Racers and entertainers put their heart and soul into their performances at the 18th Annual University Hospitals Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event was scheduled to be May 31-June 2, 2024, but was run through completion May 31-June 1 due to forecasted rain for June 2, with Summit Motorsports Park and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series teams committed to presenting an action-packed production.
And by all accounts, it was.
In Top Alcohol Dragster, JP Gutierrez of Berkley, Michigan, powerfully piloted his Maxima Racing Oils dragster to a 5.32 and wrapped up the win when Rich McPhillips of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania was forced to lift in his high-horsepower Cummings Leasing dragster.
In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Sean Bellemeur of Placentia, California, pushed to a 5.44 in his Bartone Brothers Racing 2022 Camaro-bodied car to capture the win over Phillip Esz of Amelia, Ohio, who was very close by with a 5.49 in his Ultra Sonic 2024 Camaro-bodied car. Earlier in the weekend, Bellemeur also sailed to a 5.393 to set a track Top Alcohol Funny Car elapsed time record.
Peter D’Agnolo of Rochester, New York, and Allen Wilson of Kokomo, Indiana, lined up for the Competition Eliminator final, and D’Agnolo arrived at the win with an 8.57 in his 2010 Cobolt while Wilson was 9.34 in his 2010 Spitzer.
The Super Stock final saw Jeffrey Dona of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, emerge as the winner with a 9.72 in his 1998 Formula while Peter D’Agnolo of Rochester, New York, turned in a 9.47 in his 1967 Camaro.
Ryan Rudrick of Mount Vernon, Ohio and Julie Biermann of Xenia, Ohio were featured in the Stock Eliminator final, and Rudrick pulled off the win with an 11.36 in his 1970 Duster over Biermann’s 10.69 in her 1968 Firebird.
The Super Comp final showcased Steve Buehler of Freeport, Michigan and Jeremy Mason of Richmond, Kentucky, and after a very close race, Buehler won with an .013 reaction time and 8.90 elapsed time against Mason, who was right there with an .019 reaction time and 8.906 elapsed time.
In Super Gas, Bob Locke of Whiteland, Indiana, and Steven Hoyt of Fort Wayne, Indiana, were close on the tree and the top end with .016 and .017 reaction times and 9.898 and 9.890 elapsed times respectively, but Locke landed the win in his 1957 Corvette over Hoyt and his 2004 Cavalier.
Super Street saw Paul Brown of Cass City, Michigan, defeat Ryan Locke of Indianapolis, Indiana, with a 10.96 in his 1968 Dart over Locke’s 10.95 in his 1969 Camaro.
The Top Sportsman final put the focus on Michael Badia of Milford, Michigan and Jeff Brooks of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Badia belted in for the win with a 6.82 in his 1996 Cutlass to Brooks’ 6.33 in his 1951 Henry J.
In Top Dragster, Jim Prevo of Mundelein, Illinois and Danny Nelson of Batesville, Arkansas, pointed their long and strong machines down track, and Prevo picked up the win with a 6.12 while Nelson was 6.13.
Winners of the ten NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series classes walked away with Ice Cream Bowl trophies, which were conceptualized by William Tharpe, NHRA North Central Division director, and designed, manufactured and debuted at this year’s event by Michalek Manufacturing. They are a nod to Summit Motorsports Park’s longstanding Velvet ice cream program.
Summit Motorsports Park’s Wiseco/CycleTech Super Bike riders were also part of the show, and Tim Walker, on his 2016 Hayabusa, was able to defeat Rick McWaters, who went a mere -.009 red on his 1985 Suzuki.
The two Bear Motorsports Junior Dragster presented by Wiseco racers sponsored by University Hospitals, Abigail and Bentlee Baehr, made passes down track, and the exciting event also featured hot side-by-side action by Ernie Bogue and his Beast From the East Jet Dragster, Josh Graham and his Eastern Raider Jet Dragster, Rich Hanna and his First Strike Jet Funny Car and Gary Schwartz and his Top Secret Eastern Raider Jet Funny Car.
Bader Family Signature Fireworks capped off both evenings.
"We congratulate all of the winners on their hard-earned accomplishments, and we thank all of the racers and race fans who came from near and far to attend the 18th Annual Univeristy Hospitals Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser," said Bill Bader, Summit Motorsports Park president. "This was special for our team, and we hope it was special for everyone else who attended. We look forward to next year's event."
Summit Motorsports Park is at 1300 State Route 18, Norwalk, Ohio. For more information, visit summitmotorsportspark.com or call 419-668-5555.
