[Demon 340]

Throughout the long history of the NHRA, the largest drag-racing sanctioning body in the country has only permitted cars with factory produced drivetrains to compete in its “stock” classes, but the September announcement issued by Roush may change the face of the Stock and SuperStock classes. That announcement explained that the Roush Stage 3 and P-51A Mustangs are now permitted in those formerly production-only classes. Roush, most well known for their work in NASCAR, is lead by the familiar figure Jack Roush, who began his motorsports career in the drag racing arena.

The news is not so much in the name entering the NHRA, but more the fact that the Roush drivetrains, which make 430 and 510 horsepower in the two models, offer substantially more than a production stock Mustang, so this could really open up the Stock and SuperStock classes to the Mustang, even though the vehicles have been modified by an aftermarket tuning company. In light of this announcement, Haas, Carrothers, and Wagner Racing is already one race team planning to run a Stage 3 Roush Mustang, and their success in the Division 3 class makes them a great team to put the Roush Mustang into the limelight.

While there were no details of the agreement, it would make sense that the NHRA would consider other aftermarket companies with proven track records, and with the release of the new SMS (run by Steve Saleen) Challenger, perhaps this could be a new era for both the NHRA and for the factory-involved aftermarket companies around the US. If nothing else, the Roush Mustangs should certainly carry a heavy hand in the class for the time being.