Since Larry Carrier envisioned cutting a drag strip through the middle of an eastern Tennessee valley in the 1960s, the drag strip formerly known as Thunder Valley has provided entertainment and significant marketing value to attract drag racing fans. 

For the next few drag racing seasons, Super Grip, a Piney Flats, Tenn. corporation that is a worldwide leader in creating high-quality tires for the industrial tire market, intends to take advantage of this value. 

On Tuesday, officials from Bristol Dragway, NHRA, and Super Grip announced today a multi-year partnership agreement that names Super Grip the entitlement sponsor for the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, June 7-9, 2024.

“We are thrilled to partner with a progressive company like Super Grip to bring the fans in this area, also Super Grip’s hometown, the tradition-rich Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals,” said Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway and Bristol Dragway. “The Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals promises to deliver our guests a sensory experience like no other.”

Super Grip doesn’t have to be sold on the value of Bristol Dragway’s NHRA event. They’ve seen it first-hand, considering the company’s offices are less than 10 miles from the strip.

“The legendary Bristol Dragway creates lasting memories literally every few seconds for their guests, so our business philosophies mesh together very well, and that makes this partnership a perfect fit,” said Scott Whitney, CEO and president of Super Grip Corporation. “We look forward to helping produce an amazing, memorable experience for fans, racers, our employees, and everyone in the drag racing industry during the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.”

The 2024 Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals weekend race schedule will feature two sessions of nitro qualifying with Top Fuel and Funny Car on Friday at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday’s two pro sessions, including the final two sessions for Top Fuel and Funny Car, begin at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. On Sunday, final eliminations for the professional categories begin at noon.

“It’s always exciting to welcome a new partner to NHRA drag racing, and we’re thrilled to have Super Grip as the title sponsor of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “Bristol Dragway has always been an incredible stop on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series circuit, offering an amazing backdrop and a memorable, one-of-a-kind race weekend. This event continues to be a favorite for both our race teams and fans, and partnering with a local company like Super Grip only adds to the race weekend experience.”