NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series heads to Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park June 23-26 for the 10th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. The awesome nitro-burning machines that crank out 10,000 horsepower will thunder down the historic track in a sensory-filled show that will conclude a challenging month for NHRA teams as the circuit hits the official midpoint of the season.

Fans in the Buckeye state will get to see the best in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle compete for coveted Wally trophies at the premier drag racing facility located just west of downtown Cleveland. Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Karen Stoffer (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event. For the first time, the race will be televised nationally on FOX Sports 1.

The fan-favorite race will feature fierce competition between teams and drivers as the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will wrap up a very busy month, as June featured a race every weekend. The full stretch from May to June actually totaled six races in seven weekends, but teams will show no lack of urgency as only six races will remain after Norwalk until the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs begin. Fans at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals will get to see drivers and teams at the peak of their game as they fight to earn points and solidify their positions in the top 10 standings in their respective categories.

Doug Kalitta

Jack Beckman

Greg Anderson

Karen Stoffer

Kalitta took the Top Fuel victory at the 2015 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals by racing past Antron Brown in the final round. It marked the second victory of the season for the driver of the Mac Tools dragster. He went on to win the second to last race of the season in Las Vegas and finished the year fifth in the points standings. Kalitta has gotten off to a very impressive start this season and has wonin Houston, Atlanta and Topeka, Kan., to take control of the Top Fuel points lead and will have a good shot at defending his event title.

Brown, the reigning Top Fuel world champion, is second in points behind Kalitta and won the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in 2014 and will be determined to make his way back to the winner’s circle at the event this year. 

In Funny Car, Beckman sprinted past Courtney Force in Norwalk last year to earn his third victory of the season and second ever at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. He went on to win four more races and tally a career high seven victories. Beckman reset the national elapsed time record four times and finished second in the 2015 points standings. This year, Beckman has raced to three runner-up finishes in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T and is currently second in points behind Ron Capps.

In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson will have a good shot to win his second consecutive Norwalk title this season as he is already off to a great start in 2016 with five victories so far. Last year, Anderson pushed his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro past top rookie Drew Skillman to earn his fourth victory of the season. He finished second in the points in 2015 and is currently in the same spot now behind Summit Racing teammate Jason Line, who has scored six wins this season as the team has monopolized the Pro Stock winner board this season.

Line, the 2009 Norwalk winner, has a firm grip on the Pro Stock points standings and will hope to increase his lead as he chases his third Pro Stock championship title.

Pro Stock Motorcycle will hit the track at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park for its fifth appearance of the 2016 season. Last year, Stoffer raced to her second victory of the season and eighth of her career by outlasting Angelle Sampey in the final round at Norwalk. Currently eighth in points, Stoffer needs a victory to turn around a slow start to the season and earn critical points at the midway mark of the regular season in the two-wheel category.

Three-time world champion and 2011 Norwalk winner Eddie Krawiec currently has a grip on the Pro Stock Motorcycle points lead. Krawiec raced his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to victory at the 2016 season-opener in Gainesville and in Atlanta. He also made his way to the final round in Charlotte, but lost to his teammate, reigning world champ and four-time Englishtown winner Andrew Hines. Others in the two-wheeled category hoping to race to the winner’s circle include Gatornationals runner-up Hector Arana, two-time champ and two-time event winner Matt Smith, Englishtown winner Angelle Sampey, Louisiana alligator farmer Jerry Savoie, veteran rider Steve Johnson, Chip Ellis, Michael Ray Jr. and rookie Melissa Surber.

The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series returns for its sixth race of the 2016 season at Norwalk. Veteran racer Troy Coughlin of Ohio is a two-time and reigning world champion of the class. Rickie Smith raced to victory at the 2016 season-opener in Gainesville and in Atlanta, while Jim Whiteley won in Houston and Mike Castellana in Bristol last weekend.

The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals will also 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 pre-race ceremonies.

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 5 and 7:45 p.m. on Friday, June 24 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 25, at 12:30 and 3:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 26.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park at 419-668-5555. Tickets also are available online at www.summitmotorsportspark.com. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult.