AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ —
- Bandimere Speedway, Stellantis partnership is longest-running active event or race sponsorship in all of motorsports
- Final Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals set for July 14-16
- Stellantis brands have been primary sponsor of Mile-High Nationals since 1989, marking 35 years of making American motorsports history with the Bandimere family
- Leah Pruett returns to “Thunder Mountain” as defending champion and winner of recent NHRA Norwalk event in her Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Dodge Direct Connection Top Fuel dragster
- NHRA Funny Car points leader and TSR driver Matt Hagan hunts for second career Denver win in his Dodge Direct Connection Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car
- 1,025-horsepower 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 to highlight Dodge brand display on Manufacturers’ Midway
- Follow Dodge in NHRA action at DodgeGarage.com
The longest-running active event or race sponsorship in all of motorsports is coming to an end, and Dodge — America’s performance brand — is planning to bring the thunder to the Rocky Mountains one last time at the final Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals, scheduled for July 14-16, 2023, at famed Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado.
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, owners of Bandimere Speedway for 65 years. This year will mark the final NHRA national event at Bandimere Speedway, as the track will close at the conclusion of the 2023 racing season.
The Dodge and Mopar brands have created memories and milestones at the drag strip also known as “Thunder Mountain,” with passionate support from Denver-area racing fans who have turned out to fill the grandstands without fail each year. Dodge will help make the final event a memorable one by displaying the brand’s new 1,025-horsepower 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, the quickest, most powerful muscle car in the world.
Defending Top Fuel Denver event champion and recent NHRA Norwalk winner Leah Pruett will look to repeat in her Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Dodge Direct Connection dragster while TSR teammate and current Funny Car points leader Matt Hagan will search for his second win at Bandimere Speedway in his Dodge Direct Connection Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car.
“For decades the Dodge brand has made magic at Thunder Mountain, racking up race wins and revealing new Dodge muscle cars, and while it’s bittersweet to see it end, we’re going to send out the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals with as much horsepower as is humanly possible,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge Brand Chief Executive Officer – Stellantis. “With the 1,025-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 on display, the seventh and final Dodge “Last Call” special-edition model, and with Leah and Matt battling to bring home the final event trophies, we’re hoping to make a few more memories at Bandimere Speedway as we celebrate the end of an era.”
The Bandimere family, track innovators that have implemented new features such as an all-concrete track surface with a cooling system that lowers the surface temperature up to 20 degrees for improved racing action at Bandimere Speedway, will also help mark the end of an era.
“Bandimere and the Dodge and Mopar brands have become synonymous with each other over the past 35 years,” said John Bandimere Jr. “Logos have changed, but the partnership and relationship is as strong today as it was in 1989 when the relationship started. The commitment Dodge has made not only to us as a facility, but to the sport of drag racing is unparalleled and shows the deep-rooted commitment to performance that has spanned decades. Dodge and the people that work for the brand are more than sponsors, they are family. Family goes through the good times and tough times together and builds strength along the way. If there is one word that describes Dodge it’s loyalty and as a family, we have been blessed beyond measure.”
“We’re thankful for the Bandimere family for the longtime commitment they’ve shown to drag racing for 65 years,” said NHRA President Glen Cromwell. “There have been so many memorable moments at this event and to have Dodge as the race sponsor of the NHRA Mile-High Nationals for 35 years also shows their great dedication to NHRA drag racing. We’re looking forward to celebrating this historic facility and event together as we close out this chapter of racing at Bandimere Speedway, and we also remain optimistic about future opportunities to work with the Bandimere family and continue NHRA Drag Racing in the Denver area.”
Action for the 2023 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway begins 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.
Magic on Thunder Mountain: Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals Milestones
- 2022: Leah Pruett drives Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Dodge Power Brokers Top Fuel dragster to victory for TSR team’s first Top Fuel NHRA national win
- 2021: After a quest of more than a decade, Matt Hagan finally hoists Wally trophy in Denver, steering his Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Funny Car to victory
- 2021: Factory Stock Showdown class makes its first appearance at the Mile-High Nationals
- 2019: Tommy Johnson earns his first-ever Denver win in a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car
- 2018: Leah Pruett helps Dodge unveil new Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack 1320, races Top Fuel dragster with “Angry Bee” 1320-themed livery to her first Top Fuel win at Denver
- 2018: Mile-High Nationals marks 30th year with a Stellantis brand as title race sponsor, Dodge brand assumes race title sponsorship
- 2016: Leah Pruett makes her debut as a Dodge/Mopar Top Fuel driver at Denver
- 2016: Allen Johnson wheels NHRA Pro Stock Dodge Dart to seventh career win at Bandimere Speedway in his 10th consecutive final round at “Thunder Mountain”
- 2016: Mopar Mile-High Nationals is first NHRA event telecast live to a national audience on FOX
- 2015: Dodge/Mopar driver Jack Beckman captures third career Funny Car win at Denver in Dodge Charger R/T
- 2015: Next Generation Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak makes first exhibition runs, with Bandimere Speedway General Manager/drag racer “Sporty” Bandimere piloting one of the Drag Pak race cars
- 2014: Dodge/Mopar Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson rules Thunder Mountain, seizes third-straight win and sixth in eight Years at Bandimere
- 2009: Ron Capps scores his first Mile-High Nationals win in Dodge Funny Car
- 2008: “Big Daddy” Don Garlits and Judy “Miss Mighty Mopar” Lilly help reveal the new Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak with side-by-side runs down Bandimere Speedway
- 2007: Allen Johnson takes Dodge Stratus Pro Stock car to first victory at Bandimere Speedway, Jack Beckman scores Funny Car win in all-Dodge Charger final round
- 2006: Gary Scelzi drives his Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car to his first Denver event win
- 1994: Darrell Alderman takes Mopar Dodge Daytona Pro Stock to win
- 1991: Mike Dunn drives Dodge Daytona Funny Car to Mile-High Nationals victory
- 1991: Lori Johns breaks five-second barrier with a 4.991 run at Bandimere
- 1989: Mopar and Dodge brands begin primary sponsorship of Mopar Mile-High Nationals
- 1983: Frank Hawley wins Mile-High Nationals in Dodge Charger
- 1979: Randy Humphrey wins Mile-High Nationals in Pro Stock with Plymouth Volare
- 1979: Bob Glidden drives his Plymouth Arrow at the Mile-High Nationals for the first time
- 1978: First Mile-High Nationals, then the Sportsnationals held at Bandimere Speedway
- 1958: Bandimere Speedway opens
2023 Dodge Charger/Challenger “Last Call” highlights
The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is the seventh and final Dodge “Last Call” special-edition model, commemorating the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger, which are coming to an end in their current HEMI-engine-powered forms at the end of 2023. Six Dodge “Last Call” models were previously introduced: the Dodge Challenger Shakedown, Dodge Charger Super Bee, Dodge Challenger and Charger Scat Pack Swinger, Dodge Charger King Daytona and Dodge Challenger Black Ghost.
In addition to the seven “Last Call” special-edition models, Dodge is also celebrating its 2023 model lineup by bringing back three beloved heritage exterior colors, B5 Blue, Plum Crazy purple and Sublime green, plus one popular modern color, Destroyer Grey. 2023 Charger and Challenger R/T models will also feature new “345” fender badging, a callout to the 345-cubic-inch HEMI engine under the hood, and all 2023 Dodge Charger and Challenger models will carry a special commemorative “Last Call” underhood plaque.
Dodge also launched a new Horsepower Locator online tool to help Brotherhood of Muscle members make the “Last Call” for the model of their choice. The Dodge Horsepower Locator tool, as well as information on the brand’s 24-month Never Lift plan, is available at DodgeGarage.com.
@DodgeMoparMotorsports on Instagram
The @DodgeMoparMotorsports Instagram channel continues to share content capturing Dodge//SRT Mopar drivers on the track. Fans can see action from the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series and NHRA Sportsman grassroots racers, competing in classes such as Factory Stock Showdown, Stock and Super Stock, as well as additional motorsports series.
DodgeGarage: Digital Hub for Drag Racing News
Fans can follow all the NHRA action this season at DodgeGarage, the one-stop portal for Dodge//SRT and Mopar drag-racing news. The site includes daily updates and access to an online racing HQ, news, events, galleries, available downloads and merchandise. For more information, visit www.dodgegarage.com.
@DodgeMoparMotorsports on Instagram
The @DodgeMoparMotorsports Instagram channel continues to share content capturing Dodge//SRT Mopar drivers on the track. Fans can see action from the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series and NHRA Sportsman grassroots racers, competing in classes such as Factory Stock Showdown, Stock and Super Stock, as well as additional motorsports series.
Dodge//SRT
For more than 100 years, the Dodge brand has carried on the spirit of brothers John and Horace Dodge. Their influence continues today as Dodge shifts into high gear with a lineup that delivers unrivaled performance in each of the segments where they compete.
Dodge drives forward as a pure performance brand, offering SRT Hellcat versions of the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger and Dodge Durango, as well as an R/T plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version of the all-new 2023 Dodge Hornet, representing the brand’s first-ever electrified performance vehicle. Dodge delivers the drag-strip dominating 807-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock; the 797-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Redeye, the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world; and the 710-horsepower Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, the most powerful SUV ever; and best-in-class standard performance in the compact utility vehicle segment with the Dodge Hornet. Combined, these four muscle vehicles make Dodge the industry’s most powerful brand, offering more horsepower than any other American brand across its entire lineup.
In 2022, the Dodge brand ranked No. 1 in the J.D. Power APEAL Study (mass market), making it the only domestic brand ever to do so three years in a row. In 2020, Dodge was named the “#1 Brand in Initial Quality,” making it the first domestic brand ever to rank No. 1 in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS).
Fans can follow all the NHRA action this season at DodgeGarage, the one-stop portal for Dodge//SRT and Mopar drag-racing news, including daily updates and access to an online racing HQ, news, events, galleries, available downloads and merchandise. Dodge is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis (NYSE: STLA).
Mopar
This year marks the 85th anniversary of Mopar, the global name for Stellantis genuine parts and authentic accessories.
A simple combination of the words MOtor and PARts, Mopar offers exceptional service, parts and customer-care. Born in 1937 as the name of a line of antifreeze products, Mopar has evolved over 85 years to represent both complete vehicle care and authentic performance for owners and enthusiasts worldwide.
Mopar made its mark in the 1960s during the muscle-car era with performance parts to enhance speed and handling for both on-road and racing use. Later, Mopar expanded to include technical service and customer support, and today integrates service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance customer and dealer support worldwide.
Follow Dodge, Mopar and Stellantis news and video on:
Company blog: blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Media website: media.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Dodge brand: www.dodge.com
DodgeGarage: www.dodgegarage.com
Mopar brand: www.mopar.com
Mopar blog: blog.mopar.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dodge and www.facebook.com/mopar
Instagram: @DodgeMoparMotorsports, @DodgeOfficial and @OfficialMopar
Twitter: @Dodge, @OfficialMopar and @StellantisNA
YouTube: www.youtube.com/dodge, www.youtube.com/c/mopar and www.youtube.com/StellantisNA
SOURCE Stellantis
