Mopar Mile-High Nationals always stood alone in the schedule NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, because the strip in Denver is at an altitude of 5800 feet above sea level.
The mountain climate requires a completely different approach to setting dregster, because the thin air affects the operation of the engine and adversely affect the aerodynamics of the cars. In order to perform at a competitive level, mechanics increase the compression ratio of the engine and increase the boost pressure.
Also subjected to migrate fuel system, ignition and clutch. Despite this, the rate at Bandimere Speedway is still lower compared to the steps that take place on the Strip, located far below the sea level.
Naturally, all of these factors could not affect the outcome of events and this time: the motors burned like matchsticks, and problems with the hook is not allowed to experienced pilots to perform at a decent level.
An outsider Steve Torrence won the final victory over reigning champion in the class Top Fuel (TF) Tony Schumacher than secured a place in the top 10 of the standings. Jack Beckman earned a fourth Wally of the season, and Larry Morgan repeated his success in Concord, which allowed him to take sixth place in the drivers' standings.
Torrens second with a score of 3.925 @ 319.37 mph took first place for the first time since 2013, what has brought himself fifth podium of his career. In the final race he was faster than most titled riders in the class of only 0.0014 seconds. But the leaders of the championship, this time not so lucky: Antron Brown and Doug Kalitta dropped out of the fight at the beginning of the knockout rounds, and Larry Dixon, won first place in qualifying, was unable to climb above the semi-finals. Very nice this time acted Brittany Force, which has taken on the basis of Event seventh place in the standings. In general, the stage in Denver had virtually no impact on the balance of forces in the top of the standings, but the entertainment it was not to occupy. Given the specifics of the event, which was mentioned above, not all teams have managed to set up the engines properly, which eventually led to numerous breakdowns power plants. And if the previous stages, usually dealing dispense ripped superchargers, then Mopar Mile-High Nationals aluminum blocks were torn like paper. However, completely destroyed as a result of powerful explosion at the 700-foot mark of the engine did not prevent Tony Schumacher win in the first round.
In the classroom Funny Car (FC), Jack Beckman confidently beat championship leader Matt Hagan in the second round, while his other teammate Ron Capps retired at the beginning of the knockout rounds. John Force was able to reach the finals, on the road to Cruz Pedregonu revenge for the defeat in Chicago and went home in the semi-finals of his brother Tony. But in the final he could not take revenge for the defeat in Topeka, Beckman turned and this time more quickly with the result 4.190 seconds @ 293.92 mph. In the first round the two met the pilots: DeZhoria Alexis and Courtney Force, the two left the starting line with a red light on the tree, but a false start time, Alexis was smaller, and that brought her the victory in this race. However, in the semi-final she again started ahead of than the much easier task of Beckmann. As a result, Hagan is still first with an impressive margin, Beckman — the second and Force Sr. returned to third place standings.
And if anyone FC have not managed to get out of four seconds at the event, the few pilots in a single class of atmospheric Pro Stock (PS) were able to overcome the barrier of 200 mph. Erika Ender Stephens again failed to reach the finals, while disposing of confidence with his main opponent Greg Anderson, thereby reducing to a minimum the gap with championship leader. In the semifinals, she lost one owner Wally this year, Larry Morgan, who looked very convincing in Denver. The final race, perhaps, was the pearl of Mopar Mile-High Nationals. Pilots got up at stage one and a half minutes. In this duel the first «surrendered» winner NHRA Route 66 Nationals Allen Johnson. Under the rules of Morgan it was then ten seconds to take the starting position, ie. E. Johnson actually had more time to focus on the tree. However, Larry got up very quickly in the stage, and only thanks to the better response the first to reach the finish line ahead of his opponent by only 0.0071 seconds. The situation in the standings at the end of the Event has not changed: Anderson in the first place in the standings, Stephen Enders on his heels from the second line, and Jason Line continues to hold third place.
Next stop in Sonoma in the upcoming weekend. Before Countdown To One there are only four stages, and many pilots have to work hard to get in the playoffs.
