Duel in the Desert expected to draw 220 teams
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway dirt track roars to life tonight with the 11th annual Duel in the Desert, featuring more than 150 IMCA Modifieds competing for two nights on the half-mile oval.
The event is the largest IMCA Modified race in the western United States, and track officials expect as many 220 teams to participate.
The premier race is Saturday night's 40-lap Modifieds feature, which pays the winner $5,000. Also on the schedule are races for IMCA stock cars, Legends Cars and Bombers.
Racing begins 6 each night.
• DESERT RACING -- The sixth and final race of the Southern Nevada Off Road Enthusiasts season is Saturday in Ridgecrest, Calif. The Kartek Western Desert Championship begins at 8 a.m.
Class 10 driver C.J. Hutchins has a 3,700-point lead in the overall standings. For more information, visit SnoreRacing.net on the Internet.
• DRAG RACING -- The Short Line Express Market Gambler Shootout in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series wrapped up Monday at the LVMS dragstrip. More than 800 teams competed.
Winners were Shawn Cowie (Richmond, British Columbia), Top Alcohol Dragster; Steve Harker (Gainesville, Ga.), Top Alcohol Funny Car; Dan Fletcher (Churchville, N.Y.), Comp Eliminator; Lee Zane (Perry Hall, Md.), Stock Eliminator; Frank Grossi (Upland, Calif.), Super Stock; Mitch Mustard (Arvada, Colo.), Super Comp; Ryan Herem (Quartz Hills, Calif.), Super Gas; Justin Beaver (Montrose, Colo.), Super Street; Joseph Mohana (Bourg, La.), Top Sportsman; and Les Figueroa (Lake Havasu, Ariz.), Top Dragster.
Henderson's Justin Lamb was runner-up in Super Comp.
• NASCAR TESTING -- Although NASCAR has said it might further limit testing by its Sprint Cup teams next year, Las Vegas Motor Speedway has scheduled testing for Jan. 28 and 29.
Nationwide Series testing is scheduled for Jan. 26 and 27 at the speedway.
Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247.
