Its like 1970 all over againwell sort ofdrag racing is alive and well with factory-built race cars battling for the sake of bragging rights and a healthy dose of Win-on-Sunday, Sell-on-Monday. Were talking about the SAMTech.edu Factory Stock Showdown, where Mustangs, Camaros, and Challengers go head-to-head in quarter-mile warfare. Over the past few seasons, NHRA Factory Stock cars have evolved into 7-second production-based machines that compete in an ultra-attractive heads-up format. The field is comprised of 2008-present Ford Cobra Jet Mustangs, Chevrolet COPO Camaros, and Dodge Drag Pak Challengers. Save for paint/wraps, the bodies resemble production models; under the hood are powerplants representing the amazing new-school technology. Its the stuff modern enthusiasts can relate to, including intercooled supercharging, EFI, and the factory engine types. And the cars put on a wild show, with wheelies and 7-second performances at nearly 180 mph! Drew Skillman hoisted the Wally trophy after a hard fought battle. Skillman is a past winner in Pro Stock, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, and now he adds a SAMTech.edu Factory Stock Showdown win to his resume. You can follow him at @drewskillmanracing on Instagram Under the hood youll find the Ford Mustang uses a 5.2L DOHC engine similar to the one found in the Mustang GT/Shelby GT350 and the soon-to-be-released GT500. The COPO Camaro uses a hopped up 350-cube LS, and the Dodge uses a boosted Gen 3 Hemi, similar whats found in a Hellcat or Demon. All the engines use positive-displacement blowers, they burn racing gasoline, and generate more horsepower and torque than a current Pro Stock car. Reigning FSS champ Leah Pritchett (far lane) qualified her Dodge 6th with a 7.85 at 173.21 mph. Pritchett was defeated in Round 1 by Ford driver Kevin Skinner (7.79 to 7.89). In Gainesville, Fords Cobra Jet was the class of the field, with CJs taking the top five qualifying spots. The pole sitter was Bill Skillman who ran 7.74 at 172 mph with his 2014 Cobra Jet. (Note: racers can use any approved FSS engine in any 2008-present approved body. This allows racers to use the most efficient engine and not have to build a new car each year). The field is made up of the quickest 16 cars after three rounds of qualifying and a sportsman ladder is used, so 1 races 9, 2 races 10, 3 races 11, and so on. A total of 31 cars attempted to qualify, and after three sessions, Skillman was on top and the bump was a record-setting 7.92, held by Pete Gasko Jr. The 7.920 bump was in fact, quicker than the previous national record, set in 2018 by Mark Pawuk at 7.927. The top-qualified Chevy was driven by Randy Taylor. He ran 7.85 at 174.41 mph to slot into the 7th position. Taylor survived until the semi-finals where he was defeated by event winner Drew Skillman. The Ray Skillman Auto Group team rolled into Gainesville ready for business with a pair of Factory Stock Showdown Cobra Jet Mustangs that were the class of the field. Drew drives the teams all-new 2019, while Bill handles duties in the 2014 Mustang. According to Drew, the team spent the last few months working tirelessly, preparing his all-new 2019 Ray Skillman Ford-backed Cobra Jet. The Factory Stock Showdown was filled with excitement. West-coast runner Johnny Calvert flew his Cobra Jet, snapping into a huge wheelie that took three tires off the track. Calvert failed to make the 16-car field, but showed promise from his Cobra Jet running 8.04 at 172.17 mph. Come eliminations, Indiana Ford Dealer Drew Skillman (Bills son) unleashed the power of his 2019 Ford Cobra Jet Mustang. He lasted the four rounds and won the SAMTech.edu Factory Stock Showdown in Gainesville, Florida at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. Despite limited testing, Drew qualified 5th and drove a perfect race to claim victory, the points lead, and the commemorative gold Wally trophy. Jesse Alexandra put on a show with his 2019 COPO. He failed to qualify, but the fans loved his high-flying antics. This is a true factory 50th Anniversary car, he said after winning the 50 th Gatornationals in the 50 th Anniversary Mustang. We did our own work to it to finish it the way we wanted, and I knew we had a great race carthe unknown was racing on NHRA prep since this was our first event. But the track was great and we were able to roll the power in and produce great numbers. The tire is the biggest obstacle, he stated. Factory Stock cars weight 3,475 with driver, and must find traction with 930-inch tires. Number-one qualifier, Bill Skillman, overcame a holeshot to beat Scott Leibersher in Round 1. Skillmans car appeared to push in the lights, which was likely the cause of his slow light. Despite the late start, Skillman ran 7.81 to sneak past Leibershers COPO, which ran 8.01. Drew explained the challenge of racing FSS. We had 31 cars going for 16 spots. You only get three qualifying runs, so if you miss the tune-up on the first one youre chasing the field. You have to make the first run count. Our plan was to get down [the track] with a solid pass, and we were able to do that. Our first run was a 7.90. We were conservative on the first run because we were in the second pair out. We didnt know what the track would hold and we figured a 7.90 would get us in the show. That was our game plan. On the second run we ran 7.85 by getting more aggressive on the starting line. And on the third hit we got too aggressive and the front end came up too high. It buzzed the rear tires in the wheelie, and we lost .040-second or more when it did that. So it should have been a mid-70 probably a 7.75, he stated. The Ford Factory Stock engine is a 327-cube DOHC all-aluminum bullet that uses block and heads similar to the Shelby GT350. Its topped with a 3.0L Whipple supercharger. This is Holbrook Racing Engines solider under the hood of Bill Skillmans top qualifier. The Field Fans got a real show during qualifying, as 31 Factory Stockers rolled into Gainesville, looking to qualify. The lineup consisted of 11 Ford Cobra Jet Mustangs, 17 Chevrolet COPO Camaros, and three Dodge Drag Pak Challengers. In addition, the entry list included former and current NHRA professional drivers such as Bo Butner, Leah Pritchett, Mark Pawuk, Allen Johnson, and Chris Holbrook, plus former NHRA sportsman champions, grizzled veterans, famed engine builders, and a handful of young guns. A total of 17 states and Puerto Rico were represented. Chevys top entry is a 350-inch LS with a 2.9L Magnuson boost maker. Part of the fan appeal comes from the production engines that are similar to whats sold in dealerships every day. Bill Skillman set the early pace at 7.74 at 172.96 mph. Skillman was trailed by Carl Tasca (7.75/178.24); Chris Holbrook (7.77/178.05); Randy Eakins (7.78/178.64); and Drew Skillman (7.82/175.11). Kevin Skinner rounded out the Mustang contingent, slotting in the 14th position with a 7.90 at 173 mph. Other notables were Watson Racing drivers Paul Roderick, who failed to qualify with a 7.96, but ran a speed of 179.33 mph, former Norwalk FSS event winner Chuck Watson, who ran 8.06 at 175, but struggled with traction, and Don Fezell, who clocked an impressive 8.12 at 166 mph with his 5.4L-powered 2008 Cobra Jet. Dodge has the largest engine, a 354-inch Gen 3 Hemi with a 2.9L Whipple blower. Each manufacturer has moved to a front-entry supercharger for maximum efficiency. In the end, it was the CJ of Skillman taking the crown. Last year, Dodge stole the show, but the Fords and Chevys have made a solid comeback. If you want to see the FSS hot rods in action, the next stop on the tour is NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte on April 26-28, and weve included the entire 2019 schedule below. Carl Tasca, son of the iconic Bob Tasca, was a semi-final finisher in his Cobra Jet Mustang. Eliminations Drew Skillman was poised and ready for the show. Our team worked hard, was prepared, and had good enough cars to win the race, said Drew Skillman who defeated the COPO Camaro of Leonard Libersher in Round 1, running a best-of-the-session 7.75 at 175 mph. Skillman then faced his father, Bill, in Round 2, with the duo producing the quickest side-by-side race in Factory Stock Showdown history. In addition to winning the event, Drew Skillman used his Holbrook Racing Engines powerplant to lay down the quickest run in Factory Showdown history, a 7.71 at 176.44 mph. We ended up having to race each other Second round. You feel confident when you have cars like that and we put on a nice show. Drew launched first by a slim .001 margin (.041 to .042) and the pair remained locked in battle all the way down track. Drew was a tad quicker, producing a 7.733 to edge out his fathers 7.736 for a razor-thin .004-second margin of victory. Randy Taylor defeated Robert Falcone in Round 1 with a strong 7.83 effort at 174 mph. That was the great showing for this class, said Drew about the race with his dad. We share our data and we cut a light within a thought of each other. I was looking over in high gear and he was coming. Were both very competitive so I knew it would be a great race. Fans watched this battle between engine-building giants David Barton and Chris Holbrook. Barton actually got the jump (0.027 to 0.085), and then Holbrooks CJ broke the tires loose, seemingly handing the win to Barton. In the semi-finals, Drew faced Randy Taylor, who had the top-running COPO Camaro. Were still learning, and we worked on the tune up for the semi-final match with Randy. Our new Holbrook Racing engine didnt have any dyno runs on it, so were trying different things each pass. Our goal was to get to the final, and we needed to win this round for that to happen. Unfortunately, by 300 feet out, Bartons COPO was spewing water, which got under the left rear tire, causing the Chevy to spin out of control. Barton crossed lanes right in front of the Ford, with Holbrook taking evasive maneuvers to miss a collision. Barton continued, hitting the wall and damaging his Camaro. Thankfully, David Barton climbed out unhurt. Drew produced his best reaction time of eliminations, dropping a .024 tree on the Chevy driver, who was behind with a respectable .041. Drew then poured on the power of his 5.2L Cobra Jet engine, running the quickest pass of the event, a 7.71 at 176.44 mph to top Taylor, who spun off the line. The semi-final win set up the run for the gold with COPO driver Stephen Bell. In addition to racing Top Fuel, Leah Pritchett will compete in the SAMTech.edu Factory Stock Showdown behind the wheel of her DSR and Kevin Helms-tuned Dodge Challenger. Pritchett is the 2018 FSS champion. The 7.71 was a nice pass and so I was calm and comfortable before the final, Drew said about his race with Bell. I knew we needed to make a good clean pass. NHRA prepped the track and we were ready. Im extremely OCD, so I get in the car and my belts go on the same every time. I fire the engine and operate the switches the same each run, too. I do a standard, quick burnout, and I keep it [the engine] below 7,000 rpm. Despite being only 9-inches wide, the Mickey Thompson tires dont take much heat. Its actually a [NHRA Stock Eliminator] 9-inch tire and it holds its own. Im really happy with how the tires work. Former NHRA Pro Stock champion Bob Butner also competes in the FSS. Butners weapon of choice is his Darrel Herron-built Cobra Jet Mustang. Everything goes away when I get into the car and fire the engine. My buddy Anthony pulls me up [to the line], I raise the rpm and bump in as shallow as possible. Launch rpm is anywhere between idle and 7,000, he said in jest, not wanting to give away his actual launch rpm. Then I powerbrake, go on the two-step and let it go when the tree flashes, he said. Chuck Watson Sr. had the power, but was unable to extract the elapsed time out of his good-looking CJ necessary to crack into the quickest FSS field in history. Drew launched his Ray Skillman Ford-backed rocket first, taking a .042-to-.075 holeshot against Bell. From there, Drew clicked the transmission through the gears, driving away from the Chevy and running 7.736 at 176.70 for the win. Bell ran a 7.887, also at 176 mph. Once I got in high [gear] I didnt see him, so I was waiting to cross the stripe. I was really happy we could get the reward for all our hard work over the winter. It was a mad dash to add the second car and to develop a program on a car weve never seen before. Everyone is so pumped up. It makes the endless 7-days-a-week work worth it. Theres always relief when you win, because the team does its job and you did your job. Former NHRA Pro Stock driver Mark Pawuk came out of retirement to drive the DSR Dodge Drag Pak Challenger. Pawuks Mopar sported a Ronnie Sox-themed wrap and was a fan favorite. Pawuk ran a best of 8.07 at 170 mph and failed to qualify. But more than just our team, the people at Ford Performance have done an excellent job developing the 2019 Cobra Jet. And the people at Watson Racing, they did a great job too. With a little refining you have a winning car right off the bat. If youre looking to get into this class, the Cobra Jet is a great option. Of course, Chris Holbrook did a fantastic job on the engines. He gave us fantastic horsepower to work with and I feel the other Holbrook cars like Kevin Skinner and Chris own car will be right there with us, he added. Chris Holbrook on the move with his Instant Action CJ. Next we head to Charlotte, so we have to get ready for that event. This is a tough series, there are a lot of guys who have the potential to go really fast. I take the professional mannerisms I learned in Pro Stock into this classwere here to win. Were going to treat it professional, but were there to have fun too, thats what the class needs. Drew Skillman looks confident behind the wheel of his Cobra Jet Mustang. Results driver / hometown / car: qual.: speed: top spd: 1 Bill Skillman, Greenwood IN, '14 Mustang 7.744 172.96 175.87 2 Carl Tasca, Cranston RI, '16 Mustang 7.758 178.24 178.24 3 Chris Holbrook, Livonia MI, '19 Mustang 7.770 178.05 178.05 4 Randy Eakins, Sikeston MO, '19 Mustang 7.782 178.64 178.64 5 Drew Skillman, Greenwood IN, '18 Mustang 7.829 175.11 175.11 6 Leah Pritchett, Danville IN, '15 Challenger 7.852 173.21 173.21 7 Randy Taylor, Artesia NM, '19 Camaro 7.853 174.41 174.41 8 Stephen Bell, Shreveport LA, '18 Camaro 7.856 174.87 174.87 9 Scott Libersher, Wilmington IL, '19 Camaro 7.862 173.87 173.87 10 David Janac, Caldwell TX, '19 Camaro 7.879 174.35 174.35 11 David Barton, Reading PA, '19 Camaro 7.879 173.34 174.23 12 Arthur Kohn, Richmond TX, '19 Camaro 7.883 177.93 177.93 13 Leonard Libersher, Wilmington IL, '15 Camaro 7.885 172.67 172.67 14 Kevin Skinner, Grove City OH, '16 Mustang 7.900 173.38 173.74 15 Robert Falcone, Pleasant Valley NY, '19 Camaro 7.910 172.56 172.56 16 Pete Gasko Jr, Monroe Township NJ, '19 Camaro 7.920 174.35 174.35 Not Qualified 17 Ryan Priddy, Chino CA, '19 Camaro 7.934 173.47 174.48 18 Paul Roderick, Westernport MD, '16 Mustang 7.965 179.33 179.33 19 Terry Munroe, Beaver PA, '19 Camaro 7.967 171.42 171.42 20 Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs IN, '16 Mustang 7.971 172.83 172.83 21 Kevin Lumsden, Caddo TX, '19 Camaro 7.984 173.61 174.73 22 Doug Hamp, York PA, '19 Camaro 7.994 171.40 171.40 23 Jesse Alexandra, West Bend WI, '19 Camaro 8.035 170.67 170.67 24 Johnny Calvert, Lancaster CA, '19 Mustang 8.043 172.17 173.29 25 Chuck Watson, Grosse Ile MI, '19 Mustang 8.069 175.98 176.33 26 Allen Johnson, Greeneville IN, '15 Challenger 8.069 169.59 169.59 27 Mark Pawuk, Akron OH, '15 Challenger 8.077 170.26 170.26 28 Don Fezell, Dubois PA, '08 Mustang 8.123 166.58 166.58 29 Waldemar Rodriguez, Cidra PR, '19 Camaro 8.202 172.25 172.25 30 Richard Bierie, Acworth GA, '17 Camaro 8.229 165.48 165.48 31 Dan Condon, Wilmington IL, '18 Camaro 10.750 81.52 81.52 2019 School Of Automotive Machinists & Technology Schedule March 14-17 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville, Fla. April 26-28 NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, Charlotte, N.C. May 17-19 Virginia NHRA Nationals, Richmond, Va. June 7-9 Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals, Topeka, Kan. June 20-23 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Norwalk, Ohio Aug. 28-Sept. 2 Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis Sept. 27-29 AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, St. Louis Oct. 17-20 AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals, Dallas     The post 7-Second Factory Stock Muscle Cars Rock NHRA Gatornationals appeared first on Hot Rod Network .