When the trailers are unloaded at Thunder Mountain, racing teams know that they will be chasing the track and managing the thin air at Bandimere Speedway for the rest of the weekend. Nothing had changed in 2022 as the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series rolled to the line to get Friday’s opening round of qualifying underway in front Denver’s screaming fans.
After watching his Elite Motorsports teammate Erica Enders take over the top spot in Pro Stock qualifying, Aaron Stanfield posted a 6.934 ET at 196.82 mph in the Janac Brothers Chevrolet Camaro to claim his fourth Number One qualifier this season. Not bad, as the Elite team claimed the top three spots for the Dodge Power Brokers Mile-High Nationals.
Defending Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith started his weekend by setting a new track record at Bandimere during Friday’s qualifying session. Not to be outdone, Smith closed out qualifying on Saturday with a 7.090 ET at 189.79 mph to become the first motorcycle to post an elapsed time in the seven-second range. Heading into the weekend’s elimination rounds, it would be the second Number One qualifier for Smith this season.
Matt Hartford Grabs a Holeshot Win at Thunder Mountain
Pro Stock legend Greg Anderson enters ever NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series event looking for his 100th class win. After qualifying ninth at Thunder Mountain, Anderson would lose in the opening round to Bo Butner who left the tree first and carded a 7.913 ET for the win. Butner’s success was short-lived as Number One qualifier Aaron Stanfield eliminated Butner and Troy Coughlin Jr. on his way to a final round matchup against Matt Hartford.
Hartford is the president and CEO of Total Seal Piston Rings, an Arizona-based parts manufacturer that provides consistent engine performance with no-opening ring gaps. As an independent driver who doesn’t make his living at the race track, Hartford posted a .004-second reaction time and a 6.967 ET at 196.36 mph in the finals to defeat a red-hot Stanfield. It was Hartford’s first win of the 2022 season and the fifth of his career.
Iron Man Defends in Pro Stock Motorcycle at Bandimere
Matt Smith knew his Denso Auto Parts Buell could win. After all, it is the bike he won on last year. But, Smith wasn't taking anything for granted. After setting a track record at both ends, the defending world champion in NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ Pro Stock Motorcycle division never let up once eliminations started. Sporting the Iron Man colors, Smith eliminated Marc Ingwersen and Angelle Sampey enroute to a final round matchup against Joey Gladstone.
Gladstone reached his second straight final thanks to wins against Ryan Oehler, Eddie Krawiec and Angie Smith. As the first rider to ever reach the 7.00s at Mile-High, Smith went even faster over on Sunday as the Buell rider became the first competitor to go over 190 mph on Thunder Mountain. With a 7.097 ET at 190.22 mph, Smith claimed his 34th career Wally by defeating Gladstone in the Final. Suzuki rider Steve Johnson maintains a ten point lead over Angelle Sampey.
Photo courtesy of Bandimere Raceway Facebook
UP COMING:
DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series continues the West Coast Swing next weekend when teams return to action on July 22-24 with the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway in California.
