Hot foot is Wahl’s on Night of Fire
Charlie Wahl picked a big night to return to racing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring.
Wahl, a longtime racer at the track, competed on the 3/8-mile for the first time in two years Thursday. His pass on the 74th of 76 laps gave him the Super Late Models feature victory on the annual Night of Fire before an estimated crowd of 3,500.
"Man, this was just awesome," said Wahl, who turns 31 on July 9.
The race was one of the two biggest in the Bullring season. Wahl remained optimistic despite a flat tire before qualifying that forced him to start 13th in the 14-car field.
"I was really saving my tires all night," said Wahl, who credited crew chief Chris Bray with his car's performance. "We basically built this car in two days, and all the guys did a great job."
Bear Rzesnowiecky led 71 of the first 74 laps, but was passed by Wahl and finished fourth behind Scott Gafforini and Robert Ewing. Wahl said Rzesnowiecky seemed to slow near the end.
The night of racing began by resembling a demolition derby and thrill show.
Three of the top four contenders in the Chargers race were eliminated in the final five laps after two spectacular crashes in which no drivers were injured. After they were towed off the oval and racing resumed, Phil Goodwin pulled away to win the race shortened by two laps to 28.
Winners in other races were: Lonnie Adamson (Super Modified Racing Association); Bobby Runyan (U.S. Auto Club Ford Focus Midgets); Robert D'Ambra (Legends); Brecken Snow (Thunder Cars); and Wade Pearson (Bombers).
Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247.
