The legendary and instantly recognizable Bandimere Speedway, family owned for over six decades, announced in a memo to its racers today that the 2023 season will mark its last in its present location in Morrison, Colorado. The facility, the memo noted, has gradually become encroached upon by residential and commercial properties, ultimately forcing the decision that the Bandimere family has fought to delay for many years.

“The year was 1956 and the west side of the Denver was going to gain a new venue they hadn’t really anticipated,” the memo states. “John Bandimere Sr. and his wife Frances were about to embark on an expansion of sorts for their well-known automotive machining and auto parts business —  a racetrack.”

Photos courtesy NHRA/National Dragster

“The year is now 2023 and Bandimere Speedway is about to embark on another possible move. Surrounding development has become more prevalent in the past several years. Once again, Bandimere Speedway is prepared to surrender the location it has called home for six decades. Truly, the mission and vision for the facility has not changed over the years. Second-generation owner, John Bandimere Jr. shares, “This place has never been ours, but always God’s. Keeping that perspective over the years has given our family not only the honor to run a business with integrity and dedication, but also the realization to hold it tightly knowing more than likely that we wouldn’t have forever. The end of the 2023 racing season in October will mark the end of drag racing in Morrison, Colorado.”

As such, the 2023 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals on July 14-16 will be the last NHRA national event at the historic track just outside of Denver.

As the NHRA said in a prepare statement: “For the past several years, the Bandimere family has been proactive in their efforts to locate another possible location in the Denver area where a new facility could be built. They’ve worked with investors on a possible new track and facility location, with the goal being a short hiatus in the area and the continuation of NHRA drag racing in Denver. First opened in 1958, the Bandimere family has agreed to sell the current property and land, with the 2023 racing season marking the end of drag racing at the Morrison, Colo. location.

“Our family has been involved in the automotive business for the past three generations through parts sales and machining, individual racing competition, industry innovations and the operation of our speedway in the beautiful Colorado foothills,” states John Bandimere Jr., second-generation owner and operator. “We have been blessed to occupy one of the most unique places in our state and feel that our commitment to the sport is not done yet. It’s part of the fabric of our family’s life and we’re hopeful that another equally unique location can be found to continue the legacy that was started by my parents over six decades ago.”

The 2023 season is the 65th anniversary of Bandimere Speedway, with a special celebration set to take place during the 43rd and final Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals on July 14-16.

As this chapter of drag racing history ends at the legendary facility, NHRA and the Bandimere family invites racers and fans to be part of the last NHRA Mile-High Nationals.