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Leah Pruett picked up her first victory since 2023, defeating points leader Shawn Langdon in the final round of the NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto, which were completed Friday at Bristol Dragway. Jack Beckman also won on Friday in the Epping Funny Car final round, while Pruett, Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the provisional No. 1 qualifiers in Bristol for the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at the ninth of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Pruett went 3.794-seconds at 332.43 mph in her 12,000-horsepower Dodge//SRT dragster, slipping past Langdon’s 3.852 at 328.54. It is Pruett’s 13th career victory and first since returning to the sport this season. Pruett stepped out of the seat after the 2023 season to start a family with her husband, Tony Stewart, coming back to the Top Fuel ranks in 2026. She had performed well through the first seven races, advancing to the final round in Phoenix, but the only thing missing was a victory. That changed on Friday, as Pruett delivered a thrilling run in what could be a massive weekend for the star driver. The run also puts Pruett as the provisional No. 1 qualifier for this weekend’s Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol. “I’m happier than I thought I would be,” Pruett said. “Now I finally get to take a breath and enjoy it. This race didn’t come by accident. It didn’t come by somebody falling short or smoking the tires. We earned this. “To see the smiles on my crew and my crew chiefs’ faces — that’s all-time. The Diamond Wally is super cool, but seeing what this means to my team means even more. We’re chipping away at it and that’s what gave us confidence coming into this final round. I think I’m in a better spot than I’ve ever been as a driver.” Funny Car’s Jack Beckman had to wait an extra week, too, but it was worth it as he cashed in with his first victory of the 2026 season, beating John Force Racing teammate Jordan Vandergriff in the final round of the NHRA New England Nationals presented by brpoauto with a run of 4.017 at 318.55 in his 12,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet SS. Beckman had been working up to this moment over the past handful of races, advancing to his second straight final round. He fell in the Maryland finals to Austin Prock, but has continued to run well, making a clean run on Friday in the Bristol heat. It gives the past world champion his 38th career victory and he becomes the sixth different winner this year in the loaded Funny Car category. “Before you can be quick, you have to be consistent and to be consistent, you have to be predictable. I think we’re back in that window right now,” Beckman said. “To get a win like this, it was very gratifying. “I wouldn’t have cared if we ran this final round Friday night or next Tuesday. Our PEAK team left with the trophy and that’s all that matters. We hadn’t won in over a year. We had some struggles, but now we’ve made it down the track on 14 of our last 17 runs. That’s the kind of consistency that wins races. I’ve never raced a final round at a completely different venue a week later. I’ve raced late Sundays and Mondays, but never this. It was definitely unique.” Hagan took the top spot on Friday with a run of 4.009 at 319.60 in his 12,000-horsepower Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Dodge Funny Car. The four-time champion is after his first top qualifier of the season and the 55th in his career. Beckman is currently second, while Spencer Hyde is third after going 4.030 at 319.07. “The racing surface itself is a massive improvement from what we’ve had in the past. I couldn’t even feel the bumps for the tunnel or anything like that,” Hagan said. “Hats off to the whole group that put a really good racetrack under us. I think it will only get better as we go. As the rubber comes around and we’re able to apply more power to it, you can really see those lanes starting to fill in. This track is a really good track now and as these crew chiefs get more runs under their belt with it, you’ll see faster numbers.” Even with the new track surface, it was the same result in Pro Stock for Greg Anderson, as the six-time champ rolled to the provisional No. 1 spot with a run of 6.673 at 204.11 in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro. It puts Anderson in line for his sixth No. 1 qualifier in nine races this season, as he continues to perform at a high level in Bristol. Anderson is the defending event winner and the track has been home to a number of special memories, including his first career win in 2001 and his 1,000th round win, which came last year during his victory. “I don’t care how much we did it by, we squeaked by, but we did it,” Anderson said. “It was a perfect day and you can chalk it up to Bristol. You really don’t feel anything going down the racetrack anymore. We asked for a smooth racetrack, we begged for a smooth racetrack, and now we’ve got it. We’re going to run well all weekend here.” Matt Latino is second with a 6.676 at 205.04 and points leader Dallas Glenn is third after going 6.687 at 203.83. Following a rare first-round loss at the most recent Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera bounced back quickly on Friday, making the quickest run of both sessions at Bristol Dragway, including a 6.667 at 196.59 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki. Remarkably, it would be just the first No. 1 qualifier of the season for the two-time world champion and the 32nd in his career. Herrera won in Charlotte but dropped to fourth in points following a first-round loss last month in Maryland. That was only the second time that’s happened since the start of 2023 and Herrera was eager to rectify that upon arriving in Bristol. “This whole season, I would say luck has not been on my side for a lot of things,” Herrera said. “It’s been a rough go this season for us, as far as me, with parts-wise and just failures, little mishaps. I’m glad to be on the pole at the moment, but it could change at any minute. “The first run for me was picture perfect, really. I had to make very little corrections. I kind of adjusted the bike too much in Q2 and had to ride it quite a bit. I didn’t think it was going to run an .88 or .80 anything, so I was happy with that.” Ryan Oehler is currently second after going 6.898 at 198.52 and Angie Smith, who won in Maryland, is third with a 6.899 at 197.54. Qualifying continues at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. This story was originally published on June 13, 2026. The post Pruett and Beckman Win NHRA New England Nationals on Friday in Bristol; Pruett, Hagan, Anderson, and Herrera Take Provisional No. 1 Spots at Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Ducati has revealed the World Ducati Week 2026 programme, with the centenary edition at Misano set to bring together Ducati MotoGP and WorldSBK stars, racing legends, Ducatisti from around the world and a major celebration of 100 years of Borgo Panigale history. The post World Ducati Week 2026 programme revealed for centenary celebration appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Bulega led Ducati’s Misano WorldSBK charge on Friday, while Öncü, Salvador and Ramos took pole honours across the support classes. The post Misano WorldSBK Friday: Bulega heads Ducati 1-2-3-4 appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Small Tire Pro Stock racers are ready to line up and let it rip at their second event of the year, which is part of the Nostalgia Drag Racing League Hot Rod Nationals presented by Ray Skillman Auto Group, July 10-11, 2026 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indiana. The racers, whose engines produce an abundance of horsepower without power-adders, will focus on setting the pace in qualifying, securing a win and seizing the points lead from Jeff Ikard of Alabama, who went to the Small Tire Pro Stock Winner’s Circle in his Mustang at the first event of the year at World Wide Technology Raceway in Illinois. In addition to Small Tire Pro Stock, the fan-friendly event at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, known as America’s Great Race Place, will feature a colossal display of classic muscle cars flying down the famous track. “We are excited to race with the Nostalgia Drag Racing League at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park,” said David Theisen, Small Tire Pro Stock racer and steering committee member. “Many of our racers know the general manager of the historic motorsports venue, Rollie Miller, from our days racing in NMCA NA 10.5, and he and his team always ensure an exceptional experience for racers and race fans.” Formed after the NMCA ceased operations at the end of 2024, Small Tire Pro Stock is gaining traction with support from standout businesses including BES Racing Engines, CFM Performance Carburetors, G-Force Transmissions, Martino Race Engines, Pen and Paper Strength App, V&J Inc., 10K Technology, Sporthorse Saddlery, Weldon High Performance and Dolce and Clemente’s Italian Gourmet Market. “I know I speak for all of our Small Tire Pro Stock racers when I say that we will give it everything we have to be part of putting on a show for everyone involved at this event,” said Theisen. For more information about Small Tire Pro Stock, follow Facebook.com/SmallTireProStock or email smalltireprostock@gmail.com. This story was originally published on June 12, 2026. The post Historic Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park is Next Stop for Small Tire Pro Stock first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

"I don't think about you at all," is the basic message from Harley to Indian. View the full article

NHRA officials announced today a series of strategic leadership promotions and changes within its Technical and Racing Administration departments, positioning the organization for continued success in the years ahead. As part of the changes, Ned Walliser will transition from his role as Vice President of Competition to serve as an NHRA consultant and key advisor for NHRA’s racing-related programs. Josh Peterson has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Competition and Tech, and Rob Park has been elevated to Vice President of National and Field Operations. In his new consulting role, Walliser will continue to provide guidance and support on key technical and competition-related matters. Walliser was named NHRA Vice President of Competition in 2018, overseeing competition and operations for all NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing events. He also led the NHRA Technical Department. “Ned’s knowledge, passion and dedication to NHRA Drag Racing has been invaluable and he’s played a vital role in our competition leadership,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “We’re grateful for his years of leadership and guiding our organization’s racing operations and technical programs. His commitment has made a lasting impact in the NHRA community and we’re thrilled to have him continue to support NHRA.” “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish as a team and the relationships I’ve been fortunate enough to build throughout my career,” Walliser said. “I look forward to being able to continue to assist NHRA in this new role.” Peterson, a veteran of more than 20 years with NHRA, will oversee the vast responsibilities of maintaining the fair and safe competition that has helped build NHRA over the past 75 years in his new role of Senior Vice President of Competition and Tech, leading both departments. Peterson joined NHRA’s Competition Department in 2007 as Director of Racing Administration before being named Vice President of Racing Administration in 2011. In this new role, Peterson will be positioned to strategically align the interjoined responsibilities and goals of NHRA’s Competition and Technical Departments. “By bringing Racing Administration, Competition, Tech, and National and Field Operations under one centralized group, it will not only help communications and efficiency, but allow us to guide the sport and create universal policies that cover rules, safety and parity,” Peterson said. “I have a great team working with me to ensure the high standards of NHRA Drag Racing will continue to be upheld well into the future, while still being able to lean on Ned’s expertise as well.” Park will move into the role of NHRA Vice President of National and Field Operations, reporting to Peterson. He will oversee event scheduling, the Simpson NHRA Safety Safari and also head up NHRA’s Field Operations, managing NHRA’s seven Division Directors. Park, who joined NHRA in 1996, was recently named Senior Director of Field Operations in 2025 and was previously NHRA Division 5 Director for 25 years. “Rob has a wealth of experience and has played an important role in the growth of NHRA on many levels for more than 25 years,” Peterson said. “He has an incredible knowledge of our tracks, teams and partners, which will be pivotal in this role, and he will also continue to be a great resource for our terrific team of NHRA Division Directors.” For more information on NHRA, including the full 2026 75th anniversary schedule, visit www.nhra.com. This story was originally published on June 12, 2026. The post NHRA Announces Leadership Changes in Technical and Racing Administration Departments first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

There’s a moment, somewhere out on a long stretch of open road, when you stop thinking about your gear and just ride. That’s the goal of every piece of kit worth owning: to disappear. The Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 Plasma airbag system gets closer to that ideal than anything I’ve worn before. Airbag vests have been around long enough now that most of us are aware of what they do. And if you’ve been paying attention to the premium end of […] The post Gear Review: Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 Plasma Airbag System. appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers. View the full article

Minimoto has gone global, but the world will never catch up to Japan. The cultur...View the full article

The regular season finale in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports takes place this weekend at Bristol Dragway as part of the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals and there is plenty on the line. Drivers are looking to secure their spot in the “Road to the Championship” playoffs, a five-race stretch that begins later this month in Norwalk. But with a points-and-a-half scenario in place for this weekend’s race in Thunder Valley, there could be plenty of shuffling in the loaded class. This weekend’s event is the sixth of 11 races in the category during the 2026 campaign and the race is powered by Cardinal Insurance. Pro Mod’s Stan Shelton is associated with Cardinal Insurance and he’s looking to stay in the championship mix. He’s currently in ninth, but four drivers are within a round of him, which further showcases the depth in the class. “Thunder Valley is a special place for drag racing, and especially for NHRA Pro Mod,” said Mike McKinney, Agency Manager of Cardinal Insurance. “Cardinal Insurance is proud to return as a sponsor for the fourth year in a row and continue supporting a series that reflects our commitment to relationship building, networking, and first-class customer service. As a family-owned agency, we take pride in serving our customers through experienced staff and strong personal connections, and NHRA Pro Mod provides the perfect environment to build on those values.” Derek Menholt took control of the points lead with a victory in Chicago, becoming the first two-race winner in the class this year. His lead stands at 44 points over Justin Bond, with Mike Stavrinos, Billy Banaka and Stevie “Fast” Jackson rounding out the top five. But plenty could change in Bristol, where defending world champion J.R. Gray won a year ago. He’s currently in eighth place, but a repeat victory in Bristol would give him momentum when the points reset in Norwalk. Others to watch this weekend in Thunder Valley includes multi-time champ Rickie Smith, Alex Laughlin, Lyle Barnett, Jason Collins and Aaron Stanfield. The JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports features two qualifying rounds at 12:15 and 5:15 p.m. ET on Friday, and the final two qualifying rounds at 11:30 a.m. and 2:35 p.m. on Saturday. The first round of eliminations is slated for 1:40 p.m. ET on Sunday. One qualifying session from both Friday and Saturday, as well as the first round of eliminations on Sunday, will be broadcast for free on NHRA’s YouTube page. To purchase tickets to the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, fans can visit NHRA.com/tickets. For more information on NHRA, please visit NHRA.com. This story was originally published on June 12, 2026. The post JBS Equipment Pro Mod Series Hits Regular Season Finale in Bristol at Race Powered by Cardinal Insurance first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Yamaha Motor Corporation USA is issuing a Do Not Ride advisory for all 2025 Ténéré 700s thanks to a potential turn signal failure.View the full article

Leah Pruett could leave Thunder Valley with a lot of hardware. Matt Hagan is looking for a win at one of his favorite tracks on the tour.View the full article

Turning a vintage metal-bodied Honda C70 Cub into a sleeper beast might be more in reach than you think, particularly if you do it like this.View the full article

Tommy and the kids are back at it, because this beast is getting closer and closer to being a runner! The big block should be fun with all the new parts that have been going into it, and in this video some of the finishing touches are getting done. I love this project and I think this is going to be fun when it is time for big burnouts and gasser goodness at the track. Check out this newest update on the Henry J Resurrection project and let us know what you think. If you missed the other videos of Tommy Lee Byrd’s new project, you missed a lot. We’ve got a link to those videos down below, including finding it and the first round of work that got done to it after getting it home. If you know anything about Tommy Lee, then you know that he’s a historian at heart and a super sleuth when it comes to finding out the history of a specific old race car. It is his super power really, and in the last video he’s went over the hidden history behind the Henry J after adding it to the Hot Rod Hoarder collection. CLICK HERE IF YOU MISSED THE FIRST VIDEOS IN THIS SERIES! Video Description: WE DID IT! We made it to the finish line with our historic Henry J gasser project car. Although this car will never truly be finished, we’ve made it to the end of the build series. We left off on the last video with our first trip around the block, and had plenty of loose ends to tie up before taking the car to the drag strip. Over the winter, I worked toward a goal of drag racing it by spring time and did exactly that with a shakedown run at Paradise Dragstrip, and then a 3-run match race with my buddy Josh Dillon, who you guys know as Sleeperdude. This old car still has plenty of bugs to work out, but man, what an experience it has been to resurrect this car and put it back on the track. I’m so happy with the results, and I know it’ll only get better from here. I appreciate all of the support on this car. The comments I’ve gotten both on Youtube and in person have meant the world to me and my family. I’m so glad I got to share this with you. I’m sure you’ll see more of this car in the future, but I wanted to cap off this build series with some good old fashioned drag racing action. #dragracing #gasser #history The post The Hot Rod Hoarder Gasser Henry J Project Part 8: Putting a HISTORIC Gasser Back on the Track Feels Oh So Good! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Europe just got a new FIM-certified carbon race helmet, and the US is missing out once again. View the full article

A street-legal flex-fuel motorcycle for less than an iPhone might make sense in more places than just India.View the full article

Killing the Roadless Rule won't give you more OHV trails.View the full article

Whether you love the sound of a great American V8 at full song, the shreak of a V12 Aston Martin, or the songs that Ferraris and F1 cars make, you’ll love this video. This is nothing but on track action, with great engine sounds, from Goodwood’s Member’s Meeting 2026. Plus in car footage, sideways action, and more. This is one of those videos that makes you want to turn the sound up in your office, or put on your good headphones, because the sounds are as good as the sights. Check out all these great sounding race machines below and let us know which one is your favorite. Video Description: Turn it up – you’re trackside at Goodwood, and it’s pure, unfiltered sound. No commentary. No distractions. Just the roar and rush of racing. The bark of ’90s Super Tourers at full tilt. The wail of classic touring cars from eras past. The earth-shaking thunder of Edwardian monsters, still ferociously loud over a century on. And that’s only a taste – decades of motorsport come together in one symphony across this unforgettable weekend. This is Goodwood Members’ Meeting at its most raw and immersive. Close your eyes and feel the engines – this is what Goodwood sounds like, trackside. The post Music To Your Ears: Watch, And Listen, To The Best Sounding Cars From Goodwood’s 83rd Members Meet Right Here! appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

It’s time for the 2nd Formula Offroad race of the 2026 Season in Iceland and here’s the video coverage. If you haven’t watched this kind of racing before, you are in for a treat. It’s all big power, big noise, crash and burn, and high flying action in an environment unlike any other. If you are new around there then you might not know that we seriously dig Formula Off-Road racing here at BANGshift.com. This is high flying, loud, and intense racing that involves what look to be impossible hillclimbs, usually on giant courses made from pea gravel or something similar. It’s intense, the cars often end up upside down or rolling over down a hill. They end up rightside up on their own sometimes, but regardless the action is fun and kind of nuts. These drivers do some stuff that I’m not sure most people could. Check it out below. The post EPIC FORMULA OFFROAD RACING VIDEO FROM ICELAND’S STANGARHYLUR 2026! COURSE 4 and 5 RACING ACTION appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Which livery are you choosing?View the full article

We’ve got live drag racing coming to you from Division 6! It’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing at it’s finest and every pair that goes down the race track is right here live. If you like Sportsman Drag Racing, where wheels-up action is the norm, then this is the racing for you. We’re talking Stock, Super Stock, Comp, Alcohol classes, and more right here from Mission Raceways! Check it out and let us know what you think. Start at the bottom and work your way up to see all the racing from this weekend. The post NHRA Division 6 Divisional Drag Racing Livestream: Catch All The Racing Action LIVE From Mission Raceway appeared first on BangShift.com. View the full article

Exploring the gorgeous trails in the Sonoran Desert will make you fall in love with our public lands.View the full article

Offered for sale on Collecting Cars, this extensively modified Yamaha XV750 showcases a distinctive reinterpretation of Yamaha’s early-1980s V-twin cruiser architecture. Retained under long-term ownership and transformed through a series of carefully executed custom modifications, the motorcycle blends the reliability of the Japanese manufacturer’s proven engineering with the stripped-back aesthetics of a modern café racer. At its core is Yamaha’s 749cc air-cooled V-twin engine, a powerplant renowned for its durability and accessible character. The engine sends power to the rear […] The post FOR SALE: 1983 Yamaha XV 750 Custom appeared first on Return of the Cafe Racers. View the full article

Small block Chevy builders have another cylinder head option. Check out these CNC-ported SBC heads from Power Products. View the full article

Norton Atlas and Atlas GT break cover Reborn brand gets adventurous MCNews.com.au has already spent plenty of time looking under the skin of Norton’s latest rebirth. That story started in earnest with the new Norton Manx R, a 206 horsepower V4 statement bike that we rode in Spain, and continued through a series of interviews […] The post Norton Atlas spearheads next phase of TVS-backed rebirth appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Drag Illustrated Event Hub presented by RACERSCLUB · Bristol Dragway · June 12-14, 2026 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 · Photo Gallery · DI Coverage Event Update Friday Qualifying Moved Earlier — Weather WatchDue to potential inclement weather, NHRA has moved Friday’s Mission Foods qualifying earlier than the original schedule. Friday also hosts the makeup TF and FC finals from the New England Nationals at Epping. Storylines, qualifying results, and round-by-round eliminations post throughout the weekend. Refresh for the latest. By the Numbers 2026 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals 25thAnnual Bristol Event 9of 20 on NHRA Schedule 75thNHRA Anniversary Year 8Capps Bristol Wins (Most Ever) 3rdActive Legend of Thunder Valley 4Pro Classes + Pro Mod + FSS 3.667TF Track Record (Torrence, 2021) 1,475Feet Elevation 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. “It just added to the Bristol lore for me. Who knows what the next milestone will be, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened at Bristol.”— Greg Anderson 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. “Bristol really kind of changed things. It really all happened in Bristol. When I say Bristol was a turning point, it legit was a turning point.”— Richard Gadson 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 75th + 25thThe 2026 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals is unique — combining NHRA’s 75th anniversary year with the 25th annual race at Bristol Dragway. Special pre-race recognition Sunday. Millican + Gwynn AppearNHRA fan-favorite Top Fuel driver Clay Millican and NHRA legend Darrell Gwynn appear at Bristol. Millican’s 2017 Father’s Day Bristol win is being celebrated as the race’s historic moment of recognition — a 2026 NHRA tradition at each race. Free NHRA Pennant for First 4,000 Fans SundayNHRA is giving away a free, limited-edition pennant to the first 4,000 fans through the gates Sunday for eliminations. Get there early. Bristol’s Rebuilt Racing Surface DebutsBristol Dragway’s newly rebuilt racing surface meets championship-level competition for the first time this weekend. The track gamble gets its reality test. Allegrucci Goes for Three in a RowIn Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown, Stephen Allegrucci has won Charlotte and Maple Grove back-to-back. Bristol could make it three straight. SealMaster Track Walk SaturdayThe fan-favorite SealMaster Track Walk happens Saturday after final qualifying. Free with general admission. Race Weekend Schedule Note: Friday’s Mission Foods qualifying schedule moved earlier due to weather. The rained-out Epping TF and FC finals run Friday at Bristol BEFORE regular qualifying begins. Check NHRA.com for the latest start times. 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 ClassBristol Track RecordHolder / Date Top Fuel ET3.667 secSteve Torrence, Oct. 2021 Top Fuel MPH336.49 mphJustin Ashley, June 2023 Funny Car ET3.884 secRon Capps, June 2016 Funny Car MPH330.31 mphMatt Hagan, Oct. 2021 Pro Stock ET6.613 secGreg Anderson, June 2022 Pro Stock MPH209.26 mphBo Butner, June 2016 Pro Stock Motorcycle ET6.759 secMatt Smith, June 2024 Pro Stock Motorcycle MPH200.05 mphMatt Smith, June 2024 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) 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. presented by RACERSCLUB · Where Drivers Belong This story was originally published on June 11, 2026. The post 2026 Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals: Schedule, Storylines & Coverage first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article