Unfortunately they do play into it...
"When team owner Buddy Martin, of the hugely successful Sox & Martin team, met with NHRA VP Jack Hart in the fall of 1971, Martin knew the NHRA was not happy. The S&M red, white, and blue Hemi ’Cuda had been cleaning house in Pro Stock, and Martin knew NHRA wanted a change, even if it was to handicap the Mopar Pro Stockers. Hart ooked me straight in the eye and said, ‘Our fans want to see Fords and Chevrolets running against each other in the finals. We couldn’t really care less what Chrysler wants,’”
Bill M