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For first time Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown winner Jonathan Allegrucci, of Scott Township, Pa., his victory at the American Rebel Light 91���� Four-Wide Nationals was a coronation a decade in the making.��

Allegrucci was one of the original eight factory stock showdown exhibition race competitors. The veteran driver powered his Ford Cobra Jet to the winner’s circle when he outran 2024 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown world champion Mark Pawuk, Tony Scott Jr. and Raymond Nash in the final quad at zMax Dragway.

“This is unreal. It’s a dream come true,” said Allegrucci. “I don't know what to say. It's been 10 years. We've been trying this since 2015. We were one of the first eight in Gainesville in 2015 and we haven't forgotten about it since then.”
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Allegrucci entered race day as the No. 4 qualifier and in a 17-car field the unique four-wide format provided a rare opportunity for the first round to essentially equate to a bye run. His Ford Cobra Jet posted a strong 7.863 second, 176.35 mph run beside Rouven Dawson.

In the second round today Allegrucci was first to the stripe in his quad. He outran Scott, Dawson and James Betz. He jumped off the starting line and by mid-track he was out in front with a strong 7.706 seconds at 178.54 mph to advance to the third round. Throughout race day each quad became more stacked with tough competitors.��

“We knew in qualifying and as race day went on that it was just going to get harder. We saw guys getting better,” said Allegrucci. “After the first round and second round you saw everybody step up their game and I was glad I wasn't in the other quad, because them boys were getting after it. I knew we had to run them to beat them. And we got it done and it was perfect.”

For the second time on race day Allegrucci outran Scott to advance but it was a close race at the finish line. Scott was nearly perfect with a .004 reaction time and a solid 7.792 second pass beside Allegrucci’s .046 reaction time and quicker 7.721 second run. The pair moved on to the final quad eliminating Anthony Berge and Doug Hamp.

The final featured Pawuk, Scott, and Nash, and Allegrucci was looking to beat Scott for the third time on race day. When all four factory stock cars took off from the starting line Allegrucci spotted that Pawuk and Scott had a slight advantage but he quickly tracked them down and by half-track he was rolling to the win.

“It was a stacked quad,” said Allegrucci. “We wanted to do this four-wide three years ago, we didn't have the car ready, and Vegas wasn't in the deck of cards for us. I loved it. I love the bulbs up. It was exciting. There was more to do on the starting line. It was a challenge. It was new. I really, really enjoyed it.”

In the post-race winner’s circle as crew members and competitors congratulated the veteran driver Allegrucci was at a loss for words.��

“It's just surreal. I don't have many enemies in the class,” said Allegrucci. “They're all friends and we are competitive, but we race with our friends, and we congratulate each other, and we root for each other, and we all give it our all.”

The Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series will be back in action at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals outside of Chicago, May 15-18.
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