This weekend at the Mile-High Nationals, the finish line will look 320 feet closer.
The NHRA debuts the 1,000-foot track at Bandimere Speedway, reducing the race course by 320 feet for top fuel dragsters and funny cars. The shorter tracks will be used the rest of the season.
With the change, which came about after the June 21 death of driver Scott Kalitta, drivers remain torn about the shorter track but are looking forward to speeding into history.
“Well, somebody’s name is going to go in the records books with an asterisk,” funny car driver Jack Beckman said Wednesday. “I think it was a wise move. I was a little bit upset as a purist when I first read the change. But then I started thinking about it from a logical standpoint.
“The father part of me is now thankful they’re doing it.”
Funny car driver Melanie Troxel said she hopes the shorter course isn’t permanent.
“The most basic element of drag racing is that we race a quarter-mile,” Troxel said. “When you change that, you really change the most basic thing about that sport.
“We definitely want to make this sport as safe as possible, but I am definitely hoping it’s not long term.”
Troxel feeling the heat.
With only six races left before the regular season concludes, Troxel sits at No. 14 in the standings. She wants to use this weekend on the course she grew up on to make a run at a playoff spot. Only the top 10 drivers qualify.
“This is a big weekend for us,” said Troxel, who grew up in Littleton. “We take the first step of either moving towards the goal of getting in the top 10 or we lose ground.”
Local favorite?
Bandimere may be in pro stock driver V. Gaines’ backyard, but that doesn’t mean the Lakewood resident has an advantage, does it?
“You know, everybody thinks we have a home-court advantage, and to be quite honest with you, we like to keep that rumor alive,” Gaines said.
This weekend kicks off the western swing. It’s three races in three weeks, with the circuit next going to Washington and then California.
Yvette Lanier: 303-954-1033 or ylanier@denverpost.com
