NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The fastest motorsport on the planet will sprint into the Garden State for more 10,000-horsepower, nitro-burning action at the 47th annual NHRA Summernationals, June 9-12, at storied Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. The event, which is the second of four consecutive races in June, will be a true test of strength and endurance for the world’s best drag racers and drag racing crews. 

Fierce competitors in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle will go head to head hoping to hoist the Wally in the winner’s circle following Sunday’s finals at the 10th of 24 events on the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, but that won’t happen without intense focus and determination. With a race every weekend in June, drivers and teams may not have time to blink as they pursue valuable world championship points.

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the iconic summertime event that for the first time will be televised on FOX Sports 1.

As one of the Northeast’s most revered drag racing facilities, Raceway Park has hosted its share of 300-mph history as well as every major NHRA legend imaginable during the past 47 years. Joe Amato, Kenny Bernstein, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, Shirley Muldowney, Don Prudhomme, Bob Glidden, and John Force are just a few of the marquee drivers in the sport who have celebrated victories at the tradition-rich facility, about a half-hour from New York City.

Antron Brown

Matt Hagan

Greg Anderson

Eddie Krawiec

New Jersey native Brown, who grew up in nearby Chesterfield, added his name to that list again last year, racing to his third victory in Englishtown but first in the Top Fuel category. He won the NHRA Summernationals in 2002 and 2005 in Pro Stock Motorcycle but never had reached the amount of success he achieved in the two-wheel category at the famed track as he did last year in Top Fuel. The 2015 victory over Brittany Force in front of his hometown fans was his third of the season. He went on to win four more races in his Matco Tools dragster and secured his second world championship in Top Fuel. Brown, currently second in points, will be looking to defend his title at his hometown event this year against a very tough field.

In Funny Car, Hagan outlasted Alexis DeJoria in the final round of last year’s event to earn his third victory of the season and second at Raceway Park. The two-time Funny Car world champion won four races in his Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T to finish the season fifth in points. Hagan, currently sixth, will look to improve his position with another win at the NHRA Summernationals.

In Pro Stock, Summit Racing Chevy Camaro driver Anderson sprinted past Allen Johnson in the final last year in Englishtown to earn his sixth victory at Raceway Park. He won four races in eight final rounds last year to finish second in points. Anderson has already raced to four victories this season and will be entering Englishtown with a target on his back after winning last weekend’s NHRA New England Nationals.

He won’t be the only one the rest of the Pro Stock field is gunning for, though. Anderson’s Ken Black Racing teammate Jason Line will have competition nipping at his heels as well. Line, the points leader, has tallied five victories this year and is a three-time Summernationals winner. The duo has gotten off to an impressive start in the first season of the all-new Pro Stock class.

Pro Stock Motorcycle will hit the track at Raceway Park for its fourth appearance of the 2016 season. Last year, Louisiana alligator farmer Savoie raced to his first victory of the season by defeating Jim Underdahl. Savoie rode his White Alligator Racing Suzuki to two more victories in 2015 to finish a career-high third in points. Currently fourth, Savoie will look to again jump-start his season with a win at the Summernationals.

Three-time world champion and 2012 Summernationals winner Eddie Krawiec currently has a grip on the Pro Stock Motorcycle points lead. A former track manager at Raceway Park, Krawiec raced his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to victories at the 2016 season opener in Gainesville and again in Atlanta. He also made his way to the final round in Charlotte, where he lost to his teammate, reigning world champ and two-time Englishtown winner Andrew Hines. Others in the two-wheel category hoping to race to the winner’s circle include three-time event winner Angelle Sampey, Gatornationals runner-up Hector Arana Sr., two-time world champ Matt Smith, veteran rider Steve Johnson, Chip Ellis, Michael Ray, and rookie Melissa Surber.

The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series returns to Raceway Park for its fourth of 10 races in the 2016 season. Veteran racer Troy Coughlin, of Ohio, is a two-time and reigning national champion in the class. Rickie Smith, another veteran and two-time national champ, raced to victory at the 2016 season opener in Gainesville, and Jim Whiteley earned his first victory at the most recent event in Houston.

The NHRA Summernationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where the future stars of the sport earn their racing stripes.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand how the highly skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

As part of NHRA’s ongoing celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Funny Car class, one legendary Funny Car driver will be honored during the pre-race ceremony.

Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food, and fun for the entire family.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 3:45 and 6:15 p.m. Friday, June 10, and the final two rounds of qualifying Saturday, June 11, at 1:45 and 4:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday, June 12.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, 732-446-7800, or log on to www.racewaypark.com. Kids 12 and younger will be admitted free in general-admission areas with a paid adult.