MARK PAWUK WINS THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS
June 8, 2025
BRISTOL, TN (June 8, 2025) – For reigning 2024 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown world champion Mark Pawuk Bristol Dragway has been a tough place to race for over three decades. Today at the 24th Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Pawuk, the No. 2 qualifier, raced to his first win of the season and moved into the Flexjet points lead. Pawuk, racing in his ninth career Flexjet Factory Stock final round, took his fourth win light of the day when Jim Betz re-lit in the final round leaving the starting line early.
Photo credit: Auto Imagery
Photo credit: Auto Imagery
“I started racing here in the 80s. I’ve always struggled at this racetrack. I ran here through my Pro Stock days. Last year we really struggled in qualifying. This year we came out and we made a great run in the first session. We were number one till two pairs of cars, Saturday afternoon and I got bumped to No. 2. I guess everything happens for a reason, and we never got down. But once we got back to the left lane, we kept lane choice all day.” “I’m really happy for Jim Betz. The guy’s been out here,” said Pawuk. “He’s gone back and forth between NMCA and some other classes.
“I’m really happy for Jim Betz. The guy’s been out here,” said Pawuk. “He’s gone back and forth between NMCA and some other classes. I’m really happy to see both him and Kim Shirley go to the semifinals. That’s great for the class. It’s great for the sport. 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 to ready to run down the racetrack.”
In the opening round Pawuk grabbed the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown $1,000 bounty when he defeated Chicago winner Jason Dietsch, who overpowered the track as soon as he left the starting line. Pawuk was first off the line with a .039 second reaction time in front of Dietsch’s .055. He never trailed in the race crossing the finish line with a strong 7.937 second pass at 175.30 mph.
“Getting the Flexjet bounty was just icing on the cake today,” said Pawuk. “We can pay some bills and also celebrate now that we got the bounty and won the race.”
In the semifinals Pawuk was facing a tough competitor in David Janac and he was at the top of his game leaving the starting line with a .059 reaction time and he held the lead for the full quarter mile. When the scoreboard lit up his elapsed time of 7.893 seconds at 175.34 mph was the quickest run of the day for the category. The class had agreed to come back for the final round in less than 30 minutes to close out the race day. The quick turnaround energized Pawuk before the final.
“When you are running fast and going rounds, you can stay more focused,” said Pawuk.
Photo credit: Auto Imagery
“For all my sponsors, my company Empaco, all my employees, Ohio Cat, Ray Barton Racing, Mr. Heater and Heat, Star Diamond pistons, Summit Racing Equipment, of course, Flexjet and all my other associates, like Red Line Oil and VP Fuels and Dodge. It’s great to have them all on board as many years as I’ve been out here.”
Prior to that round Pawuk had his best reaction time of the day, .022 seconds, to get the win over David Davies II, a fellow Dodge competitor. His starting line advantage matched with his elapsed time of 7.912 seconds took his second win light of the day.
This was Pawuk’s second final round appearance of the 2025 season. Earlier this year he raced to a runner-up finish at the Carolina Four-Wide Nationals, but his last win was the final race of the 2024 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series season. The reigning world champion is optimistic about the health and future of the Factory Stock class.
“This is just awesome. I’m now the old guy in the class, not the young guy,” said Pawuk. “I counted the cars in the second round, I believe there were three Dodges, three Fords and two Chevys. That is really cool. This Flexjet factory Stock program is really popular and the fans got a great show today.”
The Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series will be back in action at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, in Norwalk, Ohio, June 27-29.
Flexjet Bounty Program
Gatornationals (Gainesville, Fla.)
American Rebel Light Four-Wide Nationals (Concord, N.C.)
Route 66 Nationals (Chicago, Ill.)
$1,000 bounty collected by Alex Anderson, defeated Jonathan Allegrucci (Charlotte winner)
2025 FLEXJET FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN RESULTS
- Gainesville –Jason Dietsch, winner; Lenny Lottig, runner-up
- Charlotte – Jonathan Allegrucci, winner; Mark Pawuk, runner-up
- Chicago – Jason Dietsch, winner; Lee Hartman, runner-up
- Bristol – Mark Pawuk, winner; James Betz, runner-up
FIRST ROUND MATCH-UPS
- Mark Pawuk – 341
- Jason Dietsch – 300
- Lee Hartman – 284
- Jonathan Allegrucci – 277
- David Janac – 256
- Doug Hamp – 229
- Raymond Nash – 207
- Scott Libersher – 198
- Taylor Dietsch – 196
- James Betz – 191
2025 FLEXJET FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN SCHEDULE
- June 26 – 29: Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Norwalk, Ohio
- Aug. 27 – Sept. 1: Cornwell Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis, Ind.
- Sept. 11 – 14: Reading NHRA Nationals, Reading, Pa.
- Sept. 26 – 29: NHRA Midwest Nationals, St. Louis, Mo.
ABOUT FLEXJET
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Flexjet, a global leader in private aviation, first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995 and is about to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Flexjet offers fractional jet ownership and leasing and is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard, is the first and only company to be honored with 25 FAA Diamond Awards for Excellence, upholds an ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating, a 4AIR Bronze Sustainable Rating and is certified at Stage 2 with IS-BAO. Red Label by Flexjet, a market differentiator, features an ultra-modern fleet, flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and the LXi Cabin Collection of interiors. To date there are nearly 50 different interior designs across its fleet, which includes the Embraer Phenom 300, Praetor 500 and 600, Bombardier Challenger 350/3500 and the Gulfstream G450 and G650. Flexjet’s European fleet includes the Embraer Praetor 600 and the Gulfstream G650. Flexjet’s helicopter division offers leases, helicopter cards and convenient interchange access for its aircraft Owners. Flexjet owns, operates and maintains its fleet of Sikorsky S-76 helicopters which boast 55,000 hours of safe flying certified by Wyvern and ARG/US and serving locations throughout the northeastern United States, United Kingdom and Florida. Flexjet is a member of the Directional Aviation family of companies. For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit www.flexjet.com or follow us on Instagram @Flexjetllc.
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