Coyote Stock is the brainchild of longtime NMRA racers Ken Bjonnes and Steve Gifford. Frustrated by the status quo, they were looking for a way to make heads-up drag racing more inclusive and affordable. They knew leveling the horsepower playing field would be essential in keeping costs low and participation high. They hit upon the idea of using a sealed crate engine, as is often used in circle track competition.

At the same time, Ford was preparing to release an all-new engine with a very familiar displacement – the DOHC Coyote 5.0. This new powerplant was very serious business indeed, and Ford was looking for a unique way to get the word out. . .

Innovation, engineering, and exhibition collided, and Coyote Stock was born.

The concept behind Coyote Stock is deceptively simple. . .

All racers have the same horsepower courtesy of FRPP’s sealed NMRA Coyote Stock Crate Engine. (FRPP Part number: M-6007-M50S -conservatively rated at 412 horsepower and 390 foot pounds of torque.)

Internally, this is exactly the same DOHC 5.0 engine that’s been powering Mustang GTs since the 2011 model year. The only difference is the M50S engines are sealed at the cam covers, timing cover, and intake manifold. Nothing can be changed except the oil.

Tampering with the electronic tuning of the engine is also off-limits. All racers run a “spec tune” provided by NMRA, with each racer’s ECU flash-reset to NMRA specifications before each round of qualifying and eliminations, just to be sure.

Transmissions are limited to either street-type Tremec 5-speeds, or the venerable Ford C4 for the automatic crowd.

All competitors must use a bias ply racing slick, no larger than 28×10. 1-3/4″ headers and 3″ exhaust allowed. Mufflers required.

Race weight for all combinations is 3150 lbs. Stock-style suspensions only, please.

Even with these limitations, the 5.0 Coyote crate engines are propelling racers to mid-10 second ETs.

The benefits of this new style of entry-level drag racing are many. Racers are forced to find victory through chassis tuning and driving skill, rather than spending cubic dollars to outpower their competition.

The Coyote 5.0 has proven itself the perfect choice. It’s affordable and tested-tough. It’s powerful enough to keep the racers smiling as they charge down the track, and amaze the spectators and fans with what a stock Ford engine can do.

While wheels-up launches and side-by-side racing are the hallmarks of Coyote Stock, the cars are relatable to any performance enthusiast. It is impossible to watch these cars battling for the finish line and without thinking…”That could be me out there. I could do that.”

There are no secret parts or special initiations required to race Coyote Stock. No gazillion dollar engine program or inside connections to elite engine or chassis builders needed. With more than 35 sealed engines sold, Bjonnes and Gifford have returned heads-up drag racing competition to the everyday gearhead. All you need is a Ford and a burning desire to go faster, to get to the stripe first. . .

Welcome to Coyote Stock. What are you waiting for?