Mark Pawuk’s Challenger Drag Pak Claims Another NHRA Factory Stock Showdown World Championship

When it’s your day, it’s your day. And for seasoned drag racer Mark Pawuk and his HEMI^® V8 Powered Challenger Drag Pak, he showed the competition his 2024 World Champion title was no fluke. It was this past weekend when Mark amassed enough points over his nearest rivals to claim the 2025 Factory Stock Showdown (FSS) World Champion title during NHRA NAPA Auto Parts Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis.

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 secured two final rounds and scored a win at the 2023 NHRA Midwest Nationals, where he was also the number one qualifier and posted the top speed of the event. Fast forward to 2025, Mark was feeling deja vu. “I kind of knew I had it locked coming into the St. Louis race this year,” said Mark. “During this season, I kept going rounds, and we had the lead after a couple of wins. The guys who were right on my tail both got knocked out early at a couple of races, and we were consistent all season. I have to take my hat off to David Barton and Ray Barton Racing Engines. I also want to thank my family for their support and my sponsors, Ohio Cat, Mr. Heater, Summit, Red Line Oil, E3 and Westfield Bank, for all their support all season,” said Mark, who now can claim back-to-back NHRA FSS world crowns.

To analyze how Mark was able to win another FSS championship, we have to go back to the start of the 2025 season. It was during NHRA’s Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, that the FSS season began. Racers in their Challenger Drag Paks, Mustang Cobra Jets and COPO Camaros descended on the well-manicured track surface of Gainesville Raceway. Here, Mark was ready to begin the long climb to maintain that big number ‘1’ on his windshield that told the world he was the 2024 FSS world champ. While the 2024 FSS season is in the record books, Mark was on the fast track last year, winning the 2024 Gatornationals and racing to a runner-up finish at the Norwalk NHRA national event. When it came to the final FSS race of 2024, it was a hard-fought battle against Chevrolet COPO Camaros driven by Stephen Bell and Scott Libersher. Pawuk won the NHRA Midwest Nationals last year and secured his first world championship.

“I remember I wanted to win that race no matter what so we could say we started the season and ended the season with a win,” said Mark, who went to the FSS finals three times 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.” But, they say you’re only as good as your last win, and for the hard-driving Pawuk, he made sure the 2025 FSS season would solidify his name in NHRA history and the record books. “It’s incredible. Winning the 2025 NHRA Norwalk race was on my bucket list,” noted Mark 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.”

Still reeling from his second FSS World Championship, it’s sinking in for Mark. “Unbelievable, man, you know my dreams have always been to win the world championship as we did. I drove really well, and when I needed the car to perform, it did its job. It’s a great feeling and great experience, and it’s an honor just to get one championship, but two, it’s a dream come true,” exclaimed Pawuk. “But you know what, I’m the old guy in Factory Stock Showdown, and it’s a young guy’s class, so I say, ‘Bring it on, man!’”

With the 2025 NHRA FSS over, Mark will concentrate on his business. “I’m extremely busy at work and my great employees support me all year while I’m racing, so it’s time for me to support them. We have a bunch of projects going on,” noted Mark. “Again, I couldn’t do this with all my wonderful family and great supporting sponsors like Mickey Thompson Tires, Summit Racing Equipment, Redline Oil, Diamond Racing Pistons and, of course, Flexjet for supporting this awesome class!”

Here are more pictures of Mark Pawuk’s class-winning FSS Challenger Drag Pak from 2024 and 2025 NHRA season.

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