{"id":31128,"date":"2026-03-02T11:35:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T16:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/?p=31128"},"modified":"2026-03-02T11:40:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T16:40:08","slug":"pawuk-to-debut-new-dodge-charger-drag-pak-as-nhra-gatornationals-launch-75th-anniversary-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/pawuk-to-debut-new-dodge-charger-drag-pak-as-nhra-gatornationals-launch-75th-anniversary-season\/","title":{"rendered":"PAWUK TO DEBUT NEW DODGE CHARGER DRAG PAK AS NHRA GATORNATIONALS LAUNCH 75TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"31128\" class=\"elementor elementor-31128\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec2bce1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ec2bce1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7349f67 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7349f67\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a1a930c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a1a930c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3M4aSOj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"99\" src=\"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/202511_AP65901_PEAK_WYPYW-Display-banners-1456X180-A-copy-2-1024x127.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-29285\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/202511_AP65901_PEAK_WYPYW-Display-banners-1456X180-A-copy-2-1024x127.png 1024w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/202511_AP65901_PEAK_WYPYW-Display-banners-1456X180-A-copy-2-300x37.png 300w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/202511_AP65901_PEAK_WYPYW-Display-banners-1456X180-A-copy-2-768x95.png 768w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/202511_AP65901_PEAK_WYPYW-Display-banners-1456X180-A-copy-2.png 1456w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6ed8d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"e6ed8d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09a6e58 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"09a6e58\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-097bd72 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"097bd72\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"99\" data-end=\"290\">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.<\/p><p data-start=\"292\" data-end=\"408\">The purpose-built, race-only Charger makes its official competition debut as NHRA opens its 75th anniversary season.<\/p><p data-start=\"410\" data-end=\"598\">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.<\/p><p data-start=\"600\" data-end=\"757\">Unveiled last year at the Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals, the new Drag Pak represents Dodge\u2019s latest factory-backed entry in Factory Stock Showdown competition.<\/p><p data-start=\"759\" data-end=\"840\">Only 50 serialized units of the Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak will be produced.<\/p><p data-start=\"842\" data-end=\"965\">Each of the 50 cars is NHRA-approved for Factory Stock Showdown competition and engineered for grassroots Sportsman racers.<\/p><p data-start=\"967\" data-end=\"1063\">The Drag Pak also signals the return of the Street and Racing Technology Performance division.<\/p><p data-start=\"1065\" data-end=\"1297\">The SRT division oversees high-performance models, Direct Connection performance parts and Dodge\u2019s American motorsports initiatives, including NHRA competition and the Ram brand\u2019s return to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2026.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a118ae9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a118ae9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e5f0e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4e5f0e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/Mark-Pawuk-2025-FSS-World-Champion-1024x682.jpg.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-31134\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/Mark-Pawuk-2025-FSS-World-Champion-1024x682.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/Mark-Pawuk-2025-FSS-World-Champion-300x200.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/Mark-Pawuk-2025-FSS-World-Champion-768x511.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/Mark-Pawuk-2025-FSS-World-Champion-1536x1023.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/Mark-Pawuk-2025-FSS-World-Champion-2048x1364.jpg.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b6f9d4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5b6f9d4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36e3290 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"36e3290\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99b38d3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"99b38d3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1128af e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d1128af\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-841a699 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"841a699\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3DOA870\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/400x500-Ad-copy.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9056\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/400x500-Ad-copy.jpg 400w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/400x500-Ad-copy-240x300.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83ab47a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"83ab47a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/41pUJbx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Hawley_NextStep_400x500_v2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-7362\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Hawley_NextStep_400x500_v2.jpg 400w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Hawley_NextStep_400x500_v2-240x300.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8274b1f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8274b1f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2eb540 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f2eb540\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"1304\" data-end=\"1401\">Pawuk, of Richfield, Ohio, has long been one of Dodge\u2019s most visible Factory Stock competitors.<\/p><p data-start=\"1403\" data-end=\"1555\">He drove his Empaco Equipment Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak to consecutive championships in 2024 and 2025, collecting four victories during that span.<\/p><p data-start=\"1557\" data-end=\"1678\">His 2025 title run included wins at Bristol and Norwalk, along with a runner-up finish and three semifinal appearances.<\/p><p data-start=\"1680\" data-end=\"1797\">Consistency defined that championship campaign, and Pawuk now turns his focus to developing the new Charger platform.<\/p><p data-start=\"1799\" data-end=\"1921\">Testing in Florida provided early data, but Pawuk acknowledged the car will require refinement as the season progresses.<\/p><p data-start=\"1923\" data-end=\"2028\">Even so, he said the opportunity to debut the new Charger at the Gatornationals carries personal meaning.<\/p><p data-start=\"2030\" data-end=\"2732\">\u201cI began my racing career in the 1970s with Dodge and Plymouth, and I\u2019ll be wrapping up my career with Dodge and their outstanding Drag Pak car in the future,\u201d said Pawuk, a former NHRA Pro Stock racer. \u201cIt\u2019s 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\u2019s NHRA\u2019s 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\u2019s possible with the new Drag Pak.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4e6ecf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c4e6ecf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d91ec0e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d91ec0e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/2026-Dodge-Chargers-Drag-Pak-debut-at-Las-Vegas-1024x553.jpg.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-31131\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/2026-Dodge-Chargers-Drag-Pak-debut-at-Las-Vegas-1024x553.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/2026-Dodge-Chargers-Drag-Pak-debut-at-Las-Vegas-300x162.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/2026-Dodge-Chargers-Drag-Pak-debut-at-Las-Vegas-768x414.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/2026-Dodge-Chargers-Drag-Pak-debut-at-Las-Vegas-1536x829.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/2026-Dodge-Chargers-Drag-Pak-debut-at-Las-Vegas-2048x1105.jpg.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb39d55 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bb39d55\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-acffacf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"acffacf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"2739\" data-end=\"2838\">Pawuk\u2019s back-to-back championships reshaped the final chapter of a career that began decades ago.<\/p><p data-start=\"2840\" data-end=\"2949\">He admitted the first title fulfilled a lifelong ambition, while the second reinforced his competitive drive.<\/p><p data-start=\"2951\" data-end=\"3289\">\u201cIn 2024, winning my first championship, it was a dream I\u2019ve had all my life. I really can\u2019t believe it happened again in 2025. After the first one, my wife, Bonnie, suggested it might be time to retire. But I said, \u2018What 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.\u201d<\/p><p data-start=\"3291\" data-end=\"3397\">Beyond Pawuk\u2019s debut, Dodge\u2019s presence at Gainesville extends beyond Factory Stock Showdown competition.<\/p><p data-start=\"3399\" data-end=\"3522\">The Gatornationals weekend will also feature exhibition \u201cLegends\u201d races in production-based Dodge Charger Scat Pack models.<\/p><p data-start=\"3524\" data-end=\"3685\">Four Hall of Fame-caliber drivers \u2014 Don Garlits, Joe Amato, Kenny Bernstein and Warren Johnson \u2014 are scheduled to compete in special 75th anniversary matchups.<\/p><p data-start=\"3687\" data-end=\"3789\">Round one is set for Friday at 2:20 p.m. EST, with the final round scheduled for Saturday at noon EST.<\/p><p data-start=\"3791\" data-end=\"3885\">The exhibition cars are 550-horsepower, SIXPACK-powered 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack models.<\/p><p data-start=\"3887\" data-end=\"3990\">The appearances celebrate NHRA\u2019s milestone season while highlighting Dodge\u2019s new performance offerings.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40c2440 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"40c2440\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af96d67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"af96d67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><iframe width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qyIUco2gpRE?si=ZPcE6VK62Tz31x8L\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42a5ec5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"42a5ec5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-713938a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"713938a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/Dodge-Charger-Thrill-Rides-1-1024x453.jpg.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-31133\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/Dodge-Charger-Thrill-Rides-1-1024x453.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/Dodge-Charger-Thrill-Rides-1-300x133.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/Dodge-Charger-Thrill-Rides-1-768x340.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/03\/Dodge-Charger-Thrill-Rides-1.jpg.webp 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-061951c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"061951c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82efca7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"82efca7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"3997\" data-end=\"4083\">Dodge will also introduce Thrill Rides at an NHRA national event for the first time.<\/p><p data-start=\"4085\" data-end=\"4247\">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.<\/p><p data-start=\"4249\" data-end=\"4304\">The rides will run daily throughout the race weekend.<\/p><p data-start=\"4306\" data-end=\"4523\">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.<\/p><p data-start=\"4525\" data-end=\"4635\">In the NHRA nitro categories, Dodge-backed Tony Stewart Racing will unveil new red, white and blue liveries.<\/p><p data-start=\"4637\" data-end=\"4781\">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.<\/p><p data-start=\"4783\" data-end=\"4910\">Qualifying for the Gatornationals opens Friday at 2:30 p.m. EST, with final eliminations scheduled for Sunday at 10 a.m. EDT.<\/p><p data-start=\"4912\" data-end=\"5028\">For Pawuk, however, the spotlight remains fixed on the Charger Drag Pak\u2019s first official laps under race conditions.<\/p><p data-start=\"5030\" data-end=\"5093\">He sees the debut as both a continuation and a new beginning.<\/p><p data-start=\"5095\" data-end=\"5188\">Now chasing a third consecutive title, Pawuk believes the new platform can carry him forward.<\/p><p data-start=\"5190\" data-end=\"5263\">\u201cI have to go for a three-peat with new HEMI-powered Charger Drag Pak.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div 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allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":31132,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[4135,4133,4134,4137,4144,4139,623,487,760,4136,4141,4142,3416,4132,368,705,357,618,625,621,1777,620,626,4143,624,622,4138,878,619,4140],"class_list":["post-31128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news","tag-direct-connection-dodge","tag-dodge-charger-drag-pak","tag-dodge-hustle-stuff-drag-pak","tag-dodge-srt-performance","tag-dodge-thrill-rides","tag-don-garlits-legends-race","tag-drag-racing-live-coverage","tag-factory-stock-showdown","tag-gainesville-raceway","tag-hemi-drag-pak","tag-joe-amato-drag-racing","tag-kenny-bernstein-funny-car","tag-leah-pruett-top-fuel","tag-mark-pawuk","tag-matt-hagan-funny-car","tag-nhra-75th-anniversary","tag-nhra-countdown-to-the-championship","tag-nhra-drag-racing-news-2025","tag-nhra-driver-interviews","tag-nhra-event-final-highlights","tag-nhra-gatornationals-2026","tag-nhra-qualifying-recap","tag-nhra-race-weekend-recap","tag-nhra-season-opener-2026","tag-nitro-funny-car-qualifying","tag-pro-stock-championship-standings","tag-sixpack-charger-scat-pack","tag-tony-stewart-racing-nhra","tag-top-fuel-and-funny-car-results","tag-warren-johnson-nhra"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31128","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31128"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31128\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/competitionplus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}