The 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals, September 4-7, will feature one of the largest contingents of Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series competitors in recent memory. Over two dozen Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Mustang Cobra Jets and Dodge Challenger Drag Paks fill the entry list for what is shaping up to be a historic race to celebrate the NHRA’s 75th anniversary.
The 2026 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series has been dominated by Jonathan Allegrucci, from Scott Township, Pa., whose three wins and one runner-up finish over the past four races have given him a commanding points lead headed into the biggest race of the season.
“This is one of the biggest fields if not the biggest fields of Factory Stock racers I can think of,” said Allegrucci. “It’s the coolest thing in the world and that’s why we are doing it. Anyone who can relate to the class has to be excited to see all those Fords, Chevys and Dodges on the entry list. It is going to be awesome. My first trip to Indy was in 2013 and when you go under that arch that is a big feeling. It is not easy getting to Monday and it really is a privilege to race on Monday. I would give anything for it to be us.”
In Norwalk second generation Factory Stock competitor Taylor Dietsch defeated Allegrucci and could be one of the many drivers to watch at Lucas Oil Raceway Park this weekend. The young drivers from Hicksville, Ohio, will carry the $1,000 Flexjet bounty into eliminations and will be looking to defend his U.S. Nationals title from 2025. The younger Dietsch will be joined by his father, Jason, as one of several potent 1-2 father son combinations on the entry list.
“This race will be so exciting and I can’t wait to get there,” said Taylor Dietsch. “I feel good being the defending event winner for the U.S. Nationals also coming into the race having won the Norwalk Nationals. There are a lot of tough competitors on the entry list and it’s cool to see some new names as well as some veteran racers on the entry list. Getting the special 75th anniversary Diamond Wally at the U.S. Nationals would be awesome. There are four rounds of qualifying and then five rounds of eliminations so whoever wins will have earned it for sure.”
Joining Taylor and Jason Dietsch and their Ford Mustangs will be reigning Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series world champion Mark Pawuk and his son Kyle in their Dodge Drag Paks as well as Lee and Matt Hartman racing their Dodge Drag Pak and Chevrolet Camaro respectively.
Two-time U.S. Nationals winner Jesse Alexandra (2021 and 2023) returns to the class looking for his third U.S. Nationals title while two-time Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown world champion Pawuk is looking for his first win at the most prestigious drag race in the world.
Qualifying will get underway on Friday for the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series with two sessions on the schedule. On Saturday one more round of qualifying will be contested and the field will be set for an all-run round of eliminations. The Fords, Chevrolets and Dodges will have two rounds of eliminations on Sunday with the semifinals and final round on Monday. For information on the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals visit www.nhra.com.
