Mark Pawuk Returns As Driver of Second DSR Factory Stock Entry

A familiar face is set to return in a new place, as Don Schumacher Racing announced this weekend the addition of a second Factory Stock Showdown entry with longtime Pro Stock ace Mark “Cowboy” Pawuk at the controls. Pawuk, one of the sport’s most well-liked individuals who last competed professionally in 2006, will join DSR driver Leah Pritchett behind the wheel of a Drag Pak Dodge Challenger with backing from his own Empaco Equipment Corporation based near Cleveland, Ohio. Pawuk becomes part of a seven-driver lineup under the DSR umbrella, including those in Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car.

Pawuk will make his debut at Bristol in June behind the wheel of the supercharged Dodge and will contest the remaining Factory Stock Showdown season. Three-time sportsman world champion Kevin Helms, who joined the team at the crew chief for Pritchett’s Dodge this season, will prepare and maintain both cars.

“We’re excited to field a second Factory Stock entry,” said team owner Don Schumacher. “Kevin has already made great headway with Leah’s Dodge Drag Pak. The performance advantage of having two cars worth of data, plus top-of-the-line parts through our DSM/Mopar/SRT partnership should prove to be a winning combination.

“Mark is a longtime friend, and a fierce competitor. He will be a great addition to our team,” added Schumacher.

I wasn’t quite ready to hang up my driving shoes for good just yet, and I felt like I had some unfinished business, so this was a great opportunity to give it another shot. – Mark Pawuk

For Pawuk, the return to racing is a long time coming.

“I never really retired, rather I just sort of stepped away,” said Pawuk.

“My son Kyle has been pushing me to get back into racing. Don and I go way back, and we’ve been talking about this for a little while now, and it sounded intriguing. I wasn’t quite ready to hang up my driving shoes for good just yet, and I felt like I had some unfinished business, so this was a great opportunity to give it another shot.

“My goal is to go out and get another Wally. I feel like my career was never totally fulfilled. I stepped away at the end of 2006 but have gone to a few races as a spectator every year since. I still have a lot of friends out here, and people asking when I would come back, and I think that’s part of what helped me make the decision to come back out and race again; get my fix.

“I’m also looking forward to having the opportunity to run at Norwalk,” added Pawuk, a native of northeastern, Ohio. “That’s my home track and I always wanted to race there but never got a chance because it wasn’t added to the (national event) schedule until 2007.”

Pawuk, Pritchett, and Helms tested on Monday at zMax Dragway in order for Pawuk to re-secure his license.

“I look forward to working with Kevin and my new teammate, Leah, to build this program for DSR and make it a very successful Factory Stock team.”