NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Flexjet, a global leader in private aviation, will continue as the title sponsor of the exciting NHRA Factory Stock Showdown class, which will make nine appearances at NHRA national events during the upcoming 2026 season.

The ultracompetitive Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown class crowned Mark Pawuk the world champion this season, as the veteran won his second straight championship.

The factory hot rod class added an extra race for 2026 and will begin its season at the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., on March 5-8 before heading to Charlotte for the four-wide race on April 24-26.

From there, the class will race at Route 66 Raceway in Chicago on May 14-17, followed by races at picturesque Bristol Dragway on June 12-14 and then fan-favorite Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, on June 25-28.

The category will take a summer break following the race, returning to action as part of the prestigious Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals on Labor Day weekend in Indianapolis.

The Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown will stay busy to close out the season, racing at Maple Grove Raceway on Sept. 17-20 and then at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis on Oct. 2-4.

The added ninth race will also serve as the finale, as the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown will close out the 2026 season at Texas Motorplex on Oct. 14-18 as part of the track’s massive Stampede of Speed and Texas NHRA FallNationals.

The Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown category has provided thrilling action for several years, with some of drag racing’s top drivers competing for the prestigious Wally behind the wheel of Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Cobra Jets, and Dodge Challenger Drag Paks. In 2025, Pawuk clinched his second straight championship on the strength of event wins in Norwalk and Bristol. He was also the runner-up in Charlotte, holding off a strong charge from Jason and Taylor Dietsch, who won a combined four races.

The popular Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown Bounty Program will also return in 2026. Established during the 2021 season, the program puts a “bounty” on the winner of the previous event.

For more information about Flexjet, please visit www.flexjet.com

2026 FLEXJET NHRA FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN SCHEDULE

March 5-8: 57th annual NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla.

April 24-26: 16th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, zMAX Dragway, Charlotte

May 14-17: 26th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance, Route 66 Raceway, Chicago

June 12-14: 25th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn.

June 25-28: 20th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio

Sept. 2-7: 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis

Sept. 17-20: 41st annual NHRA Reading Nationals, Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, Pa.

Oct. 2-4: 15th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, World Wide Technology Raceway, St. Louis

Oct. 14-18: 41st annual Texas NHRA FallNationals, Texas Motorplex, Dallas