2026 Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals: Schedule, Storylines & Coverage

The 25th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals rolls into Bristol Dragway, June 12-14 – the ninth of 20 races on NHRA’s 75th-anniversary Mission Foods schedule and the third leg of the three-race Eastern Swing that opened at Potomac and continued at Epping. Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle are all on the championship clock. JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod presented by Elite Motorsports and Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown round out the card.

And it kicks off with two finals still to settle – the rained-out Epping Top Fuel and Funny Car final rounds run Friday at Bristol before regular Thunder Valley qualifying begins. Langdon vs. Pruett. Vandergriff vs. Beckman. Then qualifying starts.

Jump to: Event Update · By the Numbers · Storylines · Quick Hits · Schedule · TV Coverage · Records · AJ Bohlander Photos · Photo Gallery · DI Coverage

Event Update

Bristol 2026 Winners

Final Round Results

Sunday Storylines

Brown’s breakthrough. Antron Brown’s first Wally of 2026 came on a Father’s Day Sunday with the entire family watching. Brown qualified No. 2 and ran a near-flawless ladder – 3.805 over Will Smith R1, 3.799 over Shawn Reed R2, 3.798 over Doug Kalitta in the semi, 3.788 in the final over Langdon by eight feet. It’s career win No. 20 in Top Fuel. Shawn Langdon, who entered the day as the points leader and was up against the wall after a #9-qualifying performance, ran his way through Salinas, Pruett (the day’s headline upset – Pruett went up in smoke at the hit), Stewart in the semi, and into the final. Best ladder run of his year. He came up nine feet short.

Hagan locks the sweep. Matt Hagan’s 4.009 / 319.60 from Friday night never got beat for the No. 1 qualifier, and Hagan turned the No. 1 into the trophy with a clean ladder. He gave up Jon Capps via red light in R1, took a free bye in R2 (smoke-show didn’t matter), beat Austin Prock 4.079 to 4.212 in the semi, then closed it out with a 4.125 / 310.91 when Wilkerson smoked the tires at the hit. Career win No. 57. Second of 2026. The Tony Stewart Racing nitro sweep that started Friday with the dual No. 1 caps ended Sunday with Hagan in the winner’s circle – albeit without his teammate Pruett, who exited R2.

Hartford gets the upset. Matt Hartford and Greg Anderson lined up for one of the all-time Bristol Pro Stock final matchups. Hartford came in as the 25-time finalist with the No. 2 qualifier; Anderson came in as the No. 1 qualifier with countless Bristol wins, a 21-6 head-to-head edge against Hartford, and a HendrickCars.com Camaro that had run a 6.656 just one round earlier. Anderson got severe tire shake and clicked it off. Hartford ran a clean 6.672 / 205.60. Win number 11 of his career, third of 2026.

Herrera wins the championship matchup. Gaige Herrera and Richard Gadson sat one-two in qualifying, both ran the round in clean fashion through the ladder, both showed up to the final at sub-6.85. Gadson had .015 on the tree; Herrera ran a 6.838 / 198.47 to chase him down by half-track. Career win No. 30 for Herrera. Second of 2026. Gadson’s fourth final-round loss of his career to Herrera.

Collins’s improbable Wally. Jason Collins came in qualified No. 6, beat Mike Castellana on a holeshot R1, won R2 against Travis Harvey after his steering wheel came off in his hand on the burnout (he hit the sign in front of the Christmas tree, didn’t hurt the car, and won when Harvey got loose), beat Stan Shelton in the semi with a 5.798, and then in the final – on a track that had given him fits all weekend – lost traction at the hit, didn’t see Mike Stavrinos red-light by .005, got back on the throttle, fought a loose car all the way to the stripe and somehow stayed in his lane. Stavrinos ran a 5.763 at 250.00 mph that would have won easily. Collins ran an 8.681 at 98.82. He still wins. Wally No. 3 of his career. NHRA didn’t cover the Pro Mod final in their Sunday News and Notes dump. DI did.

Epping Makeup Finals – Settled at Bristol

Both postponed nitro finals from last weekend’s NHRA New England Nationals at Epping ran Friday at Bristol before regular Thunder Valley qualifying. The books on Epping are closed.

Top Fuel – Pruett Drives Around Langdon for the Win

Leah Pruett posted a winning 3.794 at 332.43 mph, defeating Shawn Langdon’s 3.852 at 328.54. Langdon held a slight reaction-time advantage (.062 to .073), but Pruett’s quicker elapsed time drove her around the Kalitta Motorsports machine for the W. The win officially closes out the weather-delayed New England Nationals and adds another Wally to a competitive Top Fuel season.

Funny Car – Beckman Cruises Past Vandergriff in All-JFR Final

The all – John Force Racing final guaranteed since Epping eliminations went to Jack Beckman, who delivered a championship-caliber run in the PEAK Chevrolet Camaro: 4.017 at 318.54 mph off a .066 reaction time. He left first and never trailed. Jordan Vandergriff, seeking his second Funny Car win of 2026 in the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet, left .083 and encountered trouble shortly after the launch, slowing to a 6.291 at 106.68.

Final Qualifying – The Field is Set

Top Fuel – Pruett Locks the No. 1, Riding a Wally Into Race Day

Leah Pruett closed qualifying as the Top Fuel No. 1 in the Rush Truck Centers TSR dragster with a 3.794 at 332.43 mph from Friday night that no one bettered all weekend. Doug Kalitta claimed the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge by edging Pruett in the all-star bonus final with a 3.922 / 314.90 against her 3.918 / 325.45, but Kalitta’s weekend qualifying ET landed him at the No. 11 spot, not the No. 1. The Saturday News & Notes lede claim of Kalitta as the No. 1 qualifier turned out to be wrong – Pruett held it from Friday on.

The Saturday story underneath the headliners was just as live. Jasmine Salinas posted the Q3 quickest at 3.822 / 326.00 – her breakout run of the season and a serious shot of momentum heading into Sunday. Antron Brown went 3.949 / 311.92 in Q4 to round out a steady weekend. Justin Ashley 3.950 / 304.94. Josh Hart stays in the mix with another 3.80 in the Speedmasters dragster. Billy Torrence still owns top speed of the weekend at 338.17 mph. Points leader Shawn Langdon never recovered from Friday’s shutoff and starts Sunday in the back half of the field – everything to gain, nothing to give back.

Funny Car – Hagan Holds the Pole, Vandergriff’s Centerline Crossing

Matt Hagan closed Funny Car qualifying with the No. 1 in the JHG Dodge Power Brokers Charger on a 4.009 / 319.60 from Friday night – the 55th career No. 1 qualifier of his career and his first of 2026. Alexis DeJoria sits No. 2 at 4.010 / 326.00 – one thousandth back. Jack Beckman No. 3 at 4.017 / 318.54. Spencer Hyde No. 4 at 4.030 / 319.07. Austin Prock closed Saturday’s Q4 with the session’s quickest at 4.101 / 305.42 but landed at No. 5 overall. Ron Capps sits No. 7 – the Legend of Thunder Valley ceremony inductee starts Sunday looking for his ninth Bristol Funny Car win.

The Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Funny Car final delivered the weekend’s biggest scare. Jordan Vandergriff ran 4.185 against Jack Beckman’s 4.203, but suffered an engine explosion and crossed the centerline past the finish line in the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet. The DQ handed Beckman his second Funny Car trophy of the Bristol weekend – he took the Epping makeup final Friday in the PEAK Chevy Camaro and the Saturday 2F2T crown over his JFR teammate.

Pro Stock – Anderson Locks the Pole, Hartford Steals 2F2T

Greg Anderson finished Pro Stock qualifying right where he started it – on top. Anderson closed Q4 with a 6.651 / 206.86 to lock the No. 1 in the HendrickCars.com Camaro. He’s the defending Bristol winner and one of the most decorated Pro Stock drivers in NHRA history. He’s also enters Sunday on the points-leader cliff edge – teammate Dallas Glenn sits ahead of him.

The Saturday session winner was Matt Hartford, who posted the Q3 quickest at 6.658 / 206.95 in the Total Seal Camaro and then survived a red-light from Glenn in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Pro Stock final. Hartford ran 6.671 / 206.95 with a .012 light. Glenn was actually quicker at 6.661 / 206.07 but red-lit by .006. Razor-thin all weekend. Aaron Stanfield ran the double-duty schedule and qualified inside the top half before trouble in Q4. Erica Enders, Cody Anderson, Matt Latino, Stephen Bell, and Troy Coughlin Jr. all in single-thousandths skirmishes for ladder position.

Pro Stock Motorcycle – Herrera Tags the Quickest Run of the Weekend

Gaige Herrera closed qualifying with the quickest Pro Stock Motorcycle run of the weekend – a 6.831 / 197.88 on the Mission Vance & Hines Suzuki in Q4. The former world champion enters Sunday hunting his first Bristol trophy and his first No. 1 qualifier of the 2026 season. Richard Gadson, the reigning champ and current points leader, picked up the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge crown with a 6.855 / 197.65 to beat Jianna Evaristo. Steve Johnson and John Hall both posted top-half qualifying runs. Joey Gladstone, the surprise ride this weekend, made the show. Brayden Davis sits inside contender range after a 6.928 in the Q4 pair against Herrera.

Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Saturday Winners (Bonus Race)

Sunday Eliminations – Full Results (R1 → R2 → Semis → Final)

Semifinals (Round 3) – Quick Reference

Top Fuel – Round 1 Results

Leah Pruett opened the day with a single-best 3.770 / 332.43 on the bye. Shawn Langdon turned in the round’s quickest at 3.764 / 335.40, riding past Jasmine Salinas. The biggest moment of the round was Maddi Gordon’s upset of Billy Torrence – Torrence dropped cylinders past half-track, Gordon chased him down for the W (3.817 / 329.26) and locked lane choice over Tony Stewart in R2. Doug Kalitta beat Josh Hart 3.799 / 330.31, Antron Brown shoved past Will Smith, Tony Schumacher beat Keith Murt on a holeshot, Tony Stewart picked off Justin Ashley, and Shawn Reed beat Clay Millican when Millican shut off.

Top Fuel – Round 2 Results

The Sunday upset everybody will be talking about: Shawn Langdon beat Leah Pruett when Pruett went up in smoke at the hit and pedaled it. Langdon dropping cylinders late but still ran 3.977 / 315.12 for the W – he’ll give up lane choice to Stewart in the semi. Doug Kalitta took out Tony Schumacher with the round’s quickest 3.784 / 331.77; Schumacher’s motor let go on the top end, hit with an oildown (his 4th of the season, 15-point hit) and a tow back. Antron Brown shoved Shawn Reed aside (Reed got loose, 4.549 / 206.26) with a strong 3.799 / 336.57. Tony Stewart closed it out by holding off Maddi Gordon 3.805 / 320.05 to 3.826 / 330.88.

Funny Car – Round 1 Results

Hagan opened race day with a clean 4.101 / 295.98 win when Jon Capps red-lit – a gift bye into the semifinal. Jordan Vandergriff upset Alexis DeJoria from the No. 13 spot with the round’s quickest 3.999 / 322.88. Ron Capps chased down Chad Green on the top end for a 3.989 / 324.44 win and Sunday lane choice over Vandergriff. Spencer Hyde moved on past Cruz Pedregon (shutoff) with a 4.001 / 316.52. Daniel Wilkerson dispatched J.R. Todd (Todd smoked the tires), and Beckman, Prock beat their lower-seeded matchups.

Funny Car – Round 2 Results

Hagan’s bye in R2 didn’t go to plan – he drove into tire smoke and clicked it off at 4.673 / 180.60. Doesn’t matter, he’s in the semis to face Austin Prock, who turned the round’s quickest at 3.986 / 323.50 to beat Spencer Hyde 4.001 / 321.96. Daniel Wilkerson upset Jack Beckman 4.041 / 319.52 to 4.065 / 319.07 – the day’s second top-half stunner. Ron Capps ran down Vandergriff on the top end 3.980 / 327.43 to 4.040 / 285.29 (Vandergriff went silent on the back half) and gets lane choice over Wilkerson in the semi.

Pro Stock – Round 1 Results

Pro Stock’s round-one drama was tight margins and red lights. Dallas Glenn ran the quickest of the round at 6.643 / 205.91 to put away Stephen Bell and now has lane choice over Aaron Stanfield in R2. Greg Anderson set himself up for a bye in R2 by beating Kenny Delco. Matt Latino beat brother Eric Latino when Eric went red. Aaron Stanfield upset Erica Enders – Enders had problems and shut off. Cody Anderson upset Jeg Coughlin Jr.. Hartford, G. Stanfield round out the field of eight.

Pro Stock Motorcycle – Round 1 Results

PSM R1 ran after the rain delay. Gaige Herrera took the bye and posted the round’s quickest at 6.840 / 198.03. Richard Gadson capitalized on Wesley Wells going red to grab the W and lane choice over Van Sant in R2. Angie Smith dispatched Geno Scali. Joey Gladstone upset John Hall for the second-quickest run of the round. Chris Bostick upset Jianna Evaristo. Chase Van Sant got the W when Brayden Davis went red. Kelly Clontz moved on when Ryan Oehler went red. Steve Johnson beat Marc Ingwersen and gets lane choice over Clontz.

Pro Modified – The Class NHRA Forgot. The Class DI Didn’t.

Jason Collins’s ladder to the Wally: Beat Mike Castellana (R1) on a hole, 5.787 / 247.43. Beat Travis Harvey (R2) on what may be the most absurd round-win in NHRA Pro Mod history – Collins got loose on the burnout, hit the sign in front of the Christmas tree, didn’t damage the car, then his steering wheel came off in his hand. He stayed staged, ran 5.786 / 247.79, and won when Harvey got loose mid-track and clicked it. Beat Stan Shelton (R3, semi) 5.798 / 247.52. In the final he lost traction at the hit, didn’t see Stavrinos red light (-.005), got back on the throttle, fought the car straight, kept it in his lane, and ran 8.681 / 98.82 to take Stavrinos’s wreck of a win light.

Mike Stavrinos’s ladder to a runner-up: Beat Adam Laughlin (R1) 5.790. Beat J.R. Gray (R2) 5.790 / 249.63. Beat Rickie Smith (R3, semi) 5.779 / 249.44. In the final, ran a 5.763 at 250.00 mph that would have won easily on ET – but he red-lit by .005 and the W goes to Collins. The fastest car at the race didn’t take the trophy. Drag racing.

Saturday Media Center – Pruett, Hagan, and the TSR Sweep

“Coming into this weekend, I gotta say this number one qualifying spot is something that we’re the most proud of from any number one qualifying position out of all the other ones,” says Pruett. “To be able to race hard for a final round and take advantage of that nightish session, everything’s on the line for that, and we took everything that was out there for that track.”

Pruett went out of her way to credit two pieces of the TSR operation that don’t usually show up in qualifying recaps – the team’s data partner and a crew chief on the other car.

“You guys might hear us talk about Polaro Technologies. That’s our technology partner, specializing in data science. We’re not having any other new information, just organizing our data in a way that’s more accessible to our crew chiefs to filter through all the possibilities and scenarios. Both Matt’s crew chiefs and mine work together on that,” says Pruett. “Even to get us to that final round win, Matt’s co-crew chief Phil Shuler was hugely instrumental. From what they had taken away from his run, we were able to apply some of our changes. I attribute any of our hard work to the team, Polaro Technologies, and just the communication that’s so organic between both TSR teams.”

The Left Lane and a “Real Driver” Lesson

Bristol’s freshly paved surface has been the weekend’s headline storyline, and Pruett pulled back the curtain on what drivers were actually navigating – particularly down the left lane.

“The profile of it 26 days ago is not exactly what’s out there right now,” says Pruett. “You could talk to almost any driver that’s a real driver and they had an entire strategy. Left lane, we knew that about 100, 150 feet out it’s not as great. NHRA did a phenomenal job getting it to par, but just not as good as on the inside. So we were way to the inside, but then it wants to bring you even farther inside in the left lane, and you can’t have that. You’re driving a car at 100 and 200 and 250 miles an hour navigating where you want to be inside the groove to miss things.”

“I think there were some crew chiefs we heard say there’s nothing more we can do to get down that. Then Antron goes and makes a rip and we go down there. So it can be done. That’s where teams are constantly proving that we can get down,” says Pruett.

Asked about Sunday’s 10 a.m. start with cooler conditions on deck, Pruett kept the focus on what TSR can do with the toolbox, not whose lane she’s in.

“Today at 10 o’clock the track was 100 degrees, so we should possibly see that. We don’t know exactly right when that front might be coming in, so it might even be a little bit cooler than that, so that’s exciting,” says Pruett. “What tools are you going to dive into your toolbox and look back to for what we can use? We can use stuff on Friday night, absolutely.”

“It’d be very cool to put Rusty Rush’s Rush Truck Centers car back in that winner’s circle where we were at yesterday,” says Pruett.

Hagan: 55 Career No. 1s, the Crew Over a Wood Stove, and a John Force Reminder

Hagan’s 4.009 / 319.60 from Friday night held up through all of Saturday’s heat. He was direct about why.

“Honestly, I didn’t think a four flat would hold,” says Hagan. “When you look at track temperature, that changes the game. From round one today, watching Alexis go 4.01, there’s obviously some cars out there that can challenge it. But these crew chiefs, when they roll into Saturday, they think about race-day setup. Trying to lay it all out there goes away a little bit. That mentality sets in for what’s really important, which is obviously four rounds tomorrow.”

The career No. 1 milestone landed on a weekend where Hagan said he was thinking less about himself and more about his crew – the guys working in race-day heat with the track surface at 140 degrees.

“When you bring the car back and they pull it apart, these guys are like working over a wood stove. It’s like a 140-degree racetrack out there and we’re sitting in the firesuit and sweating,” says Hagan. “But those guys, they’re turning wrenches, they’re bringing it back and putting it together. You have to be mindful how much everybody cares and how much energy and effort everybody’s putting into it. When we can get these little small wins like this for the number one qualifiers and you can pat those guys on the back, put that yellow cap on their hat, and they get a little bit of bonus money here and there, it goes a long way for those guys. They’re workhorses. They work really hard every day to put a good race car underneath us.”

Hagan used the John Force reference to talk about the perspective shift that comes with being a 55-time No. 1 qualifier and still showing up every weekend like he hasn’t arrived.

“It’s a gift to be here. I think we have to be mindful of that sometimes when we’re a little irritated, a little sweaty, a little tired, or whatever it may be. Tomorrow is a gift that we get to go out here, we get to race,” says Hagan. “It’s like a home race – there’s so many people, they want autographs, they’re bringing stuff to you. But I also remember when no one wanted my autograph either. I was always like, hey, can I get you an autograph? It’s cool that it’s different now.”

The shared TSR setup on top of qualifying isn’t accidental, Hagan said – it’s how the team operates between rounds and between cars.

“We have all new surface, throw all the data away, and crew chiefs get to kind of lick their chops a little bit and see what they can do,” says Hagan. “We were supposed to have some night sessions and it didn’t work out because of the rain. We’re getting bumped up in the morning. That’s being adaptive – adapting to the situation and being able to make changes. As long as we can continue growing, making changes, and making the right calls, both these teams are going to go far. I’m excited.”

Sunday’s 10 a.m. ET green is coming. Whether the front holds off or rolls in early, both TSR cars will be calling on Polaro’s data, Phil Shuler’s notes, and whatever the new Bristol surface gives them at race-day temps.

“Right now we’re kind of in test mode a little bit with clutch discs and different things like that, and you have to do those things to be ready for those last six races,” says Hagan. “As much as you want to go out here and set the world on fire, sometimes you have to understand that we have test mode. You have to use some of these runs in order to be ready for the Countdown where you go into battle. I’m so glad I’m not a crew chief. I would not have any hair left on my head.”

DRBB Predicted Winners – Bristol 2026

Top Fuel – Predicted Winners

Funny Car – Predicted Winners

Pro Stock – Predicted Winners

Pro Stock Motorcycle – Predicted Winners

Friday Qualifying – After Q1 + Q2 (Provisional)

Top Fuel – Friday Provisional (After Q1 + Q2)

Friday night under the lights at Bristol delivered exactly what Top Fuel was hoping for. The rebuilt surface continued to take rubber through Q2 and the field erupted – eight different drivers in the 3.80s and speeds above 330. Tony Stewart sat near the top of the order at 3.807 / 332.10 in the Elite TSR dragster – the Top Fuel rookie campaign continuing to surprise. Tony Schumacher ran 3.803 (quickest run of Q2 as captured). Antron Brown at 3.801 / 329.50. Billy Torrence set top speed of the weekend so far at 338.17 mph. After the Epping final, Langdon ran 6.924 in Q2. Leah Pruett’s 3.755 – eventually reported by NHRA as Friday’s provisional No. 1 – landed after this snapshot.

Funny Car – Friday Provisional (After Q1 + Q2)

After a cautious Q1 where Austin Prock led but no one approached 300 mph, the rebuilt surface came alive in Q2. Matt Hagan went from a 5.670 in Q1 to a session-best 4.009 at 319.60 in the Dodge Power Brokers Charger – the first four-second run of the night. Spencer Hyde No. 2 at 4.030 on a solo. Chad Green third at 4.189 / 242.84 – the quickest and fastest full pull recorded in Q1 actually came from Green. Incoming Legend of Thunder Valley and current points leader Ron Capps still sat No. 9 – Bristol doesn’t sort itself out until Q4. NHRA later reported Hagan at 3.956 as Friday’s provisional No. 1, which superseded this snapshot.

Pro Stock – Friday Provisional (After Q1 + Q2)

Greg Anderson opens Q1 with the No. 1 in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro at 6.673 / 204.11. Matt Latino three thousandths back at 6.676 / 205.04. Dallas Glenn third at 6.687. The top 12 cars are inside .049 seconds – Pro Stock is right where it always is at Bristol. Aaron Stanfield qualified No. 7 in his Pro Stock entry; he’s also entered in Pro Mod for double-duty weekend.

Pro Stock Motorcycle – Friday Provisional (After Q1 + Q2)

Gaige Herrera takes provisional No. 1 in PSM with a 6.867 at 196.59 on the Mission Vance & Hines Suzuki. Ryan Oehler No. 2 at 6.898 / 198.52. Angie Smith third at 6.899. Reigning champ and current points leader Richard Gadson sits No. 5 at 6.908 – six thousandths off the top after one. Joey Gladstone, in a surprise ride this weekend, qualified No. 7 at 6.935 / 195.79.

By the Numbers

Storylines

Ron Capps Named Legend of Thunder Valley

Ron Capps arrives at Bristol carrying the Funny Car points lead and, this weekend, gets recognition for what he’s already done at Thunder Valley. Bristol Dragway is inducting Capps into its Legends of Thunder Valley – making him only the third active driver ever to receive the honor.

Capps’s case is unimpeachable: his eight Funny Car wins at Bristol are the most in NHRA history at the facility. He’s the defending Bristol winner. He’s the current points leader. J.R. Todd, Matt Hagan, and Chad Green are all close behind, but Bristol is Capps’ building.

Aaron Stanfield Adds Pro Mod Double Duty Starting at Bristol

Fresh off his $150,000 win at the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod in February, Aaron Stanfield is making the Pro Mod commitment official. Modern Racing, Inc. and Elite Motorsports announced this week that Stanfield will add Pro Mod driving duties for the remainder of 2026 in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod series, starting at Bristol.

That means double duty all weekend in Thunder Valley – Stanfield in his Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance Pro Stock Camaro AND in a Modern Racing-built Pro Mod entry. Watch for two qualifying schedules running in parallel.

Epping Makeup Finals Friday – Langdon/Pruett, Vandergriff/Beckman

The Top Fuel and Funny Car finals from last weekend’s New England Nationals were rained out and pushed to Friday at Bristol. They run before regular Thunder Valley qualifying gets underway.

Top Fuel: Points leader Shawn Langdon vs. Leah Pruett. Langdon goes for his fourth final-round win of 2026 and the chance to extend his points lead. Pruett goes for her first win since returning to the seat for Tony Stewart Racing.

Funny Car: All – John Force Racing. Jordan Vandergriff vs. Jack Beckman. Vandergriff is the No. 1 qualifier from Epping and the rookie sensation of the season. Beckman runs his Vandergriff-twin Toyota for the win. Either way, JFR adds a Wally.

Greg Anderson Returns to Bristol – Site of 1,000th Round Win

Greg Anderson rolls into Bristol with 114 career national event wins – most of any active driver, second only to John Force. Last year at Bristol he made history again: his 1,000th career round win, joining Force as the only drivers in NHRA history to reach the mark.

Anderson sits No. 2 in Pro Stock points behind KB Titan Racing teammate Dallas Glenn. He’s won twice in 2026 already. Bristol is where he won his first Pro Stock event back in 2001 – Thunder Valley remains the throughline of his career.

Richard Gadson – Reigning Champ, Points Leader, Defending Bristol Winner

Bristol was the turning point for Richard Gadson‘s career. After coming close all season as Gaige Herrera ran away with the class, Gadson broke through at Thunder Valley in 2025 – first career win, in the final round over Herrera. Three more wins followed. So did the world championship.

Gadson returns as current PSM points leader on the RevZilla / Motul / Vance & Hines Suzuki, looking to defend his Bristol Wally.

Pro Mod, Factory Stock Showdown Also Running

The JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod presented by Elite Motorsports series runs alongside the pros – and as noted above, Stanfield joins the entry list this weekend. Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown also runs, with Stephen Allegrucci going for three FSS wins in a row at Bristol after sweeping Charlotte and Maple Grove.

Quick Hits

Race Weekend Schedule

Friday, June 12
· NHRA Lucas Oil Series qualifying and time trials begin 10:00 a.m. ET
· Factory Stock Showdown qualifying 2:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. ET
· JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod qualifying 3:45 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET
· Postponed Epping TF and FC Finals run before Mission Foods qualifying
· Mission Foods qualifying begins 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET (subject to weather adjustments)
· FS1 televises 90 minutes of qualifying at 8:00 p.m. ET

Saturday, June 13
· Lucas Oil eliminations 8:30 a.m. and 5:25 p.m. ET
· Factory Stock Showdown qualifying 11:15 a.m., eliminations 5:10 p.m. ET
· JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod qualifying 11:30 a.m. and 2:35 p.m. ET
· Mission Foods final qualifying 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. ET
· SealMaster Track Walk + special autograph session at the Bristol Welcome Tent

Sunday, June 14
· Pre-race ceremonies 11:00 a.m. ET
· Mission Foods eliminations begin Noon ET
· Free limited-edition NHRA pennant for first 4,000 fans

TV Coverage

All times Eastern. FS1:
· Friday, June 12: 90 minutes of qualifying at 8:00 p.m.
· Sunday, June 14: 1 hour of qualifying at 2:00 p.m.
· Sunday, June 14: 3 hours of eliminations / finals coverage at 3:00 p.m.

Track Records to Watch

2025 Bristol Winners

· Top Fuel: Steve Torrence
· Funny Car: Ron Capps
· Pro Stock: Greg Anderson (also: 1,000th career round win)
· Pro Stock Motorcycle: Richard Gadson (first career win – launched championship season)

AJ Bohlander Photo Gallery

Friday at Thunder Valley

Photos: AJ Bohlander. Click any image to enlarge.

AJ Bohlander – Saturday Gallery

AJ Bohlander’s second daily gallery from Bristol – Saturday qualifying and Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge action.

Photo Gallery – Thunder Valley

Atmosphere and action at Bristol Dragway. Photos: NHRA / Auto Imagery. Click any image to enlarge.

DI Coverage Hub

Drag Illustrated’s coverage of the 2026 Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals lives here. Storylines, qualifying results, eliminations round-by-round, photos, and the final story drop in this hub as the weekend unfolds. Refresh through Sunday.

This story was originally published on June 11, 2026.