Pontiac fans will see plenty of powerful and provocative cars at the 32nd Annual Ames Performance Pontiac Nationals, July 21-23, 2023 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio! The annual event has grown to be one of the largest of its kind in the country, and there were cars in all corners of America's Racetrack at last year's event! In addition to racing, there will be an all-Pontiac show with a considerable number of eye-catching cars, an appearance by legendary Pontiac racer Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick, a substantial swap meet, performance marketplace, opportunities to buy or sell Pontiacs, Tin Indian Performance Wheelie Contest, 60th Anniversary Pontiac 421 Super Duty Display and more. Advance tickets are now available by clicking one of the red Buy Tickets tabs above.
Please note that swap meet spaces are now sold out and will not be available for purchase at the gate!
ON-TRACK ACTION INCLUDES TIN INDIAN PERFORMANCE WHEELIE CONTEST
Drivers with a variety of Pontiacs will make passes down the quarter-mile at Summit Motorsports Park. They will clock various elapsesd-times and excite Pontiac fans in the process. Some of them will also go wheels up for the Tin Indian Performance Wheelie Contest.
COLOSSAL CAR SHOW
Hundreds of cars will cruise in for the car show portion of this event, and in addition to seeing them, Pontiac enthusiasts can enjoy hearing about them. Many different models of Pontiacs, with many different trim packages, will be represented, and fans can expect to see some of their favorites from years past, as well as some soon-to-be-favorites.
THE AMAZING ARNIE "THE FARMER" BESWICK
The loved and legendary Pontiac racer Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick will display some of his cars, talk with fans and sign autographs. He holds everyone's attention with exciting stories of his racing days, and is a very popular personality at this event year after year.
SWAP MEET AND PERFORMANCE MARKETPLACE
Find everything from Pontiac parts to prized possessions among thousands of items displayed throughout the swap meet and performance marketplace. Please note that swap meet spaces are now sold out and will not be available for purchase at the gate!
60TH ANNIVERSARY PONTIAC 421 SUPER DUTY DISPLAY
Check out more than 25 rare 1962 and 1963 Pontiac 421 Super Duty Cars from a collection belonging to Mike Huffman. In the 1960s, racers piloting Pontiac 421 Super Duty cars were very successful in NHRA and NASCAR, and decades later, fans are still fascinated by them. Mike Huffman will also display many parts and pieces from the factory cars at this event.
Friday, July 21
1-Day Adult: $20
1-Day Child 6-12: $5
1-Day Child 5 & Under: FREE
Saturday, July 22
1-Day Adult: $20
1-Day Child 6-12: $5
1-Day Child 5 & Under: FREE
Sunday, July 23
1-Day Adult: $15
1-Day Child 6-12: $5
1-Day Child 5 & Under: FREE
3-Day Child 6-12: $15
3-Day Adult: $50
2-Day Adult: $30
3-Day Trackside Electric Motorhome: $175
3-Day Trackside Non-Electric Motorhome: $150
3-Day Wilson’s Fence Row: $125
3-Day Primitive Camping: $80
Race: $80
Car Show: $55
Swap Meet: Spaces are now sold out and will not be available for purchase at the gate!
Car Corral: $55
Parking Pass: $30
Free Parking
Free Pit Pass
Named Track of the Year 22 times by the NHRA, IHRA and NMCA, Summit Motorsports Park works hard to welcome racers and race fans to a well-kept facility at each and every event.
The grounds are clean, the parking lots are well-lit and paved and grass pit areas are offered.
Permanent bathrooms are maintained at all times during events, and some have showers. Portable bathrooms also are available.
Throughout clean, comfortable and convenient dining areas, guests will find breakfast, lunch and dinner selections, including burgers, sandwiches, pizza and stromboli, as well as fries, nachos and hot pretzels, among other favorites. Various beverages are available, including water, pop, coffee, Budweiser beer and more.
Wild Bill's Ice Cream Saloon, where a pint of Velvet ice cream costs $3, is a popular place to stop in the dining area. Ice cream is available in Original Vanilla, Butter Pecan & Cashew, Dutch Chocolate, Buckeye Classic, Cookies 'N Cream, Moose Tracks and Raspberry Fudge Cordial.
The Quarter Mile Clothing Company is stocked with apparel, souvenirs, novelty items and much more.
Fuel pumps, firewood, golf cart rentals from Dornan's Sales and Service, car parts and water hauling are available at most events.
Guest Service locations are prominently placed in the park.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Thursday, July 20
Linder’s Lot Opens: 8:00 a.m. – 24 Hours
Wilson’s Lot Opens (holding area for vendors): 8:00 a.m.
Bud Gate Opens Sponsor move-in: 12:00 p.m.
Gate D Opens Swamp Meet & Midway Vendor Move-In: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Racer Credential & Move-In: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tech & Registration: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, July 21
Gates Open/Racer Credential & Move-In: 8:00 a.m.
Spectator Gate Opens: 8:00 a.m.
Shower Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 1 hour after racing
Camping Move-In: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Shuttle Carts: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Time Trials (Pro, S/P, Street, N/SS, AA/GS, Big3, Car Show): 10:00 a.m.
Butler Performance Frantic Four Qualifying Round 1, Tin Indian Performance Wheelie Contest: 3:30 p.m.
M & K Sport Coach Box Bonus Race (Sold in Guest Service): 5:00 p.m.
Clemens Muscle Cars No Box Bonus Race (Sold in Guest Service): 5:30 p.m.
Trials will resume after 2nd & 3rd round of racing: Up until 8:00 p.m.
Secure Track / All participants go to Linder’s Lot: 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 22
Gates Open: 8:00 a.m.
Camping/Motorhome Move-In: 8:00 a.m.
Ames Stationary Table – Continental Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Shower Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 1 hour after racing
Warm-Up Cart – Each Side: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Time Trials & Qualifying (Pro, S/P, Street) (Quick 16 may participate in the 1st Time Trial session only): 9:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
Ames Hospitality Tent Opens: 9:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast (Hospitality Tent): 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Car Show Judging Begins (No judging on Sunday): 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Butler Performance Frantic Four Qualifying Round 2 & 3: 9:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Big3 Qualifying Round 2 & 3: 9:45 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.
Shuttle Carts: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Kids' Activities: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday Car Show Entry Cut-Off: 1:00 p.m.
Cool Down Cart – Each Side: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
1A Auto Chief of the Pontiacs Presentation: 1:00 p.m.
Eliminations Show R1: N/SS, AA/GS, Quick 16/Q-1, Frantic 4/E-1, Big3/E-1, Pro, S/P, Street: 2 p.m.
Editor’s Choice Awards on the Track: 4:15 p.m.
Show R2: N/SS, AA/GS, Quick 16/Q-2, Frantic 4/E-2, Big3 Final: 4:30 p.m.
Ames Hospitality Buffet (Summit Chalet): 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Secure Track: 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 23
Gates Open: 8:00 a.m.
Shower Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 1 hour after racing
Ames Stationary Table – Continental Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Warm-Up Cart – Each Side: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
RFC Chapel Service (Hospitality Tent): 8:30 a.m.
Time Trials & Qualifying (Pro, S/P, Street), (Note: Quick 16 may NOT participate in this Time Trial): 9 a.m.
Big3 Qualifying Round 1: 10:00 a.m.
Shuttle Carts: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Car Show Awards – Ames Hospitality Tent: 10:00 a.m.
Firehawk Shootout (2 TT, E) – Round Robin: 10:00 a.m.
KRE Quick 16 Qualifying Round 3: 11:00 a.m.
Big3 Qualifying Round 2: 11:20 a.m.
Bracket Eliminations (Pro): 11: 30 a.m.
Pre-Race Ceremony: 12:00 p.m.
Eliminations Show R3: N/SS, AA/GS, Quick 16 E-1, Big3 E-1, Pro, S/P, Street: 1:00 p.m.
Cool Down Cart – Each Side: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Finals: 5:30 p.m.
1A Auto.com Chief of the Pontiacs: 5:45 p.m.
