Photos: Tony Stewart Racing
The Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado, marks the 10th event on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ 21-race calendar.
Bandimere Speedway kicks off the Western Swing – three consecutive races where after the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals, the series heads to Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington, July 21-23 for the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals and then to Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway July 28-30 for the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals.
Leah Pruett, Driver of the Dodge Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster
Coming into Denver, Pruett is currently third in the Top Fuel standings, 106 points behind leader Justin Ashley. Hagan is leading the Funny Car standings, four points ahead of Ron Capps.
Pruett enters Denver as the defending event winner. Pruett also won at Bandimere in 2018 She has two No. 1 qualifiers at the event, which came in 2017 and 2018.
Q: Describe the significance of entering the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals as the defending event winner, in addition to collecting your first Wally of the season at the previous event in Norwalk, Ohio.
“Ultimate momentum is what we’ve been after and that’s exactly what we have coming into the Bandimere finale. We are no longer running the same setup we won with last year at this race, so there will still be new challenges for us on the mountain. However, we believe we are better prepared for it than before, which gives us the confidence to have a repeat performance.”
Q: Bandimere Speedway is home to your highest win percentage of all NHRA tracks. With 2023 marking the final event on the mountain, talk about what the track means to you having gotten your start there in Junior Dragsters.
“Bandimere Speedway encapsulates for me the meaning of the highest caliber of drag racing. I felt that as a child with my only goal in life being to win on the mountain. As I grew older and got the opportunity to come back at the highest level, I believe that energy infused itself into each of the teams I’ve been blessed to work and win with on the mountain. Preparation has always been the standout component to success on the mountain and I’ve never felt more prepared than this year.”
Q: Touch upon the significance of being named the Honorary Starter of the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals.
“I have always appreciated what an Honorary Starter means to a track throughout the years and never dreamed I would be in that position because we are always racing and just trying to make the best experience possible for fans. It’s a true honor, as this opportunity means the Bandimere’s and Dodge have acknowledged those efforts, which to me means I have fulfilled something more meaningful than just winning a Wally.”
Q: Denver kicks off the NHRA’s Western Swing and it marks the halfway point of the season. Even though Bandimere is unique in regard to car setup, what advantages do three events in a row have on continuing good routines?
“We are all racers at heart, so we love to be able to get back on-track as soon as possible, whether that’s after a loss or a win because ideas and routines are extra fresh. The travel time allows for solid work days in between which keeps the flow in motion. The disadvantage would be if a proprietary part gets destroyed or needs specialized work done back at the shop. We do not have that availability, so there is always a consolation plan in place where teams work together to bring in parts from Indianapolis by those who are traveling back and forth to the tracks. Overall, this is a game of preparedness in terms of parts attrition. We have to be prepared for 23 consecutive proper-running runs as well as whatever else the imaginable fury may bring. By having a good-working TSR team between the Funny Car and Top Fuel program, we are in shape for the best outcome.”
Matt Hagan, Driver of the Dodge Direct Connection Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car
Hagan enters the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals with one Funny Car victory. In 2021, Hagan’s 4.105 ET at 305.70 mph defeated Alexis DeJoria (4.227 ET at 297.68 mph). Hagan has three No. 1 qualifiers at the event, which came in 2010 (4.161 ET at 301.33 mph), 2021 (3.966 ET at 319.22 mph) and 2022 (3.908 ET at 323.12 mph).
Hagan is a three-time winner already this season, collecting Wallys March 12 at Gainesville, Florida; April 2 at Pomona, California; and April 16 at Las Vegas.
Q: After advancing to the Finals in the previous event at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, what momentum does that give you heading into Denver?
“Denver is its own special place, so the momentum we had coming out of Norwalk in the Final is big. We always take a different combination to Denver that we’ve done well with. It’s given us one win and three number one qualifiers. Denver is its own animal. The mountain is incredible to conquer, but it’s tough to do. The momentum of the guys working together and being in sync is huge. One of our crew guys, Josh, was recently in a car accident, so he won’t be with us. We’re going to miss him and be thinking about him and praying he recovers well. Anytime you have one of your key guys out, it is tough. We do have a lot of momentum with the rounds we were able to go in Norwalk. We’re always learning, so you carry that into every race.”
Q: You’ve collected one Wally at the Mile-High Nationals. With 2023 marking the final event on the mountain, talk about what the track means to you and how significant another win in the final event would be.
“Denver is going to be such a heartfelt and special race. You always want to win there. It makes my heart sad to know we won’t be going back there. Dodge has been such a longtime sponsor there, so winning would be huge. I feel like we have the combination to get it done, so I’m excited to get there. It’ll be a long week with a Dodge Drive Event, but anytime you can get on the track, you realize how special it is. It’ll be a big weekend overall.”
Q: Denver kicks off the NHRA’s Western Swing and it marks the halfway point of the season. Even though Bandimere is unique in regard to car setup, what advantages do three events in a row have on continuing good routines?
“Three weeks in a row is always tough on the guys. They’ve had a couple weeks off to prepare, so it’s nice they got to take some deep breaths and spend time with their families. The Western Swing is a grind, but I know they’re always up for it. We’ll see how it all shakes out. I’ve never swept the Swing and you have to win the first one to win the other two. It would be cool to be able to do that in my career and it’d be an extra feather in your cap.”
Tony Stewart Racing
