I need some in depth education on spark plugs...

Before installing new Autolites at the track today it was recommended I set the plugs at 050. I noticed something when trying to gap the plugs. The ground really started to pull away from the electrode meaning this particular ground on this these plugs was short. Trying to get to 050 really pulled the ground away and actually out from the electrode. End result the ground is no longer "under" the electrode and I actually stopped at 045 instead of 050 because it seemed to far out of place.

Questions:
IF the ground is to short..
Is this an issue if the ground is pulled out and not aligned under the electrode?

What brand plugs do you guys run and at what gap?

thanks in advance,
Doug

ngk BP9ES gap at .045 581 CI HEMI 13.5 COMPRESSION.

NGK 7 here. .040 gap W/ 200 N2O shot. NGK9 .045 Naturally aspirated. This was on a KB Hemi on race gas.

if it is an "ar" plug with a cut back ground strap you gap those at .020-.035 if the ground strap covers the electrode you add .020 or so.

if i were you with aluminum heads run an ar52 and gap at .035

iron heads ar51 gap same

if its 14/1 compressioin or higher gap at .025