BRISTOL, Tenn. — For three years Raymond Nash has raced the Team Underdawg Racing Dodge Mopar Challenger in the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series chasing his dream of victory.
Saturday at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway Nash ran to his first No. 1 qualifier. Nash leads a stacked field of qualifiers that includes points leader Jonathan Allegrucci, reigning world champion Mark Pawuk, and rookie standout Matthew Hartman.
“Jonathan’s a longtime friend,” said Nash. “I had my first round win ever against him. He’s a hell of a driver. He’s good on the tree and he’s consistent. Mark and his team have done a really good job improving that Dodge Charger. That car is going to be an animal when it comes around, there’s no doubt about it. We intend to give him a good run for the money.”
Nash has a tremendous support system behind him. He gives the credit for his success this weekend and throughout the season to his family and being a part of Ray Barton Racing Engines.
“We’ve worked hard on this racecar. David Barton has done a great job. The guys at Ray Barton Racing Engines,” said Nash. “Ray Barton himself and all the guys back at the shop, they’ve done an awesome job of working hard on the car. My family has been amazing supporting me from my son to my dad and especially my wife. They are moving a car back and forth and we have lots of support back at home. Thank goodness, my wife, who allows us the opportunity to do this, and she’s a big help. She cleans the rig, loads food, and does the whole thing. That’s why my name’s not on the top of the car. It says Nash Family for a reason.”
Allegrucci and his Ford Mustang Cobra Jet have dominated the past two national events. Nash, who is a lifelong Dodge Mopar supporter, is excited to get this race underway and see if that streak can be stopped.
“My dad started the whole Mopar thing,” said Nash. “He had a 70 Charger, and he’s the one who got me hooked on Mopar. And as a kid, I remember Little Red Express in my driveway. I remember Chargers, Challengers and all these cool cars. I’ve been blessed in life. I’ve been able to own a lot of everyday drivers but my driveway and my garage is full of Mopars.”
Bristol Dragway has a long history of drag racing going back more than 60 years. The fans in the area have long supported factory stock and door-slammer racing. Nash is proud to be part of a series that is continuing the grassroots and professional racing series. He is also excited to represent a host of sponsors as the No. 1 qualifier.
“It’s awesome. The fact that we were fans walking around the racetrack not long ago, and now we can race this car in the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown class,” said Nash. “I feel blessed. We work really hard, and we have great sponsors that we work with. RaceTech did a good job of helping us lighten up the seats and move some weight around. Impact has done a good job of keeping us safe. We’ve had an opportunity to work with some really good providers, like Ray Barton Racing Engines. Slowly, but surely, we’ve worked really hard. We’re not here for number one qualifiers, we’re here to win a race. We only want to win a Wally, and that’s what I care about most.”
In the final qualifying session Nash and his Nash Family backed racecar posted the quickest elapsed time, 7.827 seconds at 176.30 mph to move into the top spot. Allegrucci posted a run of 7.843 seconds at 177.14 mph to leapfrog the Friday provisional No. 1 qualifier Pawuk.
Nash will face No. 12 qualifier Richard Bierie in the first round with lane choice and momentum on his side. No. 3 qualifier Pawuk will have a tough first round opponent racing No. 10 qualifier and 2024 Thunder Valley Nationals winner David Janac.
Allegrucci will head into the first round of eliminations with the Flexjet Bounty up for grabs. The bounty has doubled to $2,000 and Mike Llyod the No. 11 qualifier will be the first driver with the chance to grab the bonus money.
