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Bader Jr. Discusses Energy Enveloping Upcoming NMRA Ford Homecoming

Posted By: Mary Lendzion
Interview by Mary Lendzion
 
Summit Motorsports Park and Holley NMRA Ford Nationals are celebrating awe-inspiring anniversaries.
 
The year 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of Summit Motorsports Park, the 50th anniversary of the Bader family’s ownership of it, and the 25th anniversary of the Holley NMRA Ford Nationals.
 
Racers and race fans can be part of the very special anniversaries — and history — at the 3rd Annual Mickey Thompson NMRA Ford Homecoming, June 9-11, 2023 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. 
 
In addition to adrenaline-filled drag racing in categories like VP Racing Madditives Renegade, Coyote Stock, Richmond Gear Factory Stoc, Circle D Specialties True Street and others, the exciting event will offer outstanding special features including the Cobra Jet Reunion presented by TascaParts.com and Ford Performance, Fox Body Reunion, 2020+ GT500 Shootout, SVT Reunion, 40th Saleen Reunion, Original BIGFOOT and BIGFOOT #19, Maximum Motorsports All-Ford Autocross produced by AutoXperts, Anderson Composites Ford Off-Road Alley and more.
 
In the interview below, Bill Bader Jr., president of Summit Motorsports Park, talks about the 3rd Annual Mickey Thompson NMRA Ford Homecoming, and the elements mixed in to make it all the more alluring.


 
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT STEVE WOLCOTT, ROLLIE MILLER AND THE REST OF THE NMRA TEAM DECIDING THE SERIES WOULD CELEBRATE ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY AT SUMMIT MOTORSPORTS PARK?
 
I see it as a blessing. Steve Wolcott and Rollie Miller are friends of ours, and my team and I share a bond with them and their team. They could have chosen anywhere to have this event, and the fact that they chose to have it at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio is very flattering. It also comes with a lot of pressure because we want to make sure we have a very good event, especially since Summit Motorsports Park is celebrating its 60th anniversary and 50 years of my family’s ownership of it, and NMRA is celebrating its 25th anniversary,
 
WHAT WILL ALL OF THE CAREFULLY-CHOSEN EXTRA EVENT FEATURES OFFER TO RACERS AND RACE FANS, WHETHER THEY HAVE BEEN WITH THE SERIES SINCE ITS BEGINNING OR WILL BE ATTENDING FOR THE FIRST TIME?
 
I think that the goal is to create a happening. The race will have racing, of course, but it also will have many other special elements, as well as legendary Ford racers and Ford figures, and I think that is a very astute way to create a happening because it means there is something for everyone. At Woodstock, there were multiple genres of music. Hopefully this event will become like Woodstock, with something that will appeal to people of all ages. If you like fast Fords, we have them. If you like BIGFOOT Monster Trucks, we have them. This is a celebration of all things Ford, and it’s very special.


 
BIGFOOT IS VERY POPULAR AT SUMMIT MOTORSPORTS PARK EVENTS AND NMRA EVENTS. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM BIGFOOT AT THE 3RD ANNUAL MICKEY THOMPSON NMRA FORD HOMECOMING?
 
BIGFOOT is the godfather of Monster Trucks, and everyone knows BIGFOOT. The owner, Bob Chandler, is a special guy who has a brand to be proud of. While it is cool to just have BIGFOOT Monster Trucks on property, it is way-cool when they are driving over and crushing cars, and that is what will be happening at this event. It is very difficult to figure out how to integrate drag racing with car crushing, but we’re excited that we will be doing it at this event, and we are confident the fans will be excited, too.
 
ALL-FORD AUTOCROSS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU OFTEN SEE AT A DRAGSTRIP. WHAT SERVED AS INSPIRATION BEHIND HAVING IT AT THIS EVENT?
 
Having autocross at this event is in keeping with Steve Wolcott’s idea to offer all of these different elements, and there will be a lot of eyeballs on it. It’s a dimension that allows people to drag race or take part in autocross. I have even tried autocross, and I loved it. I have also had many people comment about how much fun it is. In autocross, you are throwing the car all over the course. You are on the brakes, off the brakes and it is a blast. It takes some skill and aptitude, but anyone can do it, and it is not just for the person who set his or her car up specifically for autocross.


 
SUMMIT MOTORSPORTS PARK IS HOME TO SOME OF THE BEST BRACKET RACERS, AND THEY WILL BE JOINED BY BRACKET RACERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WHAT WILL THE BRACKET MAYHEM PORTION OF THIS EVENT OFFER THEM?
 
This is one of the largest Ford events in the country, so Bracket Mayhem should appeal to enthusiasts who have vehicles that are either Ford-powered or Ford-bodied. In addition to finding out who is the best bracket racer on property and bragging rights, bracket racers will be featured in the on-site media coverage, the race wrap and Fastest Street Car magazine. Most importantly, they will be among like-minded enthusiasts at a national Ford event at a premier racetrack, and they will be part of Summit Motorsports Park and NMRA history.
 
Summit Motorsports Park is at 1300 State Route 18, Norwalk, Ohio. For more information about the highly anticipated 3rd Annual Mickey Thompson NMRA Ford Homecoming, or tickets, click https://www.summitmotorsportspark.com/events/11333 or https://www.nmradigital.com/norwalk-oh/c1027



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