The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series began its three race “Western Swing” this past weekend with the 13th running of the Mopar Mile High Nationals in Denver, Colorado. Antron Brown, Ron Capps, and Alan Johnson all started the swing off with a victory.
Antron Brown came into Denver leading the Top Fuel points and never put a wheel wrong all weekend. He qualified in the number one spot and then defeated Rob Passey, Morgan Lucas, and Spencer Massey in order before facing Doug Kalitta in the final. The win extended Brown’s point lead to 116 over second place Larry Dixon.
Ron Capps fifth win of the season in Funny Cars also came from the number one qualifying position. He defeated the class leading Ashley Force-Hood in the final round and left Denver in a first place tie with Hood. All four of the John Force Racing entries qualified on the same side of the ladder which resulted in two Force-on-Force team races. Robert Hight beat the boss in the first round, and then had to face Ashley in the semis. Mike Neff lost to Tony Pedregon in the first round.
Over in Pro Stock, Denver is Alan Johnson’s favorite track and one at which he’s won twice in three straight final round appearances in his sponsor’s event. Johnson defeated Jason Line in the final with an .029 holeshot to Line’s .050 reaction time. That was more than enough to withstand Line’s quicker 7.001 E.T. Line had to overcome the tougher side of the ladder as all of his opponents were in the top half of the Pro Stock points. But Alan Johnson used better reaction times to beat all but first round opponent Danny Grunninger who ran a slower 7.137 to Johnson’s winning 6.998.
The NHRA’s western swing next heads up to Seattle, Washington, and then on to Infineon Raceway in California’s win country. With three races in three weekends, each under very different track and weather conditions, the swing is a grueling test for all of the pro teams. Only six drivers have swept the three race western swing. Joe Amato did it in 1991 followed by John Force in 1994. Cory McClenathan did it in 1997 and Larry Dixon in 2003. Brad Anderson, in 2004, was the first Pro Stock driver to do it and last year, Tony Schumacher won all three races as part of his record breaking season.