If you stay out of the glamour classes and don't obsess with setting national records you can still race Stock pretty cheap.

Mike Jeffrey set the V/SA record twice with a car you could duplicate for $15K or less. He has had the same converter in the car for years, and only changed gears when going up to Denver. The car was rock solid and never broke anything. It's not the record holder now, but will still go at least .75 under most anywhere. With all the tricks it will still go 1.1 under in decent air. You can buy the car today turn key for $10K.

Going .3-.5 under with your combo shouldn't break the bank either.