Agree, the only thing that brings crowds in to see the show is the "What if" situation. That is why they show up in packs to see those 10.5" tire cars try to go near 200 mph.
My friend wants to build a '54 Custom to mimic what his dad had back in the day. He doesn't really want to go 8's. Even in the 10's is plenty fast enough.
I've had thoughts of putting a straight axle under my 2 dr. Not going to cut the wheel wells open, but I do like the straight axle look, especially with my blower sticking above the roofline.