KyraSage
A lot of current drag racing fans might know Mark Pawuk as a challenger in the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Series, but long before his return to drag racing he enjoyed a career in the NHRA’s Pro Stock category. From 1985 to 2006 he competed in the doorslammer class, bringing home 6 national event wins in the process.
For 15 years in Pro Stock, Mark received support from Summit Racing Equipment as both primary and associate partners. Today it was announced that the two are reuniting and Summit Racing has joined Mark’s Empaco Equipment Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak operation as an associate partner.
This weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, the 5th of 8 Factory Stock Showdown Series races in 2022, that all familiar red, white and blue Summit Racing logo will adorn Mark’s racecar.
“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,” Mark said. “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.”
As an Ohio native, resident of Akron, Mark is very proud of his roots, “I grew up in northeastern Ohio and Summit Racing Motorsports Park in Norwalk was one of the tracks I used to race at weekend bracket racing in the mid-1970’s,” he explained. “With Summit Racing headquarters in Tallmadge, which is about 30 minutes from where I live, it feels like a full circle moment for me. To be an Ohio-based racer with an Ohio-based company backing me at a track that helped launch my drag racing career, it’s just a great feeling. I’m looking forward to carrying the red, white and blue Summit Racing banner again.”
A strong contender in the Factory Stock Showdown Series since entering the class as a member of Don Schumacher Racing during the 2018 season, Mark has powered to three runner up finishes and three poles, including his most recent No. 1 qualifier at the race in Gainesville, Florida earlier this season.
Though he has yet to see the winner’s circle since returning to NHRA competition, Mark has positioned himself as a bona-fide threat in the class. He has finished in the Top 10 for the past two years, the class usually draws 20 to 30 entrants per event, including a career best FSS finish of 3rd in 2020.
“Our team is long overdue for a win,” Mark, who enters this weekend’s event ranked 10th in the Factory Stock Showdown Series standings, said. “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.”
Jim Greenleaf, Motorsports & Events Manager, Summit Racing Equipment, had this to say about the reuniting partnership, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Mark again. 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.”
Mark and the Empaco Equipment Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak team began qualifying for this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals and look to have a long and successful weekend.
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