NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The final race of the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series came down to a battle between two Chevrolet Camaros and two drivers looking to end their season on a high note. Ricky Hord, the No. 9 qualifier, took the win over No. 6 qualifier Scott Libersher, today at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway.

“This was a hard-fought race,” said Hord. “We didn't get in until the last round of qualifying and ended up ninth. Getting this win is unbelievable, especially considering we've only managed to make it out to three races this year. That made it even more special.”

Ricky Hord and his Maximum Effort VI team celebrate in the St Louis Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown winner's circle, photo credit Auto Imagery
Hord’s route to the winner’s circle started when he defeated Lenny Lottig in the first round of eliminations yesterday. Hord was first off the line with a .026 second reaction time that gave him enough of an advantage to win on hole shot when his 7.762 second pass got to the finish line in front of Lottig’s quicker 7.758 second run. Lottig’s .044-second reaction time spelled doom for Lottig in the first round.

“The first round went our way, and then I beat Mark in the second round by a thousandth of a second,” said Hord. “That was a crazy race. I had a triple zero reaction time in the semis. In the final, I saw him red light, and I looked completely away from the Tree and had a terrible reaction time. I got the win and that was awesome.”

On Sunday, Hord started the second day of eliminations with a victory over newly crowned Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown world champion Mark Pawuk. In that race both drivers left the starting line with .031-second reaction times and Hord got the win with a quicker 7.688-second run against Pawuk’s 7.689-second pass driving his Empaco Dodge Challenger Drag Pak.                          

In the semifinals, Hord and his Chevrolet COPO Camaro were perfect off the starting line with a .000 second reaction time when Alex Anderson jumped the start with a -,006 second red-light. Hord posted another solid run of 7.766 seconds at 173.47 mph. Racing Libersher for the win in St. Louis he was gifted another immediate win light when Libersher red-lit, leaving the starting line too soon, as Hord cruised to his first NHRA Midwest Nationals Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown win and his second Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown national event title. Hord won the 2024 Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals.

“I've always had fun at this class,” said Hord. “It's such a great class because it's a stock-related class. The cars are recognizable, and they're so fast for what they are. We are racing on nine-inch-wide tires, with 1,600 horsepower. It's insane what they can do. I really hope the fans can look at the cars and see a streetcar. This is an awesome class and thanks Flexjet.”

In the second round on his way to his third final of the season Libersher defeated Taylor Dietsch to win the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown bounty. Dietsch was on a two-race winning streak, so Libersher collected a $2,000 bonus for the round win. Libersher finished the season in fifth place.

The Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series will return in 2026. The full schedule will be announced later this year.