Rolling into town for this week’s event at Bandimere Speedway, six of the top drag racers gathered at a luncheon Wednesday afternoon sporting almost nothing but smiles.
For the first time in NHRA history, the drivers will complete the western swing this weekend at the 31st annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals. Bandimere Speedway in Morrison previously had been the start of the swing.
“I wish I could race here all the time,” said top fuel racer Cory McClenanthan, who is a two-time winner at Bandi-mere and currently ranks third in the point standings. “We’ve done really well here. . . . This is one race track where the family has done something cool every single year we come here. We see bigger and better things.”
This year, the Bandimere family repaved the back road and sealed the end of the race to help moisture dry faster in preparation for the qualifiers Friday and Saturday. The finals are Sunday.
This week’s event is the second to the last one before the Countdown to 1.
Larry Dixon has already clinched a spot in the top fuel championship playoffs with 1,444 points. John Force leads the funny car series, but Robert High trails him by only 43 points. Second through fourth places in the pro stock motorcycle series are separated by five points, with Hector Arana leading the pack by 141.
Allen Johnson, who is in second place with 1,113 points, trails Mike Edwards by 413 in the pro stock standings. Johnson is in position to gain some ground if he manages to win his third race on the mountain in four years.
“To get to the winner’s circle, you’re going to have to get past Allen,” said V. Gaines, who lives in Lakewood. “He’s about the fastest car on the circuit right now.”
Shemar Woods: 303-954-1609 or swoods@denverpost.com
