The announcement of the new NHRA Factory X presented by Holley category was met with an overwhelmingly positive response and the creation of the class prompted many teams to take part with new builds – including five-time NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series champion Greg Stanfield.

The NHRA Factory X class, reserved for 2019 and newer vehicles, will contest six points races throughout the 2023 season, with a champion being crowned as part of the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 26-29.

Together with his son, NHRA Pro Stock and NHRA Factory Stock Showdown racer Aaron Stanfield, and partner in the project Pat Quinn, Greg worked with Jerry Haas Race Cars in Missouri to put together the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro entry to run with Janac Brothers Racing.

Different from his usual tube chassis Pro Stock ride, the team’s new stock-wheelbase Camaro holds its engine in a stock location. “It’s farther forward and the crankshaft is up,” noted Aaron of the 350 cubic-inch, LSX-based platform, built by Stanfield Racing Engines with some Meziere components and boosted by a Magnuson 2.65-liter supercharger.

Given that the Factory X rulebook mandates a manual transmission be used, the group selected a Liberty five-speed gearbox with an 8-inch clutch. “It’s very similar to a Pro Stock-style drivetrain, transmission, and rearend, and the tuning will be pretty much infinite with gear ratios and clutch adjustments,” Aaron continued excitedly of the setup, which is sprung on a set of Penske Racing shocks.

Still utilizing a steel roof and quarter panels, removable carbon-fiber doors and a removable front-end help keep the car down to the class minimum of 2,650 pounds. Care was taken to keep the Camaro’s factory visual aesthetic and appeal, though, with working factory headlights and other fine touches. “Fans will know it’s a Camaro, and it will be very relateable for them,” he added.

Photo courtesy NHRA/National Dragster

After picking up the powerful new addition to the Janac Brothers Racing stable prior to the Bristol NHRA event, the crew headed out to Texas Motorplex for some testing in mid-June. Despite a high heat index, Ben Strader of EFI University was able to tune the Camaro’s Holley EFI system effectively enough for the car to click off a 7.23 at 189 mph 1/4-mile pass, with plenty of potential still on the table.

“We learned that this will be very different from cars we have raced in the past, but we are very excited to begin making improvements and progress,” said Aaron, whose 58-year-old father hasn’t raced a clutch car in roughly a decade. “Those cars are not the easiest to drive, and he did an awesome job and I’m super excited to see him get back behind the wheel. He’s still got a lot of drive in him, and I’m hoping we’ll be competitive in the class.”

Greg’s triumphant return hasn’t gone unnoticed, as the legendary Rod Shop hot rod team has bannered his Camaro’s side doors to officially mark their return to drag racing, too. “More of my dad’s old sponsors have also come onboard, including Don and Bart Price of DBP Enterprises, who he raced Pro Stock Truck with, JC3 Energy, Rottler, Candies Motorsports, and more,” Stanfield clarified.

It’s certainly been a team effort developing the NHRA Factory X Camaro, but it’s been possible thanks to a committed, concentrated effort from David Janac, Joe Janac, and all the guys at Janac Brothers Racing, as well as Aaron’s uncle, Mike Stanfield.

Looking forward, the Stanfields and the Janacs plan to bring their Rod Shop-backed Factory X ride to the NHRA race in Norwalk, Ohio, so that fans, sponsors, and supporters can take a peek at what their efforts have produced while also making a few exhibition laps. From there, they’ll debut the car in Topeka and join the rest of the pack as the hunt for the first-ever Factory X championship title begins.