Besides, aren't 358's supposed to be the learning block in modifieds?
Nope. Small block mods stopped being the entry level class the moment the cubic inch limit was raised from 320 to 358 way back when. A competitive 358 costs slightly less than a big block but needs to rebuilt more often, so it's a wash. And on a slick track, the small blocks have a tendency to be the preferred motor, so much so, that up in New York, they're no longer getting a weight break against big blocks, they're getting a weight penalty. And small blocks are the headline class at a pile of tracks anymore. Ransomville, Merritville, Big Diamond, Grandview and New Egypt are all legit small block tracks (yeah, some of the southern tier tracks in New York are "small block" tracks, but they allow the big small blocks, which DIRT made illegal damn near 20 years ago). And Big Diamond is the highest paying weekly track in modified racing, with Grandview a very close second.
East Windsor in New Jersey was the me most wicked modified track of them all in it's day. They ran a legit open small block class. They ran alcohol injected small blocks with no weight or real body rules on "drag" rubber (basically, sprint car rear tires). They were a sight to behold, and even the best modified drivers couldn't really get ahold of them. The legendary Brett Hearn showed up there once in his storied career. He flipped it in hot laps and never came back. Man, do I miss that place.
