Mother Nature has already altered the ending of one NHRA national event. Now she’s changing the beginning of another.
With weather concerns in the forecast, NHRA announced Thursday an earlier start for Friday’s opening day of professional qualifying at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
The adjustment comes less than a week after rain halted the Top Fuel and Funny Car final rounds at the New England Nationals in Epping, N.H.
Those postponed finals will now be completed Friday in Bristol, giving fans a rare opportunity to watch two national event winners crowned before the Thunder Valley Nationals fully gets underway.
Under the revised schedule, Pro Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock will open professional qualifying. Funny Car and Top Fuel qualifying sessions are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.
The Top Fuel final from Epping will feature points leader Shawn Langdon against Leah Pruett.
Langdon arrives in Bristol on a hot streak, having won three consecutive races and four of the last six events. Pruett, meanwhile, has positioned herself for her first victory since returning to full-time competition with Tony Stewart Racing.
Funny Car’s delayed final guarantees a trophy for John Force Racing.
Jordan Vandergriff and Jack Beckman will square off after both advanced to the championship round last weekend before rain ended racing in Epping. Vandergriff is seeking another milestone victory after earning his first Funny Car win earlier this season and his first No. 1 qualifier last weekend.
Beckman brings championship experience into the matchup.
The former Funny Car world champion advanced to the final by defeating Phil Burkhart, Matt Hagan and Ron Capps. Now he stands between Vandergriff and another breakthrough moment.
Parking lots will open at 7:30 a.m., with spectator gates opening at 8 a.m.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early and monitor CompetitionPlus.com, NHRA and Bristol Dragway social media channels for schedule updates throughout the day.
