NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Last year, Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Richard Gadson and Pro Stock’s Greg Anderson both enjoyed historic moments at Bristol Dragway, which puts Thunder Valley high on their favorite track lists.

Returning to Bristol for this weekend’s Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, both reflected fondly on those moments heading into the race, and each was hopeful they would get to experience another memorable moment in Bristol.

For Gadson, Bristol Dragway represented a significant turning point in his Pro Stock Motorcycle career. He had come close to wins and success on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki but had never found the winner’s circle as Gaige Herrera was enjoying a record-breaking run in the class.

All that changed in Thunder Valley, as Gadson picked up his first career victory in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, putting together a series of impressive performances and defeating Herrera in the final round. It was an emotional moment Gadson won’t forget, and it spurred a remarkable finish that included three more victories in 2025 and, ultimately, the Pro Stock Motorcycle world championship.

“Bristol really kind of changed things. It really all happened in Bristol,” said Gadson, who is the current points leader in the category entering the weekend. “When I say Bristol was a turning point, it legit was a turning point. I think we’ve been a model of consistency since then. Momentum can go both ways, and I think I'll take steady does it. That was kind of the mentality shift in Bristol, and that's been working all the way up until now. So, last year in Bristol was a big turning point in so many different ways.”

Of course, Bristol has always been special for Anderson, the six-time Pro Stock world champion. It’s the site of his first career victory in the category (2001), and last year, Anderson continued to add to his remarkable legacy at the facility.

He picked up his 1,000th career round-win in eliminations in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro, joining John Force as the only drivers in NHRA history to reach 1,000 round-wins. Anderson went on to win the event, and this year, he comes to Bristol with 114 career victories, which is the most among active drivers and second only to Force. Anderson is as good as ever, winning twice in 2026 and currently sitting second in points to KB Titan Racing teammate Dallas Glenn.

“I don't follow the stats too closely, so I didn't realize anything like that,” Anderson said about the 1,000 career round-wins. “When they finally brought that to my attention, it was like, ‘Oh wow, that's kind of a big number.’ It's pretty darn cool. I've got a helmet with a 1,000 on the back of it in big bold letters that I get to look at every time I put that helmet on.

“It just added to the Bristol lore for me and what it's meant for me to go to Bristol every year. Who knows what the next milestone will be, but I wouldn't be surprised if it happened at Bristol.”

To purchase tickets to the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, fans can visit NHRA.com/tickets.