When the 2021 NHRA national-event season kicked off in March at Gainesville, Fla., there was a notable omission from the field.

Jay Turner, the champion in the inaugural season of NHRA Top Fuel Harley racing, wasn’t among the entrants. Other bikes that he fields were, though, and a pair of those riders duked it out in the final round. Randal Andras, the 2020 kingpin in the class, downed 2018-19 titleist Tii Tharpe for the Wally.

And that trophy was all there was in the way of post-race spoils. NHRA was unable to find a sponsor for the class during the offseason when Mickey Thompson Tires declined to return in that capacity.

NHRA and Bristol Dragway have revealed the addition of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals to the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
 
The fan-favorite event will be held October 15-17, during the heat of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Drivers in all four NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series professional categories will continue their battle towards a world championship in the valley of Bristol Dragway. The seven-race Countdown kicks off at Maple Grove Raceway and will conclude at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona.
 
“We couldn’t be happier to bring Bristol back on board for the 2021 season,” said Glen Cromwell, NHRA President. “The NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals is a staple on the NHRA circuit. The fall date will give us the opportunity to allow more loyal NHRA fans into the facility. To have the event as a Countdown race is an added bonus for both NHRA fans and competitors.”

The NHRA Factory Stock Showdown division is a favorite amongst loyal NHRA fans. Fans love to see NHRA stars push their stock cars to limits while competing at national events. Competitors in the field include Top Fuel star Leah Pruett and Pro Stock race Aaron Stanfield.

“We are excited to welcome Constant Aviation to the family of NHRA partners,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer. “The NHRA Factory Stock Showdown class is a very competitive field, and we look forward to seeing the class continue to grow.”

Mark Whisnant was as proud as he could be. The former drag racer who now runs a successful drag racing apparel business had his father's 1972 Duster Pro Stock car on display at the NHRA Southern Nationals.

This race car was no replica; it was the real deal car rescued by noted race car restorer McGrath Keen.

"I'm so glad we got this thing done before this last race," Whisnant said. "We had such a history here. My dad raced from the first race here and to get this '72 Duster out here, to let some of the fans see it. Again, I'm sure some guys, old-timers, have been here and seen it go down the racetrack.

"I can't be any happier than the outcome of it. His legacy will live on in this. This is the only car that's ever been restored, of my dad's old cars. Hopefully, it'll be here for years to come."

Rickie Smith won the first national event hosted by Atlanta Dragway in 1976, a track built in Georgia's Banks County back in 1975 originally intended to be an airport.

Atlanta Dragway turned out to be one of the more historic tracks in drag racing history. And Smith, who back on that monumental weekend raced a Jack Roush-powered Ford Maverick in the sportsman ranks, went on to become one of the more iconic names in fast doorslammer racing.

Friday, at the NHRA Southern Nationals, the two entities prepared for their final dance.

Drag racing legend and Hall of Famer Don “Snake” Prudhomme has added another accolade to his storied career: 2021 Yokohama NORRA Mexican 1000 class winner. On his third attempt at the grueling 1,000 mile race across the desert Prudhomme and his co-pilot Rich Minga took the checkered flag in the Evolution Stock Turbo class driving the MAVTV CanAm Maverick Turbo. Their winning time of 19:49:18 gave them a margin of victory of over three hours on their closest competitor. The MAVTV team finished 31st overall out of 90 total competitors, 26 of whom did not finish the extreme race.

“I am pretty sore but winning this race in the Turbo Class ranks right up there with any of my drag racing wins,” said an exhausted Prudhomme at the conclusion of the event. “I think I drove 600 of the 1,000 miles and Rich was great throughout the event. I have to thank Brandon Bernstein and MAVTV for their support. This was a great race and I am really proud of this whole team.”

Atlanta Dragway is where the racing dream started to form for Antron Brown.

So, it seems only fitting that Brown won the Top Fuel title at the 40th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals in the final event at the track

Bob Tasca III wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

The final race at the storied Atlanta Dragway, a final-round win match against John Force, and a chance to go back-to-back for the second time since 2019.

Greg Anderson is one step closer to making NHRA Pro Stock history.

Anderson captured the title at the 40th annual Lucas Oil Southern Nationals Sunday to claim his 96th career Pro Stock national event win, one away from tying his mentor and all-time Pro Stock wins leader Warren Johnson.