Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Saturday Updates & Highlights

Saturday brought exciting action to Bristol Dragway during the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. Despite early rain delays, Top Fuel qualifying Q3 started on a freshly-prepped track, with Ida Zetterström setting a 3.904-second run to open the session.

Four-time world champion Steve Torrence claimed the provisional top spot moments later, clocking a 3.843 in humid, challenging conditions.

Justin Ashley then took over, powering his

SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel dragster to a 3.732.

The session wrapped up with the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge semifinals, where Tony Stewart advanced, posting a 3.755 after Antron Brown struggled and was hampered by a Friday disqualification due to a wing angle rules infraction. Doug Kalitta advanced as well, overcoming early tire smoke to win with a 4.610.

Funny Car qualifying also featured plenty of drama. Rookie Hunter Green was the first driver to make a pass, recording a strong 4.004.

His father, Chad Green, followed with a 4.065 at 323.04 mph. Austin Prock made a standout run with a 3.931 at 328.30 mph, enough to move past Friday’s leader Alexis DeJoria for the lead.

Daniel Wilkerson ran 4.011 in the other lane, narrowly missing the centerline. Julie Nataas, another rookie, impressed with her 4.044 in the Airmine Toyota.

The Funny Car portion of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge saw Jack Beckman run a winning 3.969, setting up a final against J.R. Todd, who notched a 3.987 to beat DeJoria.

Pro Stock Q3 saw minor gains under tough weather. Dallas Glenn, Friday’s leader, continued his strong form with a 6.658.

Other drivers in the 6.6-second range included Jeg Coughlin Jr. (6.685), Greg Stanfield (6.690), David Cuadra (6.669), Cody Coughlin (6.667), and Matt Latino (6.674). The Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge revealed Aaron Stanfield’s sharp .008 reaction time paired with a 6.676, enough to beat Erica Enders, who shook early and slowed to a 6.880.

Matt Hartford and Greg Anderson both delivered 6.652 runs, but Hartford’s quicker start guaranteed him a spot in the final with lane choice.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Angie Smith built on a Friday 6.907 with a 6.915 to start Q3. Marc Ingwersen and Jianna Evaristo also dipped into the sixes.

Chase Van Sant made the biggest move by improving his time to 6.911, securing a top-half slot. Brayden Davis, the Friday leader, ran 6.884 but did not improve, while Richard Gadson put up a 6.882.

In the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty semifinals, Steve Johnson defeated Matt Smith after a foul. Gaige Herrera’s Suzuki stalled during burnout but he recovered to beat Chris Bostick with a 6.876, earning lane choice in the final.

The weekend at Bristol is part of a busy stretch for the NHRA, which is visiting multiple cities nationwide for its 2025 season. The schedule includes major stops from Gainesville, Florida in March to Pomona, California in November.

Fans everywhere are following their favorite drivers like Justin Ashley, Steve Torrence, Austin Prock, and Dallas Glenn as the championship battles continue through the summer.

Saturday’s qualifying rounds set the stage for Sunday eliminations, with top teams making key adjustments and chasing points. Each class has seen changing leaders and impressive drives under tough conditions.

As the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals heads toward its finale, fans can expect more thrilling passes and a championship atmosphere on race day. Coverage of high-intensity clashes like the Verstappen-Russell clash reminds fans of the fierce competition across motorsports.

Nicholas Rivera

Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.