Thu, Jun 17, 2021
NORWALK, Ohio – Racing returns to Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in a major way, as the thrilling 11,000-horsepower, 330-mph nitro burning machines in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series are back for the 14th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on June 24-27.
After not racing at the facility in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, excitement and anticipation is high for the seventh race during the 2021 NHRA season, and the return of the incredible action and sensory overload of NHRA drag racing. The fan-favorite facility will come alive right off the bat with a must-see qualifying session under the lights on Friday, June 25. Following a spectacular nitro session, fans can enjoy the amazing jet-powered Kenworth truck driven by Bob Motz and a thrilling fireworks show to end the night, leading into a memorable weekend of racing capped off with Sunday’s eliminations.
The race kicks off what is sure to will be an exciting summer of NHRA thrills, as the top stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle look to grab the victory. Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Chris McGaha (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were winners of the 2019 event. This year’s race will be televised on FOX Sports 1 and FOX, including live final eliminations coverage starting at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on FOX on Sunday, June 27.
Torrence is the only active driver in Top Fuel with more than one win at the track, picking up victories at two of the past three races in Norwalk. He’s also been the top driver in the class the past three seasons, winning the world title each year, and he’s the current points leader through six events. He’ll be among the favorites in Norwalk and has three wins this year, but Torrence won’t have it easy. He’ll race against top-notch stars like his father, Billy, who won in Epping, Antron Brown, Doug Kalitta, Shawn Langdon, Gainesville winner Josh Hart, Leah Pruett, Brittany Force, Justin Ashley and Clay Millican.
Tasca picked up a memorable Funny Car win in Norwalk in 2019 and he’ll try to keep his standout 2021 season going. He’s won two races this year and is the current points leader, and Tasca will look to become the only active driver in the class with more than one victory at the track. It would also be the first time Tasca has picked up three wins in a season. But there’s a number of top standouts around him, including John Force, who has won two of the past three events this year, 2018 winner and defending world champ Matt Hagan, 2016 race winner Ron Capps, Houston winner Robert Hight, Tim Wilkerson, J.R. Todd, Alexis DeJoria and Cruz Pedregon.
Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park has been a great place for Pro Stock veteran Greg Anderson, but McGaha is the most recent winner, and he’ll look to pick up his first victory of the year. Anderson has started 2021 strong, winning two races and holding a commanding points lead. He’s also won three times in Norwalk, while no other active driver has more than one. But Anderson will face off against a number of top competitors, including defending world champ Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield, who won last weekend in Epping, rookie Dallas Glenn, Mason McGaha, Kyle Koretsky, Troy Coughlin Jr. and Deric Kramer.
It will be the first Pro Stock Motorcycle race in more than a month when the star riders in the two-wheeled category visit Norwalk. Hines has ruled the track throughout his standout career, earning five victories, including the most recent event in 2019. He’s looking for his first win of the year and will compete against the likes of Charlotte winner Steve Johnson, defending world champion Matt Smith, who is the current points leader, Eddie Krawiec, Atlanta winner Scotty Pollacheck, Karen Stoffer, Angie Smith, Ryan Oehler, Cory Reed and Angelle Sampey.
The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service makes its fourth appearance of the 2021 season in Norwalk. Khalid alBalooshi is the defending event winner. The event also features thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, showcasing the future stars of the sport, as well as the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown class.
The event includes a special display and exhibition passes from the popular ScottRods AA/Gassers and Nostalgia Pro Stock Association as well. The cars will make a number of runs during the weekend and will also be displayed on the midway.
As always, fans are granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity gives fans a chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 25 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 26, at 12:15 and 4:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 27. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, and then live eliminations action on FOX at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, visit www.summitmotorsportspark.com. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. A select number of camping spots are also available for purchase. The track has more than 900 camping spots for the weekend and only a very limited number remain for the race. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
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