Because of the economy and cost to compete in the thin air at Bandimere Speedway, it’s possible the fields won’t be full for this weekend’s 30th Mopar Mile-High Nationals.
A full, final-day bracket consists of 16 cars/motor- cycles, with competitors that qualify outside the top 16 going home before eliminations.
No one may go home early this weekend.
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” pro stock driver Allen Johnson said Wednesday during a news conference.
As of Wednesday, the entry list for the series event had 16 top fuel dragsters, 16 funny cars, 17 pro stocks and 19 pro stock motorcycles.
In the previous event June 25-28 in Norwalk, Ohio, there were 18 top fuelers, 17 funny cars, 22 pro stocks and 20 pro stock bikes making at least one qualifying pass.
Typically, pro stock has the largest entry list, but Johnson said less than 16 might actually attempt to qualify at Bandimere.
“I’ve been racing since 1996 and I’ve never seen a field with less than 20 cars,” he said. “I know four cars that qualified in the last race won’t be here, but I’m sure they’ll be some local guys that try to qualify. It will be close — 15, 16, 17 cars.”
Bandimere has long been regarded as the toughest NHRA venue to find speed. But Johnson said for his division, finding speed at more than 5,000 feet above sea level can be had for a cost of more than $10,000.
“Everything from the front bumper to rear bumper is different here,” he said. “Transmission, rear-ends, clutch. The parts really add up to just come here and try to qualify, and to do it right, you’re maybe talking $15,000, and some guys aren’t going to want to spend that in this economy.”
Longtime partner.
Mopar, the parts division of Chrysler, is sponsoring Bandimere’s national event for the 21st year, the longest-running NHRA partnership of its kind.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
