GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The 2026 Flexjet Manufacturing unit Inventory Showdown Sequence will rev up March 5-8 at Gainesville Raceway, with two-time world champ Mark Pawuk trying to maintain off a bunch of challengers.
Pawuk, the 2024 Gatornationals winner, will strap into the all-new, Hemi-powered 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak by Direct Connection and can face a few of the hardest competitors from Ford Cobra Jets and Chevrolet COPO Camaros in on-track motion over a nine-race coast to coast schedule.
The Flexjet Manufacturing unit Inventory Showdown Sequence will likely be one of many many spotlight lessons at Gainesville Raceway because the NHRA celebrates its Seventy fifth anniversary because the premiere drag racing sanctioning physique on this planet.
“I began racing within the Nineteen Seventies with Dodge and Plymouth, and I’ll end my profession with Dodge,” Pawuk stated. “Debuting the brand new Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak in the course of the NHRA’s Seventy fifth anniversary is particular. We see great potential. It’ll take time to develop—however I need to win a kind of Seventy fifth-season Wallys, and I imagine this automobile can do it.”
Pawuk’s return follows a dominant two-year run within the Empaco Gear Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak, the place he claimed back-to-back championships in 2024–2025 with victories at Bristol and Norwalk, plus a number of semifinal finishes. After a number of profitable check classes in Florida, the veteran from Richfield, Ohio, now units his sights on a historic three-peat—this time in a completely new platform.
“Did I believe I’d get two world championships? No,” stated Pawuk. “Now I’m going to strive for 3, and all I can do is hope and pray that all the things goes our manner. We’ve a variety of robust competitors on the market once more.”
Seeking to cease Pawuk’s reign as world champion will likely be perennial championship contenders Scott Libersher and Lee Hartman. Libersher and his Chevrolet COPO Camaro are desirous to get again on monitor and begin a brand new season. The joy degree will not be misplaced on the veteran driver from Wilmington, Unwell., who has been battling with Pawuk for years.
“Dodge has received some stuff occurring so I’m sort of to see what’s occurring with the competitors,” stated Libersher. “We did some engine work with a bit R&D with Barton Racing and we received a bit extra horsepower for this Chevy. That is the primary time I’ll be within the race automobile this yr, and I believe it’s simply sort of like opening day with baseball. I like seeing what everyone’s doing and it’s the entire vibe.”
For Hartman he’ll deliver his aggressive Dodge Challenger Drag Pak to the Gatornationals on the lookout for his first profession win within the Flexjet Manufacturing unit Inventory Showdown Sequence. He raced to a number of ultimate rounds final season however the driver from Canfield, Ohio will likely be trying to break by means of in 2026. His first alternative for victory will likely be this weekend.
“After trying on the Climate Channel, it appears like we’re gonna have an incredible week,” stated Hartman. “I imagine that the primary race is go time, proper? Once we completed the final race at St. Louis, as quickly as we crossed the end line, we began enthusiastic about this season. ‘What can we do higher?’ We spent all winter reviewing what we did prior to now at each location, each race. We checked out what labored and what didn’t work. The Gatornationals would be the first likelihood to see all that arduous work repay.”
“Profitable the Gatornationals could be superior, however there’s some loaded weapons coming this yr. My son’s one in every of them, so he’s not going to be laying down evenly for dad or anybody else. Aaron and Greg Stanfield have been working with him. We need to have a variety of success this yr,” added Hartman.
