CHEVROLET NHRA AT DENVER
What:
37th Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals
When:
Friday, July 22-Sunday, July 24
Where:
Bandimere Speedway, Morrison, Colorado
TV:
FOX Sports 1: Qualifying – 11 p.m. ET Saturday (taped highlights)
FOX: Eliminations and finals – 3 p.m. ET Sunday (live)
Chevrolet Drivers Head to Colorado for Start of Three-Race Western Swing
Chevrolet teams seek to add to success at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals
DETROIT (July 20, 2016) – With momentum, data acquired through on-track testing, and renewed confidence, National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock driver Shane Gray believes his season starts this weekend at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals in Morrison, Colorado.
Gray, who drives the Valvoline/Nova Service Chevrolet Camaro SS for Gray Motorsports, was the No. 1 qualifier two weeks ago at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois, and advanced to the semifinals before falling to eventual winner Greg Anderson. It was the second consecutive semifinal appearance, and fourth of the season, for Gray.
That momentum invigorates Gray, who will attempt to end the KB Racing winning streak at 13 while continuing the Chevrolet Racing streak. Anderson (Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro SS) has six victories and teammate Jason Line leads the class with seven wins.
“Hat’s off to those guys because they figured out the new EFI better than anyone and they’ve been running great,” said Gray, who grew up in Carlsbad, New Mexico, and attended many races at Bandimere Speedway with his father, Funny Car and Pro Stock driver Johnny Gray. “It’s taken us some time but certainly it was encouraging to earn the pole at Route 66 Raceway and let those guys know we’re here. We couldn’t turn our qualifying performance into a victory, but we did get down to the final four and we definitely had a good chance.
“We will not let up this weekend. There’s still lots of racing left, and it’s more exciting now than it’s been all year.”
Gray was among the regular NHRA drivers to test in the higher altitude in preparation for the 14th event on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series calendar. The event kicks off three consecutive weekends of racing on the NHRA’s western swing. Anderson is the only Pro Stock driver to sweep the three races. Chris McGaha (Harlow Sammons of Odessa Chevrolet Camaro SS) won at Seattle and Sonoma in 2015.
“Being at altitude makes it a challenging place to race,” said Gray, who has four Pro Stock career victories. “It was really tough when we ran carburetors because you couldn’t make up for the thin air. We have a little more leeway this time with EFI, but this is the first time for all of us, and although some testing was done on the mountain, for the most part we’re all starting from scratch. It may level the playing field.”
Chevrolet drivers occupy four of the top five and eight of the top 10 spots in the Pro Stock standings, led by Line in first place. Anderson is second and Bo Butner (Butner Auto Sales Chevrolet Camaro SS), a four-time runner-up this season, is third.
Drew Skillman (Ray Skillman Chevrolet Camaro SS) is fifth, followed by Vincent Nobile (Mountain View Tire Chevrolet Camaro SS), Gray, McGaha, and Alex Laughlin (Gas Monkey Garage Chevrolet Camaro SS).
Chevrolet drivers have amassed 17 victories in Top Fuel (two by Brittany Force), Funny Car (one each by Courtney Force in the Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS and John Force Racing teammate Robert Hight driving the Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS), and Pro Stock (seven by Line and six by Anderson).
John Force (Realtree PEAK Antifreeze Chevrolet Camaro SS), who is the only NHRA Funny Car driver to sweep the western swing, has been the No. 1 qualifier the past two years at Bandimere Speedway and the runner-up both years. He has a class-leading six victories in the Mile-High Nationals, and has 21 career wins in the western swing. Anderson is the active leader in Pro stock with nine wins.
In 2014, Hight defeated Force in the final round to record his third win at the racetrack. Courtney Force, who is third in the Funny Car standings, advanced to the final round at Bandimere Speedway in her rookie season in 2012.
Brittany Force also has had success in the Top Fuel class at Bandimere Speedway. The driver of the Monster Energy Chevrolet dragster, who is fourth in points and has two victories this season, was the runner-up in 2014 and advanced to the semifinals last year.
Dan Fletcher, who recorded his 51st win in Super Stock and 98th of his Sportsman career two weeks ago at Route 66 Raceway, will drive the PEAK/K&N/Denso Chevrolet COPO Camaro this weekend in Stock Eliminator. Four others driving Chevrolet COPO Camaros will compete in Stock Eliminator, including Ryan Montford of Wichita, Kansas. Montford also will compete in Super Stock, driving the 2016 Chevrolet COPO Camaro.
FOX Sports 1 will telecast taped qualifying highlights at 11 p.m. ET Saturday. FOX will telecast three hours of live eliminations and finals starting at 3 p.m. ET Sunday. It marks the first time in the 65-year history of the sanctioning body that an NHRA national event will be presented live on a broadcast TV network.
“What grows our sport is exposure,” said John Force, the 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion. “We love the bigger ratings we have seen on FS1, but to move up to what I call ‘prime time’ with FOX, where all of America can see NHRA drag racing, is very exciting. The positive growth for our sport and sponsors and fans has me ready to get in my hot rod.”
Chevrolet also will welcome fans to its Chevrolet Performance Display during the weekend. It will include a number of Chevrolet’s award-winning production vehicles, examples of Chevrolet engines, and a selection of performance parts and accessories that are available for fans to purchase from their local Chevrolet dealer.