Two-time NHRA Factory Stock Showdown champion Mark Pawuk will debut the all-new Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak this week at the 56th annual NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida.
The purpose-built, race-only Charger makes its official competition debut as NHRA opens its 75th anniversary season.
The 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak by Direct Connection is powered by a 354-cubic-inch HEMI V-8 engine and marks the first race-prepared version of the next-generation Charger.
Unveiled last year at the Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals, the new Drag Pak represents Dodge’s latest factory-backed entry in Factory Stock Showdown competition.
Only 50 serialized units of the Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak will be produced.
Each of the 50 cars is NHRA-approved for Factory Stock Showdown competition and engineered for grassroots Sportsman racers.
The Drag Pak also signals the return of the Street and Racing Technology Performance division.
The SRT division oversees high-performance models, Direct Connection performance parts and Dodge’s American motorsports initiatives, including NHRA competition and the Ram brand’s return to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2026.
Pawuk, of Richfield, Ohio, has long been one of Dodge’s most visible Factory Stock competitors.
He drove his Empaco Equipment Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak to consecutive championships in 2024 and 2025, collecting four victories during that span.
His 2025 title run included wins at Bristol and Norwalk, along with a runner-up finish and three semifinal appearances.
Consistency defined that championship campaign, and Pawuk now turns his focus to developing the new Charger platform.
Testing in Florida provided early data, but Pawuk acknowledged the car will require refinement as the season progresses.
Even so, he said the opportunity to debut the new Charger at the Gatornationals carries personal meaning.
“I began my racing career in the 1970s with Dodge and Plymouth, and I’ll be wrapping up my career with Dodge and their outstanding Drag Pak car in the future,” said Pawuk, a former NHRA Pro Stock racer. “It’s an honor to be debuting the new Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak this year. The car is much different than the race car (Dodge Challenger) that we won two championships within 2024-2025. We see a lot of potential with this new car. It will take some time to develop it, but I am very excited about the car. It’s NHRA’s 75th anniversary this year, and I really want to win one of those special Wally (Parks, NHRA founder) trophies for the 75th season. I think it’s possible with the new Drag Pak.”
Pawuk’s back-to-back championships reshaped the final chapter of a career that began decades ago.
He admitted the first title fulfilled a lifelong ambition, while the second reinforced his competitive drive.
“In 2024, winning my first championship, it was a dream I’ve had all my life. I really can’t believe it happened again in 2025. After the first one, my wife, Bonnie, suggested it might be time to retire. But I said, ‘What do you mean? I have to try for a repeat. Now, I have to go for a three-peat with new HEMI-powered Charger Drag Pak.”
Beyond Pawuk’s debut, Dodge’s presence at Gainesville extends beyond Factory Stock Showdown competition.
The Gatornationals weekend will also feature exhibition “Legends” races in production-based Dodge Charger Scat Pack models.
Four Hall of Fame-caliber drivers — Don Garlits, Joe Amato, Kenny Bernstein and Warren Johnson — are scheduled to compete in special 75th anniversary matchups.
Round one is set for Friday at 2:20 p.m. EST, with the final round scheduled for Saturday at noon EST.
The exhibition cars are 550-horsepower, SIXPACK-powered 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack models.
The appearances celebrate NHRA’s milestone season while highlighting Dodge’s new performance offerings.
Dodge will also introduce Thrill Rides at an NHRA national event for the first time.
Fans will ride in the passenger seat of SIXPACK-powered Charger Scat Pack models driven by professionals on a closed course at the top end of Gainesville Raceway.
The rides will run daily throughout the race weekend.
Participants will experience launches, burnouts and controlled drifts using performance features such as Line Lock, Launch Control and rear-wheel-drive mode capable of sending 100 percent of torque to the rear wheels.
In the NHRA nitro categories, Dodge-backed Tony Stewart Racing will unveil new red, white and blue liveries.
Leah Pruett returns to Top Fuel competition after a two-year layoff, while Matt Hagan begins his pursuit of a fifth NHRA Funny Car championship.
Qualifying for the Gatornationals opens Friday at 2:30 p.m. EST, with final eliminations scheduled for Sunday at 10 a.m. EDT.
For Pawuk, however, the spotlight remains fixed on the Charger Drag Pak’s first official laps under race conditions.
He sees the debut as both a continuation and a new beginning.
Now chasing a third consecutive title, Pawuk believes the new platform can carry him forward.
“I have to go for a three-peat with new HEMI-powered Charger Drag Pak.”
