Ron Capps becomes winningest Pro Driver at Bristol Dragway in 2025 with his 8th NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Wally Trophy – MOTORSPORT AMERICA PHOTO
BRISTOL DRAGWAY SET FOR MAJOR FRIDAY NIGHT TO OPEN SUPER GRIP NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS
BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 9, 2026) – Friday night in Thunder Valley has
always been a huge highlight of the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley
Nationals. But there will be even more excitement – and a lot more on
the line – when nitro at night comes alive in a major way this Friday
at Bristol Dragway.
The second round of qualifying – which starts at 7:30 p.m. in Pro
Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock and continues at 8:30 p.m. in Funny Car
and Top Fuel – will also see the final rounds in Top Fuel and Funny
Car of last weekend’s NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto
completed under the lights on Friday.
Rain halted those two final rounds on Sunday and postponed them to
Friday in Bristol, which will lead to an electric atmosphere at Thunder
Valley.
In Top Fuel, points leader Shawn Langdon – winner of three straight
races and four of the past six – will take on surging Leah Pruett in
the finals.
Funny Car will see a John Force Racing showdown, with
teammates Jordan Vandergriff and Jack Beckman squaring off in the finals
round.
Langdon has been virtually unstoppable as of late, making a record run
of 345.00-mph in Valdosta, GA and taking a commanding points lead in the
process, while Pruett, who is third in points after returning to the
sport this season for Tony Stewart Racing, is closing in on what she
hopes is her first victory of the 2026 campaign.
“It’s going to be a week of anticipation trying to wrap up the final
round for Epping,” Pruett said. “We did not have lane choice (on
Sunday) except for first round and we don’t have lane choice going into
the final at Bristol. We get to refresh our brains, so obviously we’re
pumped.”
Added Langdon: “We’ll head to Bristol, start going through some
notes and get prepared there. It’ll be a good weekend.”
Vandergriff & Beckman are both running well at an opportune time.
Vandergriff won his 1st career race a month ago in Valdosta, GA and was the No. 1
qualifier last weekend, bringing plenty of momentum into Bristol.
Beckman, meanwhile, appears to be closing in on his first victory of the
season and now has an opportunity for two in a span of three days.
“Our car has been down the track 14 of the last 15 runs,” Beckman
said. “We’re going to have qualifying, the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty
Challenge, the final round against Vandergriff for this race, and the
Bristol race. That’s four reasons to push hard right off the bat.”
Added Vandergriff: “We have an all-JFR final and this is definitely
what John (Force) would have wanted.”
It’s a remarkable start to what should be an incredible weekend
celebrating 25 years of NHRA racing at Bristol Dragway and NHRA’s 75th
anniversary season.
Following a can’t-miss Friday, final qualifying, the Mission
#2Fast2Tasty Challenge and a special autograph session takes place on
Saturday, followed by eliminations on Sunday. Plus, the race will
feature a host of 75th anniversary items, including:
* An appearance from NHRA fan-favorite Top Fuel driver Clay Millican
as well as NHRA legend Darrell Gwynn. Millican’s memorable 2017
Bristol win will also be celebrated as the race’s historic moment.
* On Sunday, a free, limited-edition NHRA pennant will be given to the
first 4,000 fans in attendance.
In 2025, Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Greg Anderson
(Pro Stock) and Richard Gadson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won in
Bristol. This season’s Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will
be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations starting at 3 p.m. ET on
Sunday, June 14.
Six-time world champ Anderson made history last season when he secured
his 1,000th round win en route to the win over Dallas Glenn, who is the
points leader and reigning champ. Erica Enders, Matt Hartford and Greg
Stanfield are after wins as well.
Gadson, the reigning world champ and points leader, hopes to repeat, but
will be challenged by Maryland winner Angie Smith, Jianna Evaristo and
Steve Johnson.
The event will also feature the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, the
JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite
Motorsports and Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown. After final
qualifying on Saturday, fans can attend a special autograph session at
the Bristol Dragway Welcome Tent in the midway.
Bristol race fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that
introduce each driver and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track
Walk, and congratulate the winners at the winner’s circle celebration
on Sunday. As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and
sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. They can visit
NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and vendors create an
exciting atmosphere.
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds
at 5 and 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, June 12, and the final two rounds of
qualifying on Saturday, June 13 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Eliminations will
begin at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 14. Television coverage includes
qualifying action at 8 p.m. ET on Friday and 2 p.m. on Sunday on FS1,
leading into eliminations at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.
To purchase tickets to the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, fans can visit
NHRA.com/tickets [1]. For more information on NHRA, please visit
NHRA.com [2].
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