Norwalk, Ohio – Before he became a championship challenger in the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Series, Mark Pawuk enjoyed a long and successful NHRA career in the Pro Stock category. He competed in the doorslammer class from 1985 through 2006, banking six national event wins in the process.
Pawuk received support from Summit Racing Equipment for 15 years as both a primary and associate partner in Pro Stock, and today it was announced that Summit Racing joined Pawuk’s Empaco Equipment Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak operation as an associate partner.
Beginning with this weekend’s NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals, the Summit Racing logo will again adorn a Pawuk-piloted machine. The event hosts the fifth of eight Factory Stock Showdown Series races in 2022.
“Summit Racing was a major sponsor of mine for 15 years in the Pro Stock class, and I’m glad we’re able to team up again,” said Pawuk. “It’s an honor for me to have the opportunity to once again represent a company that was so supportive in helping me reach a high level of success in my Pro Stock career.”
Pawuk has been a strong contender in the Factory Stock Showdown Series since entering the class as a member of Don Schumacher Racing during the 2018 season. He has powered to three runner-up finishes and three poles, including his most recent No. 1 qualifier at the Gainesville, Florida event earlier this season.
Though he has yet to visit the winner’s circle since returning to the NHRA, Pawuk has positioned himself as a bona fide threat. He has finished in the Top 10 for the past two years, including an FSS career-best third place finish in 2020, in a class which often draws 20 to 30 entrants per event.
“Our team is long overdue for a win,” said Pawuk, who enters the race weekend ranked 10th in the Factory Stock Showdown Series standings. “To get that first one this weekend in Norwalk with Summit Racing back on board would be the perfect way to kick off this new chapter in our relationship.”
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Mark again,” said Jim Greenleaf, Motorsports & Events Manager, Summit Racing Equipment. “He was a fierce competitor in Pro Stock, one of the toughest classes in drag racing, and a great representative for Summit Racing. The skills he gained in Pro Stock make him a standout in the Factory Stock Showdown Series and we’re proud to have our colors on the Empaco Equipment Dodge Challenger Drag Pak. We look forward to a winning partnership.”
The partnership kicks off as Mark Pawuk and the No. 10-ranked Empaco Equipment Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak team begin qualifying for this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.
Hey Mark. Chuck Whitehouse here. I’ve following you as a pro stock participant until now. I work with Dr. Joe McShanic and he keeps me up to speed so to speak. I learned of you back in the 80’s from my old roommate, Jamie Montage. He said he knew as a kid in the neighborhood growing up and that your family always had something with an engine and wheels. Other than your parents car. Just saying HI.