Toliver Expects Usual Challenges at Bandimere

When the NHRA Full Throttle Series makes its annual stop this weekend at Bandimere Speedway for the 30th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, race teams can toss their notes from other tracks right out the window because Bandimere presents its own set of challenges that can stack more than a mile high. Situated 5,860 feet above sea level on the outskirts of Denver in the western suburb of Morrison, the Bandimere facility is located more than two-and-a-half times higher in altitude than any other track on the NHRA circuit. The Strip at Las Vegas is the next highest at 2,100 feet above sea level.

"Oh man, Denver is a monster," said Jerry Toliver, driver of the CANIDAE/Lucas Oil Funny Car. "The high altitude just sucks the power from the motor and takes away a lot of the down force. It's a real challenge for the crew chiefs and can be a bear getting down the track. You can end up sliding all over the place. But that's what makes it fun, and what a beautiful facility right there in the mountains. It's definitely unique."

At Norwalk two weeks ago Toliver equaled his best qualifying effort of the season in the CANIDAE/Lucas Oil Chevy, and he likes where this Jim Dunn Racing team seems to be headed.

"We continue to make gains with this CANIDAE car, and we made great strides at our last race at Norwalk," Toliver said. "The car is leaving, it's reacting. Our speed at 280 mph was the second-best in qualifying last race. That tells you that we're getting there; just don't judge our progress by our Denver results. That place is such a crap shoot, and the tune-up we use we won't use anyplace else. Get back to me when we come down off the mountain and we'll see where we stand."

A two-hour telecast of qualifying coverage for the Mile-High NHRA Nationals can be seen on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD on Saturday, July 11, beginning at 10:00 p.m. (ET). Coverage on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD continues on Sunday, July 12, when NHRA Race Day kicks off eliminator coverage starting at 11:00 am (ET), and concludes with three hours of final-eliminations coverage beginning at 7:00 p.m. (ET).

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