NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

NHRA’s much-anticipated once-a-year stop at the picturesque Bandimere Speedway presents some unique challenges for NHRA pros. According to NHRA's residend odds-maker, those who figure to adapt quickly include Steve Torrence, Matt Hagan, Tanner Gray, and Eddie Krawiec

TOP FUEL

FUNNY CAR | PRO STOCK | PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

Steve Torrence
Capco Contractors

A year ago the Capco crew embarked on the Western Swing in first place with five wins to their credit. That’s also the story this season although they may even be a stronger team than they were a year ago.
Odds: 3-1

Tony Schumacher
U.S. Army

Nine times, the U.S. Army dragster has reached the final round at Bandimere Speedway and they’ve come home with the goods on three of those occasions. While he does have an odd history of round one losses here, he’s easily one of the favorites.
Odds: 4-1

Antron Brown
Matco Tools

This is probably a bit of a stretch since his first half was so pedestrian, but this is the defending event winner and the Matco team is coming off a solid runner-up finish in Epping. It’s fair to say that the tide is beginning to turn.
Odds: 6-1

Leah Pritchett
Dodge/Pennzoil/Papa John’s

Lately, the DSR dragsters seem to have picked up the pace and that includes this car, which will be wearing Dodge colors this weekend. Worth noting that she was the low qualifier in Epping and was a runner-up at this event last season.
Odds: 7-1

Clay Millican
Parts Plus/Great Clips

Stringer team had high hopes for a strong finish in Epping but smoked the tires in the first round. That being said, they should have a tune-up that is suitable for the unique conditions in Denver. The low qualifier in four of the last seven races, don’t be surprised to see them put a big number on the scoreboards.
Odds: 9-1

Blake Alexander
Pronto Service Center

First appearance since breakout win in Norwalk. As we noted earlier, this is a part-time team with full-time mojo. As a Top Fuel racer, it would not be comforting to see his name on your side of the ladder on race day.
Odds: 10-1

Doug Kalitta
Mac Tools

Qualifying in the No. 9 spot, as the Mac team has done in back-to-back events, is not the easiest path to a final round. A better effort here, even a couple spots, would likely yield big dividends on race day. Oh, and he’s also a three-time finalist at this track.
Odds: 12-1

Brittany Force
Monster Energy

Broke a four-race winless drought when she defeated Mike Salinas in Epping. Now, that’s something for the Monster Energy team to build on. Denver is always a difficult place to race, but it’s also unpredictable, which is why it would not be at all surprising to see the reigning world champ get her second win of the season here.
Odds: 14-1

FUNNY CAR

Matt Hagan
Mopar Dodge

With back-to-back wins in Norwalk and Epping he’s earned the top spot in this week’s Tipster. Yes, it’s incredibly hard to win three-in-a-row and he’s never won a race in Denver but right now, it would be hard to argue that this isn’t the best car in the class.
Odds: 3-1

Courtney Force
Advance Auto Parts Chevy

What the heck happened in Epping? After qualifying No. 1 in eight of 12 events, she dropped to No. 13. Going to assume that was just a freak occurrence so expect a quick rebound from the Advance driver, who has been to a pair of final rounds in Denver during her career.
Odds: 4-1

Ron Capps
NAPA Dodge

For all of his incredible success and long career, very surprising to note that he’s only won a single event at Bandimere Speedway and that was way back in 2009. Regardless, this is a top-tier team at any facility and lately, they’ve begun to rediscover their mojo, as have the rest of the DSR Funny Cars.  
Odds: 5-1

Robert Hight
Auto Club Chevy

He’s not exactly going to challenge Pro Stock’s Allen Johnson as the undisputed “King of the Mountain” but with three wins here since 2010, he’s clearly got the best record among Funny Car drivers. The last four events have been tough on the Auto Club team so even a semifinal here would be a welcome achievement.  
Odds: 7-1

Jack Beckman
Infinite Hero Dodge

As noted earlier, the Schumacher Racing Funny Cars seem to have found a cure for their early-season ailments. Beckman has slipped to third in the standings following a quarterfinal finish in Epping, but there is still time to make a move before the start of the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
Odds: 8-1

Shawn Langdon
Global Electronic Technologies Toyota

Admittedly, this whole Top Fuel to Funny Car switch is still a work in progress but the improvements have been noticeable. Turned in a great qualifying effort in Epping and reached the semifinals, which is a nice momentum builder ahead of the Western Swing.
Odds: 10-1

John Force
Peak Chevy

His next round win will be No. 1,300 in his amazing career. Consider that Ron Capps is second among active Funny Car racers with 695 and that gives one a sense of Force’s brilliance. He’s already got seven wins in Denver so would anyone really be surprised to see him add No. 8 this season?
Odds: 12-1

Tim Wilkerson
Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford

Talk about clutch. Blew up a truckload of parts in Epping but fought his way to a runner-up finish on Sunday. He’s going to need to step on the gas to make the top ten but it would be foolish for anyone to count him out at this point.
Odds: 13-1

PRO STOCK

Tanner Gray
Gray Manufacturing Technologies Camaro

Racing in Denver is hard for all NHRA pros but the Pro Stock teams are probably hit the hardest by the thin air and lack of power. That being said, the Gray team has generally been good at making the necessary adjustments and when it comes to driving, this kid is as good as they come.
Odds: 3-1

Erica Enders
Melling/Elite Camaro

Will this be a driver’s race or a tuner’s race? Actually, it doesn’t matter since the Elite team has a decent handle on both of those categories. She’s had two weeks to stew over a red-light in Epping (albeit on a sunny beach) but no doubt she’s ready to make amends.
Odds: 4-1

Greg Anderson
Summit Racing Camaro

We know, he hasn’t won a race this season but at some point the odds have to tip in his favor, don’t they? At least he won’t have to contend with Denver legend Allen Johnson this time around.
Odds: 5-1

Drew Skillman
Skillman Auto Camaro

Much like Anderson he’s still looking for his first win of the season and much like Anderson, he should have had it by now. Won here last year which should provide a nice confidence boost going forward. Hard to imagine he’ll go much longer without earning a Wally.
Odds: 6-1

Jeg Coughlin Jr.
JEGS.com/Elite Camaro

Won back-to-back Pro Stock races here in 1998 and 1999. We know, that was 20-years ago but the fact remains that he’s still one of the best drivers in the class and this year, the JEGS.com Camaro has the horsepower to get the job done. Also eager to make up for a round one loss in Epping.
Odds: 7-1
 

Chris McGaha
Harlow Sammons Camaro

He’d be the first to admit that he got lucky in Epping but he’s also be the first to admit that a solid program, a strong work ethic, and a total team effort made all that luck possible. A chance he’ll also race a COPO Camaro in Super Stock this weekend.
Odds: 9-1

Deric Kramer
American Ethanol Camaro

He’s already won a race this year which has given him additional confidence and he knows the track at Bandimere Speedway better than anyone. KB power should also be more than enough to get the job done.
Odds: 11-1

Vincent Nobile
Mountain View Camaro

If it wasn’t for bad luck, the Mountain View crew would have no luck at all. Their recent results haven’t shown it but this is one of the best car/driver combinations in the entire Pro Stock class. Added bonus for reaching the final here two years ago.
Odds: 13-1

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

Eddie Krawiec
Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson

The factory Harley-Davidson team has ruled this event for seven of the last nine years. They know how to win everywhere but seem to do more of it in Denver, which is close to their former home base in Trinidad.
Odds: 5-2

Andrew Hines
Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson

Four wins in six final rounds racing on the side of the mountain in Denver. That’s about as good as it gets and after a winless first half of the season, one could even suggest that the five-time champion is overdue for a big weekend.
Odds: 3-1

Matt Smith
Smith Racing Victory

So if the Harley team doesn’t win this race, who does? Here is your best bet. Smith already grabbed a win in Chicago and he’s a solid tuner who figures to have a solid set-up for Denver. Oh yeah, he was also a runner-up last year and had arguably the best bike in the field.
Odds: 5-1

Hector Arana Jr.
Lucas Oil Buell

He won’t go 200-mph here but don’t be surprised to see him set both ends of the track record. He’s done it before at Bandimere Speedway. He’s also coming off three-straight semifinal appearances so good things are happening in the Lucas Oil camp.
Odds: 6-1

LE Tonglet
Nitro Fish Suzuki

We could be wrong here but the high altitude in Denver seems to favor the big V-twin engines which puts Suzuki teams at a slight disadvantage. Regardless, this is a great rider on a quick bike so there is no doubt that he’s got a fighting chance to win his second race of the year. He’s also been to the final in his last two races.
Odds: 7-1

Jerry Savoie
White Alligator Suzuki

Lately, he’s slipped to No. 7 in the points but that’s not at all an indicator of the strength of the White Alligator team. There is still time this season to make a run at the top spot and a solid outing here would be a big help towards achieving that goal.
Odds: 9-1

Angie Smith
Denso Spark Plugs Buell

Her goal is to make the top ten and with four races left before the start of the Countdown she’s in, but just barely. A strong outing this weekend, even a semifinal, would provide a big lift towards achieving that lofty goal for the second year in a row.
Odds: 11-1

Scotty Pollacheck
Suzuki Extended Protection Suzuki

The first-half of the season was tough on the Stoffer/Underdahl team but they’ve had a couple of weeks to regroup. Going forwards, it would be fair to expect better results from all four members, especially this one, who has championship potential.
Odds: 14-1