Bristol Dragway officials inducted one of the more colorful nitro Funny Car drivers into their most revered circle of recognition.

Dale Pulde, whose exploits behind the wheel of the legendary War Eagle Funny Car made him a legend, was recognized as the newest inductee into the Legends of Thunder Valley.

He was the only inductee in 2009.

“I was thrilled,” Pulde said. “This has been one of my favorite tracks since I was a kid. When you’re honored with something like this, it’s like the icing on the cake.”

Pulde joins an illustrious group of members including Bruton Smith, Wally Parks, Larry Carrier, Rickie Smith, Sox & Martin and Don Garlits.

Bristol Dragway officials inducted one of the more colorful nitro Funny Car drivers into their most revered circle of recognition.

Dale Pulde, whose exploits behind the wheel of the legendary War Eagle Funny Car made him a legend, was recognized as the newest inductee into the Legends of Thunder Valley.

He was the only inductee in 2009.

“I was thrilled,” Pulde said. “This has been one of my favorite tracks since I was a kid. When you’re honored with something like this, it’s like the icing on the cake.”

Pulde joins an illustrious group of members including Bruton Smith, Wally Parks, Larry Carrier, Rickie Smith, Sox & Martin and Don Garlits.

Pulde has five victories to his credit while racing in Bristol. He is a three-time IHRA world champion who has won 20 national crowns in a career that began when he was only 15 years old.

“When I came to Bristol for the first time in 1968, we did the tech in the circle track,” Pulde recalled. “I came to the track and just stood in awe. I had never seen a drag strip like this.

“I wondered to myself how they could top that strip. It was amazing the first time I had ever seen it. It’s even more amazing now. They’ve done a wonderful job on this place.”

Pulde has always reserved a special place in his heart for the facility originally built by Larry Carrier and later renovated by Bruton Smith. The strip may now carry the Bristol Dragway moniker but in his heart, the famed facility carved between the mountains will forever be known as Thunder Valley.

Thunder Valley was once his sandbox.

“This could be considered my playground track,” Pulde admitted, adding he’s considered relocating to the area from Southern California.

“The fans in this area and in the south, are really good drag racing fans. I’ve grown to love the area.”

He’s sold a lot of t-shirts in Bristol, too.

“Before we had major sponsorship that’s how my partner and I survived was on t-shirt sales,” Pulde said. “I have seen people out here with those old shirts on, still wearing them. The ones we sold them back then.” 

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