NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Clay Millican has a lot of stops he enjoys on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour, including the most recent event in Bristol.

This weekend’s fan-favorite 20th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park also qualifies as one, leaving the Top Fuel veteran equal parts hopeful and excited heading to the halfway point of NHRA’s 75th Anniversary season in 2026.

Millican and his Rick Ware Racing team haven’t hit their stride yet this year in the team’s Summit Racing Equipment dragster, but a breakout performance in Norwalk would be welcomed by all.

Millican is confident it’s coming, and doing so at a standout facility that has treated him well over the years would be a massive boost heading into a critical point of the 2026 campaign.

“We got close to getting that ice cream scoop [trophy] last year,” said Millican, who fell in the final round in Norwalk to Justin Ashley last year. “I definitely want to get it this year and that Diamond Wally [for NHRA’s 75th Anniversary season].

“The Bader family is amazing. I grew up in a family business, and going there reminds me of that. It makes it feel like home.”

For Millican, the weekend represents trying to get on track and putting together consistent runs as the Countdown to the Championship playoffs get closer. Transitioning to a canopy car has meant some bumps in the road through the first nine races, as the veteran is currently 10th in points.

But they’ve made strides in recent weeks, winning rounds in Maryland and Epping after a semifinal appearance in Adel. Bristol didn’t go as planned, but Millican believes the team is on the verge of breaking through in a big way.

It will take a big effort to win in Norwalk against a loaded Top Fuel lineup that includes points leader Shawn Langdon, who has advanced to the final round at eight of the past nine races, reigning world champ Doug Kalitta, racing legend Tony Stewart, Bristol winner Antron Brown, Epping winner Leah Pruett, Ashley, and Josh Hart.

Millican, though, remains confident his team can make some noise at America’s Racetrack, which would bode well for him for multiple reasons.

“I do feel we are getting closer to learning what these canopy cars like,” said Millican, who has eight career NHRA victories. “None of our tuners have ever run one before this year, and it does change the way we run our car.

“[But] it is the time of year to start getting your ducks in a row and making moves towards consistency.”

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 5 and 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, June 26, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 27 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 28.

Television coverage begins Sunday, June 28 and includes the GETTRX Pro Stock NHRA All-Star Callout on FS1 at 11 a.m., leading into qualifying coverage at 12 p.m. Elimination coverage kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on FOX.

To purchase tickets to the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket.