BIG WEEK FOR DRAG RACING FANS
The eighth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals will be held Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The event has grown each year with special events to kick off the racing.
The following are pre-race events that are free to the public, with more to be added as the event gets closer:
‘CARDS FOR KIDS’ POKER TOURNAMENT
Speedway Children’s Charities will host a poker tournament at The Cannery in North Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Drivers entered in the fifth annual “Cards for Kids” Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament include: Antron Brown, Bob Vandergriff Jr., Jeff Arend, Brandon Bernstein, Cory McClenathan, Greg Anderson, J.R. Todd, Morgan Lucas, Dave Connolly, Jack Beckman, Allen Johnson, Justin Humphreys, Urs Erbacher and On Demand TV’s Nicky Morse – “The Racing Chef” from Team Jegs.
Fans can play against some their favorite NHRA drivers. Entry fee (buy-in) is $250, and players will receive $1,000 in tournament chips. Players also will receive complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks throughout the evening.
A total prize purse of $5,000 will be up for grabs at the event, with a guaranteed first-place prize of $1,400. The top nine players each will receive a percentage of the cash prize while other participants will have the opportunity to win a variety of prizes donated by local businesses.
For entries and information, contact Janae Melvin at (702) 632-8242 or jmelvin@lvms.com.
DOWNTOWN FAN FEST
More than 30 of the biggest names in professional drag racing are expected to participate in a free autograph session and fan-fest at the Fremont Street Experience on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. The event will feature show cars and live entertainment.
Drivers and riders who have signaled their intentions to meet the fans: Jack Beckman, Hillary Will, David Grubnic, J.R. Todd, Tim Wilkerson, Johnny Gray, David Hope, Bob Bode, Del Worsham, Cory McClenathan, Bob Bode, Chip Ellis, Craig Treble, European Top Fuel champion Urs Erbacher, Jim Yates, Jeff Arend, Bob Tasca III, Morgan Lucas, Jeg Coughlin, Kurt Johnson, Warren Johnson, Steve Johnson and Allen Johnson.
TRICK OR TREAT
Young drag racing fans will have two extra reasons to attend the drag race on Friday. Kids are invited to participate in a Halloween costume contest and to trick-or-treat in the pro and sportsman pits.
The costume contest will be in the Power display in the pit area from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Kids then are invited to trick-or-treat for candy at teams’ haulers in the pits following the final pro qualifying session.
OTHER DRIVER APPEARANCES
7-9 p.m. Thursday — Antron Brown, Jack Beckman, Craig Treble; Pole Position Raceway (4175 S. Arville St.).
8:55 p.m. Thursday — NASCAR star Kasey Kahne and Top Fuel driver Brandon Bernstein; House of Blues at Mandalay Bay (free tickets are required and can be obtained through radio station KWNR or at various Budweiser retail promotions).
