Stanfield Leads Tough Field into St. Louis Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown at NHRA Midwest Nationals
MADISON, IL – The Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown season heads into its final three events of 2023 beginning with this weekend’s NHRA 
Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway where Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Mustang Cobra Jets and Dodge Mopar Challenger Drag Paks continue to vie for the championship title.
Points leader and most recent event winner Aaron Stanfield and his Stanfield Racing Engines Chevrolet COPO Camaro are hoping they are in the home stretch to their second Factory Stock Showdown championship.
“I want to keep going rounds and hold onto this lead for sure,” said Stanfield, who was the 2020 champion. “The biggest thing is how much support I have gotten this season. Everyone on this team has chipped in to get us where we are now.”
With his most recent win at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania just two weeks ago, Stanfield also put a target on his back in the form of the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Bounty program. In eliminations, $1,000 will be rewarded to the competitor who can defeat Stanfield, if he goes undefeated, the bounty grows $1,000 each event weekend until someone can get the job done.
“I have the Flexjet bounty on me now and I would like to make sure it keeps growing for a few races,” Stanfield said. “Getting the win in Reading was a big boost with only three races left. I have had good luck in St. Louis, and I am looking forward to getting back there.”
Stanfield swept the category in 2021 at World Wide Technology Raceway. He earned the No. 1 qualifying position and took his COPO straight to the winner’s circle for what was his seventh win in Factory Stock Showdown. This weekend, he’ll be looking for his 12th victory in the category, third in the 2023 season.
To get the Wally this weekend and eventually hoist his second championship trophy at the end of the season, Stanfield will have to hold off the likes of Stephen Bell sitting No. 2 in points who won in Norwalk Ohio and No. 3 in points Lenny Lottig who picked up back-to-back wins earlier this season in Charlotte and Chicago.
Competition for the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown class in the NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway will begin with two qualifying session Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday at 4:15 p.m. Eliminations will begin Saturday with round one at 7:15 p.m. and continue Sunday at with round two at 1:00 p.m. Winner’s are slated to be crowned Sunday at 4:20 p.m.
photo credit Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery
