Mark Pawuk reset the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Series national E.T. and speed records during the weekend’s sole qualifying session on Saturday afternoon at the NHRA Gatornationals, the season-opening event for the eight-race series. Pawuk drove his Empaco Equipment Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak to a blistering 7.608-second pass at 183.15-mph to earn the pole position for the third time in his FSS career.
Securing the No. 1 spot was no small feat, as the top eight qualifiers all posted E.T.s that were quicker than the previously-held national record. Included among the top eight was Pawuk’s new teammate, Warren Walcher, who took his machine on a 7.669-second ride to earn the No. 3 starting position at his second FSS event, and first driving for DSR. Rounding out the three-car DSR Factory Stock contingent was David Davies whose 7.787 E.T. secured the No. 11 spot on the elimination ladder out of a stacked 22-car field.
Pawuk’s No. 1 qualifier was fifth for the Kevin Helms/A.J. Berge-led DSR Factory Stock program, and ‘the Cowboy’ is hopeful his top-seeded effort will help propel him to his first Factory Stock winner’s circle celebration on Sunday at Gainesville Raceway. Now in his fifth year competing in the category, Pawuk has visited the final round three times but is eagerly awaiting the day he brings home his first FSS Wally trophy.
“What a great way to kick-off the 2022 season,” said Pawuk, whose career-best finish was third in 2020. “We worked really hard this winter to get everything ready to put together a solid campaign, and it paid off. A.J. Berge, Kevin Helms, and the guys have been hard at work testing and trying some new components. I was blown away by how fast we ran today. We made a perfect run, and we’re going to try and carry this No. 1 qualified Empaco Equipment/Ohio CAT/Mr. Heater Dodge Drag Pak into the later rounds tomorrow. The car is running well, and hopefully, the driver can do his job.
“What a great start by our whole team to have all three cars in the show, and I’m excited for our new teammate, Warren Walcher, to have such a strong debut with our team. I’m looking forward to race day and the rest of the season.”
Pawuk will have lane choice over No. 16 qualifier Carl Tasca in round one of eliminations on Sunday at the NHRA Gatornationals.
Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Series Results and E1 match-ups:
No. 1 Mark Pawuk (7.608 E.T. at 183.15 MPH) vs. No. 16 C. Tasca
No. 3 Warren Walcher (7.669 E.T. at 180.79 MPH) vs. No. 14 D. Chaisson
No. 11 David Davies (7.787 E.T. at 182.50 MPH) vs. No. 6 R. Hord
NHRA Camping World Series Top Fuel results and E1 match-up:
No. 14 Tony Schumacher (3.983 E.T. at 266.32 MPH) vs. No. 3 S. Torrence
DSR PR
