The NHRA First announced the creation of the Factory X Class back in 2021, and now Factory X is ready to hit the track for competition in 2023.
Though there are two exhibition races scheduled earlier in the 2023 season, we just read in the Norwalk Reflector that the first official NHRA points race for the Factory X Class presented by Holley will happen June 22-25, 2023 during the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
Hat tip to Summit Racing’s Peggy Kachovec and Alan Rebescher for the heads up on the news.
This event will be the first of six point series races for Factory X, with the five remaining 2023 contests scheduled for Topeka, KS; Brainerd, MN; Charlotte, NC; St. Louis, MO; and the final stop for the Championship happening in Las Vegas, NV.
(The earlier 2023 exhibition races will be held at Charlotte in April and Bristol, TN in June.)
So…What is the NHRA Factory X Racing Class?
Intended to be sort of an evolutionary link between the Factory Stock Showdown and Pro Stock Class, Factory X will feature 2019+ cars like the Dodge Challenger Drag Pack, Ford Mustang Cobra Jet, and Chevy Camaro COPO. (The NHRA makes it clear that other manufacturers are welcome to submit spec vehicles for consideration too.)
But as you’d imagine, these cars won’t be identical to the Factory Stock cars. Factory X cars can weigh as little as 2,650 pounds—nearly 1,000 pounds lighter than a Factory Stock Showdown car. Another key difference is tires: Factory X will run tires that are 33 inches tall and 10.5 inches wide, which are wider than those found in the Factory Stock Showdown.
Here are some other details on the Factory X Class requirements:
- Each car must meet OEM dimensions, with no alterations to the body, and it has to retain steel roof and quarter body panels
- The chassis on the cars must meet SFI 25.1, 25.2, 25.3 specifications.
- Doors must be functional and operable from inside and outside, and must maintain the OEM dimensions.
- It must be a complete stock appearing car, including mandatory bumper covers front and rear, consistent with the make, model and year claimed.
- Each car must be equipped with a stock grille of same configuration and design for specific body used.
- Complete headlight and taillight assemblies must be retained in their original factory location.
Oh, and drag racing purists can rejoice here, as a manual transmission is mandatory.
You can learn more about this exciting new racing class in this article from the NHRA and if you want to see the debut of Factory X in person, you can get tickets for the 2023 NHRA race season here.
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