Photos courtesy of NHRA 

 
Bill Bader Sr., who helped transform Summit Motorsports Park (Norwalk, Ohio) into a fan-favorite facility, has passed away. He was 79 and succumbed to injuries from an accident near his home. 

Bader purchased Summit Motorsports Park (formerly Norwalk Dragway) in 1974 and managed the it until 1998, when he turned over control to his son Bill Bader Jr., and briefly assumed the presidency of the IHRA. The track hosted its first NHRA event in 2007. 

“With an incredible work ethic and a remarkable dedication to hospitality, Bill taught us all important lessons on how to make a race a memorable experience for drag racing fans. He turned Summit Motorsports Park into one of the premier facilities on the NHRA tour, and one that was loved by all racers and NHRA fans,” said NHRA President Glen Cromwell.