Top fuel points leader Rod Fuller, appropriately nicknamed “Hot Rod,” has been the most consistent NHRA racer this year. He has earned three poles and hasn’t qualified worse than fourth.
Fuller has advanced to the semifinals in eight of 12 races, winning one event, in Phoenix.
History suggests he won’t run well at the Mile-High Nationals. He hasn’t won an elimination-round race at Bandimere Speedway since his Powerade Series debut in 1995.
A year ago, Fuller qualified No. 8 with a run of 4.67 seconds at 316.60 mph, but was upset in the first round by David Baca.
“It’s always a wild card, but our team is strong, and with two cars, our guys will get it figured out,” Fuller said.
Bandimere is one of two tracks on the circuit where Fuller hasn’t advanced past the first round. But he still likes it.
“It’s one of my favorite tracks (and) I’m great friends with the Bandimere family,” Fuller said. “It’s one of our favorite trips on the tour. They put on a great race.”
Debut of the playoffs
The NHRA is in the first year of its three-round, six-race playoff system, and Bandimere is the 13th event in the 17-race regular season.
The “Countdown” includes all four divisions, and only eight drivers or riders in each division will maintain championship hopes after the 17th race of the 23-race season. The playoff fields will be reduced to four after race No. 21.
In each of the six playoff races, traditional rules apply. Like Nextel Cup’s “Chase for the Championship,” all nonplayoff competitors can compete.
Need for speed, playoffs
A playoff format was needed to maintain interest during the final three months of the season. The past six years, champions in the three full-time classes have managed to run away with the titles.
The top fuel champions won by an average of 256 points. The average was 221 points for funny car and 378 points for top fuel.
“Sarge” on track
Tony “Sarge” Schumacher, who drives the U.S. Army car, enters Bandimere in good position to capture an unprecedented four consecutive top fuel championship. Schumacher, who has a flattop haircut, is fifth in the standings, 142 points ahead of eighth-place Melanie Troxel.
Schumacher is tied with Joe Amato for a record three consecutive crowns.
It should be noted that the NHRA’s real “Sarge” is Californian Jack Beckman, who is in his first full season in funny car. Beckman, a former Air Force sergeant, is eighth in the standings.
Footnotes
Three current or former Colorado residents are in the top 10 of their divisions. Troxel is eighth in top fuel, Lakewood resident V. Gaines is sixth in pro stock and former Trinidad resident Andrew Hines is third in bikes….Former Nuggets forward Tom Hammonds, who failed to qualify last weekend in Bristol, Tenn., is 17th in pro stock.
Staff writer Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
Schedule
TODAY
9 a.m. – Gates open
10 a.m. – Sportsman qualifying
1:30 and 4 p.m. – Comp qualifying
4:45 p.m. – Pro Stock qualifying
5:30 p.m. – Nitro qualifying
7:15 p.m. – Pro Stock qualifying
8 p.m. – Nitro qualifying
SATURDAY
8:30 a.m. – Gates open
9 a.m. – Sportsman eliminations
12:30 p.m. – Comp eliminations round 1
1:15 p.m. – Pro Stock qualifying
2 p.m. – Nitro qualifying
3:30 p.m. – Comp eliminations round 2
4:15 p.m. – Pro Stock qualifying
5 p.m. – Nitro qualifying
SUNDAY
9 a.m. – Gates open
11 a.m. – Pre-race ceremonies
Noon – Final eliminations
