NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

A frustrating 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season has a chance to get a whole lot better on Father’s Day weekend for Alex Laughlin at this weekend’s 18th annual Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.

Laughlin is the defending Pro Stock winner of the fan-favorite event, hoping those good vibes of sharing the winner’s circle with his father can be recreated again this year. It would be a nice reversal of fortune for Laughlin in his Fitzgerald USA/Gas Monkey Garage Chevrolet Camaro, as the team is looking to end a streak of four straight first-round losses heading into Thunder Valley.

“Bristol is my favorite track, for sure, and being that we won here last year so it definitely makes you feel good going back,” said Laughlin, who is currently 11th in Pro Stock points. “Fitzgerald USA is my primary sponsor for the race and the event, and it’s a hometown deal for them, so there’s definitely a little more pressure. But Bristol is such a cool track and having it on Father’s Day weekend is great. My dad is as much into this as I am and loves it as much as I do.” 

Clay Millican (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Laughlin (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of an event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1, including final eliminations coverage starting at 7:30 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, June 17. It is the 11th of 24 events in 2018 and Laughlin is looking to break out of a slump in the midst of a rigorous stretch of four straight races.

After an early-season semifinal finish in Phoenix, not much has gone Laughlin’s way as the two-time event winner currently sits 86 points behind veteran Jason Line for the 10th and final spot in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. Laughlin knows he still has time to get in the championship mix, but the team has to make some significant strides starting in Bristol. They started by making major changes to the car, and Laughlin hopes it pays off this weekend.

“It’s been frustrating, and we’re making some big changes and doing whatever it takes to get the car back on track,” Laughlin said. “I’ve never been able to hang my name on that board at Indy (for qualifying for the Countdown to the Championship). That’s something I was really looking forward to this season. It’s not looking great now, but if we can make some strides there’s still enough time to get in. But bottom line, we’re ready to do whatever it takes to get back on track.”

If Laughlin can recreate his magic from Bristol a year ago, a weekend that included a perfect .000 reaction time in the final-round win against defending world champion Bo Butner, he would become the ninth different Pro Stock winner this season. Laughlin had hoped that first victory of 2018 would have already come by now, but he will have a great opportunity at Bristol Dragway, though first-rate competition will come from the likes of points leader Greg Anderson, who is also after his first win of 2018, Erica Enders, Jeg Coughlin Jr., two-time season winners Vincent Nobile and Tanner Gray, Drew Skillman, Chris McGaha and Deric Kramer.

“I know at some point our luck has to change, but literally everything that possibly could go wrong has,” Laughlin said. “If we can go out and qualify well right off the bat, that would give all of us some confidence. It’s big to regain some confidence, too. But we’ve got some of the best guys in the business helping and I’m confident it will come around.”

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 15 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 16, at 1 and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for noon on Sunday, June 17.
 
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Bristol Dragway at (423) 989-6900. Tickets also are available online at www.bristoldragway.com. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult.