There are three things in life you can count on: death, taxes, and that anytime you attend an event at the Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, you’re going to see one heck of a show — courtesy of Bill Bader Jr. and his team. Norwalk is home to some of the biggest events in the country, and the 8^th Annual Mickey Mart Rewards Cavalcade of Stars didn’t disappoint. The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series sportsman racers were the stars of the show, and with Nitro Harley’s, jet cars, and outlaw drag radial racing, Bader and company packed the place again for an NHRA divisional.

This year’s Cavalcade of Stars started out with some great air and track conditions that were courtesy of SMP’s Kurt Johnson and his team, but mother-nature had other plans. Friday night’s qualifying was cut short due to weather issues, and Saturday wasn’t much better, with rain ultimately wiping the entire day out. But on Sunday the weather broke and racing got underway due to the heroic efforts of the track staff.  

“I’d really like to thank all the racers and fans that came out,” said Johnson. “As well, I have to thank our staff, because there are few places that could pull off what we pulled off this weekend. We had several inches of rain prior to the race so we had to park on the fly, as we have no place to stack the haulers.” 

When the racing did start the crowds at Norwalk were treated to a great show. The racing was very tight and everybody was bringing their A-Game to the track. Top Alcohol Dragster saw Jeff Veale blister the track with a new track speed record (275.96) followed by Top Fuel Harley racer Tommy Grimes doing the same on two wheels (231.68). Mix in the always unpredictable outlaw drag radial racers, crazy Pro Stock Snowmobiles, wheels-up action of some Gassers, Stockers, and Super Stockers, and the flame show provided by Bob Motz and his jet semi, and you get an experience only the summit Motorsports Park can provide. 

Bill Bader Jr put it best: “I couldn’t have been prouder of how hard our team fought to deliver a show for all our guests (racers and fans). There was no quit in anyone! Like I always say, no excuses – do the work!”   

Official press release with results from the NHRA