[Jack Gifford]

I guess we all have differing motivations. Although I like being competitive, I would get zero enjoyment out of copying someone's equipment- even if it resulted in more success on the track. Although I can now afford to be more "exotic" with my machines, that certainly wasn't the case when I began pulling competition with a Pontiac (an almost-stock '58 Tri-Power). Just your average working-Joe, putting a couple kids in college, etc. As for the delays incurred by Pontiac parts procurement, I learned that the most important aspect of a points chase is to GET TO EVERY EVENT and GO DOWN THE TRACK, even if there's no chance of winning the event. Thus, when time-consuming repairs were being made, I'd swap in an available piece to KEEP COMPETING (such as putting the blower on an iron Pontiac engine while whittling out new hemi parts).
I don't disagree about the lower cost and easier availability of SBC, BBC, etc..
As long you get enjoyment out of your efforts, it's all good.