2025 NHRA Factory X Champ Lenny Lottig on Draglist LIVE! 12/1/25

The 2025 Holley EFI Factory X World Championship winner joins us to talk about clinching the crown, his jump into Mountain Motor Pro Stock, and his charity "Foot Brake-Practice Tree Winternationals."

Factory X Racing Challenges
Bill and Lenny discussed the challenges and costs associated with Factory X, a racing class that Lenny found disappointing due to high expenses and limited participation. They noted that NHRA events ran a wide variety of classes, possibly testing the waters for future changes. Lenny expressed frustration with the lack of rule enforcement and suggested that NHRA should focus on making racing more accessible and affordable. They also briefly discussed the success of Mountain Motor Pro Stock racing and the positive experience they had at a recent IHRA event at Galot.

Factory X's Decision to Quit Racing
Lenny confirmed that he will not be racing in Factory X next year, citing a lack of direction and support from the organization. He expressed disappointment but noted that the class was fun to drive. Lenny also discussed his experience with different types of drag racing cars, highlighting the unique characteristics of Factory X and mountain motor cars. Bill and Lenny briefly discussed their shared interest in drag racing and potential future meet-ups.

Lenny's Racing Class Transition
Bill and Lenny discussed Lenny's transition from Factory X racing to Mountain Motor Pro Stock, highlighting his recent victory at the Texas race and plans to campaign both classes with NHRA. They also talked about Lenny's experience racing a Mustang rather than a Chevrolet, and the history of his car, built by Brad Waddell and modified by John Causey. The conversation touched on the popularity of Lenny's Bill Jenkins tribute car and the legacy of iconic racers like Bill Jenkins.

2025 Factory X Racing Success
Lenny Lottig discussed his racing shop and recent success in the 2025 Factory X title, which he secured at the Texas Fall Nationals. He described the challenges of racing with high-powered engines and the technical issues they faced throughout the season. Lenny highlighted the wins at Charlotte, Richmond, and Reading, while also mentioning the difficulties they encountered with engine swaps and mechanical problems. Despite these challenges, he expressed satisfaction with their performance and the momentum they carried into the season.

Pro Stock vs Factory X Cars
Lenny discussed the differences between Pro Stock and Factory X cars, highlighting their dimensions, power requirements, and driving characteristics. He explained that Factory X cars are more challenging to drive due to their higher engine placement and smaller tires. Lenny also shared his decision to switch from Factory X cars to Mountain Motor Pro Stock for 2026, citing the higher car count and lower costs in the latter class. He expressed interest in potentially running both NHRA and IHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock events, provided there are no scheduling conflicts.

Mountain Motor Car Rules Overview
Lenny explained the rules for Mountain Motor cars across IHRA, NHRA, and PDRA, noting that while rim sizes differ slightly, the core rules are similar, including a cubic inch limit of 831 and a minimum weight of 2400 pounds. He detailed plans to convert his car from carburetors to EFI, keeping the same number of throttle bodies, and expressed optimism about the potential to set records as more drivers return to the class. Lenny also shared his preference for the Liberty transmission over the Elanco, citing its simpler operation, and mentioned ongoing efforts to improve performance over the winter.

Ford Mustang Drag Racing Campaign
Lenny discussed his decision to campaign a Ford Mustang in drag racing, citing Ford's increased support compared to Chevrolet's reduced involvement. He explained his upcoming fundraising event on January 17th, which combines a car cruise-in with a foot-brake practice tree race to raise money for the Children's Aid Home. The event, which raised over $73,000 last year, will offer a $2,000 purse for the race with 100 entries, and Lenny plans to promote it on social media.

Brake Simulation and Racing Success
Lenny discussed his setup for a foot brake race simulation using brake pressure switches and a Christmas tree system, explaining how it helps practice for bracket racing. He shared a successful event where two high school students won and mentioned a school's trike donation project that raised funds for a children's home. The discussion concluded with Lenny expressing gratitude to his team and sponsors, including Mickey Thompson, BP Racing Fuels, and others who support his racing efforts.