IHRA's New PS program

[ironpony]

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced today that IHRA Pro Stock will officially replace the Factory Stock Showdown (F.S.S.) category beginning with the 2026 season. The IHRA Pro Stock class will feature factory-built, supercharged platforms, including the Chevrolet COPO Camaro, Dodge Drag Pack, and Ford Mustang Cobra Jet.

IHRA leadership views this move as a natural progression and strengthening of professional drag racing within the organization, aligning with the association’s long-term vision for growth, competitiveness, and national relevance. The class has been built to preserve factory identity while delivering a high-performance, fan-focused racing product.

“This move represents our continued commitment to professional drag racing and the evolution of IHRA competition,” said Darryl Cuttell, Owner of IHRA. “Pro Stock strengthens our platform, delivers incredible performance, and gives fans the type of racing they expect at the highest level.”

IHRA Pro Stock to Replace Factory Stock Showdown (F.S.S.) Beginning in 2026 | IHRA

ihra.com

 

[Nitro Fiend]

Just my opinion but I believe this is a very smart move. Real Pro Stock for cars that look to a certain extent like they came off the showroom floor and MM as well.

 

[AJSMapleGrove]

Does this replace Mountain Motor Pro Stock?

 

[mgty3whlr]

Does this replace Mountain Motor Pro Stock?

I hightly doubt it because they seem too have a decent amount of MMP entries. The actual PS class was the problem with the amount of entries. That's why I think that they paused PS for the season.

 

[Butch]

Comp plus has a good article about it

 

[Ponyhntr]

Does this replace Mountain Motor Pro Stock?

No. It’s basically Factory Stock Showdown renamed and treated more like a Pro Class.

 

[aakar]

With COPO and Drag Pak no longer existing, what happens when they run out of cars?

 

[Ponyhntr]

With COPO and Drag Pak no longer existing, what happens when they run out of cars?

Just because they are not building any new cars doesn’t mean that they will run out of cars. There are a ton of them out there.

 

[mgty3whlr]

Not like NHRA where they put an expiration date on when you are not allowed to use a make/model car based on the production date.

 

[Ponyhntr]

Not like NHRA where they put an expiration date on when you are not allowed to use a make/model car based on the production date.

That rule hasn’t been in NHRA Pro Stock for quite some time either.

 

[mgty3whlr]

That rule hasn’t been in NHRA Pro Stock for quite some time either.

I thought NHRA had a time limit to run in PS on when a particular make/model approved by them stopped production. The reason I mention this is because, you do not see anything other than the Camaro. I understand the modern look of today's car but there were different options of cars from the big 3 than the latest produced.

 

[Ponyhntr]

I thought NHRA had a time limit to run in PS on when a particular make/model approved by them stopped production. The reason I mention this is because, you do not see anything other than the Camaro. I understand the modern look of today's car but there were different options of cars from the big 3 than the latest produced.

They dropped that rule some years back. You still see Darts out there occasionally. Brandon Miller runs one currently.

 

[aakar]

Just because they are not building any new cars doesn’t mean that they will run out of cars. There are a ton of them out there.

Chevy produced 759 COPO's between 2012-23, most are collector cars, some have crashed, there are no more.
Very rare cars with value going up every year

 

[z28]

Chevy produced 759 COPO's between 2012-23, most are collector cars, some have crashed, there are no more.
Very rare cars with value going up every year

I don't think anything stops you from making one (IHRA pro-stock) out of a regular camaro, mustang, or challenger

 

[Ponyhntr]

Chevy produced 759 COPO's between 2012-23, most are collector cars, some have crashed, there are no more.
Very rare cars with value going up every year

And how many 500-inch Pro Stock cars have been built in that same timeframe? Fractions. Add in the Fords and Mopars and you have a ton more.

 

[ironpony]

I am always amazed at the negativity about drag racing on a drag racing site.........................
Look he is buying tracks..............he is going to go bankrupt
2026 race schedule posted.....................it's 1/8 mile no one cares
Triple Crown, 1000ft., million dollar purse....................he can not afford to do this
Let's give fans the PS they want to see........................there aren't enough cars out there

 

[Axman]

I don't think anything stops you from making one (IHRA pro-stock) out of a regular camaro, mustang, or challenger

And Charger now too

 

[Butch]

And Charger now too

Don't know the WB on the Charger, but remember when Glidden built the T Bird when others were in short WB cars,.? It was to take advantage of the rubber on the starting line.
Maybe history will repeat itself.

 

[aakar]

I don't think anything stops you from making one (IHRA pro-stock) out of a regular camaro, mustanil

They wouldn't be Factory Stock if a regular Camaro was modified to fit into the program, though

 

[Butch]

Yes, but they sure would be closer than what a present day PS car is.
I'm gonna say. That's picking fly poop out of pepper.