Dragway News

NHRA announced that the 2011 NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals will once again Bristol Dragway, while Bandimere Speedway in Denver will host the Western Conference Finals.

The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals will be held July 28-30 in Thunder Valley. The Western Conference Finals will take place July 7-9 at Bandimere.

Mr. Tim Fields, an earth science teacher at Chilhowie High, now has a new name around school, Mr. PINKS. That’s because Fields was able to outlast more than 400 entrants to become the PINKS All Out champion in Thunder Valley in October.

While close friends and his students and co-workers have known about the outcome since the event, the rest of the nation learned Fields’ fate during the premiere of the Bristol Dragway edition of PINKS All Out on SPEED Friday evening. Fields planned to watch the premiere with family and friends.

Autotrader.com Speedway In Lights, one of the country’s largest holiday light shows, kicks off the season Nov. 19 and remains open through Jan. 8, 2011.

The World’s Fastest Half-Mile, home to NASCAR’s most popular events, transforms into an enchanted holiday attraction, decorated with nearly two million dazzling lights and more than 200 animated displays to delight both young and old. The show features a 4.5-mile drive-through route that allows spectators to take a lap around the World’s Fastest-Half Mile, as well as tour Bristol Dragway.

Rich Christensen brings his PINKS All Out television show to Thunder Valley Oct. 1-2. With its drag racing heritage and dedicated fan base, Christensen feels Bristol Dragway is the perfect setting for the show.

Christensen originally visited Bristol in 2006 as his PINKS concept was beginning to gain momentum. He revisited Thunder Valley in 2007 with an amazing PINKS All Out event which hosted 400 racers and a grandstand packed with spectators.

Thunder Valley is ready for the return of high-speed, no limits action as Rich Christensen and crew bring back the excitement of PINKS All Out to Bristol Dragway, Oct. 1-2.

Fans of the extremely popular SPEED television show know that when the cameras come to town, there is only one place to be, in the stands at Thunder Valley. Five hundred drivers will lay it all on the line to earn a spot in the coveted 16-car show.

For an evening of thrills and excitement, the Sept. 25 Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem presented by JanPak at Bristol Dragway is the show fans have been waiting to see.

Thunder Valley Mayhem, known for its thrill-a-minute action, will include some of racing’s most extreme machines and outrageous personalities.

When the Super Chevy Show comes to Thunder Valley Sept. 24-26, race fans should prepare for an amazing display of performance as 10 Nitro Pro Mods square off in one of the wildest shows on four wheels.

These high-horsepower, nitro-belching rockets fight their pilots for control as they roar down the quarter-mile at Bristol Dragway. One of those seasoned racers has extra reason to leave town with the trophy.

Thunder Valley is sure to rock during the Thursday, Sept. 16 season finale of the Fas Mart Street Fights Series, as two local bands take to the stage for one of the fans’ favorite promotions… Thompson Metal Services Local and Loud Night.

Hosted by Z-Rock 99.3 FM and Thompson Metal Services, Shattered Bliss and Contact the Militia will heat up the night with a concert beginning at 8 p.m.

Two Fas Mart Street Fights Series events keep Thunder Valley rocking this week with events on both Thursday, Sept. 9 and Saturday, Sept. 11.

With school now back in session, Bristol Dragway hosts the CenturyLink Back to School Bash Thursday night to give students an opportunity to make their homework a little easier. Thanks to CenturyLink, a new laptop will be given away to one deserving student during the evening. The student who correctly answers the most trivia questions will take home the prize.

Mopar Muscle will be put to the test during Mopar vs. The World on Friday, Sept. 3, part of the weekend’s activities for Mopar Thunder at Bristol Dragway.

Mopar Thunder, which runs through Sunday, begins on Friday evening with the mighty Mopars taking on all-comers in an event designed to pit them against the fastest machines from all other makes.

NHRA officials today announced the 2011 Thunder Valley Nationals once again will return to the popular Father’s Day weekend slot on the schedule. Always one of the most prominent stops on the calendar among drivers and fans, Thunder Valley will host the stars of the NHRA June 17-19, 2011.

Bristol Dragway hosted the 2010 edition of the Thunder Valley Nationals on Father’s Day weekend, the first time the race has taken place on that date in the event’s history. The holiday proved to be the perfect time for NHRA to visit Bristol as it was a tremendously successful event.

One of Thunder Valley’s most popular events, the AHDRA Thunder in the Valley Nationals, wrapped up last weekend with exciting two wheel action from some of the world’s fastest Harley-Davidsons.

Steve Dorn from Milwaukie, Ore. rode his nitro-powered rocket to the victory in Screamin’ Eagle Top Fuel over John Breckenridge of Sultan, Wash. Dorn had a slower reaction off the line with a .045 reaction time compared to Breckenridge’s .008 R.T. However, Breckenridge slowed at the top end, allowing Dorn to squeeze by for the win with a 6.507 elapsed time at 213.64 mph.

Two Bristol Dragway competitors came agonizingly close to earning victories in the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals presented by ViperizerRacing.com last weekend in Thunder Valley.

Blountville’s Carson Brown made it to the semifinals in the 8-9 year old division, but was defeated by eventual runner-up Brooklyn Leblanc of Bella Rose, La.

Through the years, many NHRA competitors have come close to victory only to fall just inches short. Some never experience a second opportunity to own NHRA’s famed Wally trophy. That’s why 12-year-old Morgan Keyser’s story is even more impressive.

Keyser, from Marion, Ill., is in Bristol this week for the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals presented by Viperizer Racing.com as a two-time and defending class champion. Keep in mind; she’s only been eligible to compete for three seasons.

When Tony Schumacher, John Force and Mike Edwards rolled in to the Winner’s Circle after the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, each driver proudly hoisted up NHRA’s prized trophy, the “Wally,” as part of their victory celebrations.  

During this week’s NHRA Junior Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals presented by Viperizer Racing, many young drivers from across the eastern half of the United States will come to Bristol for their opportunity to do the same.

Bristol Motor Speedway prepares for a high-flyin’, car-crushin’ good time during the Thompson Metal Monster Truck Madness on Thursday night, July 29.

Eight of the biggest names in monster truck racing come to town for a show that will be just exciting as the ones on television. Trucks currently scheduled to appear are War Wizard, Avenger, Brutus, Equalizer, Samson, Tailgator, Raminator and Bad Habit.

Ask Joe Sylvester and he will agree Bristol Motor Speedway is the perfect place for a monster truck freestyle session. He returns to the July 29 Thompson Metal Monster Truck Madness as the defending freestyle champion.  

In just five short years, Sylvester has turned himself into one of monster truck racing’s up-and-coming freestyle stars.

Three drivers walked away from last weekend’s Fourth Annual World Footbrake Challenge with wallets much heavier than when they arrived in Thunder Valley.

Steve Alford of Angier, N.C. drove his 1971 Ford Pinto to victory in Friday’s first $10,000-to-win shootout event. Alford defeated Manny Sousa from Bradenton, Fla. in the final round. Alford had a .020 reaction time and a 7.022 elapsed time (7.02 dial-in) at 94.75 mph. Sousa’s losing effort combined a .017 reaction with a 5.803 E.T. (5.78 dial-in).

After a successful event on a new date last season, the Fourth Annual World Footbrake Challenge presented by BTE roars in to Thunder Valley July 16-18 with some of the best racers around ready to take the big money.

The World Footbrake Challenge is an 1/8-mile event that will see racers depend on their driving skills to take home the top prizes. In footbrake competition, drivers are not allowed to use electronic equipment to help them achieve a better start.

Bristol Dragway’s Fas Mart Street Fights Series heats up with Local and Loud Night on Thursday night, July 8.

First, Thunder Valley will rumble with the roar of the region’s hottest street-legal machines, and then it will rock as Planet Hofmann takes the stage to lay down some of their hottest tracks.

ZRock 99.3 FM brings Planet Hofmann to Bristol for the concert which promises to help the thermometer in Thunder Valley rise a few degrees on Thursday night.

Anyone who likes to baby their ride will want to visit the Stay True Tattoo Day at the Fas Mart Street Fights Series event on Saturday, June 26.

A car show, featuring the hottest cars in the area, will give every gear head a chance to display their ride for everyone to admire. At the end of the day, awards will be given out to the best in several categories.

Friday leaders Antron Brown and Ashley Force Hood remained atop their respective Top Fuel and Funny Car fields through Saturday’s final two qualifying sessions at the 10th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway in Tennessee, but homestate hero Allen Johnson took over the top spot in Pro Stock.

Saturday’s qualifying action in Pro Stock set the seven locked-in positions for the K&N Horsepower Challenge race that will take place next weekend in Norwalk; an eighth driver will be added to the field based on a fan vote. That driver will be announced Sunday.

Bob Vandergriff helped event sponsor Alpha Natural Resources claim the Seventh Annual Bristol Dragway Celebrity Golf Benefit at the Country Club of Bristol on Thursday afternoon.

The tournament raised $31,200 for the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities. Marc Denner, crew member for Bob Tasca III, led the First Tennessee Bank team to a second place finish in the tournament. Pro Stock's Greg Anderson and his team, Race Day Center, finished in third.

Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Mod entry lists for the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals as of Tuesday, June 15.

When Bristol Dragway introduced its inaugural class of the Legends of Thunder Valley back in 2007, North Carolina drag racing great Rickie Smith was emotional when he found out he was one of the four inductees.

Smith, who was dominant at the old Bristol Dragway back in the 1980s during his IHRA Pro Stock career, joined Larry Carrier, Wally Parks and “Big Daddy” Don Garlits as the first official members of the Legends of Thunder Valley, the track’s hall of fame.

One of the best ways to celebrate Father’s Day is by taking dad to see 8,000-horsepower machines blast down the track during the June 18-20 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. Want to make it even more unforgettable? Bring dad out to listen to a few stories from some of NHRA’s great families while enjoying coffee and doughnuts.

On Father’s Day morning, Bristol Dragway will host “Doughnuts with Dad,” giving race fans a chance to listen to some memorable anecdotes about a few of today’s biggest stars when they were younger. The event will take place at the NHRA Race Day stage at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. Fans will be given a doughnut and coffee to enjoy while listening to the tales.

Doug Herbert may originally be from California, but during the June 18-20 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, he will call Thunder Valley home…something he has enjoyed doing many times during his career.

“Bristol is a fun place,” Herbert started. “I’ve always liked going to Bristol. I won my first Top Fuel race there. Bristol is just a cool place and one of my favorites.”

Trevor Denton earned a Super Pro victory during last Saturday’s DER Bracket Series, while Mother Nature was the big winner for most of Sunday’s action.

Denton, from Bristol, Va., defeated Lauren Freer of Lewisville, N.C. in Saturday’s final round. Denton had a .014 reaction time and a 4.904 elapsed time (4.89 dial-in) at 139.40 mph to trailer Freer. Freer’s run was a 6.013 E.T. (5.99 dial-in) with a .039 R.T.

For almost 20 years, Cory McClenathan has followed the NHRA trail, coming agonizingly close to winning the Top Fuel title on several occasions. As the NHRA tour once again comes to Bristol for the June 18-20 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, “Cory Mac” could be on the verge of finally earning the coveted crown.

With a steady early season charge, including two wins in the first four events, McClenathan finds himself within striking distance of the lead. While he has been in the same position many times before, he feels this could be the year.

Four winners walked away with big paychecks after last weekend’s Thunder Valley Bracket Challenge at Bristol Dragway.

Chad Hedgecock of Loudon defeated Milton’s Chad McKee on Thursday to take home the top prize. Hedgecock’s winning run included a .013 reaction time, with a 4.724 elapsed time (4.71 dial-in) at 141.68 mph. McKee ran a little faster than his dial-in (4.754 E.T. on a 4.76 dial) to receive the disqualification.

Night qualifying once again returns during the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, and highlights the first day of action on Friday, June 18.

Qualifying under the lights in Thunder Valley gives fans an unparalleled experience as the 8,000 horsepower, nitro-powered machines light up the evening and thunder through the valley at speeds in excess of 300 mph.

Denver Maltba of Newland, N.C. came home with a breakthrough victory during last weekend’s action at the DER Racing Series event in Thunder Valley.

Maltba, a regular Junior Dragster competitor, earned his first career victory in the Super Pro division over Maryville’s Don Tipton. Despite a close race, Maltba’s .017 reaction time and 4.756 elapsed time (4.74 dial-in) at 139.80 mph were enough to help him claim the win over his opponent. Tipton used a .016 R.T. and 4.962 E.T. (4.93 dial-in) in his runner-up attempt.

Race fans ready to view the June 18-20 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals from a different perspective have two options from which to take in the thrilling, nitro-fueled excitement.

For those who want to stand just feet away from the ground-pounding machines, a seat in the Thunder Valley Club is just the ticket.  Anyone wanting a bird’s eye view of the entire track can watch the excitement from high atop the legendary strip in Bruton’s Suite.

On Thursday, May 20, Fas Mart Street Fights racers have the chance to be part of a unique race sponsored by Virginia Laser Corporation. An incredible five cars will earn wins during the event.

Tom and Charlotte Deskins, owners of Virginia Laser Corporation, present the Third Annual Virginia Laser Shootout at Street Fights and promise that the format will keep everyone on their toes.

One day before they hit the track in Thunder Valley, several of NHRA’s biggest names will take to  the links to see how well they can drive a golf ball during the Seventh Annual Bristol Dragway Celebrity Golf Benefit presented by Alpha Natural Resources on June 17.

The Country Club of Bristol once again hosts the event, which provides each team of four the opportunity to partner with an NHRA celebrity.

It was a Nelson kind of day on Sunday afternoon during the Thompson Metal Services Blue Oval Bash in Thunder Valley.

The first Nelson to claim victory was Larry Nelson of Blountville. He drove to the win in the All Brands Super Pro category over Cody Spears. Nelson had a .027 reaction time and raced through the line in 5.936 seconds (5.91 dial-in) at 117.36 mph.

The Inaugural Thompson Metal Services Blue Oval Bash roars in to Thunder Valley this weekend, April 30-May 2, and brings with it a Ford fanatic’s dream. High-performance racing action, Ford’s meanest street machines and two jet funny cars, the Ford Cobra Jet and Top Secret, make this the hottest new Ford event in drag racing.

Racing begins on Friday with a test and tune session open to all manufacturers. The session includes Ford vs. The World and fans are invited to come cheer their favorite brand to victory over the invading Chevys and Mopars.

Parity was the name of the game during last weekend’s DER Bracket Racing Series in Thunder Valley. No driver emerged as a dominant force, leaving Winner’s Circle wide open for anyone who wanted it.

Sevierville’s Dakota Wells answered the call on Saturday, earning the Super Pro victory over Lauren Freer of Lewisville, N.C. Wells ran close to his dial, using a 4.782 elapsed time (4.78 dial-in) at 143.17 mph, and a .010 reaction time to steal the victory from Freer.

One of the Fas Mart Street Fights Series' most popular promotions, Ladies' Night, returns on Thursday, April 15 and gives someone the chance to win a special piece of jewelry.

A pendant necklace, provided by Victor Hardy Jewelers, will be placed in a small swimming pool of sand and several lucky ladies will battle it out so see who gets to leave with it around their neck. If past Diamond Digs are any indication, this event will be well worth watching.

Racer registration for the October 1-2, PINKS ALL OUT filled in less than 10 minutes on Monday morning, once again proving the popularity of racing in PINKS ALL OUT at Thunder Valley.

Four hundred racer entries were made available at 10 a.m. EST Monday, and by 10:10 a.m. all slots had been filled for the event.

For several drivers, the 2010 season is off to a good start in the DER Bracket Racing Series at Bristol Dragway. While Saturday's event in Thunder Valley was a non-points affair, beginning the year in Winner's Circle is never a bad thing.

Vance Houston from Spruce Pine, N.C. earned the win in Super Pro when his opposition, Darrell Pack of Newport, turned on the red light by just .004. Houston left the line with a .020 reaction time, and ran a 4.895 elapsed time (4.78 dial-in) at 128.66 mph to take the victory.

Anyone with a case of cabin fever will want to "cruise" on over to Thunder Valley to register for a vacation giveaway at the first Fas Mart Street Fights Series event of the year March 27.

Bristol Dragway will give a cruise for two to one lucky winner. And there will be no losers, as everyone else will see the region's fastest street-legal machines shake off the winter blues and burn up the strip in the season opener presented by One 12 Downtown.

There are examples out there of champions who, beyond talent, earned their way with grit and determination. Shirl Greer was one of those champions. The cars may be different than they were 30-plus years ago, but the elements it takes to win a championship are not, and he put those elements together.

Racer entries for one of Thunder Valley's most popular events, PINKS All Out, soon will be on sale.

Driver registration will begin on Monday, April 12 at 10 a.m. EST. Four hundred racer entries will be available initially. A registration link, found on www.bristoldragway.com, will become active April 12 at 10 a.m. EST.  All drivers must register online.

Bristol Dragway officials today announced a change to the 2010 schedule of events in Thunder Valley.

The Thompson Metal Monster Truck Madness, originally scheduled for Saturday, July 24, now takes place Thursday, July 29 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Bristol Dragway officials today announced a partnership with Absolute Communications as the agency of record for 2010 events in Thunder Valley.

Absolute, based in Kingsport, Tenn., will provide dragway staff with market research, graphic designs and branding for races at the legendary track.

Ever dreamed of becoming a professional racing announcer? Bristol Dragway is providing the opportunity. One lucky fan will provide the talent.

Due to the weather forecast for Saturday, the DER Racing Series drivers' meetings have been rescheduled for February 6.

Each class will meet at the designated time listed below. If you have any questions, please contact Red Whitmore at (423) 989-6952.

The inaugural Thunder Valley Bracket Challenge, the creation of well-known sportsman racers Dave Connolly and Jeff and Don Strickland, comes to Bristol Dragway May 27-30. The top bracket racers from across the country will do battle for a guaranteed weekend purse in excess of $300,000.

"This has been a brainchild of ours for a while," explained multi-time NHRA and big dollar bracket winner Jeff Strickland. "We've talked about it and thought about it a lot, and we've tried to develop a race that we'd get excited about attending ourselves, as racers. Obviously, Dave, Dad and myself won't be competing in our own event, but we've raced enough to know that certain formats and ideas can make the weekend more enjoyable."

Two experienced NHRA competitors have teamed up to bring a spectacular new bracket racing event to Bristol Dragway, April 22-25, 2010. The Inaugural K&N Spring Fling 20's includes an opening day $10,000-to-win race on Thursday and is highlighted by three $20,000-to-win races on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.