NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle rookie Chase Van Sant will be competing in the class for the first time at the Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway, July 14-16.

However, Van Sant is no stranger to racing at the track outside of Denver.

“I think I raced there for three or four years when I was probably 12 to 13 until I was 15,” said Van Sant, 25. “I went last year working for Jerry (Savoie) and Karen (Stoffer). So, it was my first time back, yeah, for a little while.”

When Van Sant arrives riding a Suzuki for White Alligator Racing in Morrison, Colo., it will be a farewell for the Mile-High Nationals.

Back on April 21, NHRA and the Bandimere family jointly announced the 2023 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway would be the last NHRA national event at the historic track.

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 location.

“Yeah, I'm super excited to get to run there at the last national event,” Van Sant said. “It's super bittersweet just because I have a lot of fond memories up there. I have a lot of family that's from Denver and still lives in Denver. When I would go up there, we'd see a lot of family and we're probably going to see some more. That place was always like a second home to me. It's super sad to see it going away. There's never quite going to be another place like that, but to get to do it and race in the Camping World Series at the last one, it's going to be pretty special and probably a little bit emotional after it's all done.”

Van Sant acknowledged he's going to have to quickly adapt to the way his Suzuki feels at 5,800-feet, the elevation at Bandimere Speedway.

“Yeah, I am not exactly sure,” said Van Sant about what to expect. “I know talking to Jerry (Savoie) a little bit about how things change up there, I think the gear ratios and the transmission will probably change a little bit. The shift points will probably be a little bit different. I think the run is going to come a little bit slower to you. Instead of feeling like you're ripping down through there, it's going to feel a little bit slower. But I'm not exactly sure. I guess after the first run, I'll have to evaluate how things go.”

Van Sant said he’s still trying to fathom the fact that he is driving for Savoie’s world championship PSM team. 

“Man, it's pretty surreal getting to race Pro Stock (Motorcycle),” he said. “That's something that I've wanted to do forever. As long as I can remember literally, it's been what I've wanted to do. In a lot of ways, I feel like I'm living the dream. We had a really good start to the season. We've had some struggles here lately, but I know the reasons why. It's not like we're sitting here scratching our heads. There are definite answers to what's going on. It's still fairly early. I'm definitely excited. Just every chance I get to go race, I learn something. It's awesome to get the opportunity. I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of the season, just because I know what's coming and I know what the team is working on. I think we're going to have some really good outings here, hopefully in the near future.”

Van Sant is seventh in the PSM points standings after five races. He has a 4-5 elimination-round record, highlighted by his semifinal appearance at the season-opening Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.

Prior to 2023, Van Sant raced a 4.60-index class on the eighth mile for the last three or four years. He was racing in the Manufacturer's Cup organization. He said competing at the highest level of NHRA is a completely different story for him.

“I think it's just mentally navigating through the weekend,” Van Sant said. “When you're bracket racing and you're with your friends and there's not really fans there, you work on your own bike, then you go race the same thing. It's like you're just busy and it's a lot more relaxed. Now, it's like my only job is to ride the bike, and I don't really have much else to do with it. Then you go and you sign autographs, or you do an interview, or you do driver introductions. It's a cool thing because you're getting introduced in front of a bunch of fans, and they're cheering for you and you’re shaking their hands. But then at the end of the day or within the next hour, you shift your mindset to why you're there, and why you're doing the job at hand.

“I think for me, it's just the mental side of getting through a weekend of ... Your routine is thrown off, and you need to be able to quickly snap into, okay, I need to do my job now, and it's time to go out and perform. That's the big difference. Bracket racing with your friends, it's a lot more relaxed. This, there's a little bit more intensity to it.”

Van Sant is glad to be aboard the familiar brand of Suzuki to him in NHRA.

“Absolutely. I don't know anything different, to be honest,” he said. “I've ridden Suzuki ever since I started riding motorcycles. It's a cool deal, especially this year with a lot of the changes that have come down the pipeline. It's a cool deal and a cool time to be a part of Suzuki, especially with their support in the class now. There's a lot of good things going for us, and I think you're seeing that with several of the Suzuki teams. I'm definitely excited to be on a Suzuki.”