The Street Race / Limited Street / 8.50-second based classes are among the most popular at drag and drive events, and there have been some familiar rides, and drivers, since the concept got its rule set at Hot Rod Drag Week in 2012.

When it comes to people that have mastered the category, Brian Acton and Jay Blanchard are in the top of the class. With multiple wins to their credit, including two Sick The Mag orange helmets from Gear Vendors Overdrive Sick Week, another from the Motion Raceworks Sick Summer, and three straight wins at The Circuit, Acton and Blanchard continue to be top contenders.

But recently, news broke that no one was expecting: the ’70 Chevrolet Nova was changing engines for Hot Rod Drag Week 2026, and going from turbocharged LS to naturally aspirated big block! We needed the details, and between Acton and Blanchard, details emerged, as well as some testing results to prepare for Drag Week.