Racing under unseasonably cool temperatures and prime horsepower-making atmospheric conditions at the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals, Don Schumacher Racing’s stable of Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Paks decimated the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Series national E.T. and speed records. Following a stunning 7.669 by teammate Warren Welcher earlier in the lone qualifying session, Mark Pawuk drove his Empaco Equipment Dodge to a blistering 7.608-second pass at 183.15-mph to earn the pole position for the third time in his FSS career.

Securing the No. 1 spot was no small feat, as the top eight qualifiers all posted E.T.s that were quicker than the previously-held national record of 7.71. In all, five cars entered the 7.60s in qualifying, including Pawuk, Welcher, the Mustangs of Tripp Carter and Bill Skillman, and Aaron Stanfield’s COPO Camaro.

Pawuk’s No. 1 qualifier was the fifth for the Kevin Helms/A.J. Berge-led DSR Factory Stock program.

“What a great way to kick-off the 2022 season,” said Pawuk, whose career-best finish was third in 2020. “We worked really hard this winter to get everything ready to put together a solid campaign, and it paid off. A.J. Berge, Kevin Helms, and the guys have been hard at work testing and trying some new components. I was blown away by how fast we ran today. We made a perfect run, and we’re going to try and carry this No. 1 qualified Empaco Equipment/Ohio CAT/Mr. Heater Dodge Drag Pak into the later rounds tomorrow. The car is running well, and hopefully, the driver can do his job.

“What a great start by our whole team to have all three cars in the show, and I’m excited for our new teammate, Warren Walcher, to have such a strong debut with our team. I’m looking forward to race day and the rest of the season.”

Pawuk bowed out in the second round of eliminations on a foul start to David Barton, but clocked the second quickest E.T. of raceday in the loss at 7.655-seconds.