NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Entering elimination Sunday at the NHRA Midwest Nationals there were four drivers racing for the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series world championship. Mark Pawuk, the veteran drag racer from Ohio, clinched his first Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown world championship when Stephen Bell lost in the semifinals and Pawuk took out Scott Libersher in the pair right behind Bell.
 
“This was my dream,” said Pawuk. “My whole racing career. I started racing in the 70s, I won a Super Gas championship in 1981 when it was called Pro Gas. To be able to win a championship in the NHRA is something I always dreamt of. I wasn't sure I could ever get it done. I attribute the championship to Don Schumacher and my dad being with me this season, and I prayed to them both this morning. It gave me the strength to get here today.”

Coming into the race Pawuk was solidly in contention but he knew he would need some help to get the world championship. Pawuk entered the race as the No. 2 qualifier.
 
“I was third in points, but there was four of us within a round and a half of each other,” said Pawuk. “The cards had to fall a certain way, and everything fell the right way for me. We played it very straight all year. Ray Barton Engines and my co-crew chief David Barton, continued to just fight and fight, trying to find some power. Co-crew chief Mike Valerio working with the car, I mean, we made good runs this weekend. All I can say is, it's a dream come true and I can't believe it.”
 
Pawuk started the season with a win at the historic NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida and raced to a runner-up finish at his hometown track, Summit Motorsports Park during the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals. He is still in competition today facing No. 1 qualifier Jonathan Allegrucci in the final round of the season finale NHRA Midwest Nationals.
 
In the second round Bell took out the point leader Janac to set up a three-car race for the championship. Bell grabbed a slight starting line advantage, .051 to .056 second, on the reaction times. His red COPO Camaro reached the finish line in front of Janac’s Ford Mustang Cobra Jet with a winning elapsed time of 7.822 seconds to 7.827 seconds. The margin of victory was approximately three feet. Libersher kept his championship hopes alive turning on the win light in the pair just before Bell and Janac while Pawuk raced to the semifinals with a competition bye on the second round.
 
In the semifinals Bell needed to beat Allegrucci to stay in the championship chase, but he was unsuccessful. Pawuk was the next pair up needing to beat Libersher to clinch the championship. Libersher spun the tires and Pawuk cruised to the round win and the championship.
 
“I saw that Jonathan beat him [Bell],” said Pawuk. “I saw my guys jumping up and down. Jonathan was a big help to me taking out Stephen and Stephen helped us all when he beat Janac. When I rolled up I just didn't want to do anything stupid. I was just hoping I could catch a good light, and I guess God was looking down at me, and I did the right thing, and I had a good run. I made a good reaction time.”
 
Pawuk knew that the championship victory was a team effort both in his pits and across the country. Throughout the season Pawuk paid homage to NHRA legend Don Schumacher but also several companies who have supported him his entire racing career.
 
“I want to thank Flexjet and Flexjet’s David Davies for their support of our class,” said Pawuk. “I have to thank my company Empaco and all my employees for being there. Also, my longtime sponsors, Ohio Cat, Cat Rental Stores and, of course, Mr. Heater. They've been with me the longest of anybody ever with me in my Pro Stock days. My family's out here. I'm just bummed out my wife Bonnie couldn't be here with today, but my kids Kassandra and Kyle are here. What a great experience, something I never, ever imagined would happen.”

Pawuk concluded his day by winning the field winning  the event, outrunning No. 1 qualifier Jonathan Allegrucci in the final.
 
“I wanted to win this race so no matter what we could say we started the season and ended the season with a win,” said Pawuk, a three-time finalist in 2024. “We won the Gatornationals to start the season and we got the last win of the season. I am so proud of this team.”
 
After Saturday’s qualifying sessions Allegrucci and his 2019 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet stood atop the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown field as the No. 1 qualifier. It was Allegrucci’s first career No. 1 and for the driver from Scott Township, Pennsylvania, it was a rush of emotion at the end of the day.
 
“Getting this No. 1 is everything, and not just for Ford, but everybody on our team,” said Allegrucci. “Everybody has been pulling weight all year. This No. 1 is a tribute to them and what they're doing all season. This doesn't happen because of me, it is the team behind me. Coming here from Maple Grove where we were running well, we didn't change much. I don't know how to put something like this into words, but this is amazing.
 
“A lot of race days I have a feeling in the morning that I will have a great day,” said Pawuk. “I didn't have that feeling today. I had a bye first round this morning and I was a nervous wreck. I don't know why, but then I kind of calmed down a little bit. I was struggling a little bit my driving this weekend. It all came together when I needed it. We had a great competitive season this year. We got two big wins and the championship. I am just so proud of everyone on my team.”
 
The semifinals settled the world championship for Pawuk when Allegrucci defeated Bell and Pawuk outran Libersher. With the semifinal championship-clinching win Pawuk also won the Flexjet $1,000 bounty taking out the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals winner Libersher. It was Pawuk’s third bounty win of the season.
 
It was a classic Dodge versus Ford final round with Pawuk and his Empaco Dodge Drag Pak pulling up beside Allegrucci and his white Mustang Cobra Jet in the NHRA Midwest Nationals final. Allegrucci’s Cobra Jet looked almost unbeatable, but Pawuk was riding a wave of momentum to the final looking to bookend the season with another win.  Proving that he was ready to take on the No. 1 qualifier Pawuk had a .023 second reaction time combined with a 7.792 second, 176.28 mph to get the win over Allegrucci’s .038 reaction time along with 7.833 second, 175.96 mph.
 
“When you are racing the No. 1 qualifier you have to be at the top of your game,” said Pawuk. “Jonathan is a tough competitor and he has a great race car. I didn’t want to make a mistake and we got the win. Today was a dream come true.”