NHRA to Introduce Factory Stock Showdown

by editor on Jun.23, 2012, under Performance Pipeline

NHRA to Introduce Factory Stock Showdown

NHRA officials announced this week the formation of the NHRA Factory Stock Showdown which will be an exciting new addition at the 2012 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto Plus at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis…..

The race-within-a-race will add even more flair to the biggest, richest and most prestigious drag race in the world (August 29th – Sep. 3rd).

The NHRA Factory Stock Showdown is a competition designed to showcase the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet, Dodge Mopar Challenger Drag Pak and Chevrolet COPO Camaro. The program will feature 2008 and newer models. Competition will be run heads-up, as a class within NHRA Stock eliminations.

“There has been a revival of sorts in terms of drag racing-ready vehicles out of Detroit,” said Graham Light, senior vice president of racing operations, NHRA. “The NHRA racing community has embraced these new vehicles so to showcase these unique vehicles in a showdown format at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals seemed like a natural fit.”

The NHRA Factory Stock Showdown adds to what is already an action-packed weekend of racing and specialty events surrounding the “Big Go,” a phrase coined by racers representing the significance of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway, which celebrates its 58th running in 2012. In addition to the NHRA Factory Stock Showdown, the highlights of the weekend include the Mopar Hemi-Challenge, fierce competition of the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Pro Care Rx as well as the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, the final race of the regular season in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season and the inaugural NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootouts featuring both Top Fuel and Funny Car.

Early rounds of eliminations in the NHRA Factory Stock Showdown will take place on Thursday, Aug. 30. The final four cars in competition will run on Friday, Aug. 31, in conjunction with the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series qualifying sessions. The NHRA “Wally” trophy will be awarded to the winner of the NHRA Factory Stock Showdown. All participants in the NHRA Factory Stock Showdown will still be able to run in the national event eliminator. Attached is a brief summary of the tech requirements and rules, including eligible car combinations.

Technical Requirements and Rules:

• New Stock class: “Factory Stock” made up of cars from Stock AAA, AA, BB & CC classes.

• Preliminary index – 9.70

• Preliminary weights

o 300-450 CID naturally aspirated – 3000 lbs.

o 451+ CID naturally aspirated – 3475 lbs.

o All supercharged – 3675 lbs.

Eligible Car Combinations

Chevrolet

Year Engine Combination Transmission

2012 Chevrolet 427 CID 425 Automatic/Manual

Chevrolet 327 CID 500 Automatic/Manual