26TH ANNUAL MOPAR MILE-HIGH NATIONALS TO HONOR AMERICAN MILITARY BRANCHES, COLORADO SAFETY OFFICIALS

Center Line, Mich. – As one of the longest running events in NHRA history, the NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals represents 26 years of tradition and drag racing history. This year, when the engines fire and the ground begins to shake on Thunder Mountain, Mopar and Bandimere Speedway will recognize members from each of the United States military branches as grand marshals for the event, while three members of the Colorado police and fire departments will be honored as official starters of the 26th Annual NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals.

“Mopar is pleased to recognize those individuals who’ve put their lives on the line to allow us to continue to live life as we know it in this great country,” said Chris Cortez, Senior Vice President of Global Service and Parts, DaimlerChrysler Corporation. “We’re also pleased to honor the police and fire departments that have helped to grow this event into what it has become today. Their contributions to the success of the Mopar Mile-High Nationals have not gone unnoticed, and it is our pleasure to recognize them for their outstanding efforts.”

Representatives from the United States Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy and Coast Guard will be honored as grand marshals of the event. Lt. Colonel Mark V. Trostel, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol; Douglas McBee, Fire Chief of the West Metro Fire & Rescue; and Robert Wasko, Chief of Police of Morrison, Colo., will be recognized as official starters for this year’s NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals. Each will be honored on Sunday, July 17, at 12:30 p.m. CDT, on the starting line at Bandimere Speedway. John Bandimere Jr. will present each honoree with a plaque of appreciation.

In addition to the racing action, the 26th Annual NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals will feature the Mopar Big Block Party on Thursday, July 14. Scheduled to take place from 6 to 10 p.m. CDT, the Mopar Big Block Party will also find Speed Channel’s “SpeedFreaks” on the scene. The SpeedFreaks will tape a show featuring event participants and attendees that will air on Speed Channel at a later date. With the addition of the SpeedFreaks’ presence, Mopar is pleased to continue to add to the NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals tradition.

The 26th Annual NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals will begin with the Mopar Big Block Party on Thursday, July 14, from 6 to 10 p.m. CDT in downtown Golden, Colo. NHRA Drag Racing action is set to begin on Friday, July 15, at the Bandimere Speedway.

For more information regarding Mopar, Bandimere Speedway or the 26th Annual NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals, log on to www.moparspeed.com, www.bandimere.com or www.nhra.com.

Mopar is based in Center Line, Mich., and is the exclusive original equipment supplier of parts and accessories for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep® vehicles.