NORWALK, Ohio — Clay Millican has a lot of stops he enjoys on the NHRA Mission Drag 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 12,000-horsepower 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.”
Last year, Ashley (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Cory Reed (Pro Stock) and John Hall (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.
It is the 10th of 20 races during the 2026 season and this weekend’s event also features the GETTRX Pro Stock All-Star Callout bonus race and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock Motorcycle.
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 Valdosta. Bristol didn’t go as planned, but Millican believes the team is on the verge of breaking through in a big way.
Millican 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.”
