Mon, 20 May 2013, 21:15 PM Toyota NHRA Summernationals Returns to Englishtown

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2013 NHRA For the Ninth Race of the 2013 Mello Yello Drag Racing Season

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. --

Tony Schumacher leads the points.

The high-horsepower excitement of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to historic Old Bridge Township Raceway Park for the 44th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals, May 30-June 2. The race, which will be televised on ESPN2HD, is the ninth of 24 events in the 2013 season.

The family-friendly event has a special offer available for the tradition-rich event: kids 12 and under will be allowed into general admission areas for free with a paid adult.

The race will be an important one for teams who are battling to make the top 10 and qualify for the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs, as it is the official midpoint in the NHRA Mello Yello Series regular season.

The 2012 Toyota NHRA Summernationals winners were Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Johnny Gray (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), and Englishtown native Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). All are scheduled to return to try and defend their event titles.

Johnny Gray leads the points.

The 2013 season has already showcased some incredible racing and amazing finishes in all categories. In Top Fuel, Don Schumacher Racing has been dominating the series. The dynamic trio of Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown and Spencer Massey has ruled the top positions in Top Fuel so far in 2013. Schumacher won at Phoenix and Las Vegas, defending world champion and New Jersey native Brown won at Gainesville and defending event champ Massey scored a victory in Charlotte. Houston winner Bob Vandergriff, Al-Anabi Racing driver Shawn Langdon, GEICO/Lucas Oil driver Morgan Lucas and Mac Tools driver Doug Kalitta are also among the pre-race favorites in the 8,000-horsepower category.

In Funny Car, two-time world champion Cruz Pedregon second in the points standings at the controls of his Snap-on Tools Toyota Camry since claiming victories in Las Vegas and Houston. Sophomore-sensation Courtney Force in her Traxxas Ford Mustang has been a force to be reckoned with in the series. She kicked off the series with a season-opening win at the Winternationals. Pitch Energy Dodge Charger driver Johnny Gray, NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger driver Ron Capps, Auto Club Ford Mustang driver Robert Hight, 15-time champ John Force and defending world champion Jack Beckman are also among the drivers to watch.

Mike Edwards leads the points.

New Yorker Vincent Nobile is gaining speed in the NHRA Mello Yello Series. The young Pro Stock sensation has already earned his first season win at the Winternationals and has been a top-five contender all season. He is excited about the prospect of driving his Mountain View Tire Dodge Avenger to the winner's circle at his home track. Nobile joins a talented host of challengers looking for a victory, including points leader Mike Edwards, reigning world champion Allen Johnson, Erica Enders-Stevens, defending winner and five-time event champ Anderson, Houston winner Jason Line and three-time Summernationals winner Jeg Coughlin.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, hometown favorite and three-time world champion Krawiec is hoping to get back into championship form on his Vance & Hines Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson, while Lucas Oil Buell rider Hector Arana Jr. is in the lead and has raced to three consecutive victories to open the season. Soverign-Star Racing Buell driver Scotty Pollacheck and veteran rider Steve Johnson have advanced to final rounds this season.

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Pro Mod Series also will thrill the crowds during the weekend with intense side-by-side competition.

Hector Arana Jr. leads the points.

As always, fans can interact with their favorite drivers because every ticket is an exclusive pit pass, allowing them to see firsthand the highly skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds. Spectators also won't want to miss the popular interactive NHRA Nitro Alley and the NHRA Manufacturers Midway.

Mello Yello Series qualifying begins on Friday, May 31 with sessions at 4 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, June 1 at noon and 2:15 p.m. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 2.

To purchase tickets for the Toyota NHRA Summernationals, please call Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at (732) 446-7800 or visit www.racewaypark.com. For more information about NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.