HIGH HORSEPOWER

June 21, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

Steel Valley Super Nationals

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

SALEM

Cars and speed are the common denominators that will lure tens of thousands to the Steel Valley Super Nationals this weekend.

But it’s the atmosphere that keeps them there.

The annual hot-rod, motorcycle and drag-racing festival returns to Quaker City Motorsports Park this weekend.

“People from all walks of life get together for a high-horsepower weekend,” said Corey Ward, who has been the promoter of the event for the past seven years. He said it takes him almost a full year to put it together.

Ward expects a total of about 25,000 spectators over the three days, with an additional 4,000 participants bringing cars and motorcycles.

Dozens of vendors will be set up on the sprawling drag-strip grounds, selling everything from performance parts to food and beer. Thousands of guests from outside the region camp on site the whole weekend.

“We’ll pull in fans from many states and Canada,” said Ward. “There’s one group of 60 that comes up from Florida every year.”

The grounds are crowded throughout the day, with a fresh batch of Mahoning Valley residents coming through the gates each evening. They mingle with friends, watch the racing, study the thousands of handcrafted hot rods on display, and just enjoy the atmosphere.

But the thing that puts the Super Nats in the winners circle is undoubtedly the opportunity to race.

“The drag strip makes it the ideal location,” said Ward. “It’s more than a car show. You can actually run your car on the drag strip.”

Ward said the asphalt strip is kept sticky to keep the tires spinning fast. “We spread ‘glue’ on it a couple of times a day,” he said.

Ward, who once hit 140 mph on the strip riding a motorcycle, said the cars hit speeds of 240 mph.

Also included every year is a display of Corvettes, brought in by Stadium GM Superstore in Salem, which sponsors the Super Nats.