The recent NHRA Lucas Oil Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser and Ohio Lottery at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio was one of the largest attended NHRA divisional races in NHRA history. Following on the success of the event, the track and NHRA today announced they have entered into a long term sanctioning agreement for the event that will keep it returning to Norwalk, Ohio every year. The announcement was made jointly by Bill Bader, Jr., president of the track, and Jay Hullinger, NHRA Division 3 Director.

The race, held May 18-20, 2007, set numerous records for performance on the track. It was part of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series counting toward both national and divisional NHRA Lucas Oil championships.

It attracted nearly 600 competitors including four of seven current NHRA Lucas Oil national champions. Reigning champions Bill Reichert, Top Alcohol Dragster and Frank Manzo, Top Alcohol Funny Car won their respective event titles. In addition, the event included the NHRA Division 3/North Central Division's DART Top Sportsman Racing Series and the debut of the new NHRA Spitzer Race Cars Top Dragster Series.

On Saturday the Bader family, owners of the facility, announced a surprise picnic for racers and their families hosted by the Baders, facility sponsor Summit Racing Equipment, and the NHRA. The 6:00 pm picnic fed 1,250 people.

“The NHRA Lucas Oil Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser and Ohio Lottery is in the history books and on behalf of all employees at the track we want to thank all the racers who came and worked hard all weekend,” said Bill Bader, Jr., track president. “This extension guarantees this event will return to Norwalk, Ohio in coming years, and we will do whatever we can to continue to improve this event for racers and fans alike.”

Records set at the race included: Track records for Top Alcohol Dragster set by Reichert: ET record 5.256 seconds, and top speed record 275.73 mph; Track records for Top Alcohol Funny Car set by Manzo: ET record 5.540 seconds, and top speed record 260.61 mph; National records for NHRA A/Dragster set by Book: ET record 6.383 seconds and top speed record 211.10 mph; National record for NHRA Super Stock SS/KA class, Dave Layer of Dayton, Ohio moved the record to 10.12 seconds; Quickest Top Sportsman field in NHRA Division 3 history.