Beckman, MTS/Valvoline Dodge races to Bandimere speed record while other DSR teams struggle

Morrison, CO – Jack Beckman led Don Schumacher Racing’s charge up the mountain Friday in the Mopar Mile-High Nationals but the trek was not as enjoyable for his six DSR teammates at Bandimere Speedway.

While Beckman’s run in 4.097 seconds at a track-record speed of 309.91 mph in his Dodge Charger R/T earned the provisional No. 2 qualifying spot in Funny Car heading to Saturday’s last two sessions, Spencer Massey’s Battery Extender Powered by Schumacher dragster was the best of the DSR Top Fuel trio with a No. 7 provisional qualifying position.

The high-altitude track near Denver robs nitro-fueled, supercharged racecars of air and keeps their power below the routine 10,000-horsepower output.

The thin air threw curveballs at DSR teams other than Beckman’s and crew chief Todd Smith’s MTS Mail for Wounded Warriors/Valvoline MaxLife Dodge Charger R/T.

In Funny Car, Ron Capps is ranked eighth followed by NHRA Mello Yello Series points leader Matt Hagan in ninth and this year’s four-time event winner Johnny Gray in 10th.

Falling behind Massey are Tony Schumacher in 13th and reigning world champion Antron Brown in 15th.

The top-16 drivers after Saturday advance to Sunday’s championship eliminations.