The Detroit muscle car wars are back—and they’re once again spilling on to the dragstrip.

NHRA officials have announced the formation of the NHRA Factory Stock Showdown at the 2012 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto Plus at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, August 29-September 3, adding even more excitement to the biggest, richest and most prestigious drag race in the world.

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, NHRA’s senior vice president of racing operations. “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, August 30. The final four cars in competition will run on Friday, August 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.

For more specific technical information, visit NHRA.com.

Keywords
Chevrolet COPO Camaro, Dodge Mopar Challenger Drag Pak, Ford Mustang Cobra Jet, Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, NHRA, NHRA Factory Stock Showdown
Share this Article
Author: David Fuller

David Fuller is OnAllCylinders' managing editor. During his 20-year career in the auto industry, he has covered a variety of races, shows, and industry events and has authored articles for multiple magazines. He has also partnered with mainstream and trade publications on a wide range of editorial projects. In 2012, he helped establish OnAllCylinders, where he enjoys covering all facets of hot rodding and racing.