Winners Crowned at Cavalcade of Stars

Spectacular racing was in the spotlight at the 11th Annual Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser, May 19-22, 2017 at Summit Motorsports Park.

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event which went into overtime when rain rolled in on its last scheduled day also featured jet engine-powered vehicles and fireworks.

Top Alcohol Dragster driver JP Gutierrez led qualifying with a 5.42 and 261 mph hit from his MGM Grand Detroit/Children’s Center of Detroit car and won with a 5.52 at 259 mph over Brandon Greco’s 6.17 at 128 mph. The top qualified position and the win are firsts for the Michigan-based driver who’s been working his way up in the category he’s been in for five years.

“We were confident in our tune-up, our parts and our crew, and while we still have quite a learning curve ahead of us, we are happy that we are doing better,” said Gutierrez. “We consider Summit Motorsports Park our home track, and we couldn’t be happier about getting our first top qualifier and win here.”

Top Alcohol Funny Car welcomed a new driver, as three-time Top Fuel Dragster champion Larry Dixon climbed into the cockpit of Tony and Michael Bartone’s Hussey Performance Camaro-bodied car for competition. In a hot rod completely different from what he’s used to, he wheeled to a win with a 5.53 at 265 mph over Tony Bogolo’s 6.28 at 178 mph.

Competition Eliminator saw Jeff Lane and his 2010 Cobalt clock a 7.94 to claim the victory over Mike Farrell, who was 7.90 in his 1934 Chevy, and Super Stock showcased Pete D’Agnolo and his 1967 Camaro, who won with a 9.25 over John Frech, who turned in a 10.98 in his 1983 Camaro Z28.

In Stock Eliminator, Tom Russel rolled out a 10.31 in his 1998 Camaro to capture the win over TC Morris, who was 10.80 in a 2004 GTO, and in Super Comp, Rick Schneider sailed to an 8.90 in his dragster to snag the win over Davy Markle, who was 8.88.

Super Gas saw Jacob Elrod earn the win with a 9.89 in his 1992 Corvette over Janice Swan, who was 9.93 in her 1973 Opel, and in Super Street, Scott Sattler sailed to a 10.92 in his 1978 Malibu for the win over Taylor Young, who was 10.90 in a 1994 S-10.

The always-tough Top Sportsman saw Jeff Brooks and his 1951 Henry J haul to a 6.73 and oust Bill Thoman, who was 6.74 in his 1963 Corvette, and Top Dragster pitted JB Strassweg against Zach Sackman, and at the stripe, Strassweg, who was 6.18, was the victor over Sackman, who as 6.86.

“This is absolutely one of my favorite events,” said Bill Bader, Jr., Summit Motorsports Park president. “The level of competition, the fans and the fireworks make it a must-attend event each year.”

Summit Motorsports Park is at 1300 State Route 18, Norwalk, Ohio. For information, call 419-668-5555 or visit www.summitmotorsportspark.com.