Nah - the point was taking the bad tuning and driving out of the equation. Again - not a personal choice on winner, just removal of variables.
I won a LOT of races with my 340/4sp E body against more powerful cars because their owners/tuners/drivers sucked and thought they didn't. More than a few sport bikes too. But I had more fun in a 383 powered Newport than any other car I've owned. That car whipped up on a lot of stuff including 440 cars, a 460 Bronco with a single plate system, and a Buick Grand National from a dead stop to 126 where his car shut off. I miss the Cuda, but I own a '69 300 that will be remade into that Newport.