Factory Stock is a unique category as it is a highly limited heads-up class that has engine combinations resembling NHRA Stock Eliminator in a chassis that is more like a street Mustang. The curve-ball in Factory Stock is to make as much naturally aspirated power as possible with the given the rules but you have to stick it with the BFGoodrich drag radials. It is sort of a catch-22, on one hand your engine has to be running hard and making great power to outrun your competitors but as you go up in power the dreaded BFG tire limits rear its head. This class isn’t like most other small-tire racing where boost controllers, traction control, and timing adjustments can be made to aid traction. If you get into the 1.40s in the 60-foot then consider yourself good. The front-runners all leave with the wheels up but nothing too dramatic, unless you have a 1998 Mustang GT and your name is Matt Amrine.
The Ohio-native simply shocked and awed the competition and fans at the recently completed NMRA event at Maryland International Raceway (MIR). It is true that MIR is probably the best working drag strip in the country thanks to an enthusiastic track staff and hard-working owners. The traction at MIR was superb and Amrine along with crew chief Brandon Alsept put the ’98 Stang on kill. The flat black painted ride got the wheels up high and nearly dragged the bumper on every run. In fact, Race Pages staffer Greg Acosta even has photographic proof of the car dragging the factory sway bar on one run. The only information Alsept shared with us is that their tricks are in the ACT clutch setup and specially valved shocks and struts. Amrine would finish runner-up after going consistent 10.90s all weekend long. He might not have won the race but he certainly won the title of Wheelie King of Factory Stock.
