NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Incredibly tight racing, another near-double, old rivalries restructured, dreams coming true, and finally getting the scoop: It was another unforgettable weekend at Summit Motorsports Park. Here are five takeaways from the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.

TOP FUEL IS BRUTAL

We knew from the first pair that Sunday at Summit Motorsports Park was going to be special, and what played out absolutely delivered. Close racing in any class is a thrill, but close racing between two 11,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragsters is just next-level awesome. That first pair included victory for Tripp Tatum over T.J. Zizzo by just .006-second. A short while later, Steve Torrence knocked out Shawn Reed by .002, then Jasmine Salinas got the win light over Tony Stewart by .005. Billy Torrence and Doug Foley finished the incredible round with an intense side-by-side display. Torrence won it by .008.

"The racing we saw first round of Top Fuel, I think it was some of the best racing we've seen in 10 years in any class," said eventual event winner Antron Brown, who came out ahead in a good race with Dan Mercier that first round. "To be part of that and then go rounds and come out the victor, it was truly special. I'm in awe that we got this done."

THE DOUBLE IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS

Diverse racer and engine man Aaron Stanfield has rarely been devoted to just one class, and, of course, the more you race, the more you open doors of opportunity. That being said, Stanfield has come frustratingly close to doubling up three times this year – including this past weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. He won Pro Stock in his JHG/Melling Performance Chevrolet and also reached the final round in Holley EFI Factory X driving the wickedly powerful Janac Brothers Chevrolet Camaro.

He knows exactly what he's after. Stanfield became the 28th driver in NHRA history to accomplish the feat when he raced to the Factory Stock Showdown and Pro Stock wins at Houston Raceway Park in 2020. Getting it done only reinforced that it was possible, and he's been chasing another double ever since.

Stanfield nearly did it in Chicago earlier this year – he was runner-up in both Pro Stock and Factory X – and before that in Charlotte he was runner-up in Pro Stock and won Factory X.

"I felt like we lost a final round we probably should have won in the FX car," said Stanfield at the conclusion of the Norwalk event. "It bothers me a little bit, but you have to have a short memory, shake it off, and get in the other one so you can make sure we at least come away with one of them. I was really wanting to pull off the double with the FX car. It didn't happen today, but we've still got a couple chances to do it."

OLD RIVALRIES NEVER DIE

They've traded wins and championships, and they've battled heartily on the West Coast and across the United States. Summit Racing Equipment NHRA National winner Sean Bellemeur is quite accustomed to seeing a Gordon car in the other lane. This year, though, it's a different Gordon in the seat as reigning Top Alcohol Funny Car champion Doug now stands behind the car and daughter Maddi drives.

Right away, the younger Gordon began to follow in her father's footsteps, making her way to the final round in her first race and claiming her first win at the regional event at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. She's reached the final five times so far and won back-to-back at the Indy regional and then at the brand-new Flying H Dragstrip in Missouri. Miss Gordon has raced Bellemeur a handful of times already, and at the top end after the Norwalk final (her third consecutive), she didn't appear to be anything but thrilled to have gotten to race her family's longtime friendly rival. Gordon is currently leading the national points, while Bellemeur is sitting just behind in the No. 2 spot.

EVERYONE WANTS THE SCOOP

While Gaige Herrera has won everything from an assortment of Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge titles to the 2023 Pro Stock Motorcycle world championship, the one thing he hadn't yet procured was the Summit Motorsports Park ice cream scoop trophy. The Norwalk facility is known for offering Velvet ice cream to its patrons for a very reasonable price, and it is common to see fans, racers, crew chiefs – well, everyone – diving into pints of the creamy treat even as the Midwest sun attempts to return it to its original form. Ice cream in Norwalk, it's a thing.

Summit Motorsports Park has played on this and offered the most appropriate memento to each of the event winners. In addition to the esteemed Wally, a commemorative ice cream scoop trophy is handed out by track owner and operator Bill Bader Jr. Last season, Herrera won all but four races. Hector Arana Jr. won Norwalk last year, but this time around, Herrera got the scoop.

THERE'S ROOM FOR MORE THAN ONE WINNER IN THE FAMILY 

He watched his son, 2021 Top Dragster world champion Blake Peavler, claim multiple wins and the national title – but in Norwalk, it was finally dad's turn to hoist a trophy at the national event level. It was an emotional win for Al Peavler, who was embraced by wife Lona at the top end, as this first national event win came 15 years after he scored his first trophy in the NHRA JEGS Super Quick Series.

"My son has won a few of these, and he's made me look bad for several years," laughed Peavler, who joined this year's Gainesville winner Blake on the scorecard. "I finally got my first one."