Voting is now open to determine the starting lineup for the NHRA Challenge. Drivers participating in the race will be listed and fans will simply vote for their favorites in the positions they'd like to see them start the event. Visit the voting page now.
The NHRA Circle Track Challenge takes place Saturday evening, after a big day of action at Bristol Dragway, home of the May 16-18 O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. The NHRA Circle Track Challenge is part of a full program of racing at BMS, which also includes the Thompson Metal 150 UARA late model race, as well as several other feature events.
While there are currently 20 drivers on the list of possible entrants, the number of cars in the field will be determined by car count. For example, should 15 cars be entered, 15 drivers will be in the lineup so the fan vote will be key in who makes the field and where they start.
The NHRA drivers will be racing street stock cars - basic late model passenger cars with roll cages. They will drive the first segment of the race, then turn their rides over to their street stock partner, the owner of the car, who then will finish the race. An NHRA winner will be crowned after the first segment and the starting positions for street stock drivers for the final segment will be determined by the finishing order of their NHRA "teammate." A second segment winner and an overall winner also will be crowned.
Voting for the way the NHRA field will start the Circle Track Challenge will close on Thursday, May 15.
Drivers expected to participate in the Circle Track Challenge include Tony Schumacher, Gary Scelzi, Ron Capps, Jeg Coughlin, Greg Anderson, Jason Line, Doug Kalitta, Kurt Johnson, Allen Johnson, Dave Grubnic, Morgan Lucas, J.R. Todd, Doug Herbert, Jack Beckman and Cory McClenathan. Cast your vote now!
A 30-lap Pro Challenge event follows the NHRA Circle Track Challenge, followed by a 25-lap Charger race. The War Wizard, a monster truck, will be on hand to crush school buses and then the UARA stars will then take the green flag for a 150-lap event, followed by an appliance race, which features stock cars racing with major appliances strapped to their cars.
The night begins with the NHRA Circle Track Challenge at 7 p.m., although NHRA drivers will be given the opportunity to practice the cars just prior to the start of the Circle Track Challenge. The evening concludes with a fireworks show after the Thompson Metal 150 UARA feature race. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.
General admission tickets are $15 with children 12 and under admitted free with a ticketed adult. Anyone attending the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on Saturday can show their ticket stub at the BMS gate and receive $5 off the ticket price.
Pit passes may be purchased for $35. No one under the age of 15 will be admitted to the pits. Anyone 18 and under must have a parent sign a waiver for admittance to the pit area.