Super Late Models points battle crowded at Bullring
No one has dominated Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s Bullring like Scott Gafforini, who has won the title the past two seasons and a record four overall.
He’s right back in contention this season to win the Super Late Models title in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, but he isn’t having an easy walk to another championship.
Jay Beasley is tied with Gafforini for the points lead with 278, and Romain Thievin has 276. Neither challenger appears he’ll go away easily, either. Beasley is an up-and-comer who dreams of racing on NASCAR’s biggest stage, and Thievin is an accomplished international driver who finished second in Europe’s NASCAR series the past two years.
The Whelen series returns to the Bullring on Saturday, but this is a championship that might not be decided until closing night Oct. 5.
■u2007STOCKING UP — The Super Stocks points race isn’t quite as close, but it is historic. Three of the top four racers are female, including leader Kayli Barker with 249 points. She is followed by Barbara Borkowski (223), defending champion James Wingard (210) and Kolleen Dresser (195).
No female has won one of the three NASCAR class championships at the Bullring. It also is believed to be the first time three females have competed in Super Stocks at the same time.
Barker also races in Super Late Models and is seventh with 194 points.
■u2007SIGNING DAY — Drivers will sign autographs on the Bullring track from 5:50 to 6:45 p.m. Saturday.
■u2007PRIME VIEWING — USA Today selected LVMS as one of the top 10 places to watch a NASCAR race. Additions made to the track in 2007 — the high-banked turns and Neon Garage — helped earn the speedway the rating.
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.
