Consistent E.T's
No reason why a stick car can't be competitive in bracket's as long as it hooks and runs well. All the cars are up against the same track/weather conditions.
I ran one of my own in 75'/early 76'. And even though I was constantly tweaking it from the low 14's to the high 12's, and while I never won my bracket.....I still went rounds. Oh, and I was 16 back then :).
Being comfortable in the car is most important. Thru the late 70's/Early 80's I did race quite a few stick cars owned by other's, and had a decent record, mainly because I cheated a hair on the dial in and played the stripe as well as I could.
Feeling/being in touch with a stick car on each run really makes a difference on where you position yourself (dial) for the next round.....
As far as running the same # round after round.....well, good luck with that. It happens, but it's rare, believe me. :D