Ambition leads young Las Vegas driver to front

The Bullring had become Scott Gafforini’s personal playpen after he ended last season with an unprecedented fourth Super Late Model championship.

But then Jay Beasley opened this season by winning the first two races at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway facility.

The 21-year-old Las Vegan sent a message not only about how the season might play out but also what direction his career might be headed.

Beasley’s crew chief, Jimmy Parker, has seen some greats pass through, such as Kurt and Kyle Busch. Parker worked with the brothers, who have gone on to NASCAR success.

“(Beasley’s) every bit as good as Kyle was when Kyle was at this level of racing,” Parker said. “I wouldn’t be afraid to sit this kid in a truck right now and test him.”

Beasley is beginning to capture nationwide attention. He was interviewed for a story expected to appear today on NASCAR’s home tracks website.

In some ways, he could become the next Danica Patrick, who has made news for being a woman in the male-dominated sport. Beasley is African-American, also a rarity in NASCAR, and should he rise through the racing ranks and become a barrier-breaker, his story could take hold — and capture those sought-after sponsor dollars.

“If it helps me in my racing, then that’s awesome,” said Beasley, a Cimarron-Memorial High School graduate. “But when it comes right down to it, everyone’s wearing a helmet.”

Beasley knew at age 6 he wanted to drive stock cars after watching the Tom Cruise movie “Days of Thunder” and set out to do just that, beginning with Go-Peds at age 9.

Beasley also raced in neighboring states, as well as in Colorado and Virginia, and began racking up victories and championships.

In 2007, he moved to Semi Pro Legends, then worked his way to Super Late Model in 2011, becoming rookie of the year after finishing fifth in points.

But in 2012, his newly rebuilt car crashed into the wall in testing. Without the financing to get back on the track, Beasley slowly put the car back together.

“We had to take the time off and little bit by little bit build us a new car and make sure everything was done perfectly and done right,” Beasley said. “We made our car like how professional teams would make their car.”

Then came this season, which has created hope he could be the next driver from Las Vegas to reach the national stage, perhaps next moving to K&N.

“I’m just really excited to see what happens because I know the outcome,” Beasley said. “I know someone will help me, and I can be a big part of the NASCAR family.”

Parker also is hopeful that time isn’t far off.

“I think he’s ready for it,” Parker said. “I’m not necessarily putting him in a (Sprint) Cup car today, but in an ARCA car or a truck or definitely a K&N car. He’s focused enough, and he has enough skills for that.”

■ SMITH NOMINATED — Bruton Smith, who owns LVMS and seven other properties, is one of 25 finalists for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Five will be selected for the 2014 class.

“It is a great honor to be nominated as a candidate for the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” Smith said in a statement. “Bill France Jr. once asked me to help him build NASCAR, and I have literally been building monuments to the sport for my entire lifetime. Millions of people have attended NASCAR events at our speedways over the years, and we’ve tried to be creative and innovative in an effort to help push the sport to a higher level.”

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.