DINWIDDIE, Va. (May 12, 2022) – Making just the second appearance at Virginia Motorsports Park, the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown class that puts Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Cobra Jetsand Dodge Challenger Drag Paks against each other in heated battle, is making its third of eight stops on their NHRA schedule, the Virginia NHRA Nationals.
Coming off a victory at the most recent event, the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, Bill Skillman and his Ray Skillman Ford head into this weekend’s Virginia NHRA Nationals as the current series points leader.
“I think the Charlotte win has sunk in. I am ready for this weekend. Your accomplishments are short lived. You always have your next journey coming up. It was great to win but that is in the past. It is time to go win the next race. You want to try and get as many points as you can at the next race,” Skillman said. “You have some tough racers out here. This deal for the championship will go down to the wire. I don’t think anyone is going to run off from the field. The cars are too competitive. I think you will see a lot of different winners this year.”
Bill Skillman, Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals winner, photo by Auto Imagery
One of those hoping to dethrone Skillman is David Barton driving his Saw Mill Auto Chevrolet. Barton looks forward to returning to the Virginia Motorsports Park after several years away.
“We had the Factory Stock Showdown there at Virginia Motorsports Park a few years ago and when we raced there it was a really nice turnout,” Barton said. “It was the first time NHRA was back at the track there and it was packed. It was really cool because there were just loads of people. The weather was nice then too. This weekend looks a little sketchy.”
David Barton (foreground) in Charlotte final, photo by CAFSS
In order to come out on top, Barton has no plans on holding back, and knows what’s required of him to get the job done.
“We have to get down the track every time and cut a better light and use every trick there is to win a round. It is working between us and (defending champion Aaron) Stanfield. In the last two years a Chevrolet has won every single race except (Chuck) Watson won Norwalk and (Bill) Skillman won last week. That is the big argument. They say you guys are still winning so what are you complaining about. We have to work way harder.”
With his win at the Virginia NHRA Nationals, Skillman now has the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Bounty Program target on his back worth $1,000.
The bounty on Skillman will increase until another driver defeats him during eliminations.
Qualifying for Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown at the Virginia NHRA Nationals will begin Friday with a session at 6:15 p.m. and continues Saturday with sessions at noon and 3:00 p.m. Eliminations are set to begin Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Constant Aviation Bounty Program
Gatornationals (Gainesville, FL)
$1,000 bounty collected by Anthony Troyer, defeated Aaron Stanfield, Las Vegas winner
Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals (Charlotte, NC)
$1,000 bounty collected by Stephen Bell, defeated Lenny Lottig, Gatornationals winner
2022 Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Schedule/Results
Gainesville – Lenny Lottig, winner; Anthony Troyer, runner-up
Charlotte1 – Bill Skillman, winner, David Barton, runner-up
Richmond, Virginia Nationals, May 13-15
Bristol, Thunder Valley Nationals, June 17-19
Norwalk, Summit Nationals, June 23-25
Indianapolis, U.S. Nationals, August 30- September 5
Reading, Dodge Nationals, September 15-18
Dallas, Fall Nationals, October 13-16
Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Top Ten
1. Bill Skillman 166
2. David Barton 165
3. Lenny Lottig 163
4. Anthony Troyer 123
5. Stephen Bell 110
6. Warren Walcher 109
7. Mark Pawuk 93
8. Aaron Stanfield 89
9. Ricky Hrd 86
10. Scott Libersher 74