When news broke that Bandimere Speedway was shutting down after the 2023 season, the drag racing world knew the final Mile-High Nationals would be a bittersweet race. Race fans all over the country descended on Denver, Colorado to say farewell to the beloved track, resulting in three-straight sellout days and a capacity crowd to cheer-on the racers.
And what a race indeed. Once the tire smoke cleared, Clay Millican had won the last race of an NHRA National Event at the historic “Thunder Mountain” racetrack. Keep reading and find out who else took home Wallys in this week’s NHRA Wrap-Up.
***
2023 NHRA Mile-High Nationals Top Fuel Results
Clay Millican grabbed his second win of the season in Denver, racing in front of a packed house of fans. It was his first win at Bandimere and, with the closing of the track, it’ll be his last. After blasting past Tony Schumacher, Mike Salinas, and Shawn Langdon during eliminations, Millican faced another difficult opponent in Doug Kalitta. Millican cut a faster light and Kaliita smoked the tires early, allowing him to bolt to a 3.872 second, 299.60 mph win.
Congratulations to Clay Millican and his entire team for such a historic victory!
***
2023 NHRA Mile-High Nationals Funny Car Results
Matt Hagan had a fantastic weekend of racing. Starting from the Number One qualifier position, he ran past the competition (including defending FC champ Ron Capps) to a final round matchup with a hard-charging Alexis Dejoria. At launch, Hagan cut a 0.054 RT on his way to a 4.135 second, 304.25 mph pass, besting Dejoria’s 4.217 @ 251.34.
***
2023 NHRA Mile-High Nationals Pro Stock Results
Reaching the final race on Sunday has been a core part of Dallas Glenn’s points-leading strategy all season long. But he came up just short of Troy Coughlin Jr.’s 6.933 second, 196.64 mph run with a 6.949 @ 195.62. Glenn remains number one in the overall Pro Stock championship points race continuing on the NHRA’s western swing.
***
2023 NHRA Mile-High Nationals Pro Stock Motorcycle Results
We’ve mentioned Gage Herrera quite a bit already this season, and it’s time to talk about him again. After clawing his way through eliminations, which included a win over last year’s champ Matt Smith, Herrera found himself facing none other than Angie Smith. But Smith turned the light red at the start, allowing Herrera to dash to victory with a 7.103 second, 187.73 mph run.
***
THE 2023 NHRA SEASON CONTINUES WITH THE NHRA Northwest Nationals JULY 21 – 23 AT PACIFIC RACEWAYS IN KENT, WASHINGTON.
***
Current 2023 NHRA Championship Points Standings
PRO STOCK
- Dallas Glenn, 831
- Matt Hartford, 629
- Troy Coughlin Jr., 627
- Deric Kramer, 584
- Aaron Stanfield, 532
- Erica Enders, 516
- Greg Anderson, 498
- Camrie Caruso, 492
- Christian Cuadra, 437
- Kyle Koretsky, 425
***
TOP FUEL
- Justin Ashley, 758
- Steve Torrence, 704
- Leah Pruett, 653
- Brittany Force, 632
- Austin Prock, 619
- Antron Brown, 591
- Mike Salinas, 560
- Josh Hart, 539
- Doug Kalitta, 537
- Clay Millican, 490
***
FUNNY CAR
- Matt Hagan, 800
- Ron Capps, 755
- Alexis DeJoria, 679
- Robert Hight, 668
- Chad Green, 629
- Bob Tasca III, 618
- Tim Wilkerson, 544
- John Force, 542
- J.R. Todd, 482
- Cruz Pedregon, 456
***
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
- Gaige Herrera, 672
- Hector Arana Jr., 453
- Steve Johnson, 390
- Angie Smith, 388
- Eddie Krawiec, 384
- Matt Smith, 375
- Chase Van Sant, 335
- Jianna Evaristo, 273
- Marc Ingwersen, 258
- Ryan Oehler, 229
***
Comments