Emotions Run High at Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk

Photos Courtesy of NHRA Media

Emotions definitely ran high at this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. Beginning with the Top Fuel series where both fans and competing drivers where once again witness to the dominating force of Torrence Racing. While the elder member of this racing family would race his way to victory at New England Dragway, it was the son who would once again put a stranglehold on the famed dragway in Norwalk, OH. After slipping past Brittany Force in a memorable side-by-side duel in Sunday’s final round, Steve Torrence would once again race to victory at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals for the third time in the past four events. While the expected victor would be back on top in one division, this weekend’s Funny Car Series winner would leave everyone shocked. On the strength of a holeshot victory in the final round of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Funny Car veteran Cruz Pedregon picked up his first win in more than three years. The current Pro Stock World Champion was also shocked after overcoming struggling through an up-and-down season to spoil Greg Anderson’s attempt at making history on Sunday. While Enders would stop history from being made in the Pro Stock Series, the Pro Stock Motorcycle Series would give another competitor to leave his name permanently written in the history books. After breaking Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park’s track E.T. record Matt Smith stopped Steve Johnson’s attempt to take home the win during Sunday’s final round.

Top Fuel

After watching his father Billy Torrence take home the victory in New England recently, Steve Torrence was not about to let his domination go at the track where he has now raced to three victories in four events. Before earning his latest Wally, the current Top Fuel points leader and three-time defending world champ reached the final round for the fifth time in seven races after taking down Shawn Langdon, Leah Pruett in a wild second-round that was momentarily interrupted by rain just before they ran and then Austin Prock in the semifinals.

Much like his father, Torrence would also line up against a member of the Force family during Sunday’s final round. While Brittany Force put up one heck of a fight, Torrence’s .058 reaction time and a run of 3.736-seconds at 313.88 mph was just enough to keep her from stopping the king of Top Fuel from putting yet another jewel in his crown.

“These wins really mean a lot,” said Torrence, who now has 44 career wins. “Those Capco boys, they have done a great job and I am so proud and honored to be in the position that I am in. To be part of this, it is humbling. This car is unreal right now and Bobby Lagana and Richard Hogan have made this all possible.”

Funny Car

While Torrence raced to yet another victory at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, racing at this historical track in Norwalk, OH would give another driver his first win in three years. It has been a tough few years for NHRA racing veteran Cruz Pedregon, who was definitely one of the most emotional drivers following Sunday’s final rounds. Before reaching his first final round in three years, Pedregon would have to assure victories against Tim Wilkerson, Robert Hight and Alexis DeJoria. The most impressive of these wins was against Hight who Pedregon took down with a 3.959-second pass. A round later, Pedregon’s 3.947-second pass carried him past DeJoria’s 3.941 thanks to a small holeshot. Having the starting-line advantage in Sunday’s final round also gave Pedregon just what he needed to power past Tasca by just over a foot at the finish line.

“This win will keep me drag racing,” Pedregon said while holding back tears. “Lately I have felt like I was kind of holding my team back, but I dug deep and worked my way into winning again. It feels good to be back at it. This win means I am as good as the car, and I know we have a good car, so I think I can be there for the car as well.”

Thanks to this victory Pedregon has also raced his way to seventh in the points standings as the series heads to Bandimere Speedway.

Pro Stock

Pedregon was not the only driver to break a dry spell on Sunday. After struggling through an up-and-down season, Enders and her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports team came to life when it counted this weekend. Sunday marked the second final for Enders in 2021 and 57th in her career, and she did not get there without victories against Cristian Cuadra, Elite Motorsports teammate Bruno Massel, and Kyle Koretsky. Although her Elite Motorsports ride wasn’t the most impressive, it was efficient, and this is exactly what she needed when it came to taking down her final opponent – Greg Anderson. With a reaction time of .005 on the starting line, Enders was able to hold off Anderson with her run of 6.606-seconds at 205.44 mph enough to slip past Anderson’s 6.594 at 206.20 mph.

“I am thrilled and very proud of this team,” said Enders. “After the semifinals, we knew we had to tune it up and we came back and made a bunch of changes, which is what we did. I couldn’t be more excited, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Despite his loss to Enders, Anderson maintained his healthy points lead in the class, while Enders jumped all the way to second after her memorable victory.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

The most historically emotional victory of the weekend came from Pro Stock Motorcycle Series driver Matt Smith. Reaching Sunday’s final round with victories against Jianna Salinas, Ryan Oehler and Eddie Krawiec, Smith would have to stop Steve Johnson’s recent impressive run to earn the final victory. Although Johnson had been nearly untouchable the last two races on his new four-valve Slick 50 Suzuki, Smith’s 6.782-second pass at 200.56 mph on his Denso Auto Parts/Stockseth/Matt Smith Racing EBR, not only gave him the victory over Johnson, but also broke the track E.T. record that Johnson previously set during Saturday’s qualifying sessions.

“This win couldn’t have been possible without the team, sponsors and everyone else who help make this possible, including my wife who is always working in the shop with me,” said Smith.

With the victory, Smith strengthened his points lead through five events in Pro Stock Motorcycle, while Johnson moved into second place in the class.

The 2021 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues with the Dodge//SRT Mile-High NHRA Nationals Presented By Pennzoil at Bandimere Speedway (July 16-18). Stay tuned to RacingJunk.com for all your NHRA coverage!