The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returned to Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio for the 17th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on June 22-25. Set against the backdrop of "America’s Race Track", the jam-packed schedule included four qualifying rounds, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge during Saturday qualifying, and elimination rounds on Sunday.
Summit Motorsports Park elevates the drag racing experience to another level as the track is packed with fan-friendly amenities in a unique atmosphere. Although the legendary strip of pavement gave up some impressive times on Friday, NHRA officials had to suspend track activities due to a persistent rain shower. Nonetheless, the sights and sounds of 330-mph, 11,000-horsepower NHRA drag racing resumed Saturday morning.
Drivers welcomed the debut of a third-generation Ice Cream Scoop trophy for Bill Bader, Sr., who passed away on the last day of the 2022 Summit Racing Equipment National. Bill Bader Jr. passed out the coveted trophy along with each NHRA Wally. Once again, the Norwalk track created an unforgettable memories for nitro drivers in Top Fuel and Funny Car.
Leah Pruett Claims Top Fuel Wally for TSR
Top Fuel dragsters can be a handful even for the most experienced driver. With power plants that produce more than 11,000 horsepower, these slick vehicles can burn up to fifteen gallons of nitro per pass and are among the fastest accelerating race cars in the world. At Summit Motorsports Park, Top Fuel drivers can hit speeds over 330 mph in fewer than 3.7 seconds.
Showing more and more confidence behind the wheel of the Tony Stewart Racing Dodge Direct Connection dragster, Leah Pruett was the Number One qualifier in Top Fuel for the 17th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Norwalk. But, points leader Justin Ashley entered the weekend riding a streak of eleven straight round wins having just beaten Steve Torrence at Thunder Valley.
Ashley again eliminated Torrence as well as defending world champion Brittany Force to reach his third final in a row. Although Force was fastest over the weekend at 333.58 mph and Torrence the quickest with a 3.703 ET, Pruett worked her way past Mike Salinas and Austin Prock and then posted a 3.761 elapsed time at 326.79 mph at Norwalk to earn her 11th career Wally. Ashley maintains the points lead over Force but the win moved Pruett into to third overall.
Alexander Wins in Funny Car for Hometown Team
Funny Cars are only vaguely similar to the auto manufacturer’s showroom models and are known for their carbon-fiber bodies that are lowered by the crew chief just prior to a run. Although they have a shorter wheelbase and an engine in front, their 11,000 horsepower engines burn nitromethane and are capable of posting elapsed times and top speeds equal to NHRA’s Top Fuel dragsters.
Blake Alexander and the hometown race team of Jim Head Racing were excited about racing at America’s Race Track for NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series at Norwalk. Alexander won his first Wally at Summit Motorsports Park back in 2018, but in Top Fuel. On Sunday, Alexander defeated Tim Wilkerson, Alexis DeJoria and Number One qualifier Bob Tasca III.
TSR driver Matt Hagan eliminated Dale Creasy Jr., Robert Hight and J.R. Todd enroute to his fourth Final round of the year. Hagan was faster with a 327.90 mph pass, but Alexander’s impressive .028 reaction time and 3.935 ET secured his first ever Wally in Funny Car competition. Despite the loss, Hagan remains at the top of the Funny Car championship standings, maintaining a four-point lead over Ron Capps.
Artwork courtesy of NHRA
UP COMING:
Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals
Nitro Top Fuel and Funny Car as well as Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle racing teams will see action at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals in Morrison CO on July 14-16 for last NHRA race to held at Bandimere Speedway, which is also known as "Thunder Mountain".
