Drag Illustrated Issue 182, May / June 2023 | Page 38

Dirt

Surrendering Thunder Mountain

Bandimere Speedway to close following 2023 season By NHRA Communications

NHRA and the Bandimere family jointly announced on April 21 that the 2023 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals on July 14-16 at Bandimere Speedway will be the last NHRA national event at the historic track just outside of Denver .

For the past several years , the Bandimere family has also been proactive in their efforts to locate another possible location in the Denver area where a new facility could be built . They ’ ve worked with investors on a possible new track and facility location , with the goal being a short hiatus in the area and the continuation of NHRA drag racing in Denver .
First opened in 1958 , the Bandimere family has agreed to sell the current property and land , with the 2023 racing season marking the end of drag racing at the Morrison , Colo . location .
“ Our family has been involved in the automotive business for the past three generations through parts sales and machining , individual racing competition , industry innovations and the operation of our speedway in the beautiful Colorado foothills ,” states John Bandimere Jr ., second-generation owner and operator . “ We have been blessed to occupy one of the most unique places in our state and feel that our commitment to the sport is not done yet . It ’ s part of the fabric of our family ’ s life and we ’ re hopeful that another equally unique location can be found to continue the legacy that was started by my parents over six decades ago .”
The 2023 season is the 65th anniversary of Bandimere Speedway , with a special celebration set to take place during the 43rd and final Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals on July 14-16 .
As this chapter of drag racing history ends at the legendary facility , NHRA and the Bandimere family invites racers and fans to be part of the last NHRA Mile-High Nationals .
The NHRA leadership team also continues to have conversations with current NHRA member tracks not on the Camping World Drag Racing Series circuit to host future national events , including replacing the Denver date on the 2024 schedule .
PHOTOGRAPHS BY NHRA
38 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 182