The National Hot Rod Association’s traveling circus rolled into Bristol Dragway, in Bristol, Tennessee, last weekend. Big names, big money, and, as long as the weather held, big crowds. The setting, as always, was spectacular. Carved into the side of steep Appalachian hills, the drag strip gets its nickname--Thunder Valley--from the almost overwhelming sound that echos off the hillsides, when the nitromethane-fueled dragsters and Funny Cars rocket down the track (at over 300 miles per hour). Bristol has a long history, reaching back to the sport’s beginnings. All of the legends raced here, at one time or another, making it one of the drag racing’s iconic tracks. I was there to cover the race for East Coast Drag News. Here are some of my out-takes from the weekend. (Click on the photos to see larger versions.)
Ashley Force Hood, in her Funny Car, performs a burnout on Friday night, just before a pass that put her in the number one qualifying position.
Tony Pedregon drives his Funny Car down the track, during a qualifying on Saturday.
Al-Anabi Racing teammates Burton Auxier, right, and Mike Castellana, left, perform side-by-side burnouts before qualifying runs on Friday.
This would be a fine photo of side-by-side burnouts by Antron Brown, front, and Spencer Massey, rear, except that, in this photo, they’re smoking the tires--not a good thing--during qualifying runs on Saturday.
Greg Anderson, seen here in a qualifying run on Saturday, was the runner-up in Pro Stock.
Erica Enders didn’t qualify for the race, but she’s sure got a great looking car.
Pro Stock drivers Jason Line, front, and Jeg Coughlin, rear, head down track, during qualifying on Saturday.
The good folks from Geico kept the crowd entertained during the inevitable down-times for track clean-up and prep by shooting t-shirts into the crowd.
And finally, a photo from the Sportsman classes.
Don’t laugh. That’s Bill Howell and he’s a damn good racer. He qualified third (out of 38). That minivan is quick, too. It runs the quarter mile in the low 14's.
Hi John,
I'd like to swear right now due to all this BS due to my antiquated computer and how long it's taken me to get this message to you. I even went through TypePad, but I don't really want to be a member.
You're an incredible photographer.
Anyhow, I miss Dan. I haven't seen him for a long time. We were friends with that sweetie and Begona in Cinci. We played cards, like Euchre. Begona and I won. We drank lots of wine in small non-stemmed glasses. Dan had the best laugh. He was an honored teacher, a gifted writer and friend. What has happened? I heard the news but no specifics. I have an old email of Begona's. I can't reach Dan's parents, if they are even alive. Please let me know what happened, or anything you know. There are many friends of Dan's who don't know he died, I am so heartbroken. I remember sweet Martin, I can't imagine and I so want to talk with Begona. Please help.
Sali McSherry
Posted by: sali mcsherry | 11 June 2009 at 11:38 PM
do you have pictures from bristol 6and 7th june thanks
Posted by: Bruce Smith | 18 June 2009 at 06:46 PM
A great series of images here. Particulary like the night time images. Well done.
Posted by: Mark Pelleymounter | 29 December 2010 at 04:16 PM