Gilbertson Among The Stars Appearing In Friday’s Night Of Fire At Bristol Dragway

By Allen Gregory
Sports Writer / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: May 28, 2008

The world of major league drag racing is full of high-risk pressure and high-dollar headaches.
Like many competitors, Bob Gilbertson enjoys breaking away from that scene to have some old-fashioned fun.
The veteran NHRA and IHRA competitor from Gastonia, N.C. gets his chance to recharge Friday night at Bristol Dragway with a diverse program dubbed the Night of Fire.
“It’s cool to race a guy like (14-time world champion) John Force, but sometimes the fans really like to see a jet-powered race car along with a Funny Car and a guy (Benny the Bomb) that blows himself up. That’s real entertainment,” Gilbertson said.
The Night of Fire will also include Monster trucks, a 50,000-pound mechanical car-eating contraption called Megasaurus, the Chevy Rebellion wheel-stander, and a fireworks display.
“This is a great chance for fans to watch different of vehicles they would never see at a national event,” Gilbertson said. “And as a driver, I have more time to hang out with the fans without the pressure of the qualifying drama.”
Kenneth Charles Jones hopes to create plenty of drama with his dueling jet train dragsters called the Chattanooga Choo-Choo and Cannonball Express.
“Jet dragsters are entertaining and I like to entertain,” Jones said. “With my name, it was only natural to theme our dragsters after famous trains. 
“The smoke from the jets reminds people of the steam from a train.  We have bells, whistles and even a working smokestack to complete the look on our jet trains.”
Jones grew up in California during the heyday of match racing in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He actually served as a crewman to Force while the future icon was paying his dues driving the Mountain Dew Chevy Citation.
“The one-on-one contact with people is my favorite part of the job,” Jones said.  “I love racing the car. But when we come back to the pit and there is a crowd around the trailer and the people want to share what they felt, it’s great.
“I feel blessed to entertain and put on a show for everyone.”
Jones and Gilbertson are among many veteran drag racers who have been impressed with the transformation that has unfolded at Thunder Valley.
“My first experience was in Bristol back in the 1980’s where I was not sure if my truck would make it up the giant hill before entering the dragway,” Gilbertson said. “It was a totally different race track.“Today the entrance is far improved and the track is a Bruton Smith crown jewel.”
Gilbertson will compete against IHRA driver Andy Kelley Friday night in a match race format.
“I’ve done several of these of match races and really enjoy them,” Gilbertson said. “I hope lots of new fans come out to check out some different forms of racing.”
From jet-powered semi trucks to the famed Vulcan Shuttle, many unique acts have performed at Bristol Dragway since the scenic facility opened in 1965. Gilbertson is eager to add to the legend.
“Even though the mountains are shaved back some, you still hear the echo from the engine between the mountains,” Gilbertson said. “There’s no place like Thunder Valley anywhere.”
Come Friday night, there will be no louder place in Bristol.
What: Night of Fire
When: Friday
Where: Bristol Dragway
Details: Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for kids age 6-16.
More information: Call (423) 764-DRAG or visit bristoldragway.com
(276) 669-2544