Pawuk Powers to Victory in Bristol with His Empaco Dodge Challenger

Mark Pawuk finally broke through at a track that’s given him trouble for decades. Racing his Empaco-backed Dodge Challenger Drag Pak, the reigning Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown world champ picked up his first win of the 2025 season at the NHRA Suregrip Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tennessee. The win also launched him into the championship points lead.

“I started racing here in the 80s. I’ve always struggled at this racetrack,” Pawuk said after taking the win. “Last year we really struggled in qualifying. This year we came out and made a great run in the first session. We were No. 1 until the last two pairs of cars on Saturday afternoon. I guess everything happens for a reason.”

Pawuk qualified second and went on a tear through eliminations. He knocked out Flexjet bounty target and Chicago winner Jason Dietsch in the first round, thanks to a quicker reaction time (.039 vs. .055) and a solid 7.937-second pass at 175.30 mph. That round also earned him a $1,000 bonus.

“Getting the Flexjet bounty was just icing on the cake,” he added. “We can pay some bills and also celebrate now that we got the bounty and won the race.”

Pawuk kept the momentum going with consistent 7.90s throughout eliminations. His reaction time sharpened as the day progressed — including a .022-second light in Round Two and a .059 in the semifinals against David Janac. That semifinal run was the quickest of the day in Factory Stock, clocking in at 7.893 seconds at 175.34 mph.

Just 30 minutes later, Pawuk lined up for the final round against Jim Betz. The race ended early when Betz red-lit, handing the win to Pawuk — his fourth career Factory Stock Showdown victory and second final-round appearance of 2025. He was runner-up earlier this season at the Carolina Four-Wide Nationals.

“I’m really happy for Jim Betz. He’s been out here running NMCA and other classes. Seeing both him and Kim Shirley in the semis — that’s great for the class. It’s great for the sport,” Pawuk said.

The Empaco team’s consistency was key, but Pawuk didn’t do it alone. He gave credit to his entire crew and support network.

“I have to thank Mike Valerio, my son Kyle, Frank Madonia, David Barton and his whole team. They just did a great job getting this car ready to run down the racetrack,” he said.

Pawuk also shouted out his longtime sponsors and partners: Empaco, Ohio Cat, Ray Barton Racing Engines, Mr. Heater, Star Diamond Pistons, Summit Racing Equipment, Flexjet, Red Line Oil, VP Fuels — and of course, Dodge.

“This is just awesome. I’m now the old guy in the class, not the young guy,” he joked. “I counted the cars in the second round — three Dodges, three Fords, two Chevys. That’s really cool. The Flexjet Factory Stock program is really popular, and the fans got a great show today.”

Next up for the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series is the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, June 27-29.