Alex Laughlin, BlackBirdX Clock First 6-Second Factory X Pass

Journeyman drag racing pilot Alex Laughlin made history — albeit unofficially — on Tuesday afternoon, as he drove Geoff and Jena Turk’s BlackbirdX Dodge Challenger Drag Pak to the first known 6-second run by an NHRA Factory Experimental (FX) car, at Kentucky’s Beech Bend Raceway Park.

Laughlin, behind the wheel of BlackbirdX for the second time in testing, clocked successive runs of 7.090 at 198.58 mph, 7.019 at 198.47, 7.003 at 198.79, and the one Turk has been chasing for months, a booming 6.976 at 199.26 mph.

“The cool fall air and cold track presented us the hoped-for blessings and challenges as our intent was to continue to get a handle on consistently and reliably putting big power down and more of it sooner,” says Turk. “We intended to whittle away at in, in the much more enjoyable air.”

“Despite my verbose, and at rare times, articulate nature, it’s hard for me to express how thankful I am first to God, to my spectacular wife Jena Turk, to my buddy and partner in this adventure since it left PRI, Dave Zientara, to a great young man and big help today Keaton Vester, and our fantastic test pilot, Alex Laughlin,” Turk says.

“As well, to the team at BES Racing Engines, Whipple Superchargers, RAM Clutches, Liberty’s Gears, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, Holley Performance Products for helping to create and sponsor the class and for their great products and support, Broc Porter and the team at Beech Bend Raceway for always working hard to accommodate our testing needs, and all those that encourage and support us along this sometimes difficult path. Thank you for helping a washed-up driver somehow make it to the sixes before 60.”

“While it’s no official run, and in great air, we all know it’s heavy and legal, and that this won’t be the last 6 second e.t. slip that BlackbirdX prints. We were just tweaking today, we‘ll get more [6-second runs] tomorrow.”

Turk’s regular driver, former Pro Stock champion Allen Johnson, has put himself into title contention in Factory X’s inaugural season, and will battle with Greg Stanfield for the coveted crown at the season finale in Las Vegas, Nevada later this month.