For Mike Edwards and the rest of the team, the next three weekends could help them solidify their
place atop the NHRA Pro Stock scene and build that much-needed momentum heading into the final six
events before the playoff-style Countdown to One that closes out the year.
Though he has reached six consecutive finals, winning only one, Edwards knows the Western Swing
through Denver, Seattle, and Sonoma, can be the difference in a championship run come September and
October, or being just one of the other cars in the title hunt.
"Many years this grueling trek west has made or broke many championship runs," Edwards said. "It
truly is the biggest test we have during the season because each of the three venues is so
drastically different and the travel doesn't allow for any of us to return to our shops and prepare
for the next event. Everything is just on the fly and you better be able to make the right calls
and keep ahead o the curve or this trip will swallow you up."
The first stop on the 4,600-mile journey from the team's Oklahoma shop and back is Denver and
Bandimere Speedway for the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals. The biggest wrinkle with heading to the
mountains, it will be the only time that Edwards will have to challenge the high-altitude, which
equals less horsepower.
"Denver is such a unique race because it makes you change basically everything you do to attack the
altitude and lack of air," he said. "These engines love oxygen, which you don't have very much of
when you are on the mountain at Bandimere Speedway."
In the year's past, Edwards has had his share of lock on the mountain, including a victory in 2002.
In 2008, all things seemed lined up for another title run. Edwards qualified in the No. 2 position,
and the Pontiac GXP was working exactly as planned in qualifying, but a broken transmission dashed
any hope in the first round.
"I have to say this is one of my favorite races on the tour though," Edwards admitted. "The setting
of the facility is breathtaking and when it all comes down to it, the key is turning on the win
light, so I accept the different parameters that are thrown at us and use them to strengthen the
entire program. Trust me, we learn some things on the mountain that makes us even better at
sea-level."
Heading into the event, Edwards sits second in the NHRA Pro Stock points, a mere 68 points behind
leader Jeg Coughlin.
Quick Notes
During pre-event testing, Mike Edwards became the first Pro Stock driver to eclipse the six-second
barrier at Bandimere Speedway with a 6.99 run.
With half of the 24-race season complete, Mike Edwards has compiled 28 round wins, which surpassed
his prior career best of 26 wins in a season, which can in 2008.
The 4,600 miles the team will travel from the Coweta, Okla., shop and to NHRA stops in Denver,
Seattle, and Sonoma, and returning home is basically the same distance as driving from Los Angeles
to New York City and then back to Denver.
Television Schedule Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals
ESPN2
Saturday, July 11
Qualifying
10 p.m. - midnight (ET)
Sunday, July 12
NHRA Race Day Show
11 - 11:30 a.m. (ET)
Sunday, July 12
Eliminations
7-10 p.m. (ET)
Wednesday, July 15
Repeat Eliminations
1-3:30 a.m. (ET)
