One of the most picturesque settings on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series circuit, Bristol Dragway, will host the 15th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, June 19-21. The race is the 11th of 24 events in the 2015 season.
The unmistakable sights and sounds found only at famed Thunder Valley have brought fans together throughout the years during the important Father’s Day weekend as they cheer on their favorite drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock. Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Tommy Johnson Jr. (Funny Car), and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) are the defending winners of the event that will once again be televised on ESPN2.
Opened in 1965 and run under NHRA sanction until 1967, Bristol Dragway is in scenic northeastern Tennessee, carved into one of the valleys in the majestic Appalachian Mountains. Reintroduced to NHRA competition in 1999 and the Mello Yello Series circuit in 2001, the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals has given fans in the area unparalleled access to some of racing’s biggest stars. Moved to Father’s Day weekend in 2010, the race is now one of drag racing’s most popular events, leading to Bristol Dragway being one of the ultimate destinations in the world of drag racing with its unique surroundings and colorful history.
Featuring the fastest cars in drag racing, the Top Fuel category has showcased numerous big names claiming victories in Thunder Valley’s 50-year history. Langdon, the 2013 Top Fuel world champ, is the defending winner of this event, having defeated eight-time and defending world champ Tony Schumacher in the final. Langdon will be back at Bristol again this season behind the controls of the Knuckle Sandwich/AJPE Toyota dragster looking for a second consecutive facility victory.
Schumacher leads all NHRA drivers in wins at Bristol Dragway with five and is looking for his first there since 2012. “The Sarge,” as he is affectionately known, is again a title contender at the controls of his 10,000-horsepower U.S. Army dragster, winning last weekend in New England. Houston winner Doug Kalitta has three wins at Bristol Dragway but none since 2006. Two-time Bristol winner Larry Dixon, points leader Antron Brown, Richie Crampton, Steve Torrence, Clay Millican, J.R. Todd, new Monster Energy dragster driver Brittany Force, and Atlanta runner-up Leah Pritchett all figure to be factors when the race is decided.
Funny Car has always been a competitive category at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, with a different winner every year since 2011. Last season, Johnson raced to his first win since joining Don Schumacher Racing as the fourth Funny Car driver. Johnson, driver of the Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T, will roll into Bristol hot off his runner-up last weekend in New England.
New England winner John Force, the 16-time world champ, is the winningest Funny Car driver in Bristol Dragway history with five wins, including his last in 2013. Force, who also picked up the victory in Las Vegas in April, will debut his Peak Antifreeze Chevy Camaro SS for the east Tennessee fans. Ron Capps has three wins in Bristol (2001, 2006, and 2012) and looks to continue a fast start to the season. Virginia native and points leader Matt Hagan considers Bristol Dragway one of his home tracks, and the two-time and defending world champ is looking for his first victory at Thunder Valley. Other major contenders in the Funny Car category include two-time race winner Del Worsham, Funny Car’s winningest female, Courtney Force, 2011 event winner Robert Hight, Charlotte and Topeka winner Jack Beckman, and Atlanta winner Tim Wilkerson.
Bristol Dragway was one of the launching points last season that lifted Enders to her first Pro Stock world championship. The first woman to win a title in Pro Stock and the third to win a title in a Professional category, Enders is locked in a tight points battle with fellow world champs Greg Anderson and Jason Line. Enders, driver of the Racing in Red/Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro, has won three of the last six races and is second in the series standings.
Four-time world champ Anderson, driver of the Summit Racing Chevy Camaro, is the points leader and the leader in Pro Stock wins at Bristol Dragway with four and has experienced a career resurgence in 2015. Phoenix winner Rodger Brogdon, rookie sensation Drew Skillman, Houston runner-up Chris McGaha, and Vincent Nobile are all expected to be major contenders in the popular factory hot rod category.
The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series will make its fifth stop of the 2015 season at Bristol Dragway. Bob Rahaim stormed to victory at the season opener in Gainesville, winning in his first career start in the series, and Don Walsh (Houston), Kenny Lang (Atlanta), and Bill Glidden (Englishtown) have also secured victories. Defending event winner Pete Farber and two-time race winner and two-time defending world champ Rickie Smith will be major contenders for victory in the thrilling 250-mph doorslammer category.
The NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will also feature exciting side-by-side competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food, and fun for the entire family.
As part of Bristol Dragway’s 50th anniversary celebration, a special fireworks show will follow Friday night qualifying, and a Thunder Valley Fan Fest will follow Saturday’s racing that will include a driver autograph session. The SealMaster NHRA Track Walk will kick off Sunday’s pre-race ceremony and include a Donuts for Dad event in honor of Father’s Day. All fans who attend final eliminations at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will receive a limited-edition Bristol Dragway 50th Anniversary collector card. Finally, Bristol Dragway officials also will present their annual Legends of Thunder Valley induction ceremony.
NHRA’s Baptism by Nitro campaign will make its first appearance in Bristol. Inspired by the popular phrase “baptism by fire,” commonly used to describe when an individual is thrust into a new situation, experience, or environment, Baptism by Nitro is NHRA’s call to encourage longtime fans to introduce a family member or friend to the heart-pounding atmosphere of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
Throughout the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, NHRA fans are encouraged to share first-time Baptism by Nitro fan experiences on social media. Prizes will be given all year to the best nitro rookie reactions captured in the pits or in the grandstands and posted to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. All posts should include the hashtag #BaptismbyNitro and tag @NHRA.
Prior to the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, fans are encouraged to go online and nominate a nitro rookie and explain why their candidate deserves a VIP Baptism by Nitro experience. The winning entry will receive four tickets to the 2015 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, inside-the-ropes VIP access for a nitro warm-up and starting-line access, where each new fan will be baptized by nitro. Fans can log on to NHRA.com or visit NHRA’s Facebook page for their chance to win this VIP experience. An exciting visual preview of the campaign can be seen and shared at http://bit.ly/BBNitroVid.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, June 19, with sessions at 5 and 7:30 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, June 20, at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for noon Sunday, June 21.
