2022 NHRA Mile-High Nationals Sportsman Preview

2022 NHRA Mile-High Nationals Lucas Oil Sportsman Preview from Bandimere Speedway in Denver, Colorado

Cover photo courtesy of NHRA.tv

DENVER – After a two-week break the NHRA national event tour heads to Denver for the Mile-High Nationals this weekend for the first leg of the Western Swing. In addition to being the first of three straight race weekends, the mile high elevations at Bandimere Speedway can wreak havoc on the Lucas Oil competitors setups. Those that make the correct adjustments will have a distinct advantage over there competitors.

As far as our winners picks go, it’s been a pretty dry lately. After starting the season correctly picking winners on a consistent basis, we haven’t done so well lately. Although our wins have been sporadic, we’ve had several picks make the finals recently but not turn on the final win light. Oh well, we’ll keep at it, I’m sure our luck will turn around soon.

The NHRA Mile-High Nationals will showcase over 180 Lucas Oil sportsman racers competing in six different classes. The schedule includes Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, Top Sportsman, and Top Dragster.

Before we look ahead to the 2022 NHRA Mile-High Nationals, let’s look back at the 2021 event champions.

2021NHRA Mile-High Nationals Champions

Competition Eliminator – Joe Mozeris

Super Stock – Kayla Mozeris

Stock Eliminator – Dwayne Scheitlin

Super Comp – Shannon Nicoletti

Super Gas – Darin Dolezal

Super Street – Tim Schell

Top Sportsman – Jimmy Lewis

Top Dragster – Kari Stark

2022 NHRA Mile-High Nationals Predictions

With each NHRA national event DragChamp’s sportsman preview includes an overview of each class. In addition, we select the DragChamp Picks to win the race. Here are this week’s picks.

Super Stock – 18 Car Field

There always seems to be a small field of Super Stockers at the Mile-High’s and this year is no exception. With just 18 cars entered, it’ll take just five win lights this week to hoist the Wally.

DragChamp picks to win:

Tyler Wudarczyk – Young gun tends to find his way to the finals on a consistent basis

Stock Eliminator – 26 Car Field

While the Stock Eliminator field has significantly more entries than Super Stock, it’s still a much smaller field than we’ve seen all season. The field includes hitters such as Scott and Brad Burton, Brenda Grubbs, and Ryan Montford.

DragChamp picks to win:

Brad Burton – Multi-time world champ is always a handful on the mountain

Super Comp – 53 Car Field

Super Comp is by far the largest class on the property this week. 53 competitors will fight it out for the 8.90 Wally. Not only is the field large, it’s deep on talent too. Hitters in attendance this week include Kevin Wright, Michael Miller, Kris Whitfield, Gary Wamboldt, and last year’s champ Shannon Nicoletti.

DragChamp picks to win:

Kris Whitfield – Gotta go with the King of the Mountain, not sure anyone has won more at Bandimere than KW

Michael Miller – Another hitter than has enjoyed tons of success on the mountain

Super Gas – 39 Car Field

As always, the Super Gas field is full of talented racers. This includes Bradley Johnson, Mike Boehner, Michael Miller, Kevin Moore, and Kris Whitfield. Big money bracket racing super start Peeps Pennington will make a rare Super Gas appearance this week. Although he doesn’t race on the NHRA level much, don’t sleep on this dude.

DragChamp picks to win:

Bradley Johnson – Has a history of winning at this track and he’s overdue for a big weekend

Kevin Moore – Another racer who’s dominated the Mile-High’s over the year, don’t be surprised to see this guy in the mix on Sunday

Top Sportsman – 13 Car Field

Last season Jimmy Lewis kicked off his run to the season championship with a win at the Mile-High Nationals. Although Jimmy will not return to defend his title, Don Meziere looks to follow in his footsteps as he chases the national title this season.

DragChamp pick to win:

Don Meziere – Enjoying a career season and a victory this weekend could put him closer to a national title

Top Dragster – 32 Car Field

Kari Stark grabbed the Wally last season and returns to Bandimere looking for a repeat performance.

DragChamp pick to win:

Kevin Wright – It’s been a while since KW has graced the winners circle, I expect that to change this week

Bill Swann – Talented D4 runner and his rocket ship are a win waiting to happen

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