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Factory Stock Champion Mark Pawuk Returns Home to Ignite Midseason Comeback
Highlights
- Mark Pawuk returns to Summit Motorsports Park this weekend.
- Pawuk won first NHRA national event at home track last year.
- Currently ranked 12th after four races in 2026 season.
- Factory Stock Showdown qualifying begins June 26 at 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Pawuk’s team developing new 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff car.
- Supported by longtime sponsors including Empaco and Summit Racing Equipment.
Defending Factory Stock champion Mark Pawuk returns to Summit Motorsports Park this weekend, targeting a reset in his 2026 campaign at his home track in Norwalk, Ohio.
After four rounds, Pawuk sits 12th in points. The fifth event of an eight-race schedule offers a timely chance to arrest early-season inconsistency and reestablish top-five momentum.
Norwalk was transformative last year, when Pawuk claimed his first NHRA national event victory, underpinning a second straight Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown championship.
The venue carries deep significance. Pawuk has raced at Norwalk since the 1970s, succeeding in Pro Stock before shifting to Factory Stock, with two NMCA wins and a 2024 runner-up finish.
That local connection extends beyond results, with strong support from fans, the Bader family, and Ohio-based partners. Sharing last year’s win with family remains a defining career moment.
Pawuk targets a reset at his home track after four races left him 12th in points.
The 2026 campaign has been shaped by development of a new 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak. Debuted at Gainesville, it has demanded setup time under race conditions.
Recent signs are positive. Third in qualifying at Bristol suggested the performance base is emerging. The priority now is translating pace into round wins and championship points.
Factory Stock Showdown qualifying at Norwalk begins Friday, June 26, at 12:30 p.m. ET, part of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. Consecutive Norwalk wins would meaningfully shift his season trajectory.
Factory Stock Showdown qualifying at Norwalk starts Friday, June 26, at 12:30 p.m. ET.
The points picture remains tightly packed. With three events completed after Norwalk, consistent early laps, lane choice, and execution will decide whether Pawuk can re-enter genuine title contention.
Backed by Empaco Equipment and a long list of returning partners, including Summit Racing Equipment and Matco Tools, the program has the stability to keep development moving.
The next-gen Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak showed promise with P3 qualifying at Bristol.
Factory Stock’s parity-focused rules keep margins narrow, emphasizing drivability and repeatability. Across the broader schedule, events like the IHRA Triple Crown qualifiers underline how competitive the wider drag landscape remains.
Visual Summary
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CHAMPIONSHIP
#12 → ?️ Top 5?
Race 5 of 8: Norwalk, OH
Mark Pawuk’s Home Track Comeback ??
Defending champion returns to Norwalk outside Top 10, chasing momentum and #Back2Back wins on his hometown mountain.
Can Pawuk & Empaco turn the 2026 season around?
? 2025 Norwalk Winner’s Circle:
“Nothing beats sharing the moment with my wife and kids at home.”
“Nothing beats sharing the moment with my wife and kids at home.”
Supported by:
Empaco Equipment ?️ – Summit Racing – Dodge – Matco Tools ?
(plus 15+ loyal sponsors, powering every round win!)
Empaco Equipment ?️ – Summit Racing – Dodge – Matco Tools ?
(plus 15+ loyal sponsors, powering every round win!)
Miles Carter covers grassroots and regional drag-strip action, from bracket racing to street-legal shootouts. His event previews and performance-upgrade guides keep local racers up to speed on timing-slip trends, tire tech, and weekend race highlights.
