CHEVROLET AT DENVER
What: Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals
When: Friday, July 20-Sunday, July 22
Where: Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado
TV: FS1 live qualifications, 7:30 p.m. ET July 21
FS1 live eliminations and finals, 3 p.m. ET July 22
Chevrolet Heads to the Rocky Mountains in Search of More Gold
Mile-High NHRA Nationals kicks off challenging three-race ‘Western Swing’
DETROIT (July 18, 2018) – Victory at Bandimere Speedway a year ago jump-started Robert Hight’s run to the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Funny Car championship, and the John Force Racing driver is aiming to replicate that feat this weekend.
The Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals in Morrison, Colorado, kicks off the annual “Western Swing” of three consecutive weekends of racing that includes Sonoma Raceway in northern California and Pacific Raceways in suburban Seattle.
Hight enters the 14th race of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season with one win and three runner-up finishes in the Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS. He’s fifth in the Funny Car standings, with JFR teammate Courtney Force leading the pack in her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS.
Five races remain in the regular season before points are reset for the six-race Countdown to the Championship.
“Last year we won Denver for our first win of the season and then took the win in Seattle and almost won Sonoma (No. 1 qualifier; fell in quarterfinals),” Hight said. “That three-race stretch really gave us the confidence to go out and get that second championship. We have a strong team again and a great race car. It will come around and we will be right in the middle of this fight.
“(Crew chief) Jimmy (Prock) has always had a handle on this track from as far back as his dragster days when he was tuning for Joe Amato. We always come in here with a lot of confidence. This year isn’t any different.”
The event poses the challenge of racing at an elevation of more than 5,800 feet, which affects engine performance, aerodynamics, and a team’s approach to qualifications and race day. Winning is especially satisfying.
“We’ve always looked at these three races as a marathon; it’s a real challenge for all of the teams out here,” said four-time Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson, who is tied with Force for the NHRA pro categories lead with eight No. 1 qualifier honors. “Each of these next three racetracks are completely different, so our goal is to figure out what each one needs and try not to make any mistakes.”
In 2017, Drew Skillman was the Pro Stock low qualifier and went on to win the race at Bandimere Speedway. He also prevailed at Seattle in the Ray Skillman Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro SS. This season, Skillman is seeking to become the ninth different Team Chevy driver to visit the winner’s stage. Erica Enders (Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro SS) snatched the Pro Stock points lead two weeks ago at Epping, New Hampshire, with her fifth runner-up finish of the season.
Drivers of the Chevrolet Camaro SS with Elite Motorsports power have appeared in the past 10 final rounds, with Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Chicago, Bristol), Vincent Nobile (Las Vegas, Atlanta), Matt Hartford (Houston), and Enders (Charlotte) visiting the winner’s circle.
Chevrolet teams/drivers have posted 19 victories combined in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock through the 13 rounds. Additionally, drivers of the Chevrolet COPO Camaro have recorded four Stock Eliminator wins and two victories in the SAM Tech NHRA Factory Stock Showdown.