Until the uncertain times that we started experiencing early this year, there were some staples within drag racing. We always knew that the NMRA World Finals would be in Bowling Green, and we always knew the mid-summer extravaganza that was the NMRA/NMCA Superbowl would be at Route 66 in Joliet, Il. Well sometimes change is needed.

Those that have followed E3xtreme since the beginning know that I have a very special place in my heart for the NMCA and NMRA. In fact, I spent the better part of six years competing part-time in the NMRA. The Superbowl race was one that I never missed. This was a race that at the time was only hours from my home, and to a lot of us, it was the grandest stage. Something about pulling out from under the tower at Joliet and trying to take in how massive the place was. You could also bet your ass that it was going to be hot, and there’s a good chance we’d get a terrible thunderstorm or tornado warnings at least once during the event.

At the end of last week though, I was informed that we would no longer be going back to Joliet for the Superbowl. This year was the 15th anniversary of the event, and for the first time, it was held somewhere else due to the regulations put in place by the state and local officials. Now, on that note, it has been no secret that I believe Joliet will never hold another drag racing event either. For the 15th anniversary, we saw the combined series move a few hours south, down to Madison, Il. and invade World Wide Technologies Raceway Park, or better known to all of us as Gateway. A beautiful track situated just east over the bridge from downtown St. Louis.

Though Mother Nature attempted to foil the plans of having the event, the entire staff at NMRA, NMCA, Gateway, TVC, and more managed to complete the event after losing a day and a half to rain. This is just one of the reasons that the decision has been made to place the NMRA/NMCA Superbowl here at Gateway moving forward. Not only is the event moving down the road to Gateway, but it is getting a new date for the event.

Historically the Superbowl has been held in late July with an exception here or there. And like I said, historically we fry like eggs on the midwest blacktop in the summer, and we usually suffer high winds, storms, and even the possibility of tornadoes. So, the decision has been made that the event will now be held in May instead of July. Those from the midwest know that typically means cooler days, cooler nights, and less atmospheric instability.

May 13th-16th 2021 will be the date to mark on the calendar for this historic event. Now, those in the Mustang community will recognize that date as well. That is in fact the old date that was most well known for the World Ford Challenge that was held for years at Gateway. I anticipate that bringing the event to that weekend and that location will certainly bring back some great memories for all of us in the Mustang world.

Here is the release from NMRA/NMCA regarding the Superbowl venue and date change:

Santa Ana, California (August 21, 2020)                   The Holley NMRA Ford Nationals and NMCA Muscle Car Nationals, the leaders in the street-legal drag racing market, are proud to announce the new home of the Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing is World Wide Technology Raceway (Madison, IL). The largest street-legal drag race event of the year happens May 13-16, 2021.

“The Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing will be the third stop for each series on the 2021 schedule and the typical weather conditions are primed for record setting performances,” said Rollie Miller, General Manager and National Event Director at ProMedia Events and Publishing. “This is the big one for us and the World Wide Technology Raceway facility and its staff are highly capable of handling this unique and popular event. Thank you Chris Blair and Curtis Francois for helping us bring this event to its new home.”

Executive Vice President and General Manager of World Wide Technology Raceway, Chris Blair holds the same sentiments. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to host the prestigious NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing, which fits in nicely with the other popular street-legal and hardcore racing events held at our facility. The two sanctioning bodies offer a highly organized and exciting program that the St. Louis area fans and racers will enjoy.”