There have been tougher championship scenarios.

Third-generation drag racer Aaron Stanfield needed only to make his first qualifying to clinch his third Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown world championship at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 

Stanfield did his heavy lifting two weeks ago at the Texas Motorplex when he stopped his closest challenger, Stephen Bell, in the first round of the NHRA FallNationals and followed up the win by taking out contender and No. 1 qualifier Lenny Lottig in the second round. From that point on, Stanfield only needed one run at the NHRA Nevada Nationals to seal the deal. 

“It’s pretty cool to be able to do it here in Las Vegas,” said Stanfield. “I love this racetrack. It’s good to be able to do it; we’re happy to get it done quick this weekend. All the championships are special, and they all have their own story. There’s no such thing as a bad championship, so I’m very thankful and very blessed. Thank you to all the all the guys that work on my hot rod.”

The last time Stanfield won the championship was in 2021, and cliched at the NHRA Midwest Nationals by beating out David Barton and Jessee Alexandra. 
 
“Collectively, between Pro Stock and Flexjet Factory Stock, there’s a lot of guys that play a big hand in me being able to do all of this,” said Stanfield. “I’m just very thankful for individually each one of them. I’m so glad to get it done, and I want to thank Flexjet and the NHRA.”

For much of the season, Stanfield has been the driver to beat as the point leaders. He posted runner-up finishes at the season-opening Gatornationals and the Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals. He won for the first time in 2023 at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn., and his second win came at the Pep Boys Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania.