Wed, 14 May 2008, 12:52 AM O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Fact Sheet

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- The Eighth annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Q, the eighth of 24 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories - Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock - earn points leading to 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn. From Interstate 81 North, take Hwy. 11E. Take the Virginia Exit 3 and Hwy. 11E will take you directly to the Dragway. From the I-81 South, take Tennessee exit 69 and go south on Hwy 394 directly to the Dragway.

TRACK ELEVATION: 1,475 feet WHEN: Friday through Sunday, May 16-18.

PURSE: Cash and contingency awards of more than $1.2 million.

SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, May 16 - Sportsman qualifying and eliminations begin at 9 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 4 and 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, May 17 - Sportsman eliminations begin at 8 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 18 - Pre-race ceremonies, 11 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at Noon

TELEVISION:
Saturday, May 17, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 6:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, May 18, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will air NHRA Race Day, at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, May 18, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three-and-a-half hours of final eliminations at 6:30 p.m. (ET).

2007 EVENT WINNERS: Brandon Bernstein, Top Fuel; John Force, Funny Car; Jeg Coughlin , Pro Stock.

TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel- 4.477 seconds by Tony Schumacher, April '04; 331.53 mph by Doug Kalitta, April '06
Funny Car - 4.755 seconds by Eric Medlen, April '06; 329.26 mph by Gary Scelzi, April '05
Pro Stock - 6.708 seconds by Jason Line, April '06; 205.35 mph by Line, April '06

NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 4.428 sec. by Tony Schumacher, Nov. '06, Pomona, Calif.; 336.15 mph by Schumacher, May '05, Columbus, Ohio
Funny Car - 4.659 sec. by Tony Pedregon, Feb. '07, Chandler, Ariz.; 333.66 mph by Jack Beckman, Nov. '06, Pomona, Calif.
Pro Stock - 6.536 sec. by Greg Anderson, March '07, Gainesville, Fla.; 211.69 mph by Jason Line, March '07, Gainesville, Fla.

TICKETS: For tickets call Bristol Dragway, (423) 989-6900. Tickets also available at www.bristoldragway.com

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $20-35; Junior (12 years & under), $10-15; Saturday: Adult, $45-55; Junior (12 years & under), $15-25. Sunday: Adult, $45-55; Junior (12 years & under), $15-25.

Three-day reserved: Adult, $95-120, Junior (12 years & under), $30-50.