For Kingsport’s Van Greer, Sunday’s victory in the Pro Division at Bristol Dragway was the perfect way to honor the memory of his famous drag racing father.

Shirl Greer, who passed away in March, was the 1974 NHRA Funny Car World Champion. While his most famous race car was the “Chained Lightning” Mustang he used to win that championship, he raced a series of funny cars named “Tension” in his earlier days.

For Kingsport’s Van Greer, Sunday’s victory in the Pro Division at Bristol Dragway was the perfect way to honor the memory of his famous drag racing father.

Shirl Greer, who passed away in March, was the 1974 NHRA Funny Car World Champion. While his most famous race car was the “Chained Lightning” Mustang he used to win that championship, he raced a series of funny cars named “Tension” in his earlier days.

Before the 2010 DER Racing Series began in Thunder Valley, Van Greer placed a replica decal on the side of his car with the same “Tension” logo that his father had used years before.

With the memory of his father on his mind, Greer defeated James Lovett in Sunday’s final round. Greer’s winning run consisted of a .070 reaction time, with a 6.702 elapsed time (6.68 dial-in) at 102.08 mph.

The run capped an emotional month for the family who dedicated the win to the memory of Shirl Greer.