So, I did something on Wednesday afternoon.
It was work-related, if you must know, and I had to make some sacrifices along the way.
The sacrifice? I did a bad Poppy thing; I passed on going to my granddaughter’s pre-K graduation.
My plans for Wednesday included going to see her graduate today but shuffling the starting time, putting her class at the end of the program and overall indecision from school officials kept me from going.
I had already committed to Anthony Vestal at Bristol Motor Speedway, and I really didn’t want to get out of it.
I had something to prove.
For the past few years, I’ve attempted the Celebrity Media Challenge, and my final results were nothing to brag about. AFP editor Chris Graham always wanted scoop on how it went.
It’s a big honor to be invited to this event. You have a chance to meet an NHRA superstar and then get a crash course on driving a street car down Thunder Valley, taking on local media personalities in the Tri-Cities market and some important business people and decision makers.
You get the picture. Small fish, big ocean. The racing food chain applies.
This year, I got a lot closer than ever before but still, no cigar.
The celebrity drag race serves as a prelude to the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, scheduled for June 6-8 at Bristol Dragway. This upcoming event will feature the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, marking round eight of their championship tour.
Did I mention you get lessons from a NHRA celebrity? This year, Christiansburg’s own Matt Hagan was on hand to coach the 24 celebrity participants, offering advice on staging and reaction times.
Hagan, currently fourth in points, expressed his enthusiasm for racing at Bristol, calling it “arguably the most beautiful track on the NHRA schedule.” He previously won at Bristol in 2015.
Thankfully, we didn’t have to race Hagan. Instead, 23 other drivers and myself, the small fish, would compete in bracket playoff format to earn the title of champion.
One celebrity, former NFL linebacker A.J. Johnson, an All-SEC linebacker for the Tennessee Volunteers (2011-2014) who played with the Denver Broncos (2018-2021), with stops in Seattle and Miami, got in a street car with his good luck charm, his daughter, Ava, and smoked the field, defeating last year’s champion, Sean Embree of title sponsor Supergrip.
A.J. took the advice of Hagan prior to the start of the challenge and commenced his rapid rise to the top of the bracket, defeating Hollywood actor Jeremy Ray Taylor in the second round.
Johnson then utilized a strong reaction time to overcome NASCAR Cup Series photographer Earl Neikirk in the quarterfinals, followed by a win against WCYB TV executive sports producer Heather Williams in the semifinals.
So where did I fit in to this Drag Race Madness?
In the first round, I drew Cole Johnson of WCYB Sports, and in about 10 seconds, I had advanced on to the next round.
In round two, I faced off against Matt Smith. Smith, in his first race, was impressive in his take off from the green light, but this time around, I had the better take off and defeated Smith in the second round.
I expected the competition to get tougher, and it did. I was now in unfamiliar territory. I was alive in the quarterfinal round.
In quarterfinal action, I defeated former media professional Joe Avento at the line and was on my way to the semifinals.
It was there I met my destiny (cue James Earl Jones’ voice). I had to face last year’s Challenge champion Sean Embree from Supergrip.
During the course of the day, I had watched Embree, and I knew he was going to be tough in the competition. Sure enough as the Christmas tree lit green at the bottom, I hesitated. Maybe it was me, but if I was going to be a sore loser like Joey Logano in NASCAR, I’d blame it on the car. I was driving a Volkswagen. The other victories came in Nissans. No “Fahrvergnügen,” for me (Fahrvergnügen translates to “driving pleasure”).
That’s when I got beat by mere seconds from seasoned drag racing pro. In the press release from Bristol Dragway, “Embree’s path to the final included victories over Super Grip co-worker Ian Whitney, Bristol track employee Stan Huff, local media personality PJ Johnson,” and according to the Bristol Dragway press release, “veteran journalist Rod Mullins of the Augusta Free Press.”
So in the climactic final round, Johnson secured the win with a superior reaction time, pulling ahead of Embree at the finish line.
“What a really fun day this was,” said Johnson, whose father-in-law, Kingsport Chamber president and CEO Miles Burdine, also competed in the event.
As for me, for the most part, mission accomplished. Although I was really hoping to make the final cut, I made it to the semifinals for the first time, ever.
If I had made it to runner up, I would have promised my bad Poppy self, that I would give my plaque or trophy to my granddaughter, Afton, for missing her pre-K graduation.
Afton came away a graduate of pre-K. Poppy came away with a sense of accomplishment.
Why?
Former Media Challenge winner Kenny Hawkins, sports anchor at WJHL in Johnson City, got smoked in the second round by Fastest Speed winner Heather Williams.
Kenny had no words for his defeat in the television station grudge match. Heather advanced on to the semifinals like I did, only to get beaten by Johnson, who would go on to claim bragging rights for 2025.
I can look back and at least say it was a good day. And thanks to my wife and her new phone, I got to see my granddaughter walk across the floor to accept her promotion to kindergarten next year and hear her baby brother crying in the background to his dad yelling, “put me down” or “get up.”
Thanks, Bristol Dragway, for taking a chance on this “veteran” journalist and amateur drag racer for another year and inviting me to this elite group.
It was a good day.
For a lot of different reasons.
Special Awards
Several special awards were presented during the challenge:
- Fastest Speed: Heather Williams, WCYB TV – 88.97 mph
- Quickest Time: Sean Embree, Team Super Grip – 16.038 seconds
- Best Reaction Time: Sean Embree, Team Super Grip – .153 of a second
- Slowest Speed: PJ Johnson, media legend – 71.38 mph
The Upcoming NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
The Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals promises a star-studded lineup, including recent Bristol winners Austin Prock, Ron Capps, Justin Ashley and three-time Bristol winner Doug Kalitta. Motorsports icon Tony Stewart will make his second Bristol Dragway start, alongside four-time Top Fuel champ Steve Torrence, three-time champ Antron Brown, Pro Stock’s Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin Jr., and Pro Stock Motorcycle phenom Gaige Hererra and veteran rider Steve Johnson.
Fans will have an exclusive pit pass, allowing direct access to teams and drivers for autographs. The event will also feature the Congruity Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Series, Mountain Motor Pro Stocks, and the Factory Stock Showdown. Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway will offer interactive displays, merchandise, and family-friendly activities.
Key events include:
- Friday, June 6, 8:30 p.m.: Nitro at Night qualifying session with Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars, followed by a fireworks show.
- Saturday, June 7 (30 minutes after final pro qualifying): Fan Fest in the Pits for driver meet-and-greets and autographs.
- Sunday, June 8 (prior to pre-race ceremonies): Sealmaster TrackWalk with NHRA drivers and officials.
Qualifying for the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals begins Friday, June 6, with sessions at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (under the lights). Final qualifying rounds are Saturday, June 7, at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., including the new Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. Final eliminations are scheduled for noon on Sunday, June 8.
Broadcast Information & Tickets
- Friday’s qualifying will air on FS1 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
- Saturday’s qualifying show airs at 8 p.m. ET on FS1.
- Sunday’s final eliminations show will air at 3 p.m. ET on FS1.
Ticket prices start at $35 for adults on Friday, $52 on Saturday, and $42 on Sunday. Kids 12 and under are free on Friday and $10 each day on the weekend with a paid adult ticket. Weekend packages and premium seating options are also available.
To purchase tickets, call Bristol Dragway at (866) 415-4158 or visit the BMS website.
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