Brown has raced in Thunder Valley before, in 2000 and 2001 in the Winston Showdown, but it was on a Pro Stock Motorcycle where he's captured 16 victories over the past decade. In fact, he did quite well in his 2001 appearance in Bristol, finishing second to winner Matt Hines.
The 32-year-old Brown has his sights set on finishing a spot higher this time around while making his Bristol debut in a Top Fuel dragster. Brown made the switch to Top Fuel from Pro Stock Motorcycles at the start of this season and faster than a 330-plus mph run down Thunder Valley's quarter-mile, he has become a star in the sport's top class.
In just six races this season, Brown has two wins to his credit, at Houston and Atlanta. He also is second in the points race, just 26 behind defending Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher.
While the victories are nice, Brown, the first man in NHRA history to win in to the Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle classes, says his focused is on making the Countdown to the Championship.
"We've gotten off to a great start for the first quarter of the season," said Brown. "We've got our dragster in prime position but we want to secure our position in the Countdown and continue to go rounds. "
As for returning to Thunder Valley for the first time in seven years and for the first time in a Top Fuel dragster, Brown is awaiting the moment he pulls up to the starting line for his first run.
"I'm looking forward to coming back to Bristol to race in between the mountains," he said. "The atmosphere there is real exciting with all the great fans at Thunder Valley.
"I'm just really looking forward to coming there and keeping it going with our team. I raced there years ago during the Winston Showdown and I can't wait to race our dragster at another awesome facility."
Grandstand tickets are available for the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. Grandstand ticket pricing is as follows: Friday -- Sections A - D $30 Adult / $10 Junior; Sections E - U $35 Adult / $15 Junior; Thunder Terrace $35 Adult / $15 Junior, Saturday -- Sections A - D $45 Adult / $15 Junior; Sections E - U $55 Adult / $25 Junior; Thunder Terrace $55 Adult / $25 Junior, Sunday -- Sections A - D $45 Adult / $15 Junior, Sections E - U $55 Adult / $25 Junior, Thunder Terrace $55 Adult / $25 Junior. Weekend combos are: Sections A - D $95 Adult / $30 Junior, Sections E - U $120 Adult / $50 Junior, and Thunder Terrace $120 Adult / $50 Junior.
Pricing for the Thunder Valley Club is $300 for the weekend for adults and $100 per child. Seating in Bruton's Suite is $450 per seat for the weekend.
Gates open at 8 a.m. Friday, May 16 with the first professional session slated to begin at 4 p.m. The second round begins later that evening at 6:30. Gates open Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 a.m. with the first round of pro qualifying set for 12:30 p.m., followed by the next round at 3 p.m.
Gates open Sunday, May 18 at 9 a.m. with final eliminations starting at noon.
To purchase Thunder Valley Club seating, call the Bristol Motor Speedway ticket office at (423) 989-6900. To purchase Bruton's Suite seats, please call Kathy Artrip 989-6973. To purchase reserved grandstand seats, please call the ticket office at 989-6900 or visit www.bristoltix.com