23rd Mopar Mile-High Nationals
Denver, CO (July 18-21st, 2002)
Notes |
Results | Photos
NATIONALS NOTEBOOK:
Racers at Mopar Mile-High Nationals battle not only high altitude location of Bandimere Speedway but also extremely high temperatures. That unfavourable combination limits performance but also filters out the talent pool of participating teams.
Only track records set are in Pro Stock by Ron Krisher who powers his Eagle One Chevy Cavalier to a 7.249 secs and 190.00 mph. Krisher, the pole qualifier however wastes those numbers in a huge .373 foul start in round one to #16 qualifier Darrell Alderman in the Mopar Parts Dodge. Alderman falls in turn in round two however as former Pro Stock Truck racer Greg Stanfield has a great event driving Bart Price’s new Dodge Neon. Stanfield, in only his third start in Pro Stock, goes to the semi finals before bowing out to Allen Johnson’s Dodge. “AJ” however just misses his second win of the 2002 season when he loses a razor thin 7.347 to 7.330 secs final to Mike Edwards in the Oklahoma-based Young Life Chevy Cavalier.
Del Worsham vaults into third place in POWERade points standings when he takes the Checker-Schuck’s-Kragen Pontiac Firebird to victory. The win is Del’s 3rd of the season matching the victory total of points leader John Force. Worsham guns down Tony Pedregon in the final round. Worsham’s win comes at his first race with his very young twin daughters present at the event. They were born just a few weeks before.
Denver event includes the debut of a number of Muppets Show themed entries. Special promotion is to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Jim Henson Company product. 25th Anniversary Muppet Show cars are 15 in total spanning not only NHRA, but also NASCAR and World of Outlaws circuits. At Mile-High Nationals fans are treated to Tony Pedregon’s “Animal” , Whit Bazemore’s and Craig Treble’s “Sam the Eagle” and Andrew Cowin’s “Fozzie Bear”. Company reveals that Shirley Muldowney will run a special theme “Pepe the King Prawn” at Indy.
Texan Darrell Russell scores his 4th career win in Top Fuel and his second of the season driving for Joe Amato and sponsor Billstein. Russell is in brightly painted and new-look car. Crew chief Wayne Dupuy keeps Russell consistent all through the event however Russell wins the final on a holeshot over Cory McClenathan in the Henkelman and Baca car, 4.898 secs to 4.877 secs. Russell and McClenathan had entered eliminations qualified 3rd and 4th respectively.
Pro Stock Bike racing sees hometown favourite Matt Hines score a popular win over archrival Angelle Savoie. Hines wins the final round at 7.634 secs at 180.04 mph when points leader Savoie has handling problems and crosses the centre line. Savoie had paced the field in qualifying with a 7.560 secs run. Hines’s younger brother Andrew makes his Pro Stock Bike class debut. The 19-year old rider qualifies his Suzuki 8th with a 7.686 secs but loses in round one to Reggie Showers.
Sportsman racer is highlighted by a win in Stock eliminator for the second year in a row by Neal Rhodes who scores driving his ultra-cool F/SA 390 CID ‘67 Ford Fairlane. Rhodes is able to run down the ‘69 Chevelle C/SA of Brad Erb in the final round.
For the first time in its event history Mopar-Mile High Nationals includes NHRA’s Super Street class, which is run on an altitude, corrected 11.59 index. Troy Grant from nearby Lakewood CO takes that inaugural win driving his ‘66 Chevy II past Steve Domingues in the final round.
Hometown lady Top Fuel racer Melanie Troxel has her best finish yet in Top Fuel with a semi-final round placing. Troxel qualifies 10th at 5.002 secs and then beats Jim Cavalieri and Mike Strasburg but cannot handle eventual winner Darrell Russell in the semi final round.
Top Fuel racing also features a strong effort by former TAD driver Michael Strasburg who, in only his second career NHRA start in the class, qualifies 15th and then wins his opening round. Strasburg is able to upset Tony Schumacher in the opening frame when the Army car pitches a blower belt.
Top Fuel round one also sees points leader Larry Dixon bow out early when he spins his tires and loses to IHRA star Paul Romine. Dixon who was a DNQ at St. Louis then sees Bernstein eat further into his points lead with a semi-final round placing. Heading into Seattle-- Dixon’s lead over Bernstein is now less then 100 points.
Sponsor Mopar Parts throws a giant street party in downtown nearby Golden Colorado. Three blocks of the main street are cordoned off and invited guests (included yours truly) are treated to some great food the freshest possible Coors beer. (Coors brewery is immediately adjacent to downtown Golden). Party which has NHRA’s Bob Frey as M.C. attracts Mopar’s top brass and top ranked racers. Event sponsor Mopar hosts charity golf tournament for local Denver “Race to Read” foundation and in a class move makes all the kids associated with that the event’s Grand Marshall.
