Justin Johnson celebrated the Fourth of July two days early by leading all 76 laps of the MetroPCS Super Late Model feature tonight at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series stock cars kicked off Las Vegas' Independence Day celebration on Thursday, July 2, with the Bullring's annual Night of Fire, which included fireworks, a jet-car burn, SMRA Supermodifieds and a Formula Drift exhibition.
Phil Goodwin took the lead on the third lap of the 30-circuit Charger feature and ran away from the rest of the field. Mario Opipari made a rare 2009 appearance and claimed second place, 7.198 sec. behind the race winner. Darren Rollins' Monte Carlo finished a close third. Charger qualifying heat races were won by Matt Johnson and Goodwin.
Cheyanne Schindler won the 15-lap Legends Cars Developmental feature. Nick Thigpen finished second and Michael Fox was third.
It was a tough night for young Chris Trickle. Chris was the apparent winner of the 15-lap Bandolero Bandits feature but officials determined he made his winning pass below the white line (on the inside lane of the track) and he was penalized one position, handing the victory to Kayli Barker. Trickle was scored in second place and Christian Warren finished third.
Dylan Kwasniewski added yet another trophy to his perpetually-expanding collection. Kwasniewski held off Brecken Snow and Justin Irwin to claim the time-shortened Legends Cars feature.
Haley Lager won the 15-lap Bandolero Young Guns feature, followed by Ian Anderson and Patrick O'Hanley.
The 40-lap SMRA Supermodified feature was won by Troy Regier of Dinuba, Calif. Regier and Bryan Warf executed a late-race one-two pass on leader Jim Birges to drop him to third place. SMRA Supermodified heats were won by Justin Belfiore and A.J. Russell.
15-lap Legends Cars Developmental feature: 1. Cheyanne Schindler, 2. Nick Thigpen, 3. Michael Fox, 4. Scott Rhoden, 5. James "Porkchop" Manning, 6. Dylan Cruz.
15-lap Bandolero Bandits feature: 1. Kayli Barker, 2. Chris Trickle, 3. Christian Warren, 4. Jacob Tilton, 5. Christian Glass, 6. Vincent Raucci Jr., 7. Wyatt Harwood, 8. Erika Thigpen.
15-lap Bandolero Young Guns feature: 1. Haley Lager, 2. Ian Anderson, 3. Patrick O'Hanley, 4. Rachel Brown, 5. Kolleen Dresser, 6. Brooke O'Hanley, 7. Michael Morris.
Revised 30-lap Charger feature: 1. Phil Goodwin, 2. Mario Opipari, 3. Darren Rollins, 4. Matt Johnson, 5. Vinny Raucci, 6. James Wingard, 7. Chuck Burgess, 8. Brianna Holley, 9. Gary Griffiths Jr., 10. Mike Sell, 11. James Lauk, 12. Jerry Gentry. Disqualified: Don Sargent.
30-lap Legends Cars feature (shortened to 28 laps due to time limit): 1. Dylan Kwasniewski, 2. Brecken Snow, 3. Justin Irwin, 4. Robert D'Ambra, 5. Donny St. Ours, 6. Tyler Fabozzi, 7. Devin Mack, 8. Bronson Butcher, 9. Alex Young, 10. Frank McCourt, 11. Dylan Trujillo, 12. Ken Kulikowski, 13. James "Porkchop" Manning, 14. Brandon Snow, 15. Jonathan Eakin, 16. John Davis, 17. Jeremiah Wagner, 18. Nick Parmelee, 19. Justin Hurdle, 20. Jay Beasley, 21. J. Avila Jr., 22. Jim Galza. Disqualified: Mike Abbate and Jeffrey King.
76-lap Bomber feature: 1. Larry "The Torch" Dittman, 2. Houston Simonette, 3. Anthony Finley, 4. Billy Grasser, 5. Matt Cunningham, 6. Mike Takami, 7. Steven Creech, 8. Fred Kiser, 9. Bryan Gerald, 10. Tom Dittman.
76-lap MetroPCS Super Late Model feature (unofficial finish): 1. Justin Johnson, 2. Taylor Barton, 3. Robert Ewing, 4. Glen Burke, 5. Nick Halen, 6. Dennis Rock Jr., 7. Jimmy Parker Jr., 8. Jeff Connors, 9. Chris Bray, 10. David Anderson, 11. John Taylor, 12. Steve Anderson, 13. Dusty Davis, 14. Fabian Bray, 15. Branden Giannini, 16. Greg Hanneman, 17. Dustin Ash, 18. Jim Petrie, 19. Chris Birdsong, 20. Scott Gafforini, 21. Bear Rzesnowiecky, 22. Ray Hooper Jr., 23. Wayne Jacks, 24. Jeff Bargerhuff.
40-lap SMRA Supermodified feature: 1. Troy Regier, 2. Bryan Warf, 3. Jim Birges, 4. Justin Belfiore, 5. Jeff Russell, 6. A.J. Russell, 7. Kirk Wartman, 8. Bobby Dalton, 9. Kenny White.
News and notes from the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
LAS VEGAS - The 2009 Bullring banquet will be held at Sam’s Town Live! at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Tickets will go on sale Monday, Sept. 14. Tickets are $37 each or
$310 for a 10-seat table.
Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis!
Matt And Jennifer Cunningham Featured in Speedway Illustrated
LAS VEGAS - Today we received a copy of a article from Speedway Illustrated that Featured the Cunninghams (Matt & Jennifer), about their passion for the sport. They may not be rich, they may not be famous but they love coming out every race and do what they love.
The Bomber Nation will say this, "Racing is not a sport, it's a curse". Getting ready for weeks to prepare for the season and blow your motor. Most people would give up but not us we live for the sport!!!.
The Bomber Nation wants to thank the Cunninghams for their continued support.
(Bullring) Races Up On The Web
LAS VEGAS - We've just received word from Ron Futrell that the races from the Bullring are up on the web. They can be viewed here at: Locals Love Vegas. The videos are the different classes by date. We want to thank Ron Futrell for publishing these videos, I'm sure some of the drivers will like to go back and see how the race was viewed from the stands.
NOTE: The videos are from the previous weeks races...
