Chuck, These forums are great, we get to see views from so many angles.
I truly respect your view on not stroking a 340, but for me, I wouldnt drag race a 340 for the same reason you wouldnt stroke one... they are getting rare.
Your right, the difference is that I purchased the engine and put it together years ago when they were a lot easier to find. I purchased mine at a swap meet for $65. I'm already commited with all of the stuff I've done to it. When my area get the E85 fuel I am going to convert it to run on that and put it in my street car. I only shift the thing at 6500 because I don't want to hurt it.