The May 16-18 event, one of the most popular and successful on the National Hot Rod Association tour, has a history of providing plenty of outstanding action and thrilling moments.
Last year's O'Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals was punctuated by Funny Car phenom John Force's emotional return to winner's circle, his first win of the season and his first since the death of teammate Eric Medlen earlier in the year.
Brandon Bernstein snagged the Top Fuel victory in 2007, his second in Thunder Valley while eventual 2007 champion Jeg Coughlin captured the Pro Stock win, his first in Bristol.
While Bernstein, Force and Coughlin all try to go for back-to-back wins, Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta will try to become the first driver to record four wins at Bristol Dragway. Kalitta notched wins in 2001, 2005 and 2006. Ron Capps and Force each have two Funny Car wins apiece while Greg Anderson and Warren Johnson also have a pair of victories each in Pro Stock.
Some of the best seats in the house to watch the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals are from the Thunder Valley Club and Bruton's Suite.
The Food City Thunder Valley Club features pit-side seating with private patio right next to the dragstrip, meals, a fan gift pack, preferred parking with the purchase of two tickets, a cash bar, private restrooms and the opportunity to meet some of NHRA's biggest names. John Force and his daughter Ashley Force are scheduled to appear, along with a number of other NHRA stars.
Bruton's Suite seats feature fully enclosed, theatre-style seating, as well as veranda seating, air-conditioning, a buffet with a wait staff, closed circuit television coverage of the races and a gift bag. NHRA drivers also are scheduled to make appearances in Bruton's Suite.
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.
Grandstand tickets also 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.
Gates open at 8 a.m. on 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.