Tue, 31 May 2016, 13:04 PM Win at Home Track During NHRA Summernationals Would Come at Perfect Time

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2016 Auto Imagery, Inc. For Pro Stock Standout Vincent Nobile

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -

Vincent Nobile

New York native Vincent Nobile would like nothing more than to win for the first time at his home track, storied Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. After what has been a frustrating start to his 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, it would also come at the perfect time.

The 47th annual NHRA Summernationals, which take place June 9-12 at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, is the second of four consecutive races in the month of June and would mark an ideal time for Nobile to get his season on track.

The all-new Pro Stock class, which features electronic fuel injection, a 10,500 rev-limited, flattened hoods and shortened wheelie-bars, has presented numerous challenges for Nobile and the rest of the talented Elite Motorsports team, and Nobile currently sits seventh in points.

Nobile, though, has been impressed by the work ethic of everyone on the team, giving him full reason to believe the struggles are almost over.

"As a team, we're frustrated we're not doing well, but all the Elite Motorsports teams are struggling together," said Nobile, who has nine career wins. "When we figure it out, we're going to figure it out together and run well together. That keeps our heads up. We know we'll get it eventually and it's not for a lack of effort. There's a bunch of smart guys on this team and everyone is still pushing hard. It's a lot of hours and non-stop thinking, but we're going to get it."

Vincent Nobile

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year's winners of the iconic summertime event that for the first time will be televised on FOX Sports 1. It is the 10th of 24 events on the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule and it's also a race that is extremely important to Nobile.

He's expecting a large crowd of family and friends at the race, but he also knows that performing well in his Mountain View Tire Chevrolet Camaro is imperative for his own team's fortunes. Nobile, who is after his first win since 2014, hasn't been out of the second round in 2016, something he is determined to change.

"It means a whole lot to have my whole family out there, but it's not that hard to separate," Nobile said. "You just have to treat it like any normal weekend and don't try to do anything special. They know I need to focus. That first year racing here, I was super nervous. I wanted to do really good. But as I've grown and experienced it, I think I've gotten better. But it is like crunch time for us. We're not where we want to be."

Nobile is the first to admit the changes in Pro Stock have meant a major learning curve. He's offering as much input as he can on what he feels inside the car during a run, but Nobile knows it has also been important to keep spirits high during a frustrating stretch.

Nobile has seen progression, with the team winning in the first round at two of the past three races, and he knows he has to be as good as he can be behind the wheel as the car continues to come around.

"We have to deal with it and make the best of the situation," Nobile said. "We're not the fastest car but if I do my job we can still win races. There are times where the driver has to do his job and win races, and other times the car needs to back up the driver. I have to be really good on the tree and once the car comes around, I know everybody will be even more confident. I think we're going to find it soon."

Summit Racing teammates Greg Anderson and Jason Line have certainly found the winning combination, as the duo has combined to win the first eight races. Line is the current points leader, winning five events and advancing to all eight final rounds, while other top Pro Stock contenders include Nobile's Elite Motorsports teammates Erica Enders, the two-time reigning world champion, Jeg Coughlin and Drew Skillman, as well as Bo Butner, Allen Johnson, Alex Laughlin and Chris McGaha.

It's a talented field, but Nobile said he can't be worried about the rest of the class until his own performance improves.

"Greg and Jason have found what works and they've got a good combination, but we're just focusing on this team," Nobile said. "The last few races we've noticed a little bit of a change and we just have to keep focusing on ourselves. We just need to focus on that, improve on our numbers and make ourselves better."

In Top Fuel, New Jersey native Brown raced to his first Englishtown win in Top Fuel last year en route to his second world championship crown. He will be looking to defend his hometown event this year against a very tough field, including points leader Doug Kalitta, who has won the last three events at the controls of his Mac Tools dragster. Other top standouts include Brittany Force, a two-time winner this season, and past NHRA Summernationals winners Richie Crampton, Shawn Langdon, Tony Schumacher and Steve Torrence.

In Funny Car, Hagan outlasted Alexis DeJoria in the final round of last year's event and is currently riding high in 2016 on the strength of back-to-back victories in his Mopar/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T. DeJoria also has a win this season but everyone is chasing points leader Courtney Force, who won in Houston in her Traxxas Chevy Camaro SS. Other Funny Car drivers who are among the pre-race favorites include two-time winner this season Tim Wilkerson, four-time event winner and 16-time champion John Force, three-time event winner Cruz Pedregon and reigning world champ Del Worsham.

Pro Stock Motorcycle will also compete at Raceway Park, making its fourth appearance of the 2016 season. Last year, Louisiana alligator farmer Savoie raced to his first victory of the season and finished a career-high third in points. Three-time world champion and 2012 Summernationals winner Eddie Krawiec currently has a grip on the two-wheel category points lead. His teammate, reigning world champ and two-time Englishtown winner, Andrew Hines, has a win this year while others in the bike class hoping to race to the winner's circle include three-time event winner Angelle Sampey, Gatornationals runner-up Hector Arana, two-time champ Matt Smith, veteran rider Steve Johnson, Chip Ellis, Michael Ray Jr. and rookie Melissa Surber.

The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series returns to Raceway Park for its fourth of 10 races in the 2016 season. The NHRA Summernationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they're granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand how the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 3:45 and 6:15 p.m. on Friday, June 10 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 11, at 1:45 and 4:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 12.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at (732) 446-7800. Tickets also are available online at www.racewaypark.com. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult.

Before heading to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will make a stop at New England Dragway in New Hampshire for the NHRA New England Nationals, June 3-5. Keep up with all the NHRA action on FOX Sports 1.