This weekend’s Big Go, otherwise known as the 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, is a supersized tribute to everything drag racing. And part of that is a brand new race class — the NHRA Factory X presented by Holley, reserved for 2019 and newer manufactured automobiles. It makes it’s debut at Indy with four official entries and a shiny new Wally up for grabs.
Drivers Greg Stanfield, Allen Johnson, Chris Holbrook and Jim Cowan will kick off the class with some extra incentive powering them — the chance to hit the “Jesel 200 MPH Club,” a $10,000 payout for the first driver to make a 200-mph run, and seven additional cash bonuses for 200-mph achievers. The “Stanfield Racing Engines Low Qualifier Bonus Award” will also award the No. 1 qualifier $1,000 this weekend in Indy, according to the press release put out by the NHRA. Jesel is a longtime supporter of the sport, and thrilled to incentivize the new category.
“It’s really exciting for us. We feel like it’s going to be a great, great category for the drivers and the fans, and it’s going to create a lot of interest for everyone,” Jesel CEO Wayne Jesel said. “It’s going to be very popular and I think the cars really look fantastic. It’s going to be really appealing and we love being able to support the racers with this 200-mph club. It’s going to be a good program and I think it’s really going to draw up a lot of interest from fans, as well as drivers wanting to jump into the class.”
Chevy will be well represented in the small field — Stanfield is piloting a Chevrolet Camaro, with Cowan in a supercharged COPO Camaro. 2012 NHRA Pro Stock world champion Johnson will be driving Geoff Turk’sBlackbird X Dodge Challenger and the Blue Oval will be repped by Holbrookin the Varsity Ford Cobra Jet Mustang.
Factory X cars have a minimum weight limit of 2,650 pounds and a manual transmission, alteration-free bodies and must race on tires that are 33 inches tall and 10.5 inches wide.
“We’re thrilled to see the Factory X presented by Holley category hold its first official event at the biggest drag race of the year in Indy, and these great programs from Jesel and Stanfield Racing Engines are going to add even more anticipation to the weekend,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer. “The quest for that first 200-mph run is going to be very exciting as this class continues to grow.”
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