The Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series enters one of its most important weekends of the season when competitors head to Bristol Dragway for the Thunder Valley Throwdown presented by Larry Jeffers Race Cars, Aug. 6-8.
The fifth stop on the seven-race schedule arrives with championship battles tightening across nearly every professional, sportsman and Jr. Dragster category, making Bristol a pivotal event before the stretch run to the season finale.
“The Thunder Valley Throwdown has quickly become one of the most anticipated stops on the PDRA tour,” PDRA Series Director Tyler Crossnoe said. “Bristol is such an iconic track that holds a lot of memories for our racers with its rich history in Pro Modified, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, and Junior Drag Racing. It’s also one of the most fan-friendly tracks, and its unique location in the hills of Tennessee make it a destination event.”
The closest battle entering the weekend is in Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous, where defending event winner Tommy Franklin continues to lead the standings in his Musi-powered “Jungle Rat 3.0” Camaro. Franklin’s advantage shrank following the North vs. South Shootout at Maryland International Raceway, where 2024 world champion Fredy Scriba debuted a new Musi-powered Camaro and drove it to victory for the second straight year. Buddy Perkinson also remains within striking distance after advancing to the final round at Maryland.
The points picture also shifted in WS Construction Pro Boost. Multi-time series champion Jason Harris moved into the top spot with a semifinal finish at Maryland, while Johnny Camp slipped to second after missing the event. Reigning world champion Ty Tutterow climbed into third after qualifying No. 1, and Maryland winner Travis Harvey remains within reach of the leaders.
Youth continues to shape Liberty’s Gears Pro Street. Former Super Street champion Blake Denton carries the points lead into Bristol after another semifinal appearance, while Joel Wensley Jr. moved into second following his first career PDRA victory. Veteran Jerry Morgano rounds out the top three after earning his second No. 1 qualifying effort of the season.
Pro 632 features perhaps the narrowest margin of all. Jeff Pittman claimed his first career class victory at Maryland to edge into the championship lead by just three points over two-time early-season winner JC Beattie Jr. Rookie David Cook Jr. sits third after reaching the Maryland final round.
Defending Super Street world champion Connor McGee will look to continue his success at Bristol, where he has won the last two Thunder Valley Throwdown titles. McGee enters the weekend leading the standings with two victories this season, while Austin Vincent and former champion Dan Whetstine continue to apply pressure.
Sportsman competitors will race for added incentive as the Thunder Valley Throwdown hosts the PDRA Sportsman Spectacular, featuring increased payouts for sportsman and Jr. Dragster racers. Bryan LaFlam, Steve Furr, Joe Roubicek and Steven Boone lead their respective sportsman divisions entering the weekend, while Katelyn Page and Carter Hayes hold the top spots in the Jr. Dragster categories.
Track activity begins Thursday with testing before qualifying opens later that afternoon for Top Sportsman and Top Dragster. Professional qualifying continues Friday, with eliminations scheduled to begin Saturday morning as champions are crowned under the lights at Bristol Dragway.
