@8000RPM.]

That race was soooo close. If Casper had a coat of dust on the front bumper he would have won.

[@johnkufeldt3564]

And now your $5k up so even on a rematch you'll still break even if you lose and Andy will always want to try to get that back,not just the cash but also to redeem the loss. I watch both of your channels but I see you having more fun per $ and that is a philosophy that I recognize in myself. I commented about the budget Dart but not to complain about it not being cheap, just interested in what his(Cody) budget was to build such a mean door slammer. I am ok knowng I'll never afford to race top tier big buck cars but I always appreciate a well executed performance vehicle were you maximum bang for the buck.

[@nickcucchiara]

All great points. My friend picked up a very low quality motorcycle for free along the side of the road. The took it to a dirtbike/4wheeler enduro on a rainy day. That was the only bike that could make it through the mud section in the pits/party/camp area without problems. The secret weapon was the trashy thin tires that did the job.

[@edpetrikk2027]

So you just said ..” it’s an expensive budget car “ ..Err you planning on being a politician…is your favorite color plaid .?? 😀 Keep on keeping on homeboy 👍🚗

[@lb9gta307]

No, he's saying the "low budget" definition is reletive to context. What the car does vs what it cost to get it to do that.

[@rescuedandrestoredgarage]

Good call, brother. Have fun.

[@gilbertwashburn7095]

Back in the '70s '60s speed parts were cheap and plentiful sure glad I grew up in that time zone had a lot of fun had a screaming 69 Camaro for four grand10-second car nice no rust cuz it wasn't that old in 1979 carburetors for life have a great day

[@crazylarryjr]

My brother had a '77 Aspen R/T he built, using our dad's junkpile. he used an unbored 318 block and crank, stock pistons and Rods A Crane .500/300* cam from a friend stock valvatrain from the junkpile a set of 360 heads with stock (and later found out) weak valve springs, topped with a Edelbrock torquer and a 650 DP. He put this all together with a standard 4 speed (non OD) with a B&M Vertigate shifter and a Autozone stock replacement clutch. bringing up the rear was a 3.55 geared posi 8 1/4" rear end. The reason i mentioned theweak springs, was as he set it up and got used to it, he found out the engine would go into float at 6100 RPM, so he had 6,000 as his shift point, Mind you the car was stock, no weight deductions other than heater and AC delete running 14" slot mags and 245/60 R 14 rears. My brother was a pipefitter for a sprinkler company and did most all of his work in Athens Ga (we lived in Warner Robins at the time) and he was hanging around the street racing scene when he could. This was in the mid 90's and the top three cars were a hemi Cuda and fox Mustang with a BB ford and a Chevy Impala with a huge BB. Well my brother beat the Impala at a stoplight duel (His preferred style of racing), with his lowly 318. Nobody believed it till the hemi guy crawled under it to verify the 318 Molded in the block, They still swore it was a stroker, but I can verify it was a stock steel cranked 318 (early 70's). You can run on a budget, it just takes a little more experience to pull it off

[@mikebrooka9395]

Well said. Mikel

[@Pico-hq7ws]

What Al said at the end is effectively that you race yourself, which I believe is the truth here.

[@terryk5412]

I had a 74 Plymouth Custom Suburban with a 440 in it. I lost a lot of races. But then I started peacemealing my way closer to the win: like 900 lbs lighter after I stripped everything behind the front seat. Then drilled into a water-jacket when trying to easy-out a busted head bolt. So I bought, and drove home, a Mopar with a '73 electronic lean burn 400 in it. I literally took off the heads "polished" them with a wire wheel at the farm and slapped them on with some Detroit Gaskets. Race-time on Westnedge. So this mide 70 s Trans Am pulls up beside me and it sounded pretty hefty. I said "let's go" so we went... I lost bigtime. Stinking heavy car! So I said "let's punch off from 30" and he said okay. So we did and I stayed with him literally door handle to door handle; he still beat me but when we pulled over to inspect each other's motors he had a built 350 in it. Mine? Absolutely stock except for the "polished" 400 heads. So your story Tony rings true. You CAN beat just about any street car with a little shade-tree mechanic wisdom and a bit of faith. If I hadn't gotten into trouble that Custom Suburban would have been the terror of the streets of Kalamazoo, Michigan. While I was away from the farm my cousin junked my car. Nothing I could do about it as I didn't know. I did have big plans for it - some Stage IV Heads - wanted to turn it into a 440 Hemi as close as I could. American Racing wheels. Wanted to put a 4-speed in it...

[@brianlevan339]

I liked the video, a little insight on a certain class of drag racing.

[@oikkuoek]

Tuning a hot rod is fun, racing is ridiculous. I enjoy pulling a pile of slow junk apart, fiddle around with it, and put it back together as two, three times faster than it was. It may blow up, and eventually they do, but then just get another pile of junk and start over. It's a fun hobby and accumulation of knowledge. Could I use that knowledge to build a "6 second street car"? Sure. Would I want to drive a "6 second street car"? Nope.

[@doubledave7451]

I head a saying years ago and it rings true here: "You can have a low buck 500 hp motor OR a well built 500 hp motor. You cannot have a low buck, well built 500 hp motor". It doesn't help that people also want a fortune today for starter vehicles that were well under $10k a decade or so ago. Iroc's and Fox-body's come to mind here.

[@brokentoolgarage8609]

Good stuff. Autocross is what I have been racing my 89 Mustang junkyard build in

[@VigilanceTech]

There's so much cool stuff out there in the junkyard these days -- stuff I would have given my left nut for back when I was in high school in the 70's -- that if you research what you're doing, you can build a really fast car without expensive parts. Now, since most of it is computerized, if you want to go really low buck, you're going to have to learn some of that and some of the electronics, but the federal pressure on the new car makers to get better and better mileage, together with the market pressure for these cars to still perform well, many cars now have what would have been considered Formula 1 technology from a few decades ago in them.

[@danbourg76]

You perfectly described Cleetus in the first 45 seconds of the video. I love his channel and he worked hard for everything he has and I really respect the guy, but no normal person can afford some the toys he has. I love your perspective on this subject, great video as usual Tony.

[@tobybabalu6628]

Stop watchi9n stuck up clitoris

[@Moparornocar]

Felt like a dad trying to make you feel better after getting gapped by the rich kids new mustang

[@95Sn95]

You could beat John force with a shopping cart if he red lights. Granted not likely to happen he's not gonna push the light if his competition is a shopping cart lol. Especially one with a wobbly wheel!

[@Monaco-BuilditFixitDriveitEver]

That’s funny!

[@mikekokomomike]

​@@Monaco-BuilditFixitDriveitEver Made me laugh

[@MaxNafeHorsemanship]

"Budget" depends on your budget. I traded a $800 truck for a bunch of boxes of parts that was a MGB once I put it together. I never won a race with that car, but I had more fun with it than any other car and people respected it because it was different. I put most of it together in the dirt. That's the extreme end of things, but the fact is "budget" is a relevant term and no matter how much you spend, you can have fun. More money does not always equal more fun.

[@rcnelson]

Uncle gives a perfect update to the story of the Hare and the Tortoise.

[@car_ventures]

That can be one of the good things with sanctioned events e.g stock / historic... Major components are kept stock, keeps costs somewhat under control, avoiding runaway cheque-book racing.

[@stuartwall8212]

You make a good point Tony....pull that engine out and the rest is pretty much everyday stuff.

[@maxwedge1]

Well said! The downside for a Prius vs dragster is trying to concentrate with the top fuel exhaust mayhem!

[@andypdq]

Motor racing of any kind as a privateer, ask yourself, "Do I want to consistently win?" If the answer is yes, don't do it, you're guaranteed to end up a broken, bitter man. Don't ask me, lol.

[@harriettedaisy2233]

My landlord does dirt track racing on a budget. Does he win often? No. Does he have a blast racing? YES!

[@billymanilli]

I was thinking the other morning... you know those little (sometimes not that little though.. lol ) "front end extension" pieces you see on some of the more serious bracket cars and stuff? Make one that's like 1,310 feet long, so "at the last amber", start leaving the beams, go a few feet, and trip the finish with the extender. You'd have the world record ET... I know it's ridiculous!! ..but technically...

[@DuckyHunter812]

Eddie Hill was an exception to the guy with the most money winning theory, but it's mostly true. You vs Casper is another.

[@scottbrooklyn2995]

Blackies equals receipts. I got a 470hp 383 with Afr heads worth$s. I've seen tests that show nitrous equipped 305s could kick my ass. With no worries about blowing it cause it's worthless

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

He spent money where it counts and saved money where it doesn't! That's how you build on a budget. On the other hand, the paint job on the cars roof, even though it probably cost less than $20 is not only cheap, it's also creative and very cool!

[@flycatchful]

The TV show "Street Outlaws" proves Tonys' point.

[@derekhobbs1102]

A mechanic I used to work with would say that power is cheap, but reliability isn't.

[@dougp5044]

It's real simple budget does mean low cost budget is whatever someone can afford to put to a project

[@rickynelson3222]

I had a friend with a 73 dart sports he worked at a chryco dealership. He opened the direct connection catalogue and it started ordering the car was absolutely beautiful. But my 73 dart was built with junkyard parts and I kicked his ass because all my parts worked together and some old school tricks under my sleeve

[@tomstrum6259]

Never had a racing Budget but the Most Fun at the strip was racing Dad's only Family car 2 barrel Pontiac back in '67 as a Teenager !! ....Yes, I knew 'bout Tri--Power GTO's & Ram Air 3's but winning K/SA Class that Nhra track Was a Blast !!

[@stephenh.bunkybyrd2024]

Have fun! That's what it's all about. :)

[@graemethorne677]

Chucking loads of cash at a car only works if it is a balanced package. A cleverly put together budget build can be just as effective. There is a joy in building performance that you won't get buying it.

[@Monaco-BuilditFixitDriveitEver]

Yes. I got a window sticker that says, “Built, not Bought”

[@victormiranda9163]

coin allows more testing, confirmation, and confidence in yourself... and one of the traction points is that certainty. a plus is the the quick recovery from an oopser.

[@DeliciousDeBlair]

I have no psychological weakness based on being on new ground. Done TONS of no-prep, side street, underground, surprise meeting type racing. I've never had drag slicks, I've never been on a prepped track, I've always been on plain old street tires, on bare pavement [both cold and hot, but never wet, we simply never ran on wet pavement as a policy] and I relied on a specific, particular trick I developed early on, which, to the best of my knowledge, only works with MOPARs [I could be wrong, but so far have never seen any others do this thing I rely on], and work within the gears to get my launch, not on the RPMs or how much stall I had on the converter. That said, I'm never going to demand imbalanced terms. I live by the doctrine: "Run what you brung" and if you failed, its on you, not on them. I've never lost a race, but I've never raced against pros. I'm too poor to race against pros, even when I 'had' money, I still only raced with street people, never with sponsored race teams. I know my limitations, I know where and when I can 'punch over my weight class', and in the world of racing, I never once tried to punch over my weight class [or, as in this series' main theme, my budget class]. In a fair fight, equal [or nearly so] cars, I always came out on top, but if I went up against even 1 thousand HP cars, I'd be wasting my time, and I know that, so I never let them suck me into a race I knew I had no chances of winning. Its not just what you bring, but knowing your competition. If they are a giant, and you are an ant, you're either going to be demanding unreasonable handicaps of them, or you're gunna lose, and by a lot.

[@BigT27295]

Love it..

[@ellsworthcrawford2074]

Driver's skill and determination and nerves can play a huge factor 2