MOHNTON, Pa. — Taylor Dietsch, the most recent Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series winner raced to the top of the NHRA Reading Nationals qualified field at Maple Grove Raceway.
Dietsch’s 7.673 second pass at 179.06 mph pass during the first qualifier yesterday held up through two additional rounds and handed the second-generation Factory Stock Showdown driver his first career No. 1 qualifier. Dietsch is right in front of his father Jason Dietsch, Jonathan Allegrucci, James Betz and Raymond Nash to round out the top five qualifiers.
“It was a monster run. Personal best pass, best pass in this car,” said Dietsch. “Qualifying is really more of a testament to the team than it is to the driver. I have the best team out here. They just go to work every week after every race. They go from winning Indy two weeks ago and then doing number one qualifier here. It’s just awesome.”
Two weeks ago, Dietsch burst onto the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown scene winning for the first time. This weekend he will be looking to pick up his second win and move up in the point standings. A championship is not in the cards for the young driver, but the experience of winning multiple national events is on Dietsch’s radar and also he is able to relax more at the races.
“Winning Indy takes that pressure off for sure,” said Dietsch. “Every race you’re thinking, ‘Am I going to get my first race win this weekend?’ Then you try and almost run your rounds differently. Now I have that weight off my shoulders, and I can be more relaxed. I don’t have something to prove every weekend.”
The father-and-son team of Jason and Taylor Dietsch sit No.1 and No. 2 in qualifying. The pair have raced together all season with the elder Dietsch defeating his son in the semifinals of the national event in Chicago. Racing as a family is a special privilege that the younger Dietsch doesn’t take for granted.
“It’s awesome to be racing with my dad. We always talk about this kind of stuff, and then to go out and actually do it is really cool.”
Entering eliminations as the most current winner Dietsch will carry the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Bounty of $1,000. The first driver with the chance to pocket the bonus cash from Flexjet will be David Davies II, the No. 16 qualifier.
Other significant first round match ups include point leader Mark Pawuk, the No. 7 qualifier, versus No. 10 qualifier Jesse Alexandra. Championship contender Lee Hartman races Scott Libersher, the defending winner, in a tough No. 11 versus No. 6 qualifier match up. With regard to the Flexjet Bounty Dietsch is looking to hold onto it for at least one more race this season.
“I’d like to make it $2,000 in St. Louis and see where we can go from there,” said Dietsch. “It’s just about having a consistent race at this point. I have to just do my job and I am excited to get the race started.”
