I feel the same way about the Lightning not having a stick shift for normal driving but for drag I'd take the auto. It will lay you in your seat hard core just punching it. I'm seriously considering buying a 2004 Lightning. I've decided to set up my 'tour for road racing which I like the stick shift. So I'd setup the Lightning up for drag. I'm not against a auto trans in a drag car.
2004 Evolution VIII cams-exhaust-tune
315whp 12.7@109