Some Pro Stock fans long for the way Pro Stock was 20 years ago. Matt Hartford isn't one of them. 

Sure, 48 entries were vying for 16 spots for race day in a field separated by .055 from pole position to bump. But Hartford, who won the NHRA U.S. Nationals over the Labor Day weekend, believes the Pro Stock of today is more refined, accessible, and competitive than ever. 

In those so-called glory days of factory hot rod racing, the divide between the haves and have-nots was very defined.

Plenty of manipulation and horsepower orders were going on just to be part of the show. Only two of those 48 still drive a Pro Stocker today. 

"There was a time that Steve Schmidt qualified five cars with one engine," Hartford explained. "Now, there's a rule that won't allow that. You can't take an engine out of one car and put it into another. And if a car lost with his best engine, it came out and went into another guy's engine. And what he was charging people back then, I know the number, I won't say to the media, but it's astronomical.

"People were willing to pay it. And all that did was lay the groundwork that if you could have good power, there are idiots like me who want to go racing all the time that will pay that to go race."

What has happened is the veil of lease engines just to qualify has been ripped, and thanks to the efforts of Richard Freeman and Greg Anderson, the class not only sees an influx of new talent but talent capable of running competitively. Hartford proudly deems himself one of those competitive entities. 

"It's been great for the sport because I tried having my own engine program," Hartford explained. "It didn't go well. It about bankrupt me. I spent more money with my own engine program than I did by leasing. And I have top power."

Hartford said he doesn't have to look far for examples within his own camp with point leader Dallas Glenn, Kyle Koretsky, and Camrie Caruso. 

"Dallas works for KB [Titan], and he wouldn't have been able to afford an engine program," Hartford explained. Kenny [Koretsky] had his own engine program, don't think he will do that again. So you look at it. It's the best thing that ever happened to the class is getting it to a reasonable amount to where Top sportsman racers should take notice. They can come race Pro Stock on a limited schedule and have a lot of fun."

The more, the merrier also means the more the tougher. 

"Look at Jerry Tucker under Elite," Hartford said. He is going to be a problem for a lot of us soon. He's already proven he can drive. That's just another guy you got to deal with on Sunday."