When you say cubic inches will prevail , you would presume the larger to win, but what some people did not understand, like the case above , 455 TA against a 302 Camaro, its how you drove them. The 455 prolly laid down at 5500 where the 302 was just beginning fly. Powerband plays a big part here. For some of the guys with 4:88 or 4:56 gears with the 302, they blew away many at stop lite racing.