Mother Nature is acting ornery at her favorite ornery place.
With forecasts calling for potential weather issues in the mountains surrounding Bristol Dragway, NHRA officials moved Sunday’s eliminations at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals to an earlier start time in hopes of getting ahead of the weather and staying on schedule.
The revised timetable moves the opening round of NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series eliminations to 10 a.m. ET. Top Fuel will lead off the action, followed by Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle.
If Bristol has taught racers anything over the years, it’s that weather forecasts are often treated as suggestions until the clouds roll over the mountains. The facility’s location in Thunder Valley has produced enough rain delays, fog banks and weather surprises to make veterans keep one eye on the ladder and another on the radar.
The schedule adjustment reaches well beyond the professional categories.
Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series eliminations will also be contested Sunday, along with the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series and the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown. With championship points on the line throughout the property, officials opted to be proactive rather than reactive.
Parking lots will open at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, while spectator gates open at 8 a.m. The SealMaster Track Walk and driver introductions remain scheduled for 9 a.m., setting the stage for first-round action an hour later.
The decision comes after competitors spent two days praising Bristol’s rebuilt racing surface.
