One of the neatest moments for me at the recently passed NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway in Concord, North Carolina was hanging out with Mark “The Coyboy” Pawuk who was a longtime NHRA pro stock racer. Pawuk was not at the race for old times sake or to watch his old category, nope he had bigger plans. In fact, he was there to announce the fact that he would be driving the second NHRA Factory Stock Showdown effort fielded by Don Schumacher Racing. He’ll make his competition re-debut in June at Bristol and he’ll be doing it along side teammate Leah Pritchett who currently wheels the other DSR Dodge Challenger Drag Pak in competition.
The SamTech.edu Factory Stock Showdown is a wildly popular event series that pits Mustang Cobra Jets, COPO Camaros, and Challenger Drag Pak models against each other in a heads-up format. These are 3,500lb cars that run low 8s with factory style suspension, small tires, and factory based engines. The COPO has a blown LS, the Cobra Jet has a blown Coyote, and the Challenger has a blown Gen III Hemi.
It was great fun to be in the booth with Pawuk and watch him spectate as the class participated in Charlotte. He was like a kid and he was ultra psyched when Leah nabbed the number one qualifying spot during the final qualifying session. There was a genuine enthusiasm in his eyes, body language, and words that was pretty infectious. He’s jacked up and most everyone else is as well. This class has been one of the most hotly growing things in the sport and there are nearly 30 entires trying to bust into every event and it’s something that brings the fans to their feet like nothing we have seen outside of the nitro stuff and pro mods over the last couple of seasons.
Pawuk is a successful business operator who has a company that deals in the construction and maintenance of gas stations. He’s a huge fan of the sport and has been, even during the times when he was not driving anything competitively. He’ll be on an “arrive and drive” basis with DSR meaning that the car will be housed and maintained at DSR’s Brownsburg, Indiana facilities. This whole thing speaks to the growth and explosive potential of this category and we’re happy that The Cowboy is coming back!
Link: The full scoop on Mark Pawuk heading back into NHRA competition!
DSR realizes that the nitro classes are rapidly fading and not a good business model. Sponsors are leaving in droves and fans are heading to the exits after the first round. All it takes is a NIMBY case to close the remaining big tracks that run nationnal events.
DSR\’s new ventures into sportsman classes will quickly pay off.
MOPAR couldn\’t be happier as this marketing plan will generate hundreds of new Mopar racers and $Millons in parts revenue.
Even better, the remaining local drag strips will see these new Mopar racers in the pits.
Because Pro Stock….as it is today…..is dead.
I like this. There is a LOT of enthusiasm for the factory stock showdown class (what pro stock once was) and I expect it to grow even more.
Pro Mod and the Nitro cars still get folks excited. NHRA needs to trim their rulebooks a good bit on Pro Mod and look at allowing some different combos for nitro.
I saw the FSS cars at Zmax in 2017. This class is what Pro Stock should be: Big 3 participation, exciting, wheels up racing based on real cars.
Does anyone see a funny car or pro stocker race on Sunday and then want to buy that model on Monday? Not likely. Remember when Pro Stock was called the “factory hot rods” when they looked nothing like anything in any showroom? This class will likely bring back the “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” business plan.
Factory Stock should be the new Pro Stock
Prostock is dead, unless you want to see all Chevy\’s. FSS is the best thing to come to the NHRA in a long time.
Right cars to replace pro stock,but wrong class. The factory stock cars almost NEVER have a race against each other. One loses traction. These same cars modified only just super stock rules (c-sectioned,bigger tires) would be awesome! Mid 7\’s!!!
Mark seems like a real good guy, be nice to have him back at races.