Josh Hart Enters 2025 Factory Stock Showdown Series with DHDR

Top Fuel team owner and driver Josh Hart took on a new challenge in 2025, announcing his entry into the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series. Hart, who continued to pilot his R+L Carriers-sponsored Top Fuel dragster in all 20 Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series events, partnered with David H. Davies and DHDR to field a Burnyzz Speed Shop-branded Dodge Challenger Drag Pak for the eight-race Factory Stock season.

Hart had long owned a Factory-Stock Dodge Challenger but had hesitated to modify it for competition. Davies’ expertise and reassurance convinced him to enter the series.

“I have had a Factory Stock Dodge Challenger since the series was announced,” Hart said. “These race cars are practically pieces of art, and I didn’t want to cut mine up to race it. David told me we could get set up and keep it beautiful, and I jumped at the chance. This is the perfect class to also promote, so you are going to see more promotion on that front as well. It’s been a while since I shifted going down the track, but I have some experience from early in my racing career.”

The Burnyzz Speed Shop Dodge Challenger featured the shop’s signature flame graphics, a familiar sight for fans of Hart’s racing endeavors. He received at-track support from Wesley Motorsports, and Factory Stock Showdown engine expert A.J. Berge also played a key role in optimizing the car’s performance. With DHDR’s backing, the team built a solid foundation for the upcoming season.

“Josh is a great racer and the ultimate car guy,” Davies said. “He is a lifelong Dodge guy who has the skills to drive anything. He was a great addition to the class, and we all looked forward to seeing him on track. Having a Top Fuel team owner come over was huge for us and the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series.”

Hart became only the second driver in series history to compete in Factory Stock and a nitro class, following Leah Pruett’s dual participation from 2017 to 2021. Pruett notably won the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series championship in 2018.

The Burnyzz Speed Shop Dodge Challenger DragPak made its debut at the historic Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, held March 6-9, 2025, at Gainesville Raceway. Hart, who made his professional Top Fuel debut at Gainesville in 2021 with a victory, aimed to replicate his early success in Factory Stock.

“We got our first Top Fuel win at our first race in Gainesville in 2021, and we won the Pep Boys All-Star Callout at the Gatornationals in 2023,” Hart said. “I was looking forward to maybe getting another first-time win. We had Burnyzz Speed Shop on the race car, and that has always brought me luck. You can never be on the track too much, so running Factory Stock and Top Fuel kept me busy.”

Qualifying for both Top Fuel and Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown began on Friday, March 7, at Gainesville Raceway. Fans and supporters followed Hart’s journey through both categories, marking a significant moment in his expanding racing career.