[coverattach=1]Norwalk, Ohio – The 32nd annual NAPA Night Under Fire presented by Amalie Motor Oil is underway at Summit Motorsports Park today, and it is on pace to be possibly the largest Night Under Fire ever. Reserved tickets will likely be sold out by mid-afternoon and standing room-only tickets are already going quickly.
Fans and racers have near-perfect weather to enjoy the race and qualifying started on schedule at 9:00 am this morning under cloudless skies. We’re expecting a high of 83 degrees and 81% humidity.
Although the evening officially kicks off with Night Under Fire opening ceremonies at 6:00 pm, fans arriving early will get a special treat. Today is an official test day under NHRA rules so the Funny Car teams here are planning to take advantage and get some test runs in this afternoon.
Tonight’s competition features 300-mph NHRA Funny Car drivers, including John Force with teammate and brother-in-law Robert Hight; 2006 and 2007 NAPA Night Under Fire champion Tony Pedregon with his teammate and brother Cruz; 2008 NAPA Night Under Fire Champion Dan Wilkerson with his teammate and father Tim; Columbus native Jim Head; and Jeff Arend. Four jet dragsters will face each other in an unusual man vs. woman competition, with Elaine Larsen and Jill Canuso facing Lou Pereira and Ernie Bogue. Two wheelstanders will entertain the crowd: Ken Nelson’s Cool Bus and Bob Hall’s Paddy Wagon. And of course, capping the evening will be Bob Motz in his jet-powered semi truck.
The pits are full of speculation whether Motz will once again burn down the massive 50 foot-wide back wall sign promoting B’laster, Summit Racing, Budweiser and Amalie Motor Oil. In previous years, the flames from Motz’ jet truck famously burned the sign causing $50,000 in damage.
There are 821 sportsman racers entered from as far away as Texas, Maryland and North Carolina, making the Night Under Fire one of the largest sportsman races in the country. Dale Gaus, a racer in Super Pro from Diamond, Ohio, calls the NAPA Night Under Fire a “summertime Halloween Classic,” referring to another Summit Motorsports Park event known for large sportsman racer fields. “Anyone in drag racing has to be here at the Night Under Fire,” echoed his brother and crew chief Bruce, who also looks forward to watching the nitromethane-burning Funny Cars. “You have to love watching the nitro cars!” Although both brothers have been to the NAPA Night Under Fire 17 straight times, this is only their second as competitors.
“The Night Under Fire is a yearly event we never miss,” said Super Pro racer John Kellogg from Nevada, Ohio. “It’s pretty spectacular and we bring the whole family.” Kellogg’s children Shannon, Shaun, Jake and Seth, and wife Deb, all made the trip to the NAPA Night Under Fire, their eleventh one.
Randy Davis made the three hour trip from South Vienna, Ohio to compete. “It’s a long night, but lots of fun. We race at the Night Under Fire because more people can come out to watch us race, and we bring the family, too.”
‘Family’ was a key theme at last year’s NAPA Night Under Fire, when the first round of Funny Car competition had Ashley Force facing her father John, and Dan Wilkerson facing his father Tim. At the time the elder Wilkerson was the NHRA points leader and came into Norwalk, Ohio as one of the favorites. Both kids won to set up an “all-kids” Funny Car final round. Dan Wilkerson prevailed to become the 2008 NAPA Night Under Fire Funny Car champion.
One of tonight’s special events will be during opening ceremonies at 6:00 pm when John Force unveils his new “Night Stalker” Funny Car for the first time. It is a replica of his first Funny Car from 1973. Limited edition 1:24 scale die cast replicas of the Night Stalker went on sale earlier this year and only a few of the original run of 1,600 remain. Force will race the Night Stalker only at the Night Under Fire, then it will be retired forever.
Force is appearing with his brother, “Diesel” Louie Force, who was with him in 1973 when the Night Stalker made its first, and last, appearance, at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, California. The Night Stalker had an unorthodox chain drive that failed, showering the track with chain links and fiberglass. Unfortunately, Irwindale chief starter Larry Sutton encountered some of those links and promptly threw John, Louie and the Night Stalker out of the track. John Force, of course, was not deterred and went on to eventually win 14 NHRA Full Throttle Championships and 126 event victories.
When professional racing is over for the evening fans will be treated to a $100,000 fireworks display choreographed to music. That is followed in turn with the B’laster Post Show concert featuring recording artists Brother Trouble, a country band picked last year by country star Kenny Chesney in his “Next Big Star” talent competition.
TICKETS: Adult Standing Room Only $35, Children Standing Room Only $10. Limited quantities of reserved seats are only available on-site through Guest Services and are on a first-come basis only.
SCHEDULE: 3:00-4:00 pm Autograph party; 6:00 pm Opening Ceremonies; 7:00 pm Professional Racing; Fireworks and concert after professional racing is finished, approximately 9:00 pm. Schedule subject to change.
Fans and racers have near-perfect weather to enjoy the race and qualifying started on schedule at 9:00 am this morning under cloudless skies. We’re expecting a high of 83 degrees and 81% humidity.
Although the evening officially kicks off with Night Under Fire opening ceremonies at 6:00 pm, fans arriving early will get a special treat. Today is an official test day under NHRA rules so the Funny Car teams here are planning to take advantage and get some test runs in this afternoon.
Tonight’s competition features 300-mph NHRA Funny Car drivers, including John Force with teammate and brother-in-law Robert Hight; 2006 and 2007 NAPA Night Under Fire champion Tony Pedregon with his teammate and brother Cruz; 2008 NAPA Night Under Fire Champion Dan Wilkerson with his teammate and father Tim; Columbus native Jim Head; and Jeff Arend. Four jet dragsters will face each other in an unusual man vs. woman competition, with Elaine Larsen and Jill Canuso facing Lou Pereira and Ernie Bogue. Two wheelstanders will entertain the crowd: Ken Nelson’s Cool Bus and Bob Hall’s Paddy Wagon. And of course, capping the evening will be Bob Motz in his jet-powered semi truck.
The pits are full of speculation whether Motz will once again burn down the massive 50 foot-wide back wall sign promoting B’laster, Summit Racing, Budweiser and Amalie Motor Oil. In previous years, the flames from Motz’ jet truck famously burned the sign causing $50,000 in damage.
There are 821 sportsman racers entered from as far away as Texas, Maryland and North Carolina, making the Night Under Fire one of the largest sportsman races in the country. Dale Gaus, a racer in Super Pro from Diamond, Ohio, calls the NAPA Night Under Fire a “summertime Halloween Classic,” referring to another Summit Motorsports Park event known for large sportsman racer fields. “Anyone in drag racing has to be here at the Night Under Fire,” echoed his brother and crew chief Bruce, who also looks forward to watching the nitromethane-burning Funny Cars. “You have to love watching the nitro cars!” Although both brothers have been to the NAPA Night Under Fire 17 straight times, this is only their second as competitors.
“The Night Under Fire is a yearly event we never miss,” said Super Pro racer John Kellogg from Nevada, Ohio. “It’s pretty spectacular and we bring the whole family.” Kellogg’s children Shannon, Shaun, Jake and Seth, and wife Deb, all made the trip to the NAPA Night Under Fire, their eleventh one.
Randy Davis made the three hour trip from South Vienna, Ohio to compete. “It’s a long night, but lots of fun. We race at the Night Under Fire because more people can come out to watch us race, and we bring the family, too.”
‘Family’ was a key theme at last year’s NAPA Night Under Fire, when the first round of Funny Car competition had Ashley Force facing her father John, and Dan Wilkerson facing his father Tim. At the time the elder Wilkerson was the NHRA points leader and came into Norwalk, Ohio as one of the favorites. Both kids won to set up an “all-kids” Funny Car final round. Dan Wilkerson prevailed to become the 2008 NAPA Night Under Fire Funny Car champion.
One of tonight’s special events will be during opening ceremonies at 6:00 pm when John Force unveils his new “Night Stalker” Funny Car for the first time. It is a replica of his first Funny Car from 1973. Limited edition 1:24 scale die cast replicas of the Night Stalker went on sale earlier this year and only a few of the original run of 1,600 remain. Force will race the Night Stalker only at the Night Under Fire, then it will be retired forever.
Force is appearing with his brother, “Diesel” Louie Force, who was with him in 1973 when the Night Stalker made its first, and last, appearance, at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, California. The Night Stalker had an unorthodox chain drive that failed, showering the track with chain links and fiberglass. Unfortunately, Irwindale chief starter Larry Sutton encountered some of those links and promptly threw John, Louie and the Night Stalker out of the track. John Force, of course, was not deterred and went on to eventually win 14 NHRA Full Throttle Championships and 126 event victories.
When professional racing is over for the evening fans will be treated to a $100,000 fireworks display choreographed to music. That is followed in turn with the B’laster Post Show concert featuring recording artists Brother Trouble, a country band picked last year by country star Kenny Chesney in his “Next Big Star” talent competition.
TICKETS: Adult Standing Room Only $35, Children Standing Room Only $10. Limited quantities of reserved seats are only available on-site through Guest Services and are on a first-come basis only.
SCHEDULE: 3:00-4:00 pm Autograph party; 6:00 pm Opening Ceremonies; 7:00 pm Professional Racing; Fireworks and concert after professional racing is finished, approximately 9:00 pm. Schedule subject to change.
