Allen Gregory

BRISTOL, Tenn. — For members of the extended drag racing community, the annual national event at Bristol Dragway represents a homecoming.

Fans swap stories of past adventures at Thunder Valley while racers recount triumphs and heartbreak at the unique facility carved into the green hills of East Tennessee.

Ron Capps knows the appeal of competing in NASCAR country.

“The first time I went to Bristol I was driving for Don ‘The Snake’ Prudhomme and you could tell the legacy that the dragstrip has,” Capps said. “It’s a favorite of the fans for sure, and there a lot of great memories there for our Ron Capps Motorsports team.

“We were the first to get Toyota a win, and that was at Bristol. You look back and you’re proud because it was very challenging.”

Capps is tied with Tony

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