Beginner Asphalt Circle Track - Duster??

How about a rear wheel drive 4 banger/2 rotor? RX7 comes to mind. 1st gen is cheap and light, and the rear wheel drive can be fun on an oval. Or a 2.6L Arrow with a header, keepin it Mopar (sort of). Heck, even if you lose to a bunch of boys, you still have yourself to beat time wise the next race. 170 will have no chance, neither will the 225 unless you pony up and build it. Tight 318 with 4.56's and headers will rock a Civic out of the corners and that is where its at on a short oval.