LAS VEGAS BULLRING. 3/8 MILE. LAS VEGAS, NV. www.lvms.com/bullring. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH.
I've always said that the words racing and Las Vegas belongs in the same sentence. Per a long standing tradition, the Las Vegas Bullring will be presenting their annual, season closing, West Coast Short Track Championships this Saturday night. This event is loaded with some of the best driving talent from the western states and will feature the Spears SRL Southwest Tour, The Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series and the RACE CAR Factory Spec Late Models. Put it all together and it's going to be another stellar night of stock car racing in Las Vegas.
The highlight of the evening will be the Spears SRL Southwest Tour's 2016 season finale. The Retro Custom Metals 150, presented by the Pinnacle Peak Steak House, is expected to be a very intense affair. That's largely due to the $10,000 check that goes to the race winner. In recent days SRL officials announced that a beautiful, custom made, cupola will also be presented to the race winner. Described as a copper masterpiece, this winner's cup is valued at $6,000 and is courtesy of race sponsor Retro Custom Metals.
As far as the series' points championship goes, it appears that Derek Thorn, and his Campbell Motorsports team, is in good shape to take another series title based on five main event wins this season. The Lakeport, California driver has won previous series championships in 2012 and 2014 and is the winningest driver in the SRL. He goes into Saturday night's race with a healthy points lead over two time winner Ryan Cansdale.
The Lucas Oil Production Studios will be in Las Vegas Saturday night to film the race for the company owned MAV TV Motorsports Network. The race will be presented for national broadcast on January 24th.
Making an equally impressive appearance Saturday will be the Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series, presented by Loan Mart. This outstanding regional touring series will be treating their fans to the running of the 51 FIFTY Energy Drink 101, presented by Optima Batteries. This race will be ran in two segments. The first segment, laps 1 through 51, will be ran early in the evening. The final 50 lap segment will be ran later that night and will determine the race winner.
Championship points are not a part of the equation on Saturday night. Matthew Hicks took care of winning the series' championship, at the Arizona based Havasu 95 Speedway, back on October 29th. That means the Las Vegas race is about major bragging rights along with a $4,000 winner's check.
This race will be carried live Saturday night on Lucas Oil Racing (Dot) TV. This recently launched live stream computer broadcast system features high level broadcast quality that is well worth the very budget friendly priced subscription rates. The broadcast is scheduled for 8pm eastern time.
The Las Vegas racing weekend will begin on Friday night with an open practice session, for all divisions, from 2pm to 9pm. The grandstands will be available to the fans free of charge Friday night. On Saturday the spectator gates will open at 2pm. The day begins with qualifying followed by twin heat races from the RACE CAR Factory Spec Late Models and a 40 lap B Main from the Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series. Official opening ceremonies will be held at 5pm followed by the start of main events from the three racing divisions.
General admission tickets are $12. There are also discounts available for kids, age six to 12, as well as seniors and military personnel. A budget friendly family four pack is also available. Fans can save money on available ticket packages by visiting the speedways tickets office or by calling 1 800 644 4444. Advance tickets can also be ordered through the speedway's website or through Ticketmaster.
In still more good news is the fact that the Las Vegas Bullring has an extremely fan friendly concession stand that features $2 hot dogs and Cola Cola products along with $3 Budweiser products.
IRWINDALE EVENT CENTER. 1/8 MILE DRAG STRIP. IRWINDALE, CA. www.irwindalespeedway.com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH.
The IEC will again covert a portion to of their half mile oval into a one-eighth mile drag strip in order to present their NHRA Thursday Night Thunder program along with it's important message: race the strip and not the streets. This program is open to all types of vehicles from professional race cars to street legal vehicles. The gates will open at 4pm followed by racing from 5 to 10pm.
The program is also very budget friendly. A $20 entry fee will allow drivers to race all night long and a $10 entry fee will allow spectators to watch the racing all night long.
