Skip to content
https://shop.fervogear.com/cart
Nitro Stars Thrill Fans in Norwalk at Legendary Night Under Fire
Highlights
- 49th Night Under Fire live streamed globally on August 1
- Funny Car drivers include Jordan Vandergriff, Spencer Hyde, and Ron Capps
- Top Fuel features Maddi Gordon, Clay Millican, Doug Kalitta, Antron Brown
- $430,000 purse; winners vie for “King of Nitro” title
- Mountain Motor Pro Stock competes for $100,000 sponsored by Ross Environmental
- Event concludes with $150,000 fireworks finale and pre-race festivities
The Cornwell Tools Night Under Fire will be live streamed globally for the first time on August 1, with FloRacing carrying the 49th edition from Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
The single-evening show combines NHRA nitro heavyweights with popular exhibition acts in a match-race format. It targets spectacle and stakes, while preserving competitive jeopardy for headline drivers.
Track president Bill Bader Jr. continues a family-led strategy that blends elite performance with entertainment. A crowd of over 40,000 typically attends, and the stream extends that reach worldwide.
In Funny Car, Jordan Vandergriff races the Cornwell Tools entry from John Force’s team after a recent Sonoma victory. He is joined by 2025 rookie standout Spencer Hyde, two-time champion Cruz Pedregon, and Ron Capps in the NAPA Auto Care Funny Car.
Top Fuel features rising winner Maddi Gordon, Clay Millican with popularity rooted in his IHRA era, reigning NHRA champion Doug Kalitta, and four-time title holder Antron Brown.
Funny Car and Top Fuel winners meet for the “King of Nitro” showdown after racing for a share of $430,000.
The King of Nitro designation adds narrative focus beyond payouts. For contenders like Millican, it represents a career-defining target within a one-night, pressure-heavy environment.
Mountain Motor Pro Stock brings a 16-car bracket for $100,000 courtesy of Ross Environmental. Defending NHRA champion John DeFlorian and multi-series winner Johnny Pluchino headline the deep field.
Top Alcohol Dragster centers on a state-line rivalry. Ohio’s Corey Michalek faces Michigan’s JP Gutierrez in contrasting A/Fuel and blown-alcohol combinations.
A $150,000 fireworks finale extends the Bader family’s hallmark show-closing tradition.
Top Sportsman adds a fast-paced, qualified field of 16. Notables include Jerry Albert, Glenn Butcher, and Dan Ferguson, emphasizing depth beyond the nitro headliners.
Exhibition pieces retain their central role. Hayden Proffitt’s ’57 Chevy Jet Truck, four jet dragsters for the North American Jet Car Championship, Rick Ream’s wheelstander, and Scott Rods AA/Gassers amplify the entertainment package.
Pre-race ceremony elements return in force. Expect a racer parade, a flyover, and skydivers descending from 4,000 feet before the main program.
Qualifying runs on July 31 from 6–9 p.m., setting the stage for Saturday’s headline program.
Scheduling is straightforward. The pre-race parade starts at 6 p.m. on August 1, with racing from 7 p.m. The FloRacing stream guarantees global access to Norwalk’s signature night.
Visual Summary
👥 40,000+ Fans
🌍 LIVE Worldwide
Night Under Fire
Live August 1 Worldwide
Nitro Giants Face Off
Funny Car & Top Fuel stars (Capps, Pedregon, Vandergriff, Kalitta, Brown, Millican, Gordon & more!)
+ $430,000 on the line for “King of Nitro”
+ $430,000 on the line for “King of Nitro”
💪 MM Pro Stock
16-car, $100,000
DeFlorian vs. Pluchino headline
Top Alcohol & Top Sportsman showdowns
Michalek, Gutierrez, Albert, Butcher, Ferguson & more Ohio heroes
Michalek, Gutierrez, Albert, Butcher, Ferguson & more Ohio heroes
🚀 Jets & Stunt Cars
Proffitt’s Jet Truck, 4 Jet Dragsters, AA/Gassers, Wheelstander & $150,000 Fireworks Finale!
Tradition Ignites:
Parade, flyover, skydivers, and
Bader Family magic
➔ Qualifying: Jul 31, 6–9pm
🏁 Main: Aug 1, Parade 6pm | Race 7pm
Watch LIVE on FloRacing.com
One Night. One Fire. The world’s eyes on Norwalk.
Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.
