HORNADAY CHASING VEGAS, BENSON

Reigning and three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday will be chasing more than points leader Johnny Benson on Saturday night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The veteran racer has won the last two truck races. He hopes his third will be in Las Vegas, which would be his first in seven tries here.

Benson leads Hornaday by 74 points with seven races left. Third-place driver Matt Crafton is 242 points behind Benson.

“I’ve had some good runs at Las Vegas over the years. I like the track,” said Hornaday, who has won on all of the schedule’s intermediate tracks — except Las Vegas.

“I don’t see why we can’t have another good run on this type of track.”

Benson also hasn’t won at Las Vegas.

A LITTLE TRIM AT THE TRUCK RACE?

You can get your beard or moustache trimmed by professionals on Saturday at the truck race and help the YMCA at the same time.

The WAHL Let it Grow Charity Tour’s 38-foot mobile barbershop will be open from noon to 6:30 p.m. to style your facial hair.

WAHL, which makes those nifty little trimmers, also will donate $10 to the YMCA for every razor, scissors or out-of-date trimmer you bring to them.

You also might qualify for one of WAHL’s Men of the Year best beard, mustache or goatee national competitions.

Bring a cashier’s check or money order made out to “YMCA” for at least $2,000 — cash will be accepted — and I’ll let them cut off my facial hair. That would mark the first time in nearly 40 years that my face was naked and double chins exposed.

For information: WahlNation.com.

DRAG RACER FORCE SHARES MEDALS

A year ago John Force nearly died in a Funny Car crash during an NHRA national event near Dallas.

Today, he’s back in Dallas — walking, racing and talking in a way he’s not accustomed.

At a press conference Friday, Force met with the four surgeons who operated on his mangled leg and hand at Baylor University Medical Center after last year’s crash. Force was hospitalized for 27 days.

"This is an emotional day for me. I'm usually a comedy act, but today I have to be serious and thank each of you for helping the old truck driver get my head right,” Force said.

“You got my body right but more importantly you showed me what was important in life. I ain't saying I found God, but he is at the top of my list now right there with my family. ... You and this Baylor hospital changed my life.”

At the conclusion of the remarks, Force presented each doctor a replica of the winner's medals from his 126th NHRA national event win on June 1 in Topeka, Kansas. It was his first win after the Dallas crash.