Norwalk, OH – Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio is proud to have team members who are passionate about their positions, showcase their skills and focus on ensuring America’s Racetrack flourishes for generations to come.

Several of them were honored in a moving ceremony during Summit University on March 29, 2025 at EHOVE Career Center in Milan, Ohio. In addition to the Team Star Watch Program, which celebrates length of service, the event also featured inspiring speeches by Summit Motorsports Park president Bill Bader and department managers, as well as dinner. Please join us in congratulating these award recipients:

JoAnn Hastings — Nick Gollner Heart of a Lion Award

Becky Missler — Bobbie Bader Outstanding Guest Service Team Member Award Continue reading →

Norwalk, OH – Earning a championship at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio is personally rewarding, but it also pays in many ways.

In addition to cash, trophies, rings, car and driver gold cards, Cornwell Tools gift certificates, Lincoln Electric welders and other coveted rewards, champions in the adult categories of the Edelbrock Super Series receive multi-drawer flip-top tool carts from Cornwell Tools.

Edelbrock Super Pro champion Scott Sill recently chose and received a gorgeous grey tool cart.

“I was so excited to get the phone call from the trucking company that let me know my new Cornwell tool cart was 15 minutes away,” said Sill. “I jumped on my Kioti tractor and flew down the driveway to meet the driver. On the way up the driveway to my shop, my wife, Maria, was running down to help steady the box on the pallet forks. We got it in the shop, and we were so pumped to get it out of the box.”

Edelbrock Pro and Edelbrock Sportsman Delivered on Time by TFC Transportation champion Nick Hastings was able to choose two tool carts since he so sensationally doubled-up on championships. He went with one blue and one grey. Continue reading →

Norwalk, OH – Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio is proud to share that Debbe Bader will be honored with the Pat Garlits Memorial Award during the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Ceremony presented by Wynn’s on March 6, 2025 at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center in Gainesville.

Debbie, the beloved wife of the late Bill Bader Sr., has held a variety of positions at Summit Motorsports Park across the decades, each crucial to the success of the business owned and operated by the Bader family for more than 50 years.

In 2023, she stepped into Guest Advocacy and Fan Enrichment roles, where her passion and penchant for putting guests first shine.

“Debbie is led by her heart in all she does, and that means a lot to us and everyone she comes into contact with,” said Bill Bader, who is Debbie’s stepson and president of Summit Motorsports Park, and will present her at the event. “We love her, and we continue to be inspired by her. We join everyone in celebrating her being honored with this special Pat Garlits Memorial Award.” Continue reading →

Norwalk, OH – Alissa, who has been around racing for most of her life, competed in a junior dragster before moving to a full-size dragster in 2021. She earned a runner-up finish at her first event in her dragster, the TransTec Halloween Classic presented by Harland Sharp, at Summit Motorsports Park.

She previously worked for Race Winning Brands, where she held various roles in shipping, customer service, manufacturing, international sales and marketing over the course of four years.

“I have wanted to join the team at Summit Motorsports Park since I was eight years old,” said Alissa. “Whenever we came to the track, my brother and I would find Bill Bader Sr. and I would tell him I wanted to work for him, so I am really excited to dig into it this year. I love the family atmosphere, and how everyone is treated as though they are family, from the moment they walk in. I am looking forward to this experience.”

Alissa will work with like-minded team members who are passionate about Summit Motorsports Park, its racers, entertainers, guests and supporters, and who focus on ensuring an everlasting Norwalk Experience. Continue reading →

Norwalk, OH – It is expected that time spent at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio is invigorating, but for many racers, it is also inspiring.  They put their heart and soul into chasing their dream and crushing their goal, and their efforts and excellence were celebrated at the exquisite 51st Annual Edelbrock Banquet of Champions presented by Lincoln Electric, January 25, 2025 at Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio.

The ceremony began with evocative entrances by Bear Motorsports Junior Dragster presented by Wiseco Novice champion Callie Moreland and her father, Mark Moreland; Bear Motorsports Junior Dragster presented by Wiseco Intermediate champion Brayden Baehr and his father, Brian Baehr; Bear Motorsports Junior Dragster presented by Wiseco Advanced champion Megan Kassin and her father, Jack Kassin; Edelbrock Sportsman Delivered on Time by TFC Transportation champion Nick Hastings and his mother, Melissa McCandlish; Wiseco/Cycle Tech Super Bike champion Matt Short and his wife, Colleen Short; Edelbrock Pro champion Nick Hastings and his grandmother, JoAnn Hastings and Edelbrock Super Pro champion Scott Sill and his wife, Maria Sill. All of the champions had special seating reserved for them, and all gave touching and terrific speeches on stage.

The 2023 Bill Bader Sr. Sportsman of the Year, Chad Moss, also had a grand entrance with his wife, Barb Moss. Continue reading →

Norwalk, OH – Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, was named the 2024 NHRA Lucas Oil Series Track of the Year at the NHRA North Central Division Land of the Winners Championship Banquet on Jan. 11, 2025 in Carmel, Indiana.

The family-owned racing and entertainment venue has been part of the NHRA Lucas Oil Series for 18 years, and has earned its Track of the Year title 10 times.

“This is a huge honor for my team and me, and we are grateful to the NHRA Lucas Oil Series, and all of our racers, race fans and supporters,” said Bill Bader, Summit Motorsports Park president and SEMA Board of Directors member. “We are inspired to continue working hard to produce exciting and extraordinary events that appeal to men, women and children of all ages,”

Accompanying Bader at the NHRA North Central Division Land of the Winners Championship Banquet were his wife, Jayme, who is the park’s Merchandise Manager, their son, Evan, the park’s Track Manager, and his wife, Kelli, the park’s Race Director. Continue reading →

Norwalk, OH – Bracket races with big payouts are popular at tracks across the country, and among the standouts is the annual No Box Bonanza at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

No Box Bonanza 27 — The Triple $25Ks, is set for Aug. 14-17, 2025 at the Bader family facility, and it has been recreated and reconstructed for wide appeal.

Limited to 400 single entries, there is a positively plump $293,075 guaranteed total purse on the table for this bottom bulb race.

The payout is $25,000 for winners of the main event on FTI Competition Converters & Transmissions Friday, Moser Engineering Saturday and Callies Sunday, and $10,000 for runners-up of the main event Friday-Sunday.

The exciting event, designed specifically with bracket racers in mind, will feature extra enticing elements, including the Harland Sharp North American No Box Championship $5,000 Point Fund, for which racers will earn one point for each round won in the main event. Continue reading →

Norwalk, OH – There was a lot of awe-inspiring action at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, in 2024, but even more is in store for 2025. Racers will roar down track, entertainers will go to extremes, and men, women and children can experience endless amounts of spellbinding sights and sounds at the fabled family-friendly venue.

Among the offerings is the 48th Annual Cornwell Tools Night Under Fire, a sizzling signature Summit Motorsports Park event which will feature more than 60 performers and will be enhanced and better than ever, Aug. 1-2.

Racers on stage for the 19th Annual University Hospitals Cavalcade of Stars Summer Classic presented by Budweiser will see a well-thought-out Tuesday-Saturday two-race format for Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Regional and Divisional races, June 17-21, before returning to America’s Racetrack the following week for the 19th Annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals and its fascinating Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, sportsman and GETTRX Pro Stock NHRA All-Star Callout action, June 26-29. Continue reading →

Norwalk, OH – Gassers gather a lot of attention at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.  From their stance to the way they leap off the starting line, the cars take us back to the 1950s and 1960s racing scene, and are beloved by many.

With the introduction of the Inaugural Gasser Invitational as part of the 24th Annual Blue Suede Cruise presented by Cometic Gasket, July 25-27, 2025, there will be even more Gassers to eye and envy.

“We are very excited to add the Inaugural Gasser Invitational to the 24th Annual Blue Suede Cruise presented by Cometic Gasket, and we are confident that it will feature some of the finest Gassers our fans will ever see,” said Bill Bader, Summit Motorsports Park president. “Whether they have seen Gassers in action before, or will be seeing them for the first time, they are in for some big burnouts, big wheelies and a boatload of fun.” Continue reading →

Norwalk, OH – The 2nd Annual Ken Ganley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram World of Mopar presented by Edelbrock brought together a magnificent mix of classic and modern muscle cars, Sept. 19-22, 2024 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

The event, produced and presented by Summit Motorsports Park, welcomed Mopar racers and race fans from across the country for a weekend of racing, along with a Fun Field Car Show, swap meet, car corral, manufacturers’ midway, concert by Trainwreck Country Band and Bader Family Signature Fireworks.

“There was so much enthusiasm surrounding this event, and the energy could be felt from the moment racers and race fans arrived,” said Bill Bader, Summit Motorsports Park president. “It was wonderful to see so many Belvederes, Coronets, Daytonas and other Mopars in one place, and to see the camaraderie among like-minded enthusiasts. We are already looking forward to next year’s event.”

The 2nd Annual Ken Ganley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram World of Mopar presented by Edelbrock featured racing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Summit Motorsports Park thanks everyone for attending, and congratulates the winners. Here are the results: Continue reading →