Bandimere Speedway, a storied facility that has played host to hundreds of events including Street Car Takeover and stops on Rocky Mountain Race Week, is the center of attention this weekend.

The legendary track is hosting its 43rd and final NHRA national event, the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile High Nationals, and Rocky Mountain Race Week is playing a part in the event.

Cars with names was a popular trend in the 1960s-1980s, and now it’s happening again, even with a rare 1977 Datsun 620 Sport pick-up truck.

From a small-tire 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle to his current 1973 AMC Javelin, Bryant Goldstone has been involved in the drag-and-drive community for thirteen years. He’s been through his share of rough roads and broken parts, as well as wins and records.

That first Hot Rod Drag Week participation was all it took, and now Jeff and family were hooked. Following a successful 2022 Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive where Jeff and family competed in the Dial-Your-Own class, Jeff started making plans to return his storied Fox Mustang to action.

Although many participants will tell you just competing / finishing in a drag-and-drive is enough for them, it’s hard to not focus a little on class winners. In the case of Corey Thompson, a former multi-time winner on Rocky Mountain Race Week (RMRW), his ‘67 Chevelle gets attention for a multitude of reasons.

After a 2023 Sick Week victory for Michael Westberg, his winning 1991 S-10 was sold and off to its new owner as a rolling chassis. But Westberg said the winning driveline would find a new home for debut in Sweden in 2023.

The LS engine swap is almost assumed or commonplace on lots of rides these days, although the Ford Coyote and Mopar’s modern HEMI drivelines are starting to gain favor as well.

“Our goal was to have the car ready for Sick Week 2023,” Mike Pryka said. But when delays arose, they dropped back to plan B: Sick Summer Presented by TBM Brakes, not too far from Michael Pryka’s Bartlett, Illinois home base.

“I have followed the drag-and-drive scene since the start of Hot Rod Drag Week, so I have a pretty good understanding of how they work. It's time to put the rubber to the road, and I was so grateful to have the opportunity to participate in an event like this.”

Although the 2023 season is just past the halfway point, Bryan Crane already has plans for next season. “We may look to do another drag-and-drive this year, but Sick Summer 2024 is already a go for next year without a doubt.”

It’s not uncommon for a child to follow in a parent’s footsteps and enjoy one of their passions. For Doug Nejdl, he decided to share his first drag-and-drive experience with his son Wyatt at Sick Summer Presented by TBM Brakes.

It started one week ago in Nebraska at Kearney Raceway Park, as the 2023 edition of Rocky Mountain Race Week (RMRW) kicked off seven days of racing and street driving for the competitors, as well as the Road Week participants.

Jason Hurley and “The Meltdown Firebird” could be on their way to a second-straight RMRW Unlimited class win. All that stands between them and staging the car to secure the victory is a 425-mile drive back to Kearney Raceway Park.

Coming into the 2023 season, time slips in the low 5-second range would put you at the top of the sheet in Rocky Mountain Race Week’s Rowdy Radial class. That all changed on day four of the event at Pueblo Motorsports Park.  

“I've been racing since I was sixteen, and this style is by far the most fun and challenging. You feel a huge sense of accomplishment afterwards, no matter how you do.”

“With drag-and-drive, I don’t care if I’m competitive or not. I do it for the adventure. I don’t want a dedicated to anything car. This gives me the ability to go make passes and drive all around our beautiful country.”

Rocky Mountain Race Week is underway out west, with 337 racers taking on a sweltering first day in Kearney, Nebraska as America’s second oldest drag-and-drive event got underway.

The class is scheduled to compete for a NHRA championship later in the year, with Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge models all expected to compete.

There’s almost always a feel-good story, a thrash story that comes out right, and how someone manages to beat the odds and complete a drag-and-drive event.

Starting in 2015, Rocky Mountain Race Week has combined once of the more scenic routes in drag-and-drive events with challenging race conditions at some storied race tracks.