The no-rules format of this year’s No Prep Kings (NPK) season has the racing world buzzing. With no weight limits and unrestricted power adders, the competition is set to be wilder than ever. And as expected, the biggest shake-up seems to be coming from the ProCharger camp.
Photo by Fireball Camaro
Last season, ProCharger-powered cars dominated the NPK circuit, securing the majority of race wins. With nearly 70% of the field running ProCharger setups, it was clear that centrifugal superchargers were the go-to power adder for many teams. However, with the rule changes this season, ProCharger racers are facing new challenges—and possibly a need to adapt.
Screw Blowers and Twin Turbos on the Rise
The biggest concern for ProCharger racers is the newfound freedom for screw-blown and twin-turbo cars. Screw blowers, when allowed to run unrestricted, can easily make 4,500 horsepower or more. Twin turbo setups now have no weight restrictions and can take full advantage of 36-inch tall tires. This added traction will allow them to apply more power to the ground, making them even more competitive.
Photo by LUTZ RACE CARS
Meanwhile, ProCharger setups have traditionally excelled on a 34-inch tall tire, especially when track conditions weren’t ideal. The manageable power delivery of a centrifugal supercharger has been key to its success. But with competitors gaining a significant edge in power and traction, ProCharger racers are looking for ways to stay ahead.
Enter Nitrous: A Potential Equalizer?
In an effort to maintain their dominance, many ProCharger racers are considering adding nitrous to their setups. This move is intriguing for several reasons:
More Power on Demand – Nitrous is an instant power adder, which can help offset the horsepower gap between ProCharger and screw-blown setups.
Cooling Benefits – Nitrous also helps cool the intake charge, making the engine more efficient and potentially producing even more power.
Strategic Use – Many racers may opt to use nitrous as a scramble button, engaging it only when necessary. This means if they find themselves behind in a race, they can hit the nitrous around the 200-330 foot mark to gain an edge in the second half of the track.
The Challenge of Tunability
While adding nitrous seems like a promising solution, it introduces another layer of complexity. ProCharger setups have been known for their consistency, but integrating nitrous means additional tuning variables that could make dialing in the car more challenging.
Photo by Lil Legend "Bobby Ducote"
On top of that, some racers are considering lockup torque converters to further optimize power transfer. However, using a lockup on a no prep surface can be risky—even for nitrous cars—making this another factor teams must carefully balance.
What’s Next?
With ProCharger racers experimenting with nitrous and other tuning strategies, this season promises to be one of the most unpredictable yet. Can these teams maintain their consistency while maximizing the extra power? Or will the screw blower and twin turbo combinations take over with their newfound advantages?
One thing is for sure: NPK is shaping up to be a battleground where innovation, tuning expertise, and driving skill will determine who comes out on top. Stay tuned to StreetOutlawsTalks.com for more updates as we follow this evolving story!
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