Bristol Dragway’s 2011 season schedule features an impressive lineup of events, including the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on Father’s Day weekend, that will satisfy every race fan no matter the type of drag racing they enjoy.
Thrilling NHRA action returns to Bristol June 17-19 for one of the most popular events on the calendar among both drivers and fans, the 11th Annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Your Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers. The Father’s Day weekend event is the flagship event for Bristol Dragway and provides an experience unparalleled in motorsports.
Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon will guide his nitro-burning dragster down the track at speeds in excess of 300 mph as he seeks to knock off last season’s event winner Tony Schumacher. Drag racing legend and 2010 Funny Car champ John Force looks to carry on his winning ways as he wrestles his ground-pounding machine through Thunder Valley. Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson, Mike Edwards and local competitor Allen Johnson will slug it out to earn victory in the door slammer category.
Continuing to prove its popularity, Bristol’s Fas Mart Street Fights series celebrates its 11th season in 2011. Street Fights provides everyone with a driver’s license the chance to race in legendary Thunder Valley. From import tuners and American muscle, to minivans and motorcycles, the Fas Mart Street Fights series welcomes anyone to challenge the track in their own vehicle. The schedule is comprised of 17 Street Fights events, with the season opener Saturday, April 2. The majority of events run on Thursday evenings, with three slated for Saturdays.
Grassroots racing returns to Bristol with the DER Bracket Racing Series on tap for its third season in 2011. The DER Series schedule features 18 days of racing with competition in categories ranging from Super Pro to Junior Dragsters. Class champions are eager to defend their 2010 victories.
As always, Thunder Valley provides several special events for fans to cheer for their favorite manufacturers. Ford fans will want to visit the Ford Blue Oval Bash July 9-10, while the 12th Annual Mopar Thunder, set for Sept. 2-4, gives Mopar fans a chance to see some of their favorite classics in action.
Bristol Dragway hosts one of the largest Super Chevy Shows in the country Sept. 23-25 along with one of the track’s signature events, Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem Saturday, Sept. 24. After racing concludes at the Super Chevy Show Saturday, a spectacular lineup of extreme machines will put on a show for everyone during Thunder Valley Mayhem.
Metal crushing beasts take to the infield of Bristol Motor Speedway for Thompson Metal Monster Truck Madness Saturday, July 30. Fans can expect exciting racing, thrilling freestyle sessions and a lot of destruction during this event.
The All Harley Drag Racing Association returns Aug. 5-7 for several classes of high-speed competition, including the 200 mph Nitro Harleys, during the Thunder in the Valley Nationals. With the rumble of Harleys echoing in Thunder Valley, this is one of the most popular AHDRA venues. Set for June 24-26, the Inaugural Thunder Valley Dragbike Shootout will feature the hottest bikes on the planet and is sure to be the ultimate thrill on two wheels.
In addition to the DER Racing Series schedule, bracket racers have two more big events to break the bank. The May 19-22 Spring Fling Bracket Race returns for the second year and features hundreds of drivers running all out for the top prize. The fifth World Footbrake Challenge takes place July 15-17, and features the same format as previous years, with some of the biggest names in bracket racing going head-to-head for $10,000-to-win each day.
One of the biggest weeks of Junior Dragster competition in the country takes place in July and begins with the July 23-24 Mike Bos Chassis Craft Jr. Dragster Nationals. The tenth annual event gives participants the chance to get a head start on tuning their cars for the July 25-30 NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals. The Eastern Conference Finals attracts more than 500 racers, ages 8-17, from all states east of the Mississippi River.
With a schedule full of thrilling racing action, race fans everywhere should begin the countdown to Thunder Valley’s 2011 season. For more information about Bristol Dragway events, please call (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.bristoldragway.com.
2011 Bristol Dragway Schedule
Fas Mart Street Fights Opener April 2
Fas Mart Street Fights April 7
NHRA Chassis Certification April 8-9
DER Racing Series Test & Tune April 8
DER Racing Series April 9-10
Fas Mart Street Fights April 14
DER Racing Series April 16-17
Fas Mart Street Fights April 21
Fas Mart Street Fights April 28
DER Racing Series Test & Tune April 29
DER Racing Series April 30-May 1
Fas Mart Street Fights May 5
Fas Mart Street Fights May 12
DER Racing Series May 14-15
The Spring Fling Bracket Race May 19-22
Fas Mart Street Fights May 26
DER Racing Series May 28-29
Fas Mart Street Fights June 2
DER Racing Series June 4-5
Eleventh Annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals June 17-19
Thunder Valley Dragbike Shootout June 24-26
Fas Mart Street Fights June 30
DER Racing Series Test & Tune July 1
DER Racing Series July 2-3
Fas Mart Street Fights July 7
Ford Blue Oval Bash July 9-10
World Footbrake Challenge July 15-17
Fas Mart Street Fights July 21
Mike Bos Chassis Craft Jr. Dragster Nationals July 23-24
NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals July 25-30
Thompson Metal Monster Truck Madness at BMS July 30
AHDRA Thunder in the Valley Nationals August 5-7
Fas Mart Street Fights August 13
Fas Mart Street Fights August 18
Mopar Thunder September 2-4
Fas Mart Street Fights September 8
DER Racing Series Test & Tune September 9
DER Racing Series September 10-11
Fas Mart Street Fights September 15
DER Racing Series September 17-18
Super Chevy Show September 23-25
Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem presented by JanPak September 24
Fas Mart Street Fights October 1
