Larry Crispe’s entry into the world of drag racing began with a humble first job: picking up trash under the bleachers at Bandimere Speedway. His work ethic quickly earned him a part-time role at Bandimere’s Rocky Mountain Performance Warehouse. By the early 1980s, Larry was developing an impressive understanding of motorsports operations under the mentorship of industry figures Frank Peterson and members of the Bandimere family.
A series of educational experiences and jobs helped shape Larry’s future, and his daredevil days on motorcycles and ATVs sparked his adventurous spirit. Shortly after his marriage to Johnna Bandimere in 1985, Larry took on the monumental responsibility of serving as the general contractor for a complete transformation of Bandimere Speedway. The entire facility was reconfigured by moving thousands of yards of dirt and adding many of the structures that would serve the track for a new and bright future.
Over the next four decades, Larry’s leadership on Bandimere Speedway’s Executive Team drove countless innovations in track operations and racing safety. He pioneered the first Racetrack Cooling System, a remarkable invention that helps create a more consistent racing surface through a wide range of weather conditions. Larry created specialized racing equipment, including the Tire Rotator, Rubber Scraper, Race Car Pusher, and Spray Rig for the PJH Track Bite formula. These emerging technologies are now widely used across sanctioning bodies like NHRA, PDRA, and IHRA. He has become a trusted consultant for several racing product companies whose products are used throughout the United States and at venues in Bahrain, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
Drag racing relies on many who build and maintain the facilities competitors use to race, whether they are weekly race-night participants or touring professionals. The sport would not be the same without Larry Crispe’s dedication to making racing safer, more efficient, and successful. He has poured his heart into the sport he loves, and it has become a family story. For nearly 30 years, he has mentored sons, Cale and Cody, who began learning the trade from him at an early age, proudly earning what they call their degrees from the “Larry School of Hard Work” in BOCS—Builders of Cool Stuff.
Grateful for the support of his family, his team, and his faith in God, Larry looks back on his career with pride for the facilities and innovations he has helped create and the relationships he has built within the racing community. His journey, marked by determination and an enduring love for the sport, stands as a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets hard work.
Larry Crispe’s passion and accomplishments were recognized with his induction into the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame in the 2025 class.
Recent Comments