Mark Pawuk clinched the championship in the 2024 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series, winning the final race at the NHRA Midwest Nationals. He defeated No. 1 qualifier Jonathan Allegrucci, marking Pawuk’s second victory of the season.

Rain forced the cancellation of the initial day of qualifying, but racing resumed on Saturday. Pawuk expressed pride in concluding the season with a win, having also claimed victory at the Gatornationals earlier in the year.

“This was my dream,” said Pawuk. “My whole racing career. I started racing in the 70s, I won a Super Gas championship in 1981 when it was called Pro Gas. To be able to win a championship in the NHRA is something I always dreamt of. I wasn't sure I could ever get it done. I attribute the championship to Don Schumacher and my dad being with me this season, and I prayed to them both this morning. It gave me the strength to get here today.”

In a tense first round on Saturday, Pawuk and his fellow championship contenders, David Janac, Stephen Bell, and Scott Libersher, all advanced. Allegrucci received a bye in the first round and faced Lee Hartman in the second, securing his place in the semifinals.

“I was third in points, but there was four of us within a round and a half of each other,” said Pawuk. “The cards had to fall a certain way, and everything fell the right way for me. We played it very straight all year. Ray Barton Engines and my co-crew chief David Barton, continued to just fight and fight, trying to find some power. Co-crew chief Mike Valerio working with the car, I mean, we made good runs this weekend. All I can say is, it's a dream come true and I can't believe it.”

The semifinals determined the championship, with Pawuk defeating Libersher and Allegrucci overcoming Bell. Pawuk's win also earned him the Flexjet $1,000 bounty, adding to his season's accolades.

The final featured a clash between Pawuk's Empaco Dodge Drag Pak and Allegrucci's Cobra Jet. Despite Allegrucci’s strong performance throughout the day, Pawuk secured victory with a reaction time of .023 seconds and a run of 7.792 seconds at 176.28 mph.

“I want to thank Flexjet and Flexjet’s David Davies for their support of our class,” said Pawuk. “I have to thank my company Empaco and all my employees for being there. Also, my longtime sponsors, Ohio Cat, Cat Rental Stores and, of course, Mr. Heater. They've been with me the longest of anybody ever with me in my Pro Stock days. My family's out here. I'm just bummed out my wife Bonnie couldn't be here with today, but my kids Kassandra and Kyle are here. What a great experience, something I never, ever imagined would happen.”