Jason Dietsch Clinches Gainesville Factory Stock Title After Delay

Jason Dietsch is finally a winner in the FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown after a rain delay pushed the Gainesville final back more than two months. Dietsch, from Edgerton, Ohio, claimed his first victory during the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Joliet on May 18, 2025.

The original Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals were halted by severe weather, so the final rounds were completed at Route 66 Raceway, much later than planned. The long postponement meant that four drivers had to wait 70 days for a chance at a Wally trophy.

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In the decisive matchup, Dietsch held off Lenny Lottig to score his first career win in the factory stock class. The event marked Dietsch’s 15th appearance at a national event and his first-ever final round in the category, which features Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Dodge Drag Paks, and Ford Cobra Jet Mustangs competing for factory bragging rights. For more details on the technical specifications of these factory race cars, you can explore the NHRA’s official rulebook.

To reach the final, Dietsch took down Conner Statler and David Davies II in Gainesville. On race day in Chicago, he advanced through a side-by-side battle with Doug Hamp in the semifinals before beating Lottig in the final.

Dietsch clocked a winning pass of 7.742 seconds at 178.68 mph over Lottig, who made it close with a 7.766-second run at 177.67 mph. Lottig’s earlier reaction time of .003 in the semifinals had helped him get past Lee Hartman, while Hartman posted the quickest semifinal run at 7.642 seconds but couldn’t make up the difference at the start. For those interested in the science behind drag racing performance, SAE International offers in-depth research on automotive engineering.

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Dietsch credited his team for staying focused and working hard throughout both the delay and the racing. He mentioned crew chief Kim Mapes, his son Taylor, and friend Kyle, along with the KSR team, for helping him get to this moment.

Dietsch admitted to nerves while waiting to complete the rain-delayed final, saying he was “worried sick” in his car but kept faith that his group could get the job done.

As the winner, Dietsch now looks for more success with another chance at Route 66 Raceway. With the Gatornationals title finally secured, he is set to start the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals as the third qualifier and will line up against Josh Hart in the first round of eliminations. For more on the history of Route 66 Raceway, visit the Illinois Office of Tourism.

Dietsch described getting the win as a great feeling for him and his entire crew. The FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown series remains one of the most competitive and diverse classes in NHRA racing.

The route to victory is never easy with top builders and drivers in the mix, making Dietsch’s win even more impressive after such challenging circumstances. As the season continues, all eyes will be on Dietsch to see if he can keep the momentum going at upcoming events. For the latest updates on NHRA events, check the official NHRA schedule.

Nicholas Rivera

Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.