Stroking theory question

I get a kick out of the drag way, and people. For example, I seen a stock block 440 with a solid cam, single plane intake and a 850 dp run 10.50 in a dart with 3.91's. Right next to him was a 500 cubic inch (stroker 440) with 4.56's in a duster run 11 flat. Then a 340 duster (x heads) with a "gas-leaking" dp holley turned a 10.35. lol
Cubic inches, strokers, I even seen a Indy head 440 built with no expense spared in a volare go 11's. Idk, you tell me the answers......