Bandimere Speedway, located outside of Denver, Co., kicked off its 2009 racing season recently with the “Night of Fire and Thunder” presented by NAPA auto parts.

Among the thousands of race fans who packed the grandstands, were several kindergarten through sixth grade students from 64 schools, who participated in Bandimere’s “Race to Read”® program. “Race to Read”®, which is lead by Tami Schrader, is a six-week reading program, designed to encourage literacy by providing an exciting race-themed incentive for elementary-age students. This year approximately 25,000 students read over 170,000 hours in six weeks to earn a free ticket to the “Night of Fire and Thunder”.

Highlighting the racing portion of the event were exhibition runs by some of the most exciting vehicles in drag racing.

Bandimere Speedway, located outside of Denver, Co., kicked off its 2009 racing season recently with the “Night of Fire and Thunder” presented by NAPA auto parts.

Among the thousands of race fans who packed the grandstands, were several kindergarten through sixth grade students from 64 schools, who participated in Bandimere’s “Race to Read”® program. “Race to Read”®, which is lead by Tami Schrader, is a six-week reading program, designed to encourage literacy by providing an exciting race-themed incentive for elementary-age students. This year approximately 25,000 students read over 170,000 hours in six weeks to earn a free ticket to the “Night of Fire and Thunder”.

Highlighting the racing portion of the event were exhibition runs by some of the most exciting vehicles in drag racing.

Ed “The Outlaw” Jones, in his 34th season, was on hand with his Jelly Belly sponsored wheel-standing 1933 fire truck. Local racer Korry Hogan rode his Top Fuel Motorcycle to a stellar 5.93 second elapsed time at a speed of 237 mph in the thin air of Denver. Also on hand were the wild and unpredictable AA/Fuel Altered and Pro Modified blown alcohol cars. The supercharged committee was lead by Ricky Ruiz driving his “Nevada Rattler” AA/FA, when he negotiated the quarter-mile in 6.20 seconds at 235mph.

The evening exhibitions also showcased six Jet Dragsters who competed in a ‘Chicago Style’ match race. Chuck Hayes set a new track record on the final exhibition pass of the evening in his “Volcano” Jet propelled ‘Rail’.

Several racers also competed in twelve different categories during the event.

Taking the victory in the Purifoy Chevrolet Fast 16 was Mark Faber of Bennett, Colorado. Bennett negotiated the all-concrete racing surface in his dragster 0.016 seconds above his 7.35 dial-in to take the victory over Jim Caudill.

James Ruder from Castle Rock, Co., captured his second victory of the season in the Madcap Racing Engines Quick 16. Ruder drove his beautiful 63’ split window corvette to a victory in the final over his competitor Lee Stark.

The final round of the Fineline 16 was decided on the starting line. Rick Millinazzo, who calls Windsor, Co., home, collected the victory when his opponent Chris Woolverton, driving Ray Wilson’s WACI Racing top dragster, left the starting line -0.002 seconds too early. Millinazzo completed his final round in style producing a 0.009 total package to capture his second win of the season.

Also collecting victories this evening were: Scott Bennett (Fastlane stick-shift class), Jeff Johnson (Stock/Super Stock combo), Gary Wambolt (Magna-flow Super Comp), Brett Schneider (Magna-flow Super Gas), AJ Percival (Magna-Flow Super Street), Gary Harper (E.T.), Eric Kamm (X-Treme Performance Snow Mobile), Chris Gowan (Weson Jr/Comp) and Daniel McKune (Titan-Fast 16 Jr Shootout).
 

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