Speedway Children’s Charities Bristol chapter has some high horsepower fundraisers going on during the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals week around historic Bristol Dragway.
The organization has raised more than $21 million for children in need throughout an 18-county area in the Appalachian Highlands region since 1997.
Their first event will be the return of the popular Celebrity Clay Shooting Tournament presented by Baker’s Construction Services on Thursday, June 5 at the Cherokee Rod and Gun Club in Kingsport. NHRA Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Mod drivers are expected to attend this event and join the designated teams.
Several additional sponsors have signed on to support the Celebrity Clay Shooting Tournament, including Texas Roadhouse, First Horizon Bank, Power Equipment Company and Johnson City Honda.
“We are truly blessed to be able to host these amazing events during the NHRA race weekend at Bristol Dragway,” said Betsy Holleman, senior manager of Speedway Children’s Charities Bristol Chapter. “We couldn’t do what we do without support throughout the year from so many generous groups and individuals. We owe everyone who participates and donates so much a heartfelt thank you and so much gratitude.”
On Friday, June 6, SCC-Bristol will begin fundraising efforts at the track and will officially open the Speedway Children’s Charities 50-50 Raffle presented by Ohio Logistics. Tickets for the lucrative raffle are sold in tiered amounts including, $10 for one ticket, $20 for five tickets, $50 for 25 tickets and $100 for 88 tickets. Tickets can be purchased online for Tennessee residents or in person for any other resident. The winning ticket will be pulled on Saturday, Sept. 13 during the Bass Pro Shops Night Race.
SCC-Bristol also will have their PPG Red Bucket Brigade out in full force roaming the Bristol Dragway grandstands and pit areas looking for donations and they will also have some silent auctions available for guests in some of the premium areas.
For more information about SCC-Bristol fundraising activities during NHRA week or to register for the Celebrity Clay Shooting Tournament, please contact Holleman at 423-989-6975.
Fans who attend the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will get to see plenty of NHRA stars during the weekend, like recent Bristol winners Austin Prock, Ron Capps, Justin Ashley, Doug Kalitta, a three-time Bristol winner, motorsports icon Tony Stewart, who is making his second Bristol Dragway start, four-time Top Fuel champ Steve Torrence, three-time champ Antron Brown, Virginia cattle rancher and four-time world champ Matt Hagan, Pro Stock’s Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Pro Stock Motorcycle phenom Gaige Hererra and veteran rider Steve Johnson.
As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they're granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
The Congruity Pro Mod Drag Racing Series also will return to Bristol Dragway along with the NHRA Lucas Oil Series, Mountain Motor Pro Stocks and the Factory Stock Showdown.
Fans also will want to visit NHRA's popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.
There are three major events that fans definitely won’t want to miss, including Friday’s Nitro at Night qualifying session where the Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars “light their candles” and power down the drag strip at more than 330-mph as flames erupt out of their header pipes. That session is scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. A brilliant fireworks show will complete the racing on Friday.
On Saturday, race officials will host the popular Fan Fest in the Pits, where many of the top drivers are available to meet with fans and sign autographs. This event begins 30 minutes after the final pro qualifying session and is held in the large Guest Welcome Center tent in the pro pit area.
The other is the Sealmaster TrackWalk on Sunday morning prior to pre-race ceremonies. Join NHRA drivers and NHRA officials as they walk up and down the famed Bristol Dragway quarter-mile strip before racing begins.
Qualifying for the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals begins Friday, June 6 with a pair of pro sessions, the first at 5 p.m. and the second under the lights at 7:30 p.m. The final two rounds of qualifying are set for Saturday, June 7, at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. and will include the new bonus program Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. Final eliminations are scheduled for noon on Sunday, June 8.
Friday’s two-hour qualifying show will air on FS1 at 7:30 p.m. (ET), and be followed by another 90-minute qualifying show on Saturday at 8 p.m. (ET), also on FS1. Sunday’s three-hour final eliminations show will air at 3 p.m. (ET) on FS1.
Single-day Friday tickets start as low as $35 for adults. Saturday adult tickets start at $52 and Sunday’s tickets start at $42. All grandstand tickets for kids 12 and under are free on Friday and $10 each day on the weekend with a paid adult. Discounted weekend packages and limited premium seating are also available.
To purchase your reserved seats, call Bristol Dragway at (866) 415-4158. Tickets also are available online by visiting the BMS website.
