The Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway have come and gone, sending the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series to its second stop on the three-race Western Swing.
With a few surprise drivers rising to glory last Sunday in Colorado, the stage is set for more potential upsets during the Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways in Seattle, Wash., this weekend.
Millican Moves Up
Clay Millican and Rick Ware Racing firmly reminded the Top Fuel paddock of their race-winning potential during the Mile-High Nationals, just two months after scoring the team’s first national event victory at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.
The Sunday crowd at Bandimere Speedway watched as Millican expertly defeated Tony Schumacher, Mike Salinas, Shawn Langdon and Doug Kalitta en route to the winner’s circle.
It was only the second time this season that Millican advanced out of the first round.
“We had not won a single round until Chicago (Route 66). When we do, we win the race. So when we won first round here, I’m like, we’re winning the race,” Millican said.
It was Millican’s fifth career win.
Hagan Vs. Capps Battle Heats Up
On paper, Matt Hagan appears to have control of the Funny Car point standings.
The Tony Stewart Racing driver is 45 points ahead of defending champion Ron Capps, who is 76 points ahead of Alexis DeJoria in third. Hagan’s growing lead was bolstered last weekend at Bandimere Speedway when he collected his fourth — and perhaps most emotional — victory of the season.
“It was my mom’s birthday and she passed away six months ago, so I was thinking about that throughout the weekend,” Hagan admitted. “But I also knew this was the last time I’d race at Bandimere Speedway, so getting the quick qualifying time three years in a row, winning in 2021 and this season is very special.
“I don’t think it will sink in for a few months.”
Along with his four wins, Hagan has finished runner-up once, entered the quarterfinals three times and made two first-round exits this year.
In comparison, Capps has been putting up quite the fight.
The NAPA Auto Parts driver has stacked up one win, three runner-up performances, two semifinal appearances, two quarterfinal finishes and two first-round exits in 10 races. After becoming the first Funny Car driver in 20 years to win back-to-back championships last season, Capps is anxious for a shot at a third consecutive title.
Capps is hoping his history at Pacific Raceways might bump him into the points lead for the first time this season.
“I won my first race in Top Fuel there my rookie year in 1995, and have had a lot of Funny Car success there as well throughout the years,” Capps said. “We’re looking forward to this weekend and getting back there with our NAPA GR Supra to try and grab the No. 1 spot.”
What Will It Take?
Brittany Force started the final Mile-High Nationals with a promising performance, collecting her fourth No. 1 qualifier award of the season and simultaneously setting another track record.
The Monster Energy dragster hurtled down Bandimere Speedway at 337.33 mph — the fastest lap to ever recorded at Thunder Mountain — during qualifying on Saturday. Despite the awe-inspiring run, Force was swiftly defeated by Rob Passey in the first round of eliminations.
The early exit lengthened Force’s winless streak to 11 races.
The defending Top Fuel champion has also yet to make it past the semifinals this season, raising the question — what will it take for Force to turn a No. 1 qualifier into a Wally?
Kalitta Motorsports Continues Building
Kalitta guided his Top Fuel dragster all the way to the final round at the Mile-High Nationals, which marked the first time the 49-time national event winner made it past the semifinals this season.
“We have a great car and a great team — we just need a couple things to go our way on race day … I know race wins are right around the corner,” Kalitta said.
He will continue chasing his 50th career Wally at the Northwest Nationals this Sunday.
On the other side of the awning, Kalitta Motorsports’ Funny Car operation also enjoyed success in Colorado, with driver J.R. Todd reaching the semifinals for the third time in the last four races.
“You’re happy to go rounds, but at the end of the day, we all have the same mentality. You’re not OK going to the semifinals — you want to win. We’ll keep digging and get after it in Seattle,” Todd said.
Sonoma Is Next
The final stop on NHRA’s annual Western Swing comes July 28-30, with the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals at California’s Sonoma Raceway.