Chevrolet COPO Camaro Turning Heads in SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown
Nineteen-year-old Pete Gasko Jr. wins the latest round of five-event series in all-COPO final
DETROIT (May 4, 2017) – No one was more surprised than 19-year-old Peter Gasko Jr. when his red 2016 Chevrolet COPO Camaro activated the win light April 30 at ZMAX Dragway in the final of the SAM Tech NHRA Factory Stock Showdown.
“This is probably the coolest and most exciting thing that has ever happened to me,” said Gasko, of Monroe Township, New Jersey, who won on a holeshot. “I want to thank everyone who helped us get the win. We couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help.”
That included David Barton, who was the runner-up in the second round of the five-event series. In addition to having a Ray Barton Racing Engine in the striking red 2017 Chevrolet COPO Camaro he was driving, Barton built the powerplant employed by Gasko in the event in Concord, North Carolina.
“That’s what is cool about this is that everyday people can get into one and go straight to the top,” said Barton, of Robesonia, Pennsylvania, who won the season opener in the series at Gainesville, Florida, and three of the four events last year in the ’16 Chevrolet COPO Camaro owned by Gary Wolkwitz. “We put him right to the top right away. They were just blown away. It was a like a dream.
“Not just anybody can hop into a Funny Car or an Indy car. That’s what is cool about these cars is everyday people can relate to it. It’s a real car.”
In 1969, Chevrolet’s Central Office Performance Order (COPO) program became the source of dealer-ordered, factory drag racing cars that would go on to post many victories in the National Hot Rod Association’s Super Stock and Stock Eliminator classes. When the COPO concept was unveiled at the 2011 SEMA Show, the overwhelming response inspired the decision for a limited, special-edition production run.
A 69-car production was selected to commemorate the original number of ZL-1 COPO Camaros made in 1969, and all 2017 models have long been spoken for.
The production race cars are fitted with racing chassis and suspension components, including a solid rear axle system in place of a regular production Camaro’s independent rear axle, a three-speed automatic transmission, and all the NHRA-mandated safety features.
“That’s what is cool about the Factory Showdown; it’s a whole new era of muscle cars,” Barton said. “We saw where the class is going and Gary was so excited about last season that he didn’t think twice about jumping into a new car. The looks, for starters. They look a lot cooler and look faster just sitting there.
“The car is lighter and driving the car feels smoother. There are suspension upgrades and a bigger intercooler tank, just a handful of details. Every year Chevrolet keeps improving it.”
The third round of the School of Automotive Machinists and Technology (SAM Tech) NHRA Factory Stock Showdown series is scheduled for June 20-22 at Norwalk, Ohio. The seven-week gap will allow Barton time to dive into fine-tuning the engine-chassis package.
“We’re already quicker with the new car, but we’re far from being done,” he said. “Chevrolet did a fantastic job designing the best race car money can buy. It’s a true muscle car with today’s technology. I never thought another factory drag car would ever be produced.”