Hight, Pruett Hold Top Provisional Qualifying Spots at Thunder Valley Nationals

by STEVE WILMOTH

TriCitiesSports.com

June 9, 2023

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funny Car and Top Fuel dragsters face a unique challenge this weekend at Bristol Dragway.

While a number of the nitro fuel drivers were participating in the first two rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, those same pilots were facing first-round eliminations in their second pass from the postponed NHRA New England Nationals from last weekend’s stop in Epping, New Hampshire.

The unique format produced a number of quacky results, none more so than when John Force (4.063, 324.36) used a hole shot for a New England Nationals first-round win over Tim Wilkerson (4.004, 318.99), but it’s Wilkerson’s quicker elapsed time that has him four spots ahead of Force after provisional qualifying in the Thunder Valley Nationals.

“This is all new for all of us,” said Funny Car top provisional qualifier Robert Hight. “We’ve never really done anything like this. I know we’ve finished a round or two at other races, but not an entire race.”

Hight vaulted to the top spot with a run of 3.938 seconds at 321.35 MPH while also earning a first-round win over Alexis DeJoria.

Saturday’s final two rounds of qualifying will also serve as the remainder of Epping’s final eliminations.

“It’s a different mindset going up and there and qualifying,” continued Hight. “You have to cut light and be ready and put up the best E.T. you can. It’s a little different, but it’s exciting for the fans.”

An unusually cool June night produced quicker and quicker speeds as darkness fell.

“It’s exciting to race at night. I love it,” Hight added. “There’s not a better setting in all of motorsports than Thunder Valley here in the evening as the sun is going down. It’s beautiful and the fans that paid their way in here today got their money’s worth.”

Hight will face Bob Tasca, a winner over defending Thunder Valley Nationals champion and six-time Bristol winner Ron Capps, in round two during Saturday’s third-round of qualifying. Capps (3.962, 318.92) sits second in provisional qualifying.

“It’s exciting and getting this win tonight is a big deal,” noted Hight. “We’ll get some rest and be ready and focused to go again tomorrow. You have to be focused more this weekend that you’ve ever had to be before.”

In Top Fuel, Leah Pruett (3.745, 322.42) edged Brittany Force (3.747) by 0.002 seconds, although Force’s 334.48 speed equaled a track record. Steve Torrence (3.753, 329.10) was just 0.006 seconds behind Force in the third spot. All three advanced into the second round of New England Nationals final eliminations along with top qualifier Antron Brown.

“This is absolutely going to be a race to remember this weekend,” said Pruett. “I love running here at night. The fans are so loud here in Bristol and I just love it. We had a lot of chaos, but staying calm in those moments was huge.”

Pruett faced Mike Salinas in round two that also features Brown facing Torrence and Force challenging Justin Ashley. Tony Schumacher will run unopposed.

“We get to enjoy this moment, but now we’ll go back into raceday mode for tomorrow,” continued Pruett. “I like how we are racing right now and I want to continue to build on that.”

Erica Enders holds the top spot after two rounds of qualifying in Pro Stock. It would be the reigning and five-time world champion’s first top qualifying spot of the season if it holds.

“I know it’s only race seven, but it feels like it’s been seven years,” Enders said. “It’s been excruciating.”

With Pro Stock sitting out last weekend’s Epping event, it’s been a wait to see if testing session knowledge gained in Chicago held true.

“I was apprehensive to say we had figured it, but today was proof in the pudding,” continued Enders. “We made the run and were low for the session, tested, and it translated here. So, it’s super exciting.”

Christian Cudera (6.632,, 206.04) sits seconds with defending race winner Aaron Stanfield (6.636, 206.89) third.

Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader Gaige Herrera is looking for his fourth No. 1 qualifying finish of the season and holds the point after a 6.820-second, 196.93 mph run. Eddie Krawic (6.855, 198.03) sits second and Angie Smith (6.904, 196.30) third.

Complete NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Provisional Qualifying

Top Fuel — 1. Leah Pruett, 3.745 seconds, 322.42 mph; 2. Brittany Force, 3.747, 334.48; 3. Steve Torrence, 3.753, 329.10; 4. Justin Ashley, 3.755, 327.74; 5. Mike Salinas, 3.762, 327.35; 6. Doug Kalitta, 3.764, 319.22; 7. Dan Mercier, 3.768, 317.72; 8. Austin Prock, 3.787, 326.08; 9. Cameron Ferre, 3.795, 322.11; 10. Tony Schumacher, 3.797, 323.58; 11. Josh Hart, 3.819, 321.12; 12. Doug Foley, 3.841, 287.66; 13. Shawn Langdon, 3.846, 316.82; 14. Clay Millican, 3.888, 271.79; 15. Antron Brown, 3.907, 292.90; 16. Spencer Massey, 4.602, 169.17. Not Qualified: 17. Lex Joon, 8.101, 123.15.

Funny Car — 1. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.938, 321.35; 2. Ron Capps, Toyota Supra, 3.962, 318.92; 3. Chad Green, Ford Mustang, 3.969, 322.50; 4. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.972, 329.26; 5. Alexis DeJoria, Supra, 3.999, 322.88; 6. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.004, 318.99; 7. J.R. Todd, Supra, 4.025, 325.53; 8. Mike McIntire, Toyota Camry, 4.044, 300.80; 9. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 4.051, 308.50; 10. John Force, Camaro, 4.063, 324.36; 11. Dale Creasy Jr., Charger, 4.067, 281.60; 12. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 4.094, 268.28; 13. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.125, 297.55; 14. Alex Laughlin, Charger, 4.182, 302.08; 15. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.295, 212.59; 16. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 5.182, 146.24. Not Qualified: 17. Dave Richards, 6.836, 94.60; 18. John Smith, 7.596, 93.28.

Pro Stock — 1. Erica Enders, Chevy Camaro, 6.627, 205.88; 2. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.632, 206.04; 3. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.636, 206.89; 4. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.643, 206.01; 5. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.643, 204.54; 6. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.645, 206.64; 7. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.655, 205.66; 8. Kyle Koretsky, Camaro, 6.655, 205.63; 9. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.656, 206.23; 10. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.661, 204.98; 11. Camrie Caruso, Camaro, 6.685, 205.98; 12. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.692, 204.20; 13. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Mustang, 6.693, 204.88; 14. Fernando Cuadra, Mustang, 6.709, 204.63; 15. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.715, 203.58; 16. Larry Morgan, Camaro, 6.741, 204.20. Not Qualified: 17. David Cuadra, 6.749, 196.99; 18. Chris McGaha, 7.158, 153.49; 19. Jerry Tucker, 16.522, 48.66.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.820, 196.93; 2. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.855, 198.03; 3. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.856, 197.36; 4. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.891, 194.16; 5. Chip Ellis, EBR, 6.908, 194.80; 6. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.923, 192.91; 7. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.934, 195.17; 8. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.935, 192.55; 9. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.942, 193.52; 10. John Hall, Buell, 6.943, 193.57; 11. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.988, 193.21; 12. Ron Tornow, Victory, 7.062, 189.71; 13. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 7.107, 193.07; 14. Marcus Hylton, 7.154, 187.21; 15. Lance Bonham, Buell, 7.260, 178.33; 16. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 7.466, 149.00. Not Qualified: 17. Jianna Evaristo, 7.578, 137.60; 18. Chris Bostick, 15.944, 47.40.