Photos by Todd Dziadosz
Ron Capps, Justin Ashley, and Erica Enders topped an action-packed edition of the 48th annual Cornwell Tools Night Under Fire at Norwalk’s Summit Motorsports Park, each scoring final-round victories in their respective pro categories in front of a reported 40,000 fans.
Capps claimed Funny Car honors with a 3.85-second pass to edge Cruz Pedregon’s 3.88 in a tight final round that also included Daniel Wilkerson and Dave Richards in competition.
In Top Fuel, Ashley clocked a 3.71-second run for the win over Clay Millican, who was forced to pedal in their match. Antron Brown and Josh Hart also competed in the four-car Top Fuel field.
“The first time we were at Night Under Fire was in 2021, but a power outage cut the event short,” Ashley said. “This was our first full Night Under Fire experience, and to win here in front of a packed house at Bill Bader Jr.’s track makes it even more special.”
Ashley, who also won this season’s NHRA national event at Norwalk, said the additional nighttime laps provide more than just momentum. “It’s about the data. Two more laps in cool conditions and taking night information to apply at our next NHRA event in Brainerd and beyond—that’s even more helpful than the momentum piece,” he said.
In Pro Stock, Enders secured a 6.52-second win after Jeg Coughlin Jr. red-lighted by .005 seconds. Greg Anderson and Dallas Glenn also competed in the featured four-car shootout.
“I hadn’t even been here as a spectator before this, let alone as a racer,” Enders said. “The fireworks were unbelievable, even better than my expectations. I’m super stoked to have been a part of it and lucky to have turned on that win light.”
Enders acknowledged her team’s struggles this season but said the victory adds confidence. “This definitely puts a little pep in our step,” she said. “My car’s fast, but Jeg’s a mean leaver over there… Our win light came on by default, but I’m stoked for JHG, Melling, SCAG, and for this team.”
In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Chris Foster posted a 5.51 to defeat Cody Krohn’s 5.71. McKenna Bold won in Top Alcohol Dragster with a 5.28 after Angelle Sampey encountered mechanical issues in the final.
Mike Janis captured the Pro Mod win with a 5.76 over Billy Banaka’s 6.57. In Top Sportsman, Brian Yanchik ran 4.26 to edge out Jerry Albert’s 4.28.
Mark Pawuk claimed victory in the Factory Stock Showdown with a 7.76, holding off Raymond Nash’s 7.74. Pawuk was .007 on the tree in the final.
Louie Wirbel earned the win in Pro Outlaw Drag Sleds with a 4.79 over Courtney Moeller’s 4.93. In ScottRods Gassers action, Ed Kasicki defeated Scott Leber, who had a perfect .000 reaction time.
The Jet Car Championship featured Ernie Bogue, Scott Holdridge, Dawn Perdue, and Neil Esposito. Bogue ran 5.17 at 305 mph in his Beast from the East entry to beat Holdridge’s 50 Cal machine.
In Edelbrock Super Series Elite competition presented by Red Line Oil and Rocko Machine, Carter Sherman (Super Pro), John Bailey (Pro), Jeremy Hicks (Super Bike), and Jim Ring (Sportsman) claimed victories among the top 16 points leaders in each class.
The Jr. Dragster Shootout featured winners Brandon DuPont (Advanced), Tyler Jacobs (Intermediate), and Derek Peters (Novice). The competition included the top eight points earners in each class from Summit Motorsports Park’s Bear Motorsports Jr. Dragster programs.
The evening concluded with the Bader family’s $150,000 fireworks display, presented by R&R Auto Body, lighting up the sky from multiple launch locations across the facility.
“The annual Cornwell Tools Night Under Fire has always been, and always will be, immensely important to my family and our team,” said track president Bill Bader Jr. “It is in our hearts and souls, and it means so much to see the enthusiasm and emotion from everyone. It certainly fuels our fire for next year.”
Bader added that attendance was among the top three in the event’s 48-year history, with merchandise and food sales reportedly reaching record highs.
