Alexis DeJoria made a strong move in Funny Car before the rain came, recording a 3.948 at 328.14 in her 12,000-horsepower Bandero Premium Tequila Toyota GR Supra. At a track that’s always been good to the Funny Car veteran, DeJoria is in line for her first No. 1 qualifier since 2021, which would be another welcome sign for the veteran.
The team has come together quickly since joining JCM Racing this season and this was the latest example. DeJoria has enjoyed plenty of success in Bristol, including a win in 2021, and she would love for that to continue this weekend.
“After Q1 I was surprised that we were going to get another run. We ran a 3.94 and that was a great run. That was exactly what we planned on. We had one pair left and it started raining so here we are,” DeJoria said. “This is my favorite race track not just because of my past success. The acoustics here, nothing compares to it. The scenery and the fans. It’s all so great. Today, we dealt with a lot of humidity and heat. We didn’t want to put too much into it and lose a run. They did as much as they could while stating on the safer side.”
Ron Capps is currently second with a pass of 3.960 at 324.51 and Beckman’s 3.971 at 323.74 has him third.
In Pro Stock, Dallas Glenn impressed in the second session, going to the No. 1 position for what he hopes is the second time this season with a run of 6.645 at 205.60 in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro. It would also be the seventh career top qualifier for Glenn, who has already won three races this season.
Last weekend in Epping marked the first time he didn’t go to the final round this season, but Glenn has quickly bounced back in Bristol. He’s second in points behind KB Titan Racing teammate Greg Anderson and is looking for another big weekend in Thunder Valley.
“In Epping on the Friday run, we hurt my main engine and got behind the rest of the weekend and that cost me a little bit,” Glenn said. “We went back to the shop and the engine guys hustled this week and fixed up the old bullet. We came here and didn’t put down a good run [in Q1] and on the second one we threw kitchen sink at it and it stuck.
“From week-to-week, there is not a lot of time to sulk from your wounds after losing early. You swallow really quick, put your head down and get back to work.”
Greg Anderson went to second with a run of 6.655 and Aaron Stanfield is right behind in third after going 6.666 at 204.32.
Making just his second career race start in Pro Stock Motorcycle, Brayden Davis made a strong impression riding the Powertrain/RevZilla/Vance & Hines Suzuki for the first time, going to the top with a run of 6.870 at 197.22. Davis made his PSM debut in Gainesville, but this weekend marks his debut with the Vance & Hines team and he’s had an immediate impact.
Riding the motorcycle points leader Gaige Herrera took to the winner’s circle in Chicago, Davis made two strong passes and is now in line to get his first career No. 1 qualifier and possibly become the fifth different winner at Bristol Dragway in five years.
“It was definitely unbelievable to be with a powerhouse team like Vance & Hines and get the No. 1 spot,” Davis said. “I ran 6.89 and 6.87 and that proves the bike is deadly consistent. Andrew [Hines, crew chief] is helping me as a rider.
“This isn’t a bad start but I’ve now got a target on my back but it’s nothing I haven’t seen before. I’ve always been the kind of person where pressure doesn’t get to me and I’ve raced in some pretty bizarre situations.”
Teammate Richard Gadson is currently second with a 6.879 at 195.93 and Angie Smith is third thanks to a run of 6.907 at 196.53.
Qualifying continues at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
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BRISTOL, Tenn. — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 24rd annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, eighth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.
Top Fuel — 1. Shawn Langdon, 3.800 seconds, 328.54 mph; 2. Josh Hart, 3.860, 324.67; 3. Justin Ashley, 3.886, 323.35; 4. Clay Millican, 3.889, 300.33; 5. Brittany Force, 3.899, 288.95; 6. Doug Kalitta, 3.909, 289.01; 7. Dan Mercier, 4.004, 305.08; 8. Shawn Reed, 5.645, 118.42; 9. Tony Stewart, 5.775, 121.40; 10. Cody Krohn, 5.947, 107.57; 11. Steve Torrence, 6.908, 85.19; 12. Cameron Ferre, 8.295, 80.35; 13. Ida Zetterstrom, 16.323, 49.83.
Not Qualified: 14. Antron Brown, DQ.
Funny Car — 1. Alexis DeJoria, Dodge Charger, 3.948, 328.14; 2. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.960, 324.51; 3. Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.971, 323.74; 4. Austin Prock, Camaro, 3.995, 320.28; 5. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.018, 319.98; 6. Julie Nataas, GR Supra, 4.037, 317.05; 7. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 4.038, 284.51; 8. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.042, 312.50; 9. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.060, 319.75; 10. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.060, 313.73; 11. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.078, 315.78; 12. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.118, 310.41; 13. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.126, 294.56; 14. Buddy Hull, Charger, 5.230, 143.75; 15. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 5.239, 144.97; 16. Hunter Green, Charger, 5.570, 127.57.
Pro Stock — 1. Dallas Glenn, Chevy Camaro, 6.645, 205.60; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.655, 205.82; 3. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.666, 206.32; 4. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.670, 205.88; 5. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.677, 203.37; 6. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.677, 205.16; 7. Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.683, 204.60; 8. Cody Coughlin, Camaro, 6.684, 205.32; 9. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.686, 205.88; 10. David Cuadra, Camaro, 6.687, 205.63; 11. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.690, 205.13; 12. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.708, 203.37; 13. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.709, 205.16; 14. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 6.710, 206.01; 15. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.713, 204.73; 16. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.714, 205.29.
Not Qualified: 17. Deric Kramer, 6.717, 205.26; 18. Chris McGaha, 6.731, 205.60; 19. Brandon Miller, 6.780, 203.09.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Brayden Davis, Suzuki, 6.870, 197.22; 2. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.879, 197.83; 3. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.907, 196.53; 4. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.915, 196.27; 5. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.921, 198.38; 6. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.956, 193.96; 7. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.963, 194.52; 8. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.967, 192.60; 9. John Hall, Beull, 6.993, 195.59; 10. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 7.030, 190.11; 11. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 7.031, 190.27; 12. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.088, 191.89; 13. Charles Poskey, Suzuki, 9.423, 95.56. |