Smoke Sweeps Saturday at Bristol, Wins #2Fast2Tasty Challenge & Qualifies No.1; Todd, Stanfield, Herrera Take Bonus Race at NHRA Thunder Valley

Tony Stewart delivered a standout performance at Bristol Dragway during the 24th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, marking a weekend of firsts in his Top Fuel career. He claimed his first-ever No. 1 qualifier on Saturday, running 3.755 seconds at 325.77 mph.

Later in the day, Stewart scored his inaugural victory in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, beating Doug Kalitta with a run of 3.803 seconds at 324.05 mph. This win ended Kalitta Motorsports’ streak of six unbeaten specialty races for the season—a record that made Stewart’s breakthrough even more notable.

Stewart praised his crew’s ability to handle difficult track and weather conditions. He said the back-to-back strong passes raised his confidence for eliminations.

He’ll kick off the next round against Cody Krohn, aiming to build on his streak of five straight final round appearances and pursue his first-ever Bristol win in the NHRA series. Justin Ashley posted the next-fastest qualifying effort with a time of 3.762 seconds at 330.80 mph, while Shawn Langdon secured the third spot with a 3.800 at 328.54.

In the Funny Car ranks, J.R. Todd showed steady form with a big day of his own. After a win last weekend, Todd earned another Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge triumph, stopping the clock at 4.004 seconds and 326.24 mph in his DHL Toyota GR Supra.

Todd’s victory came with solid passes throughout the event, highlighted by defeating Alexis DeJoria in the opening round and Jack Beckman in the final. He and his crew worked through changing weather, helping Kalitta Motorsports keep its perfect record at the specialty events for the season.

Alexis DeJoria posted a best time of 3.948 at 328.14, while Ron Capps ran 3.960 at 324.51 to sit third.

Aaron Stanfield brought home a meaningful victory for Elite Motorsports in Pro Stock competition. Stanfield ran 6.668 seconds at 204.85 mph in his Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage car, edging Matt Hartford by just four ten-thousandths of a second in the Challenge final.

Stanfield, who hadn’t won earlier this year, said the close margin showcased the hard work of his team. He reached the final by besting teammate Erica Enders and remains focused on building momentum through the season.

Dallas Glenn set the Pro Stock qualifying pace with a 6.645 at 205.60, earning the GESi Pro Stock No. 1 Qualifier Award for the seventh time in his career.

The Pro Stock Motorcycle class saw a standout performance from Brayden Davis, who earned his first No. 1 qualifier with a run of 6.834 seconds at 197.59 mph. Davis, making just his second NHRA start, faced strong competition but managed to find extra speed when it counted.

His teammate, Richard Gadson, qualified second at 6.859, while Matt Smith posted a 6.871 at 199.46 for third. Gaige Herrera, the defending world champion, grabbed his second Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge win this year with a 6.891 at 196.30, defeating Steve Johnson in the final round.

All eyes now shift to Sunday at Bristol, where eliminations in all classes will begin at noon Eastern. Several drivers and teams are carrying strong momentum, and the event sets the stage for more tight racing and possible surprises in the ongoing NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

With experienced champions and rising stars delivering top runs, Bristol’s Thunder Valley once again proved itself as a place where big milestones and streak-busting victories can happen.