Thunder Valley Nationals

Welcome to my running blog of the NHRA POWERade Series O'Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals.

The Top Fuel eliminations have just now begun with J.R. Todd topping Hillary Will to begin the day.

Larry Dixon topped Melanie Troxel, and the first upset of the day saw Cory McClenathan top Doug Herbert.

Through the first three runs, the three victors have all posted better marks than they did in qualifying.

Doug Kalitta bucked the early trend with a 4.63 mark, just lower than his 4.611 mark in qualifying, with a win over Morgan Lucas.

David Grubnic, however, posted a better mark than his qualifying run with a win over number two qualifyer Whit Bazemore, who had some problems off the start.

The biggest upset of the day came early as Bob Vandergriff Jr. beat top qualifyer Tony Schumacher from the 16th spot.

No number one qualifiers have went on to win an event in Top Fuel this season — that streak continues today.

In a great race, third seeded Brandon Bernstein topped Brady Kalivoda with a 4.5 to a 4.6.

Hot Rod Fuller topped Clay Millican to set the quarterfinal round later today.

"I knew when I hit that pedal, it was going to do it," Bernstein said.

Funny Car

In the first round of eliminations:

Seventh seeded Jim Head (4.92) beat Robert Hight (4.913).

Top qualifier Tim Wilkerson (4.935) beat Del Worsham (4.960).

Number three Cruz Pedregon (4.918) topped Jerry Toliver (4.988).

Fourth seeded Mike Ashley (4.920) beat Tony Bartone (5.013).

Second qualifier Jack Beckman (4.891) beat Gary Densham (5.067).

Fifth qualifier John Force (4.864) beat Scott Kalitta (5.984).

Sixth qualifier Ron Capps (4.937) beat Tommy Johnson Jr. (4.987).

In the lone upset of the round, ninth qualifier Gary Scelzi (4.942) topped eighth qualifier Tony Pedregon (5.215).

I'll be back later with updates from Pro Stock and the quarterfinal elminations of Top Fuel and Funny Car.