Story By: NHRA – GLENDORA, CA – Tickets are on sale today for the 42nd Dodge//SRT Mile-High NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil, which takes place July 15-17 at Bandimere Speedway as part of the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
The race is the 11th of 22 races during the 2022 season and again serves as the opener to the NHRA’s famed Western Swing. A staple on the NHRA circuit for more than four decades, the Dodge//SRT Mile-High NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil has long been a fan-favorite event, with race fans packing Bandimere Speedway to see the stars of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series tackle the unique challenge of racing at an elevation of more than 5,800 feet.
“The Dodge//SRT Mile-High NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil has delivered unforgettable moments for more than 40 years and we are excited to again kick off the Western Swing at Bandimere Speedway in 2022,” said John Bandimere, Owner of Bandimere Speedway. “The fans in the Denver area are truly some of the most passionate in drag racing, and the thrilling challenges of the race and the incredible atmosphere on Thunder Mountain always makes it one of the most memorable events of the year.”
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won the event in 2021. Pro Stock will make its first appearance at the facility since 2019, meaning all four professional categories will be in action on Thunder Mountain in 2022. The event will also be broadcast on the FOX Broadcast Network (FOX) as racers try to open the Western Swing with a victory. It is the first of three straight races on a stretch that also includes stops in Sonoma and Seattle.
Torrence won his second straight race at Bandimere Speedway last year, picking up his third career victory at the race, while Hagan won for the first time on the mountain, racing to an emotional victory at his sponsor’s race. John Force leads all competitors with an impressive eight Funny Car victories in Denver and Greg Anderson, the reigning Pro Stock world champ, is the active leader in his class with four wins. Smith raced to his third career win at Bandimere Speedway last year, with Andrew Hines’ five wins at the track pacing the Pro Stock Motorcycle category.
The race, which marks the halfway point of the 2022 season, will also count toward the All-Star Shootout in Funny Car that takes place at the U.S. Nationals in Indy.
TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR 2022 NHRA NATIONALS IN NORWALK
Tickets are now on sale for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, which will take place June 23-26 at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park as part of the upcoming 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
The race serves as the 10th event of the 2022 campaign and the stop in Norwalk will be showcased on the FOX Broadcast Network (FOX), including live action from eliminations. The first-class facility has been a favorite for fans and race teams since the inaugural race in 2007 and NHRA will make its 16th appearance in 2022, bringing the incredible thrills of 11,000-horsepower, 330-mph nitro action to the track.
“All the drivers in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series are always excited to race in front of a huge crowd at Norwalk, and we can’t wait to return to Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in 2022,” said Josh Peterson, Vice President of Racing Administration. “Thanks to the incredible work from the Bader family, the facility is regarded as one of the best on the NHRA circuit, and they’ve worked hard to create an atmosphere that always includes passionate fans during a memorable weekend.”
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won the event in 2021. All four professional categories will again be in action for the 2022 event, which will be the second of five straight races to be broadcast on FOX. The event will also feature standouts in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series and Factory Stock Showdown.
A year ago, Pedregon picked up his first Funny Car win in more than three years at the event, while Torrence won for the third time at Norwalk, giving him the most wins in Top Fuel history at the facility. Reigning Pro Stock world champ Greg Anderson, who became the all-time wins leader in class history in 2021, has a class-best three wins at the event, while Andrew Hines’ five Pro Stock Motorcycle victories at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals are the most for any NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series competitor.
Top Fuel star Tony Schumacher, who is returning to full-time action in 2022, won the inaugural race in 2007, while Funny Car standout and Top Fuel star Leah Pruett will be racing as part of NASCAR legend Tony Stewart’s new team next year. The race, which comes near the halfway point of the 2022 campaign, will also count toward the All-Star Shootout in Funny Car, that takes place at the U.S. Nationals in Indy.