The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series had a weekend off before starting the strenuous Western Swing that begins this weekend with the 42nd annual Dodge Power Brokers Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway west of Denver, Colorado. As is customary, not every part-timer has elected to make this trip, where horsepower dwindles and high temperatures prevail. It’s not a trip for those not fully invested in making NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship playoffs that start after the Pep Boys U.S. Nationals on Labor Day weekend.
Still, Top Fuel has mustered 17 entries for this contest, which means there will be one severely displeased member of that community packing their bags on Sunday, rather than racing in eliminations. Although four-time and reigning dragster champ Steve Torrence hasn’t lifted a Wally winner’s trophy yet this season, he did win the last two races held at this venue, where cooling beneath the start-line surface aids competitors in launching their machines.
There was no race at Bandimere Mountain in 2020, but Torrence secured wins in both 2019 and last year. In 2019, Torrence became the first – and only – driver to surpass 330mph at Bandimere, using his “older” setup before transitioning this year to a new engine-and-clutch combination that has elevated the performance of current points leader Mike Salinas and Torrence’s regular nemesis Brittany Force. Unfortunately, this new combo has led to inconsistency for the four-time champ; he’s still looking for his first 2022 win.
Along with Salinas, Force and Torrence, currently first through third in the championship chase, the balance of the class’ top ten, Justin Ashley, Austin Prock, Josh Hart, Shawn Langdon, Clay Millican, Doug Kalitta and Leah Pruett are all on-hand to try and shine this weekend, along with close pursuers, Antron Brown (the most recent driver to sweep the Western Swing in 2009 – his second time achieving the feat), eight-time champ Tony Schumacher and Doug Foley. They’re joined by part-timers Alex Laughlin, Terry Totten, Rob Passey, Cameron Ferre and Greg Carrillo. The breadth of this field makes the 11th of 22 races an even more compelling event.
There’s always a sense of urgency with the Western Swing, which goes from the mountain-top of Denver to hills near Sonoma, California to near-ocean-level at Seattle. The different tracks create diverse…
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