For one regular Bristol Dragway competitor, the aura of Thunder Valley was such that he moved to the area only for a chance to race on the famed quarter-mile track. Larry Barr, a man who defines dedication and determination, will take to the track he loves in an attempt to earn top prize in the Pro category at the July 19-20 Ferguson Enterprises Pro Mod Challenge.
Barr's racing passion began when he won his first drag race while growing up in West Virginia in the 1960s. He was only 14 at the time, but after the racing bug bit, he has unable to shake it.
"I've been hooked since that first race," said Barr. "It's an addiction you can't get rid of. I've tried to quit racing twice, but I just can't do it."
A few years later, while living in Virginia Beach, Va., Barr began driving across the Commonwealth for the opportunity to race just across the state line in Bristol. He made the trek for three years before deciding to move to Piney Flats. The draw to compete full-time at Bristol Dragway was simply too great for him.
"There are a lot of good tracks up north," he said, "but I love it here. I can even hear the cars from my house. Bristol has the best competition anywhere. You really have to be on top of your game to race here."
Barr, a military veteran, met John Hanna, also a veteran, after his move to the Tri-Cities. Hanna, originally from Ohio, made Barr an offer he couldn't refuse.
"I had the money to build a car, and Larry really wanted to race," said Hanna. "We built a car and have been racing ever since. Just being able to race together, we love it. It's like a dream to race in Thunder Valley. I had always heard about it, but I had never seen it before I moved here from Ohio."
Barr has raced at Bristol Dragway since 1971 and competed several times in the IHRA Spring Nationals. Currently, he and Hanna campaign in a 1985 Corvette autographed by NHRA great John Force
"We had him [Force] autograph the car at NASCAR Café a few years ago," said Barr. "That was a big thrill. When he came outside, he said no one had ever asked him to do that. A lot of people argue that it isn't a real autograph because they say John doesn't autograph cars. But he autographed ours."
Force isn't the only professional driver to cross paths with Barr. Throughout his years of competition, Barr has squared off against several of the sports biggest names.
"I used to race against Bill Jenkins, and even Joe Amato when he was a kid," Barr said. "I come to the national event just to see the guys I used to race against."
Barr won a bracket racing event at Bristol in 2004, but perhaps the biggest highlight of his career came last season when he was among the 16 competitors chosen to battle on SPEED's Pinks All-Out. Despite losing in the first round, Barr said he wouldn't trade the experience.
"I was mad because I spun the wheels, but it was still a great show," admitted Barr. "I feel like we really could have won, but it was still fun and really cool seeing ourselves on SPEED.
"You've got to be dedicated to race. We've been so close to winning Super Chevy and a lot of other events that we can taste it. But we love it and we keep going."
Barr, who now has a much shorter drive to Thunder Valley, will be in action for this weekend's event.
The Ferguson Enterprises Pro Mod Challenge will feature three rounds of outrageous Pro Mod action in addition to six classes of bracket racing.
Gates open at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday with time trials beginning at noon. Eliminations begin at 4:00 p.m. with the Ferguson Pro Mod Challenge getting under way at 5:00 p.m. The Pro Mods also will run at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.
On Sunday, gates open at 8:00 a.m., with church service scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Bracket eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m.
Spectator admission is $15 on Saturday, with $5 discount coupons available at Appco Convenience Stores. Admission for Sunday is $10.
For more information about the Ferguson Pro Mod Challenge, please call (423) 764-DRAG, or visit www.bristoldragway.com.