NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Mark Pawuk dominated the middle portion of the season then held off a furious charge from a pair of Mustang Cobra Jets driven by Jason and Taylor Dietsch to win his second consecutive Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series world championship at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Pawuk drove his Empaco-backed Dodge Challenger Drag Pak to victories at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, and the Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn., along with a runner-up finish at the Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals to create a sizeable point lead which he maintained coming into this weekend’s NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals. Pawuk officially clinched the championship at the conclusion of qualifying. He was awarded his world championship trophy and medal following the first round of eliminations today by Flexjet executive David Davies II.

“I kind of knew I had it locked coming into St. Louis,” said Pawuk. “During the season I kept going rounds and we had the lead after a couple wins. The guys that were right on my tail both got knocked out early at a couple races, and we were consistent all year. I have to take my hat off to David Barton and Ray Barton Racing Engines.”

“Thanks to Mike Valerio, my assistant crew chief, Frank Madonia, my wife Bonnie, my son Kyle, my daughter Kassandra, my executive chef Pat Donohue, and all our friends that showed up this weekend. We made consistent runs all year. I drove well when I needed to, and we won a couple of races. I really can't believe I'm up here. I just wanted to come back and try to repeat, and here I am. I just can't even believe it.”

Pawuk, a veteran drag racer, competed for over a decade in the highly competitive Pro Stock class before making the move to Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown in 2018. During his rookie season in the class, he posted a runner-up finish in Norwalk and at the prestigious Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Over the next five seasons Pawuk tallied two final rounds scoring a win at the 2023 St. Louis Midwest Nationals when he was also the No. 1 qualifier and posted the top speed of the event.

Last year on the way to his first championship, Pawuk opened the season with a win at the historic Gatornationals and went on to runner-up at the Norwalk national event. Coming into the final race of the season he was in a tight battle with Chevrolet COPO Camaros driven by Stephen Bell and Scott Libersher. Pawuk won the event and secured his first world championship.

This year’s championship was validation for Pawuk, and while this championship was secured earlier in the season than 2024, he was thrilled with the competition level of the class. The father-son combination of Jason and Taylor Dietsch won a combined four races, with the young Taylor coming into St. Louis on a two-race win streak. The class saw five different winners representing all three manufacturers with one race remaining in the season.

“It's unbelievable. Norwalk was on my bucket list,” said Pawuk, from the championship stage. “I am very good friends with the Bader family who own the track. I started racing there in the 70s. That's how far back I go. Bristol was another special win, and to clinch the championship in St. Louis again is special. For the car to perform the way it has, and for me to drive the way I've been driving, it's just unbelievable. Somebody's looking over me. I just thank everybody for their support.”

The final eliminations for the Napa Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals will continue tomorrow with Midwest Nationals. In the first round of eliminations contested today Pawuk outran Josh Hart. He will be looking for his third win of the season tomorrow and he will face Richard Hord in the second round.