NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Bristol Dragway and NHRA officials announced today a multiyear partnership agreement with Super Grip, a Piney Flats, Tenn., corporation that is a world-wide leader in creating high-quality tires for the industrial tire market.

In the agreement, Super Grip will become the entitlement sponsor for the popular NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, one of the most prestigious races in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, held annually at the scenic dragstrip in Northeast Tennessee.  

The Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will be held at Bristol Dragway on June 7-9 and will showcase 330-mph Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars, along with high-revving fuel-injected Pro Stock cars, 200-mph Pro Stock Motorcycles, and vintage and late-model Pro Modifieds. The race weekend also will include a variety of NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Sportsman classes, Legends Nitro Funny Cars, Mountain Motor Pro Stocks, and the Factory Stock Showdown.

“We are thrilled to partner with a progressive company like Super Grip to bring the fans in this area, also Super Grip’s hometown, the tradition-rich Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals,” said Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway and Bristol Dragway. “The Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals promises to deliver our guests a sensory experience like no other.”

It is the first sponsorship involvement for Bristol Motor Speedway and Super Grip, whose headquarter offices are located less than 10 miles apart. 

“The legendary Bristol Dragway creates lasting memories literally every few seconds for their guests, so our business philosophies mesh together very well, and that makes this partnership a perfect fit,” said Scott Whitney, CEO and president of Super Grip Corporation. “We look forward to helping produce an amazing, memorable experience for fans, racers, our employees, and everyone in the drag racing industry during the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.”

The 2023 winners of the event include Justin Ashley in Top Fuel, Ron Capps in Funny Car, Erica Enders in Pro Stock, and Steve Johnson in Pro Stock Motorcycle. 

The 2024 Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals weekend race schedule will be showcased by two thrilling sessions of nitro qualifying with Top Fuel and Funny Car on Friday at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday’s two Pro sessions, including the final two sessions for Top Fuel and Funny Car, begin at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. On Sunday, final eliminations for the Professional categories begin at noon.

“It’s always exciting to welcome a new partner to NHRA Drag Racing, and we’re thrilled to have Super Grip as the title sponsor of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “Bristol Dragway has always been an incredible stop on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series circuit, offering an amazing backdrop and a memorable, one-of-a-kind race weekend. This event continues to be a favorite for both our race teams and fans, and partnering with a local company like Super Grip only adds to the race weekend experience.”

To purchase tickets for the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals please visit the Bristol Dragway website, or call (866) 415-8415.