NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The 2024 edition of the brand-spanking-new Holley EFI Factory X category is plumping up ahead of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk. Versatile racer Kyle Koretsky will be behind the wheel of a Rob Smith Racing-owned supercharged Chevrolet Camaro for the first time as the class returns to action at Summit Motorsports Park, June 27-29.

West Coast-based team owner Rob Smith has been part of the Comp eliminator scene for many years and part of the Factory X class from its inception. The COPO Camaro that he owns and Koretsky will drive was one of the first four cars to debut the class at the 2023 NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Crew chief, tuner, and team manager Ken Justice was the one who reached out to Koretsky when the team decided to move forward with bringing their Factory X car back out this year.

"We're all very excited to have Kyle on board," said Justice. "We put the wheels in motion just a couple of weeks ago, then I came out to Maple Grove with the car to have the engine freshened and dynoed. Kyle came over and did a trial fit, and we had to make a couple of changes for him to be comfortable in the car, but now we're ready. We're looking forward to getting back out there and for the rest of the year. It's been quite a learning experience already, and it will take more time and adjustments, but we plan to be a contender."

Koretsky has enjoyed a steadily building career in drag racing. The second-generation driver fell in love with Pro Stock at an early age as he watched his dad, Kenny "Captain Chaos" Koretsky, compete in the class of naturally aspirated factory hot rods. The younger Koretsky cut his teeth bracket racing and in Comp, and he stepped into Pro Stock in 2020 behind the wheel of a KB Racing (now KB Titan Racing) Chevrolet Camaro. The Pennsylvania native claimed his first win in the category at the fall race in Charlotte in 2022, and he has five additional final rounds on his scorecard – six, including a Comp eliminator final in 2009. He was four times a low qualifier in the ultra-competitive category and posted a career-best fourth-place finish in Pro Stock in 2021.

"Being asked to drive this Factory X car was a total surprise," said Koretsky, who will race with the well-recognized Nitro Fish branding on the door. "I always thought it would be super cool to drive a Factory X car, but I didn't think it would actually happen. I'm honored that they thought about me, and I'm just going to do the best I can. I'm excited to see how the program develops. Rob and Ken both want to win as much as I do, and they've made a big commitment to keep growing as a team. We want to go out there and be competitive."

Koretsky temporarily stepped away from full-time Pro Stock racing at the conclusion of 2023 to focus on his growing family and business. The Koretsky family owns and operates Maple Grove Raceway, and that is where Koretsky made his first runs in the Factory X car to prepare for his Norwalk debut.

"I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit nervous," said Koretsky, who plans to return to Pro Stock in the future and race both categories. "But I think nerves get you in trouble, so I'm taking baby steps, learning the car, and getting ready. It's definitely harder to drive than the Pro Stock car – it's a handful – but it's a cool adventure, and I'm confident we'll do well. The class is new, it's growing, and the fans like it. I'm grateful to be part of it."