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Factory Stock Showdown

RAIN HALTS WINTERNATIONALS FLEXJET FACTORY SHOWDOWN IN THE SEMIFINALS

POMONA, CA – A severe rain shower that included a brief hailstorm halted the Winternationals today at In-N-Out Burger Dragstrip at Pomona as the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series was entering the semifinals. Points leader and No. 1 qualifier Mark Pawuk, Stephen Bell and David Davies remain in the competition. The race will be completed during the upcoming Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, April 12-14.

“This is a tough break for sure,” said Pawuk, who opened the season with a win at the NHRA Gatornationals. “I was looking forward to getting the race in, but Mother Nature had other plans. I want to thank the NHRA for doing everything they could to get the race in today. My Dodge Drag Pak was making good runs and I felt great behind the wheel. We’ll just have to see when we can get the race done.”

In the first round there were several huge races including Scott Libersher taking a solid starting line advantage and leading 2023 championship runner-up Bell until 1,000 feet when Bell chased him down for the win. Bell posted low E.T. of the event on the run with a blistering 7.799 seconds at 173.38 mph run in his red Chevrolet COPO Camaro.

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MARK PAWUK GRABS FLEXJET FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN NO. 1 AT NHRA WINTERNATIONALS

POMONA, CA – Mark Pawuk started the NHRA Winternationals running to the top of the qualifying order and continued to put pressure on his Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown competitors. The NHRA Gatornationals winner ran 7.856 seconds at 178.87 mph in the opening session of qualifying Friday. Pawuk’s Empaco Dodge Drag Pak that is memorializing his longtime friend and NHRA Hall of Famer Don Schumacher held off the rest of the field through the second session. After Saturday’s qualifying session was rained out Pawuk earned his fifth No. 1 qualifier and will enter Sunday looking to secure his third national event win.

I won the Gatornationals two weeks ago and I would love to win the Winternationals this weekend,” said Pawuk, from his pit after qualifying was cancelled. “Flexjet Factory Stock has never run in Pomona so getting the first win would be cool. We have a good hot rod but there are a lot of tough cars here this weekend. I am going to have to be on top of my game. We had a couple good runs yesterday and Mother Nature didn’t cooperate with us today. We’ll be ready for race day tomorrow.”

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PAWUK LOOKS TO CONTINUE HOT STREAK AT WINTERNATIONALS WITH ANOTHER FLEXJET FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN WIN

POMONA, CA – Veteran driver and team owner Mark Pawuk opened the season with an emotional win at the NHRA Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals racing to his second career Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series victory. The win was sweeter because he was driving a Dodge Drag Pak designed to honor long-time friend and NHRA Hall of Famer Don Schumacher, who passed away over the off-season. For Pawuk, a long-time NHRA Pro Stock competitor turned Flexjet Factory Stock racer, the win was meaningful on a variety of fronts. He will get his chance to continue his win streak as the fan-favorite series makes its debut on the West Cost at the NHRA Winternationals, at In-N-Out Dragway in Pomona, Calif., March 22-24.

“The Gatornationals is one of the biggest races in the NHRA and I have always wanted to win in Gainesville,” said Pawuk, from the Gatornationals winner’s circle. “To get that win and to have Don’s name on the race car was special. Don was a great friend and competitor. This class has a lot of tough drivers and cars, so anytime you can turn on a win light that’s a big deal. Racing Stephen (Bell) in the final was tough. I knew I would need to get off the line quick and hopefully hold him off. I can’t wait to get to Pomona and show off for the California fans who have never seen this class.”

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PAWUK WINS FLEXJET FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN AT NHRA GATORNATIONALS

GAINESVILLE, FL – Veteran racer and team owner Mark Pawuk raced his Empaco Dodge Drag Pak to the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series winner’s circle today at the 55th annual NHRA Gatornationals. Pawuk took advantage of the three qualifying sessions to enter race day as the No. 3 qualifier and in the final round he defeated Stephen Bell, to also claim the Flexjet $1,000 bounty. His traditional looking Dodge Drag Pak was adorned with a special memorial to NHRA Hall of Famer and close friend Don Schumacher.

“Don and I were very close and I reached out to his stepdaughter Megan and asked if I could do a car in his memory,” said an emotional Pawuk in the staging lanes after his win. “We are going to celebrate him at a couple races and it’s just so cool. I’ve always wanted to win the Gatornationals. This has always been one of my most favorite races and to do it with my wife and daughter here and all the people helping me. Unfortunately, Kyle, my son had to leave to get a flight home, so he left right before the semis. It was not the same without him on the starting line. I’m glad I could do this for Don every round.”

Pawuk had to take on three tough Chevrolet COPO Camaro competitors every round except for a bye run in the semifinals. Throughout the day Pawuk was up to the task leaving the starting line on time and hitting his shift points.

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NEWCOMER MIKE CLARK RUNS TO FLEXJET FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN NO. 1 AT NHRA GATORNATIONALS

GAINESVILLE, FL – The season opening Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series event at Gainesville Raceway showed that the competition level will be wide open. Newcomer Mike Clark from Mono, Ontario, Canada ran to the No. 1 spot driving his brand new Smokies Garage Dodge Drag Pak. On Friday night Clark ran 7.824 seconds at 175.80 mph and that time held up through the final round of qualifying on Saturday at the 55th annual NHRA Gatornationals.

“I’m new to Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown for sure,” said Clark. “I’ve been doing the Hemi Shootout stuff for years. I bought this Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown car about three weeks ago and put it together. I had (2023 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown world champion) Aaron Stanfield go through the motor and change the blower. I’ve got Jody Hadley tuning with me which has been great.”

After the first qualifying run Friday championship runner-up Stephen Bell was No. 1 with a 7.994 second pass at 169.06 mph followed by Doug Hamp and Anthony Troyer. Under the lights at Gainesville Raceway Clark went to the top with his 7.824 second run at 175.80 mph in his Dodge Challenger after a tough first round pass. Mark Pawuk also stepped up running 7.905 seconds at 176.93 mph. The top five were rounded out by Scott Libersher and Anthony Troyer in COPO Camaros and Jason Dietsch’s Ford Cobra Jet. Clark was excited about his effort and he was looking forward to the first round.

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FLEXJET FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN TITLE CHASE WIDE OPEN IN 2024

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown will begin its season at historic Gainesville Raceway, March 7-10, for the 55th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. The heated competition between Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Mustang Cobra Jets and Dodge Mopar Challenger Drag Paks will be front and center at a total of 10 NHRA national events in 2024.

After an off-season of change, the look of the field will change dramatically as previous series champions have moved on to new challenges. Last season Aaron Stanfield took top honors, but the multi-time champion is stepping away from full-time competition in the class along with 2022 champion David Barton, who will focus on his engine development business. Both former champions will be around the class, but their full-time absence will open the door for other drivers.

Norwalk winner and championship runner-up Stephen Bell will have the Flexjet Bounty for Gatornationals, photo courtesy of Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

“Aaron has been dominant in this class for a lot of years, and he is a great friend. We had a fun battle last year for the championship,” said Stephen Bell, the 2023 Flexjet championship runner-up. “I think this year we are going to see a lot of new faces in the winner’s circle and the championship will be up for grabs. I can’t wait to get to the Gatornationals and get the season started. We have done some testing but until you get into competition you don’t really know what you have.”

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FLEXJET NHRA FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN TO COMPETE AT 10 EVENTS IN 2024, FINALE SET FOR ST. LOUIS

INDIANAPOLIS – NHRA officials announced that Flexjet, a global leader in private aviation, will continue as the title sponsor of the exciting NHRA Factory Stock Showdown class for the upcoming 2024 season.

The fan-favorite Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown category will have 10 races at NHRA national events for the second straight year during the 2024 campaign, beginning its year as part of the 55th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals on March 7-10 at Gainesville Raceway. The class will finish its season at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis on Sept. 27-29 as part of the NHRA Midwest Nationals.

As part of the multi-year extension, Flexjet will also continue as the Official Private Aviation Partner of the NHRA.

“We are so delighted to continue our sponsorship of the NHRA Factory Stock Showdown,” said Flexjet’s Chief Administrative Officer Robert Sullivan. “Last year we added this event to our recruitment plan and met lots of great candidates in our search for aircraft mechanics and mechanic apprentices. This year we look forward to meeting more candidates while also continuing to create engaging employee experiences at the races across the country.”

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Outgoing Champion David Barton Picks Up Final Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Victory at NHRA Nevada Nationals

LAS VEGAS – David Barton and his Retail Fixtures / Sawmill Auto Chevrolet COPO Camaro picked up their first victory of the season Monday at the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

In the 12th final round of his career, first of the season, Barton would take on Kevin Skinner and the Columbus Joint & Clutch Ford Cobra Jet in the final round of eliminations. The pair would be nearly identical off the starting line, but Barton would pull away to go 7.729 seconds at 177.46 mph for the win while Skinner slowed to a 9.003 at 107.92.

“It was a long weekend but when you come out with a win, that makes it worth it. Really proud of this team, putting in the work to get the job done for the last race of the season,” Barton said. “It hasn’t been a perfect season but we’re ending it on the right note. Have to thank all our sponsors for their support, our families who support all these guys getting to come out to the track and the competitors, hard fought win today and one hell of a competitive season.”

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Stephen Bell Earns Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown No. 1 Qualifying Position at NHRA Nevada Nationals

LAS VEGAS – Stephen Bell and his Stanfield Racing Engines Chevrolet COPO Camaro picked up their first Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown No. 1 qualifying position of the season Saturday at the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

With his 7.786-second pass at 175.96 on Friday night, Bell held off the field of Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Mustang Cobra Jets and Dodge Mopar Challenger Drag Paks to earn his second career No. 1 qualifying position. Bell opened qualifying with a 7.844 at 176.35 before improving to his 7.786. He closed out qualifying with a modest 8.113 at 143.58 after lifting early.

“Being No. 1 is really a compliment to the Stanfield team and Dean and Dylan. They just do a great job,” Bell said. “It’s the first time in four or five races that we didn’t have a big weather change between Friday and Saturday. We kind of had the same conditions both days so we made a great run last night and we were on the way to make a pretty good run in that last session. It just got up a little too high, so I lifted because it wasn’t race day. No reason to push it just in qualifying.

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Aaron Stanfield Clinches Third Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown World Championship during Nevada Nationals

LAS VEGAS – Following his first qualifying pass at the NHRA Nevada Nationals Aaron Stanfield and his Stanfield Racing Engines Chevrolet COPO Camaro, clinched his third Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown world championship today at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Two weeks ago, the 28-year-old from Bossier City, Louisiana, defeated his closest competitor Stephen Bell in the first round and then outran No. 1 qualifier Lenny Lottig in the second round to accumulate enough points to essentially eliminate his closest competitors. Stanfield simply needed to make one pass to clinch the championship.

“It’s pretty cool to be able to do it here in Las Vegas,” said Stanfield, an 11-time Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown national event winner. “I love this racetrack. It’s good to be able to do it, we’re happy to get it done quick this weekend. All the championships are special and they all have their own story. There’s no such thing as a bad championship so I’m very thankful, very blessed. Thank you to all the all the guys that work on my hot rod.”

In 2021 Stanfield won the Midwest Nationals in St. Louis and clinched the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown World Championship. That day he defeated Kim Shirley, David Janac, John Cerbone and Lenny Lottig for the win and championship. The drivers chasing Stanfield in 2021 David Barton and Jesse Alexandra each lost in the first round, opening the door for Stanfield to secure the championship.

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