NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Drew Skillman grabbed pole position in the SAMTech.edu Factory Stock Showdown at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals to take another step closer to securing the world championship. 

Skillman finished four-hundredths of a second ahead of Mark Pawuk, who suffered what appeared to be engine problems during the final qualifying session. Pawuk, whose car is fielded by Don Schumacher Racing, will have a quick turnaround to repair his Dodge Challenger before the first round of racing, which is set for 3:30 p.m. Central. 

Skillman, who will have to wait until at least the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals to clinch his first world championship, will race his father in the first round. Bill Skillman entered World Wide Technology Raceway in second place and has two wins in 2019, including a victory at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. 

Bill Skillman scores second SAM Tech.edu Factory Stock Showdown title

Drew Skillman and Pawuk are the only two racers to make runs in the 7.80s, while Arthur Kohn, Stephen Bell and Doug Hamp round out the top five. Leah Pritchett, who is the defending world champion, will battle Ryan Priddy in the first round. Priddy drives the Mountain View Tire Chevy Camaro. 

Bo Butner, who entered the weekend in third place, will race from the No. 13 position with an outside opportunity to chase his first Factory Stock championship. He is the 2017 Pro Stock world champion and is still chasing his second championship in that category. He will race Doug Hamp in the first round. 

Full matchups below (lane choice first): 

Drew Skillman vs. Bill Skillman
Mark Pawuk vs. Scott Libersher
Arthur Kohn vs. David Barton
Stephen Bell vs. Pete Gasko Jr. 
Doug Hamp vs. Bo Butner III
Jesse Alexandra vs. Randy Taylor
Leah Pritchett vs. Ryan Priddy
David Kramer vs. David Janac