Points leader Tim Wilkerson wins again at the 29th running of the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Denver, Colorado. Wilkerson defeated defeated Jack Beckman in the final by running a 4.398 second E.T. at 262.23 MPH, besting Beckman's 4.661 E.T. at 205.41 MPH. Wilkerson significantly extended his points lead with his fourth win this season.
Along with a mandated change to a new rear tire, this was the first race at the interim race length of 1,000 foot. The shorter race length was mandated to increase the shut down area of the track for the cars to decelerate, while simultaneously slowing the cars down to reduce the safety risk for drivers. The temporary race length rule is temporary while NHRA's newly formed safety task force studies how to improve the safety of the cars and tracks in the wake of Scott Kalitta's death at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, New Jersey three weeks ago. All of the drivers interviewed seemed pleased that the 1,000 foot rule has been implemented while the safety issues are studied, that the rule is indeed intended to be temporary, and the competition was still exciting.
IHRA has also experienced safety concerns recently. IHRA Nitro Funny Car and past NHRA Fuel Funny Car driver, Dale Creasy, Jr. was seriously injured last week at the IHRA CARS RV & Marine & Motorsport Rocky Mountain Nationals. Creasy is currently in Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta as he recuperates from multiple surgeries that were required to reconstruct his left leg. Hopefully, NHRA and IHRA will work together to improve the safety of all drivers.
Another interesting aspect of the Bandimere Speedway race was the track's addition of a cooling system for the tracks launch area out to the 120 foot mark. Bandimere's all concrete dragstrip was known for its high temperatures in the Summer sun, significantly reducing the traction for the cars that are already hampered by the lower oxygen density of the high altitude. The track's cooling system has embeded water pipes in the concrete launch area, circulating water to an external chilling system. The cooling system was a resounding success as the track surface temperatures significantly decreased and improved the traction for all participants.