MORRISON — It was unusually quiet Saturday at Bandimere Speedway, the former leadoff spot to the NHRA’s consecutive three-race “western swing.” Bandimere now serves in the cleanup slot, after events in Kent, Wash., and Sonoma, Calif., and crews were busy Saturday preparing for the 31st Mopar Mile-High Nationals.
After today’s finals in Sonoma, the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will trek to Colorado and unleash its newest secrets about how to beat Bandimere. The track is the circuit’s most difficult venue, especially when it’s hot, because using maximum horsepower at high altitude creates a frustrating mix.
“It’s always a puzzle trying to find the right combination up there, and typically we never know what we’ll use until we arrive and look at the weather data,” defending funny car series champion Robert Hight said last week. “But what we all enjoy is the challenge. Winning at Bandimere is a special thing.”
Defending event winners are Antron Brown (top fuel), Ron Capps (funny car), Allen Johnson (pro stock) and Eddie Krawiec (pro stock motorcycle). Brown went on to win the ensuing two races to become the seventh driver in NHRA history to sweep the western swing.
This year, top fuel’s best driver has been veteran Larry Dixon, who is 7-for-7 in final- round races. He was upset in the second elimination round last weekend by Shawn Langdon, but entering today’s final in Sonoma, Dixon is first in the standings with a win-loss record of 36-7.
In funny car, the legendary John Force (26-10) is having a successful campaign after going winless in 2009, a shocking statistic given that he had won at least one race since 1986. He has won four races and is atop the standings entering today’s finals.
“Looking forward to it,” Force said about the upcoming race at Bandimere. “I’m back!”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Today’s races
INDYCAR Honda Indy Toronto
Site: Toronto
TV: 10:30 a.m., KMGH-7
Track: Streets of Toronto (street course, 1.755 miles)
Race distance: 149.175 miles, 85 laps
Next race: Honda Indy Edmonton, July 25, City Centre Airport, Edmonton, Alberta.
Online:
NHRA Fram Autolite Nationals
Site: Sonoma, Calif.
TV: 4 p.m. (tape), ESPN2
Track: Infineon Raceway
Next race: Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, July 23-25, Bandimere Speedway, Morrison
Online:
