The NHRA Summernationals, hosted by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), was an annual drag racing event held from 1970 to 2018, mostly at the Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in New Jersey.

History

The first Summernationals was held near York, Pennsylvania in July 1970, at the York U.S. 30 Dragway.[1] Subsequent events were hosted at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park outside Englishtown, New Jersey. The venue ceased all operations in 2018, and the event was replaced by the Virginia NHRA Nationals, hosted at Virginia Motorsports Park outside Petersburg, Virginia.[2] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 event was held at the Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.

"Dyno" Don Nicholson secured Ford's first pro stock win in his Maverick at the 1971 Summernationals.[3]

"Dandy" Dick Landy made his second, and last, final-round appearance at the 1972 event, where he lost to "Grumpy" Bill Jenkins.[1]

"Jungle Jim" Liberman is notable for performing a wheelstand in his Chevrolet Vega Top Fuel Funny Car (TF/FC) in 1974 and securing his sole NHRA national event win in 1975.[4]

The 1978 Summernationals saw Bob Glidden take the pro stock win in his Fairmont,[5] with Denny Savage winning the TF/FC title and ''The Ace" Ed McCulloch as runner-up.[6]

Notes

  1. 1 2 Burgess, Phil (2011-02-08). "Fan Fotos: 1970 Summernationals". National Hot Rod Association. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  2. ↑ Lohnes, Brian (2018-01-16). "Bad News: Raceway Park Will Cease Drag Racing Operations – The End Of Englishtown Appears To Be Nigh". BangShift. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  3. ↑ Voegelin, Rick (2001-07-21). "NHRA 50 Years, Top 50 Drivers: No. 18 Don Nicholson". National Hot Rod Association. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  4. ↑ Jodauga, John (2001-07-21). "NHRA 50 Years, Top 50 Drivers: No. 17 "Jungle Jim" Liberman". National Hot Rod Association. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  5. ↑ Waldron, Steve (2001-07-21). "NHRA 50 Years, Top 50 Drivers: No. 4 Bob Glidden". National Hot Rod Association. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  6. ↑ Dillashaw, Bruce (2001-07-21). "NHRA's 50 Greatest Drivers: No. 19, Ed 'The Ace' McCulloch". Motorsport. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
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