Exciting Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Sunday Preview

The Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals are set for an action-packed Sunday at Bristol Dragway, one of the most scenic locations on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule. This event marks the eighth race in the 20-event pro series for 2025.

Fans can expect fierce competition across Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle, along with other categories such as Congruity Pro Mod, FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown, Mountain Motor Pro Stock, and several Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series classes.

After two days of qualifying and quick adjustments for rain, the elimination fields are set. Tony Stewart stands out in Top Fuel, securing his sixth consecutive final-round start from the No. 1 qualifying spot.

Stewart, who has two wins this year, drives the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage car and also grabbed the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. In round one, Stewart will face Cameron Ferre, the No. 14 qualifier.

If he advances, Stewart will enjoy a bye into the semifinals, increasing his lead in the Top Fuel standings. Top Fuel’s opening round features a standout match-up as Justin Ashley faces Antron Brown, who sits in the unusual No. 13 spot.

Brittany Force, who won last week in Epping, faces Ida Zetterström in another highly anticipated race. Meanwhile, in Funny Car, reigning champion Austin Prock sets the pace with a 3.931-second lap in his Cornwell Tools Camaro.

Prock will race Buddy Hull in round one. Alexis DeJoria posted her season-best qualifying run, earning a matchup with Dave Richards, while fans are buzzing about the early showdown between rivals Ron Capps and Matt Hagan.

Epping winner J.R. Todd will take on rookie Spencer Hyde, adding more excitement to the round. Pro Stock qualifying was tight with Dallas Glenn leading the field at 6.645 seconds.

The group of 16 is separated by less than seven hundredths of a second through Fernando Cuadra Jr’s 6.710. Greg Anderson, Matt Hartford, Aaron Stanfield, and Cody Coughlin are all positioned in the top half.

Coughlin, after being low qualifier in Epping, has a challenging first-round pairing against Super Stock legend Greg Stanfield. Erica Enders, the No. 7 qualifier, will take on Cory Reed in a race that could see Reed earn his first Pro victory.

Pro Stock Motorcycle headlines with rookie Brayden Davis on the Vance & Hines Suzuki. Davis, the No. 1 qualifier, will have a solo run to kick off eliminations.

Defending event winner Gaige Herrera races Chris Bostick, while Matt Smith faces MSR teammate John Hall. Richard Gadson, another strong contender for a breakthrough win, begins his Sunday against Charles Poskey from the No. 2 spot.

Sunday will also finish the Pro Mod, Mountain Motor Pro Stock, and Factory Stock Showdown final eliminations, along with six Sportsman categories from the Lucas Oil Series. Tony Schumacher leads in Top Fuel event wins at Bristol with seven, while Ron Capps owns six Funny Car victories.

Track records stand strong, such as Steve Torrence’s 3.667-second Top Fuel run in October 2021 and Matt Smith’s 6.759-second Pro Stock Motorcycle pass set in June 2024. Fans can catch three hours of finals action televised on FS1 starting at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.

With tight qualifying, big names atop the leaderboards, and unexpected match-ups in every class, the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals promise a memorable day of racing at Bristol. The outcome of Sunday’s eliminations is set to shake up the points battles as the season heads toward its midpoint.

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.