NHRA’s Factory X class made its debut in 2023 with four races and Geoff Turk was the only competitor to field a Dodge/MOPAR Challenger Drag Pak in the class, with former NHRA Pro Stock world champion Allen Johnson at the wheel. In a new development, however, Turk’s Blackbird X machine will return with a new driver in accomplished journeyman driver Alex Laughlin.

With Allen Johnson behind the wheel, Turk’s Blackbird X had several memorable moments during the 2023 season, including being the first Factory X machine to surpass in competition 200 mph in the category, winning a race, and making several passes in the sixes.

“We ran every race and at the debut event in Indianapolis received the ‘Never Rest’ award,” said Turk. The award no doubt was for the monumental effort of getting the Blackbird X Challenger back up and running after a top-end crash in testing while Turk was behind the wheel.

“We recovered quickly after the crash, but we missed a wire that was affected by the crash and it caused it to run on seven cylinders at the first race. We made it to the final round at every event thereafter, and at the third event, went 202 mph, not once but twice, including in the final round where we took the win. Then, we tested before the Vegas event, ran sixes, but in Vegas, lost in the final round with a less than exemplary run.”

Blackbird X’s best pass to date is a 6.97 in testing, and a 7.04 in competition with a top speed of 202.55.

Looking to 2024, Johnson contacted Turk and explained he would be stepping down as the driver.

“We were very excited to have Allen Johnson come out of retirement and race with us,” Turk tells us. “He was the first guy to go 200, he went to three of the four finals, and won one race. Allen was a big part of what we were able to accomplish and enjoyed it, but he told me that he wanted to spend time with his grand kids, his family, and be there to help care for his parents.”

Turk and his team had already been working with Laughlin on the Blackbird X program, as the young driver stepped in to perform important testing duties in 2023.

“We’re incredibly excited we got Alex to sign and drive the race car this year,” Turk says. “He was crucial in our efforts to get in the game last season. He tested with us in Texas on a whim, and then later flew into Nashville and drove the car at Beech Bend for two days, were he made several 6-second passes. He then agreed to step in and be our driver for 2024.”

“Closing out 2023, it was a familiar feeling that I’ve had for many years — I didn’t know what would be next,” Laughlin, who drove drag racing legend Jim Dunn’s Funny Car in 2023, says. “I rely so much on partners and financial support to be able to keep this ball rolling, I wasn’t sure what was next. This season is going to be the busiest year of racing, and every aspect of it is going to be something new. I am definitely excited and thankful for the opportunity to drive the Blackbird X car, as it’s extremely competitive, and I have all of the confidence we’ll be bringing home trophies.”

Laughlin is about as well-rounded as a drag racing driver could be. In addition to a season behind the wheel of a big-show Funny Car, Alex has previously competed in Top Fuel, Pro Stock, Pro Modified, Top Alcohol Dragster, Competition Eliminator, Radial vs the World, and No Prep Kings, and now he’ll add Factory X to his resume.

Currently, Turk is seeking marketing partnerships for the 2024 season and is planning on adding a second car to the team, as well.

“I’m pretty sure with our track record that we can go out and be successful and competitive next year, and Alex will add another dimension to the program,” Turk notes. “I’m looking forward to keeping a Dodge in Factory X and keeping a Dodge at the front of the pack and go out and win the championship.

“Our Dodge will be the only Dodge running, and our second one will most likely be the next,” Turk continues. “We’ve been one of the most competitive cars in the field and we’re the only Dodge, from a marketing point, it seems like a pretty good deal, especially considering what we are asking for dollar wise.

We’re getting an accomplished, very talented and well known driver with Alex. He’s driven the wheels off of just about everything there is. We’re very, very excited about him joining the team. Now we just need to get the marketing partner to allow us to get out there and do it well.”

Turk noted that having a two-car team will be important for anyone competing the in the class.

“A lot of the strong players in FX are going to have a two-car team and you’ll need that to be competitive. You leverage what you learn across multiple cars. We are working on and near completing another Factory X Dodge. By the end of the year, we’ll have another program and it should have improvements based on what we learned with the current car. We will have two cars out there running and are hoping Blackbird X would inspire another Mopar owner as well.”

Turk’s plans to continue his team’s development partnership with BES Racing Engines on both his Factory X program and those in the Factory Showdown class that he is working with such as Raymond Nash and his Team Underdawg Racing.

The 2024 NHRA Factory X season starts in Las Vegas on April 8th, and the season will conclude in Vegas later in the year.

“We’re excited to have an 8-race series and go out and keep the Dodge up front, win races and do our best to win the championship,” Turk concluded.