SALEM - Hot rods and drag racing, that is the fiery combination on the track when the seventh annual Stadium GM Superstore Steel Valley Super Nationals hits Quaker City Motorsports Park for June 22-24 weekend.
The event is billed as "Northeast Ohio's huge horsepower party."
U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson will be on hand Friday for the ribbon cutting ceremony at 6:30 p.m.
Corey Ward, owner of the Steel Valley Super Nationals, said pre-registration is comparable to 2007's record participation.
"There's a lot of positive stuff from the drag strip," he said, adding he expected "a very large show" with cars coming from as far away as Florida.
Mike Hudok, general manager at Stadium GM Superstore said, "We're thrilled that the "Super Nats" will be returning.
"Salem is filled with gear heads and car buffs of all ages that are looking forward to hosting and supporting one of the most anticipated auto events of the year.
"We are very pleased to be able to play a key role in bringing this important event for performance automotive enthusiasts everywhere back to Quaker City Motorsports Park."
Eight area radio stations including Oldies106, 93 WNCD (The Wolf), and 570 WKBN will be broadcasting from the show.
Ward said the three-day event packs the track with over 3,000 high-end hot rods, street rods, muscle cars, custom trucks, sport compacts, motorcycles and over 25,000 spectators celebrating the rumble, roar, and tire smoke coming from all makes and models of two-wheel-drive performance vehicles.
Ward said, "We have enjoyed producing the "Super Nats" for years at Quaker City Motorsports Park.
"We love the location and the facilities, and our participants do too. It will be an ideal way to spend an early summer weekend at Quaker City Motorsports Park with some of the most eye-catching cars ever put together."
In addition to the car show, registration includes access to the Valley Cruzerz cruise on Saturday.
Ward said the cruisers are regulars at the Chili's cruise-in in Boardman.
Instead of awards, prizes like gas cards, certificates for hot rod, automotive and muscle cars equipment will be given out every 15 minutes.
"We're expecting a very large hot rod, muscle car show including classic cars too ... they'll play a very large part."
Ward said Sunday will be motorcycle day.
The Stadium GM Superstore Steel Valley Super Nationals opens on Friday, June 22 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday June 23 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday June 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Registration and more information can be found at www.steelvalleysupernationals.com or by calling (800) 245-8118.
Admission each day is $12 for spectators, and kids 12 and under are free.
Participants pay $30, which includes entrance for the driver and one passenger for all three days and unlimited runs down the track.
The Steel Valley Super Nationals first hit Northeast Ohio in 1987 when it had a long standing18-year run at the Canfield Fairgrounds.
The event was purchased in 2005 by area promoter Ward of Austintown and his long time partner Brian Caiazza of New Wilmington, Pa., and the group moved the event to Quaker City Motorsports Park in 2006.
Larry Shields can be reached at lshields@salemnews.net
