Following a first-of-its-kind fan vote, Funny Car driver Jack Beckman will start from the pole in the NHRA Circle Track Challenge, part of Saturday evening's "Saturday Spectacular" at Bristol Motor Speedway.
The NHRA Circle Track Challenge makes up one of the supporting events for this week's "Saturday Spectacular," headlined by the Thompson Metal 150 for UARA Stars late model cars.
Race fans cast more than 11,000 votes at bristoldragway.com to determine the starting lineup for the 25-lap NHRA driver event, which features 16 NHRA all-stars. Beckman received more than 30 percent of all votes.
Justin Humphreys will start second, followed by Greeneville's Allen Johnson, Doug Herbert, Bristol Dragway's defending Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin, Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Gary Scelzi, three-time Bristol winner Doug Kalitta, and Cory McClenathan.
Starting 11th is five-time and defending Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher, followed by Greg Anderson, J.R. Todd, Kurt Johnson, Jason Line and Morgan Lucas.
The NHRA drivers will borrow street stock cars - basic late model passenger cars with roll cages - drive the first half of the race, then turn them back over to the cars' regular street stock drivers to complete the event. The NHRA driver finishing first in the opening segment will receive a "half-way" trophy, but the champions of the event will be both drivers of the car that completes the 25 laps first.
A 30-lap Pro Challenge event kicks off the evening at 7 p.m., followed by the NHRA Circle Track Challenge, and the 25-lap Charger race. The UARA stars will take to the track for the Thompson Metal 150, followed by an appliance race, which features stock cars racing with major appliances strapped to their cars.
Bristol's Randy Moore and his "War Wizard" monster truck, will crush school buses at the conclusion of racing, and a fireworks show will close out a spectacular evening. Gates will open at 6 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. Certain restrictions apply for anyone under 18 and parents or guardians must sign waivers for minors before admittance to the pit area.
NHRA Circle Track Challenge Starting Line-Up
(NHRA Driver / Street Stock Driver)
- Jack Beckman / Freddie Taylor
- Justin Humphreys / Robert Austin
- Allen Johnson / Jon Cook
- Doug Herbert / Doug Austin
- Jeg Coughlin / Gene Griffey
- Antron Brown / Jared Bruner
- Ron Capps / Jeff Williams
- Gary Scelzi / Chris Tunnell
- Doug Kalitta / Jeff Counts
- Cory McClenathan / Roger Neece
- Tony Schumacher / Duke Bare
- Greg Anderson / Tim Robinson
- J.R. Todd / Terry Stone
- Kurt Johnson / James "Moonshine" Mills
- Jason Line / Greg Stephens
- Morgan Lucas / TBD