A Champion’s Take: Racing to Vegas with Alvie Merrill
- it65416
- Jul 22
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 3
The road to the Nationals in Vegas all begins at your local track. But what happens after you hoist that Summit ET Finals Championship Wally? Thanks to Summit Racing Equipment, racers receive far more than just $3,000 in tow money—they’re treated to an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
NHRA has announced exciting enhancements to the NHRA Summit Racing Series World Championship, raising the bar on what is already one of the most prestigious opportunities in grassroots drag racing. This year’s event, set for October 30–November 2 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will bring together 32 of the top Summit E.T. racers from across the U.S. and Canada to compete for national glory, lifelong memories, and an even larger purse.
To give racers an inside look at what awaits beyond the Summit ET Finals, we caught up with 2024 Pro National Champion Alvie Merrill. In our exclusive Q&A, Alvie shares what the Vegas experience truly means—from the thrill of winning on the track to the unforgettable moments he shared with his family. His story proves that this event is about more than just racing.
🎤 A Champion’s Perspective: Alvie Merrill on Racing in Vegas
Q: What does it mean to bring home both the Summit ET Finals Wally and the National Championship Wally from Vegas?
A: “It’s a blessing to be able to race and win against the best in what we do. As you get older and lose a little bit of your skill, it helps to know it can still be done.”
Q: The trip to Vegas is more than just racing. What stood out most to you off the track?
A: “Honestly, having Jonathan Johnson, the Summit team, and NHRA take the time to show each participant such respect and create such a great experience—that provides lifetime memories.”
Q: Describe the moment you realized you were the National Champion.
A: “This was my second national title in bracket racing, and it was just as special as the first. Basically a Christmas Vacation moment—‘I did it!’”
Q: How many Wallys are in your trophy case now—and where does this one rank?A: “I have 15. That includes five divisional titles, two national championships, one national event, and more. This one’s right up there. My goal is to one day be good enough to earn a place in the Division 4 Hall of Fame—and I’ll need more wins like this to get there.”
Q: Which track did you represent at the D4 Finals?
A: “Thunder Valley Raceway in Noble, Oklahoma.”
Q: What was your favorite part of racing in Vegas?
A: “Well... winning! But truly, having my family there made it unforgettable. And again, I can’t say enough about how much effort the Division Director, Summit, and NHRA put into making it special for every contestant.”
Q: As a former National Champion, does that title bring more pressure or more motivation?
A: “More pressure, for sure. You want to prove you can still compete and win against the best. Even though I don’t bracket race as often now and am still sorting out my Super Stock setup, I’m definitely chasing the dream of getting my name on that Vegas trophy a third time.”
Q: Anyone you’d like to thank?
A: “Absolutely. My family—my parents for getting me into racing, my daughter who helps with fuel at Divisionals, my brother for supporting me, and my wife who puts up with it all. Racing is an incurable passion, and without them I couldn’t enjoy it the same.Also, thanks to the businesses who’ve supported me—many of which I still carry on the car even after they’ve closed their doors. I stick with those who stick with me. Big thanks to Sunoco, Advanced Engine Machine, Penrod Racing, Don Thomas with Panhandle Performance, Pro 1 Safety, and Coan Engineering. And hey, if anyone’s looking—I’ve got several doors available!”
Alvie Merrill’s journey is the perfect example of why the Summit Racing Series is so much more than just a race—it’s a reward for dedication, a celebration of grassroots racers, and now, more than ever, a chance to create memories that last a lifetime.
2025 Highlights:
(NEW) Increased payouts:
$6,000 to each class winner, $2,000 to the runner-up, and $500 to each semifinalist.
(NEW) Team competition debut: All seven NHRA divisions and one Canadian team will earn points by round wins, with $2,000 awarded to the winning team.
(NEW) Bonus awards: $1,000 in bonuses for each category during the first two rounds (best losing package in round one and best reaction time in round two).
(BACK IN 2025) Once-in-a-lifetime experiences: Finalists are entered into raffles for special opportunities, like warming up Daniel Wilkerson’s Funny Car or joining Clay Millican’s crew during a qualifying run.
All finalists will have marquee access during Top Fuel and Funny Car qualifying sessions, as well as a parade in front of the grandstands in Vegas and introductions during the official pre-race ceremony at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. (BACK IN 2025) VIP treatment: Includes a welcome dinner, pit access with top pro teams, starting line access during pro qualifying, crowd introductions and participation in the Sunday pre-race ceremony.
Ready to earn your spot in Vegas?
Begin your journey at your local track, earn your spot at the Summit ET Finals at Texas Motorplex (August 14–17), and take the next step toward chasing championship glory in Las Vegas.
👉 For full details and schedules, visit: www.nhra.com/sportsman
👉 Learn more about the South Central Division Summit ET Finals, visit: www.nhradiv4.com/event-information