Exciting Sunday Updates from Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

The Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals wrapped up at Bristol Dragway with a packed slate of intense racing on Sunday, June 8. Warm track and air temperatures gave teams extra trouble all day.

In Top Fuel, early rounds saw several drivers lose traction. Brittany Force delivered one of the best runs of the weekend, posting a 3.811-second pass at 330 mph.

Doug Kalitta lost out early after smoking the tires, allowing Josh Hart to reach the quarterfinals with a 4.026. Justin Ashley put down a quick 3.783, advancing after Antron Brown also struggled in the right lane.

The Funny Car class produced big surprises. Daniel Wilkerson posted a 4.031 at 325.30 to take down Bob Tasca III, who announced his chassis was headed for retirement after another rough run.

Dave Richards pulled off an upset over No. 2 qualifier Alexis DeJoria, winning with a .037 reaction time and a 4.098. Buddy Hull also stunned the crowd by defeating Austin Prock, the championship leader, in a tough side-by-side.

Ron Capps and Matt Hagan delivered a thrilling matchup, Capps winning by just .010 seconds after running a 4.050. First-time pro starter Julie Nataas earned her first round win, defeating Jack Beckman with a 4.053 on her Airmine Toyota.

Pro Stock action did not lack for upsets or standout moments. Matt Latino moved into the quarterfinals after Jeg Coughlin Jr. lost traction.

Cristian Cuadra’s .001 light wasn’t enough when brother David Cuadra advanced with a 6.671 run. Rookie Cody Coughlin picked up his first round win thanks to a fast 6.677 and a red-light from Greg Stanfield.

Greg Anderson continued his pursuit of 1,000 round wins, recording No. 998 with a 6.650 over Kenny Delco. Dallas Glenn, the No. 1 qualifier, matched his consistency with a 6.671 to advance past Fernando Cuadra Jr.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Jianna Evaristo overcame a slight disadvantage at the start to defeat Marc Ingwersen, running a 6.982. Angie Smith had a solid 6.897 to eliminate Steve Johnson by less than a tenth of a second.

Chase Van Sant moved on after Ryan Oehler’s red-light in an otherwise tight match. Gaige Herrera, coming from the No. 4 qualifying spot, stormed to a 6.857, and Matt Smith took out teammate John Hall with a 6.870.

Brayden Davis, the event’s low qualifier, impressed further with a 6.831 and a sharp .026 reaction time on his bye run.

Several racers scored season milestones. Clay Millican, for the first time since Pomona, advanced after his opponent smoked the tires.

Quarterfinal matchups across all major categories were decided by tight margins, with many drivers setting up for potential season-changing Sundays.

With upcoming NHRA events scheduled in cities including Gainesville, Phoenix, Pomona, Las Vegas, and Richmond, competition remains fierce across Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle classes.

Previous winners like Tony Schumacher, Austin Prock, Jeg Coughlin Jr., and Gaige Herrera continue to add to the series’ rich history. The NHRA season finale will air on FS1 on June 8.

Fans and participants can expect more records to fall and new champions to emerge as the tour moves on, with the intensity and excitement reminiscent of the thrilling Monaco battles in motorsports.

The Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals wrapped up with a packed slate of intense racing, proving once again why the NHRA remains a highlight on the motorsport calendar, much like the innovations seen in the flexi-wing Spanish GP that keep fans on the edge of their seats.