It was a sensory overload from start to finish as the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returned to one of drag racing’s finest facilities for the 17th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals over the weekend at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
The event hosted by Summit Motorsports Park was the ninth of twenty-one events scheduled for the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series during the 2023 Championship. Often called America’s Racetrack, the Norwalk facility offers racing fans a special atmosphere for watching the sport’s top drivers.
Although Summit Motorsports Park is well known for its incredible fan amenities, winning drivers in the four NHRA nitro classes and Pro Stock classes received a Norwalk Ice Cream Scoop trophy, as a perfect complement to their Wally. The trophies were awarded to honor longtime host Bill Bader Sr., who passed away on the last day of the event in 2022.
Matt Hartford Tops Pro Stock at Summit Nationals
Powered by engines with 500 or fewer cubic-inches, Pro Stock machines use state-of-the-art racing technology to produce more than 1,300 horsepower at speed exceeding 210 mph. Though these doorslammers may bear a resemblance to production-based models, but they are actually built with a high-tech tube chassis and four-link rear suspension.
Matt Hartford paced himself all weekend to stay near the top of the Pro Stock category. In Sunday’s elimination rounds, Hartford beat Fernando Cuadra, Deric Kramer and Aaron Stanfield to reach the Final. Pro Stock points leader Dallas Glenn eliminated Bo Butner, world champ Erica Enders and Troy Coughlin Jr. for a matchup with Hartford.
Driving the Rottler/GETTRX/Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro, Matt Hartford picked up a Wally for his sixth straight season with a pass of 6.624 ET at 207.02 mph to defeat Dallas Glenn. Hartford was the Number One qualifier and knocked off Fernando Cuadra, Deric Kramer (winner of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge), and Aaron Stanfield to reach the Final.
Hector Arana Jr Earns a Wally and the Norwalk Scoop
Pro Stock Motorcycle features stealth looking bikes with tube chassis and lightweight bodywork. Talented riders can cover the track in 6.8 seconds at 200 mph using V-Twin entries (e.g. - Harley-Davidson, Victory, EBR, and Buell power plants) and inline four-cylinder (e.g. - Suzuki and Kawasaki engines).
Steve Johnson was riding a high from Thunder Mountain and made it consecutive trips to the PSM Finals. He posted wins over Chase Van Sant, Eddie Krawiec and Jianna Evaristo enroute to the NHRA Final. Hector Arana Jr. beat Wesley Wells, Angie Smith and defending PSM world champion Matt Smith to stamp his ticket for the final round.
At Bristol, Johnson was the first rider to upend Gaige Herrera and claim a PSM win for 2023. But, Arana Jr. stayed consistent at the Norwalk track and ended the weekend with his first Pro Stock Motorcycle victory of the season, going 6.821 ET at 199.82 mph in the final round aboad his GETTRX Suzuki to outpace Johnson. Arana Jr. also received his ICE CREAM SCOOP trophy from Bill Bader, Jr.
Artwork courtesy of NHRA
UP COMING:
Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals
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 be held at Bandimere Speedway, also known as "Thunder Mountain".
