NHRA event in Norwalk turns 20

NORWALK — A star-studded lineup is back at Summit Motorsports Park this weekend when the biggest names in drag racing celebrate NHRA's 75th anniversary at the 20th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. Annually one of the biggest weekends on the NHRA tour, the stop in Norwalk is always loaded with highlights. The 2026 version will be one of the biggest yet and features the following: — Four rounds of qualifying (two Friday, two Saturday), including a night session Friday, followed by a fireworks show. — A jam-packed Saturday that includes the Pro Stock NHRA All-Star Callout bonus race and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge event in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock Motorcycle. — Elimination races Sunday, where everyone will be trying to win a special NHRA 75th anniversary Diamond Wally. Along with the nitro action on the dragstrip, fans can also see the NHRA Pro Mod Series, Flexjet Factory Showdown and standouts in the Lucas Oil series. The 20th annual race in Norwalk serves as the midway point of the NHRA season. It's the 10th of 20 events in 2026, and will highlight NHRA's 75th anniversary with a celebration of NHRA legend Connie Kalitta and longtime NHRA driver and tuner Jim Head. There will also be a tribute to Scott Kalitta with reigning world champion Doug Kalitta. Scott died after a crash during race qualifying June 21, 2008 at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J., just one week before the NHRA arrived for the Norwalk race. Head, an Ohio native, will be featured on the special event commemorative ticket. A new-look Nitro Mall and special displays will also be near the pit areas. Last year, Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Cory Reed (Pro Stock) and John Hall (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. This year's race will again be broadcast on FOX, with qualifying and the All-Star Callout coverage on FS1 and eliminations on FOX at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Ashley is after his first Top Fuel win of the season, but it won't be easy against a group that includes dominant points leader Shawn Langdon. Langdon has four wins in 2026 and is being closely followed by reigning world champion Doug Kalitta, racing legend Tony Stewart, Leah Pruett, who won the Epping race, Bristol winner Antron Brown, Clay Millican and Josh Hart. In Funny Car, Prock, now with Tasca Racing as the two-time reigning world champion, looks to get on a roll. Other marquee names include Bristol winner Matt Hagan, points leader Ron Capps, class newcomer Jordan Vandergriff, Chad Green, who has two wins in 2026, J.R. Todd, Alexis DeJoria and Daniel Wilkerson. Matt Hartford won last weekend in Bristol and is the reigning winner in the Pro Stock All-Star Callout. He'll look to repeat and sweep the weekend against a Callout field that also includes Greg Anderson, who is the top seed and will have his pick of the field, reigning world champion Dallas Glenn, Eric Latino, Greg Stanfield, Enders, Aaron Stanfield and Jeg Coughlin. Hall wants a repeat Pro Stock Motorcycle win in Norwalk against a talented field that includes points leader and reigning world champ Richard Gadson, Angie Smith, Gaige Herrera, Chase Van Sant, Steve Johnson, Jianna Evaristo and Ryan Oehler. Norwalk race fans can enjoy pre-race ceremonies that include driver introductions. Fans also can purchase a pit pass to watch the crews and drivers working on their cars between rounds. The qualifying rounds will be held at 5 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, with two more rounds at noon and 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday. The All-Star Callout starts at 3 p.m. Friday, where drivers will make their first-round picks. The first round of the Callout is 11:30 a.m. Saturday, followed by the semifinals at 1:15 p.m. and the finals at 4. Television coverage begins Sunday and includes the All-Star Callout on FS1 at 11 a.m., leading into qualifying coverage at noon. Elimination coverage kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on FOX. To purchase tickets to the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, fans can visit NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket.