I was a Jr in High School when that aired (I think) maybe a Senior. Was hooked on 5.0 Mudstains back then, until that show then went looking at What the hell that Buick Turbo Regals were and been hooked every since.
I think Buddy put the fear of the turbocharged v6 into all of the pro stock racers that year and they knew what would happen if he was allowed to compete with them and they didn't want any part of that.
Glidden just barely got the win over Buddy that year with his nearly 700 c.i. engine.