Destroked Small Block?

I always heard the cylinder head dictated the HP potential and the stroke dictated the torque curve. Like a 170/198/225. All had the ability to make a measly 145HP but who would get there first? "HP=HP no matter how you devide it up" is true..., you can make a high revver but have little to no useable torque. Look at a Hayabusa Motorcycle engine: 85 hp at 85 ft/lbs at 5250. HP keeps going up to 180 at 10K but the torque stays flat at 85. Whats the saying.."HP sells cars but Torque wins races"?