There are races, and then there are spectacles.

And it is known far and wide that events at Summit Motorsports Park fall under the latter category.

In fact, you could say that the Bader family really likes blowing stuff up and setting things on fire.

Beginning with the father, Bill Bader Sr., and carrying over to the son, Bill Bader Jr., the Bader family has been putting on shows alongside their NHRA national events for nearly two decades.

Formerly home of the World Nationals with the International Hot Rod Association from 1981 to 2006, the former Norwalk Dragway and, later, Norwalk Raceway Park, became one of the crown jewel events on the IHRA schedule.

In 2007, Ohio-based automotive parts company Summit Racing Equipment purchased the naming rights to the facility. The Pontiac Performance NHRA Nationals, previously held at National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio, between 1972 and 2006, found its new home at Summit Motorsports Park. And with a new name, a new partner, and new expectations, the Bader family knew they were going to have to step up their game if they wanted to make a splash on the big stage of the NHRA.

Beginning with the inaugural event in 2007, the Baders added a fireworks display that would rival many cities around the country on the Friday night “under the lights” portion of the event, all with patriotic music blaring over the speakers. He also continued his partnership with some of the top jet car and jet truck teams in the country to put on a show after the final round of nitro qualifying during the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.

“People come to Summit Motorsports Park to be entertained and we are responsible for ensuring that they are,” said Bill Bader Jr., Summit Motorsports Park president. “It was with that in mind that we began adding feature elements, like fireworks and a jet engine-powered vehicle, to make an enthralling show even more enthralling.”

And one of the longest-standing entertainment elements at the event is the grand finale each Friday night produced by jet truck legend Bob Motz. Aboard his jet-powered Kenworth, Motz closes the show during the evening portions of the race weekend with a fire show and the “burning down” of the sponsor signs located behind the burnout box. While many races have jets, wheelstanders, and fireworks, no one does it quite like the Bader family, earning them the moniker as the P.T. Barnum of drag racing after the famous founder of the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

“Bob Motz puts on a great show for everyone. And he did it again last night for everyone who waited out the rain with the fire, flames, smoke, burner pops and daunting music that he is famous for,” said Bader Jr. “He has always had a lot of fans here at Summit Motorsports Park, and he made a lot more with his performance last night.”

Of course, rain forced the cancellation of the fireworks portion of the program on Friday, leaving Bader disappointed that he was not able to conclude the night qualifying session with its signature mark.

“We were really disappointed that rain-related delays prevented us from having our fireworks show on Friday,” said Bader Jr. “We know that fans love the pyrotechnics and the patriotic music, and we can’t wait to give them that, and more, next time.”

Of course, no mention of Summit Motorsports Park and its fan-favorite elements, would be complete without the mention of the ice cream. In a tradition dating back to 1987, Summit Motorsports Park offers a pound of ice cream for a dollar at each of its NHRA national events, something you can’t find anywhere else in the country.

“It was my dad’s idea, and it is far more popular than we imagined it would be,” said Bader Jr. “In fact, we sell more than 50,000 pounds of ice cream each year. Fans want it whether it’s hot outside, like this weekend, or cold outside, and we love to see them enjoying it.”