Courtesy NHRA Communications
NORWALK, Ohio (June 16, 2023) – A sensory overload from start to finish, the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series is set to return to one of the sport’s finest facilities at the 17th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on June 22-25 at Summit Motorsports Park.
The race is the 9th of 21 events during the 2023 season, and with “America’s Racetrack” as the backdrop, fans can expect one incredible weekend in Norwalk. The weekend will include four rounds of qualifying, including nitro under the lights and a spectacular fireworks show on Friday, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on Saturday and can’t-miss eliminations on Sunday that will be featured on the FOX broadcast network.
Boasting incredible fan amenities, Summit Motorsports Park will come alive with all the sights and sounds of 330-mph, 11,000-horsepower NHRA drag racing as the top stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle aim for victories at a must-see event. Plus, the track will debut its third-generation Ice Cream Scoop trophy this weekend, a perfect pairing with a championship Wally on Sunday.
This year also marks the debut of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge in Norwalk, bringing competitive racing – as well as a bonus purse and bonus points – to Saturday qualifying. It all adds up to one of the biggest weekends of the NHRA season and one no fan should miss.
Mike Salinas (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won the 2022 event, and this year’s race be broadcast on both FOX and Fox Sports 1 (FS1), including eliminations on FOX beginning at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 25.
Top Fuel’s Salinas won for the first time in Norwalk a year ago, defeating Josh Hart in the final round. Both have enjoyed success this year, but Justin Ashley has been unmatched thus far, leading the points on the strength of four victories. He’ll look for another in Norwalk against stars like defending world champ Brittany Force, Austin Prock, Leah Pruett and Antron Brown. In the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on Saturday, Ashley will race Prock and Brown will meet veteran Doug Kalitta.
Hight’s first career Funny Car victory at Summit Motorsports Park came last year when he knocked off Bob Tasca III in the final round. Ron Capps, the back-to-back defending world champ, grabbed the points lead with his Bristol win and will take on a loaded field that includes Matt Hagan, who has three 2023 wins, Cruz Pedregon, Alexis DeJoria, Chad Green, J.R. Todd, Tim Wilkerson and John Force. In the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on Saturday, Capps will rematch Green and DeJoria takes on Hight.
In Pro Stock, Enders picked up her second straight win in Norwalk a year ago en route to her fifth world title. She struggled early this season, but dominated in Bristol, picking up her first victory of the season. Enders will look to keep rolling in Norwalk against the likes of points leader Dallas Glenn, Deric Kramer, who has advanced to four straight final rounds, Matt Hartford, Troy Coughlin Jr., Aaron Stanfield and Greg Anderson. Enders races Anderson in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on Saturday, with Kramer taking on Cristian Cuadra in the other matchup.
Gaige Herrera has dominated the Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks this year, winning the first three races of the season in the category. He fell to Steve Johnson in the finals in Bristol, while others to watch include defending world champ Matt Smith, Joey Gladstone, Angie Smith, Eddie Krawiec and Hector Arana Jr. In the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on Saturday, Herrera will take on A. Smith and Johnson will meet up with Arana Jr.
The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports and Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown. After nitro qualifying on Friday, fans can enjoy a fireworks display that has been the perfect capper to night qualifying over the years. Autographs will also take place during the weekend at the Suzuki, Dodge and Mission Foods Midway Displays.
Summit Motorsports Park also offers some of the finest camping facilities and grounds on the tour, offering fans a great way to spend their weekend at the track, enjoy a memorable atmosphere and not miss a second of the action.
Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which will help create a festive atmosphere leading into the nitro pits. The Nitro Alley Stage will be the main entertainment hub in the pits when the Camping World Drag Racing Series competitors are not on the track, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more.
Race fans Norwalk can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the Norwalk event winners.
As always, fans also get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Norwalk. This opportunity gives fans a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. Fans can visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, June 23 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 24 at 1 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 25. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 5:30 p.m. ET on Friday, 7 p.m. on Saturday, and then eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET Sunday.
To purchase tickets to the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, fans can visit www.summitmotorsportspark.com or call 419-668-5555. For more information about NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.
