The Connecticut native will be attending the largest single-day drag racing event at the 42nd Annual Kelly Night Under Fire at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. This year, though, she will be the guest of A.J. Myers, the owner of Patriot 500 Racing.
One year ago at this very event, Edwards was the runner-up in the inaugural North American Jet Car Championship. She was one of several Jet Dragster pilots hand-selected by owner Bill Bader Jr. to attend this event.
She qualified fifth with a 5.46 at 288 mph in front of more than 40,000 people in attendance. She went all the way to the finals before losing to Scotty “Heat” Holdridge in his “Fifty Cal” Jet Dragster.
The Patriot 500 Racing team is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. It was started in 2009 and became a non-profit organization in 2012. The mission of the team is to inspire and engage you and promote a passion for life and education.
The team also has a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program, which their goal is to stimulate the minds of students and faculty with whom we work with. Besides the STEM program, the team also supports the military, their families, along with research organizations that are designed to help families in need.
“I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to partner with Patriot 500 Racing team this year and come together this weekend at Summit Motorsports Park’s annual Night Under Fire!,” Edwards said. “A.J Myers is equally as passionate as I am when it comes to engaging with our fans, especially the youth. This could not have been a better collaboration. I look forward to being back at America’s Racetrack with the most Patriotic team on the property”
The Kelly Services Night Under Fire pre-race ceremonies will start at 5:30 pm with the show expected to begin at 7 pm local time. Besides the Patriot 500 team, there will be Bob Motz in his Jet Truck. Also, eight drivers will compete for the North American Jet Car Championship, as Holdridge looks to repeat as event winner.
John Force — fresh off of his 150th career win last weekend at the Magic Dry Organic Absorbent NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington — will be one of several Funny Car drivers on the property. Other Funny Car pilots include Ron Capps, Robert Hight, Tim Wilkerson, Cruz Pedregon, and Dale Creasy Jr.
There will also be Gassers, Wheel standers, and Super Bike Racers. At the end of the event, there will be nearly a 15-minute fireworks show that costs $125,000.
“The night under fire is my favorite event of the entire year for us,” Myers said. “Our entire team looks forward to this race every year. The unique thing about this race is, I think, we are more fans than races this day. There are so many great people, top level drivers, and incredible fans all wrapped up into one evening. The competitive side of me comes to life as soon as I suit up. At that point, it’s all business and I’m out for blood. Driving our top sportsman American pride Corvette, we have our business suits on for only about 6.7 seconds. The preparation to run and break down after a pass takes up about an hour and a half. With only two passes for the day, this leaves the rest of the day to talk with fans and be one ourselves.
“I struck up a special friendship with Sarah Edwards a few years ago. We have both been able to confide in each other on and off the track while building a relationship in trust and speed. I keep teasing her that I am her biggest fan next to her mother, but there are so many in line that are just as in awe of her as I am. Having Sarah out with us for the day is so exciting. To have her there to watch and give feedback on the driver side is something I really look forward to. Another set of eyes, another set of ears, another mind to help diagnose a driver/situation/competitive run is something I am really looking forward to.”