Defending Top Fuel Event Champion Pruett, 2021 Funny Car Winner Hagan Return to the “Mountain” in Final Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals

Auburn Hills, MI – Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) drivers Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan list the legendary Bandimere Speedway as one of their favorite drag racing venues on the 22-race NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series and both racers have fond memories on the “Mountain.”

Pruett, the defending Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals Top Fuel champion, and Hagan, the three-time NHRA Funny Car World Champion, feel sentimental as they head to the Denver area for the final edition of the NHRA national event after 43 years of competition and 35 with Dodge and Mopar partnership.

Now in its 65th year as a drag racing facility, the Bandimere family announced that 2023 will be the final season for the track’s straight-line activities. A Stellantis brand has sponsored the Mile-High Nationals since 1989, with the 2023 edition marking 35 years of partnership with the NHRA and the Bandimere family. Dodge — America’s performance brand — and the Mopar brand have long histories at the famed track nestled in the Rocky Mountains.

Pruett and Hagan want nothing more than to add to that history by putting their Dodge Direct Connection machines in the final Dodge Power Brokers Mile-High National winner’s circle.

“Bandimere Speedway is my favorite track on the NHRA circuit,” said Pruett, recent Top Fuel winner at the NHRA Summit Nationals last month with her TSR Dodge Direct Connection dragster. “It’s on the mountain, it’s a Mile High and I have so many incredible memories there including winning my very first NHRA ‘Wally’ trophy at eight years old. Then I chased another ‘Wally’ for decades at Bandimere before winning my first Top Fuel race in 2018, and again last year. That mountain is special to me. The vibe of the fans and the Dodge enthusiasm is so great because of the Mopar, Dodge Power Brokers and Direct Connection relationship for 35 years with the Mile-High Nationals and Bandimere Speedway. I’d love to win there again this year.”

Hagan, the 2021 Dodge Power Brokers Mile-High Nationals Funny Car champion, admits it took awhile to reach Bandimere Speedway victory lane, but he’ll be ready for this year’s final NHRA national race this weekend, July 14-16.

“One of my favorite places to race is Bandimere Speedway,” said Hagan, a three-time 2023 NHRA winner in the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat. “I don’t really like the altitude and I have been on fire and blown up there. It was tough to win that first Mile-High Nationals ‘Wally’ trophy. But I love the scenery and the atmosphere at that track with the fans. Everybody enjoys themselves at the event and the stands are packed. When I do a burnout, I can see the people so deep along the fences and they’re excited. It’s such a cool event with the Dodge and Mopar involvement. I love meeting the fans there. We’ll be set to run strong I can tell you that much. It’s a blast.”

All racers at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals will join Pruett and Hagan in remembering the 43 years of NHRA event action on the ‘Mountain’ and in seeking the final Bandimere Speedway victory.

“I know the drivers at Bandimere Speedway will be a little sad like myself,” said Pruett. “My first ‘Wally’ trophies came in Junior Dragsters, and we won as a team. Then we captured the team title with an all-girl team when I was a teenager on the ‘Mountain.’ I even came to the track as a crew member in hopes of getting a Top Fuel for the NHRA national circuit in the future. And my meeting for the Top Fuel ride came at the Mopar Mile-High Nationals. Then winning twice there in Top Fuel was a thrill. I have so many memories at that track as do many racers.”

With the 65th years of Bandimere Speedway, the Bandimere family, with some four generations having been involved at the racing facility, will be saluted this weekend for its innovation to the sport and supporting drag racing in the Colorado area dating back to 1958 when John Bandimere Sr. constructed the track.

“We have to thank the Bandimere family for giving us one of the most outstanding drag racing facilities in the world,” said Hagan. “Winning this last NHRA national event at their track would be one to remember throughout your career. I know the Bossman Tony (Stewart), Dickie (Venables, Hagan’s crew chief) and our TSR Dodge Direct Connection crew want to win on the ‘Mountain’ very badly this time. And I want to take home that last Bandimere ‘Wally’ too.”

The nitro-burning cars – Top Fuel and Funny Car — get underway at this week’s 2023 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway on Friday, July 14, with two nitro qualifying rounds set for 6:30 p.m. EDT and 10 p.m. EDT. Saturday’s nitro qualification rounds are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. EDT and 9 p.m. EDT. Final eliminations on Sunday, July 16, will get underway at 1 p.m. EDT, with FOX network coverage scheduled to air from 4:00-7:00 p.m. EDT.