NHRA today announced that Mopar has agreed to a three-year extension of its title rights sponsorship of the NHRA Mile-High Nationals at scenic Bandimere Speedway near Denver.  Mopar’s title sponsorship of this tradition-rich event began in 1989 and is the longest running NHRA event sponsorship in history.

This weekend’s Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals is the 14th of 24 races in the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.  The event, which presents unique challenges to NHRA teams due to its high altitude and warm summer temperatures, has long been the traditional kick-off of the famed three-race NHRA Western Swing.

“The Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals is the flagship event for our brand, our fans and our customers, and this agreement reinforces our commitment to our ‘home track,’ Bandimere Speedway, and to NHRA drag racing,” said Pietro Gorlier, president and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “Together, we have made the annual visit to ‘Thunder Mountain’ an iconic stop on the NHRA schedule.”

In addition to the title sponsorship of the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, the company also sponsors the Mopar HEMI Challenge each season at Indianapolis and provides team sponsorship to the Dodge Dart Pro Stock cars driven by Allen Johnson and Jeg Coughlin, Jr., as well as the Dodge Charger Funny Car driven by Matt Hagan.

“Mopar has displayed great dedication, passion and commitment during its record run as the title sponsor of the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals,” said Gary Darcy, NHRA senior vice president of sales and marketing. “Through Mopar’s involvement, the race has developed a true identity with NHRA race fans and has become one of the favorite stops for NHRA teams on the Mello Yello Series circuit.”

Throughout the many years of this title sponsorship, the Mopar brand has become synonymous with Bandimere Speedway, a family-owned track with a big reputation for staging some of the best events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

"Mopar has been an outstanding partner in allowing us to maintain a high level of excellence in hosting NHRA championship drag races for more than 25 years,” said John Bandimere Jr., president and CEO of Bandimere Speedway. “Through this sponsorship extension, the real winners are our customers and the extended racing community. We look forward to showcasing many more years of thrilling racing action during the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals.”