Hi there! My name is Tawnya Schirmeister and I am an intern for the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. I wanted to give you a quick update on what’s been going on with SCC here in the last few weeks.

January was a great month for us! We hosted our second annual Laps for Charity event and it was a huge success. This event allowed anyone to drive their personal vehicles on the superspeedway for a $30 donation. We even had a couple of semi-trucks and a motor-home drive around the track. It was an amazing turn out! More than 800 cars and trucks participated and more than $32,000 was raised for local charities.

More than 100 volunteers, including many from Nellis Air Force Base Police Explorers and students from UNLV, helped make the event a huge success. We would like to thank everyone that came out to the event and everyone who helped and supported us. We would also like to send a special thanks to our new friends at Fantasy Car Rentals, Cashman Photo Enterprises, Sudden Impact and the Cannery.

We’ll keep you posted on more upcoming Speedway Children’s Charities events. We’re busy getting ready for NASCAR Weekend and have some really great things planned including the Track Walk, Driver Auction and much more! Want more information on SCC? Visit our website at www.lasvegas.speedwaycharities.org/

You’d be lying if you said that you have never dreamed of driving a Ferrari.  I know I have.  The craving is worse when I pulled into a parking spot at work this morning, and there is one parked next to me now that Exotics Racing and Dream Racing have arrived at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Dream Racing has just opened its doors to anyone who is craving the adrenaline rush of driving a Ferrari F430 GT.  A whole squad of supercars awaits the avid exotic car enthusiast on the superspeedway infield.  Whether you are having fun with friends or want to learn professional techniques, Dream Racing will tailor your desires to your experience.  Before you even hop into a $200,000 car, your three and a half hour experience includes transportation from CityCenter on the Las Vegas Strip.  Next, you start your classroom and simulator orientation.  After orientation, you’re suited up and brought to the track where you and your professional instructor drive five laps around the 1.1-mile track designed to racing specifications.  With low, medium and high corners, and a straightaway that tops speeds at 120 miles per hour, there isn’t anything missing in this driving experience.  After the exhilarating drive, you have access into the Dream lounge and bar before your trip back to your hotel.

If a Ferrari isn’t enough to satisfy your craving, how about Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, Porsches, Corvettes, Audis, Mercedes’ and Nissans?  These are all housed at LVMS as part of Exotics Racing.  Exotics Racing is the biggest and most experienced school of its kind in the entire United States.  The supercar racing school is a subsidiary of the top-rated European racing school, Cascadevents. You don’t even have to pick just one car.  Exotics Racing allows customers to choose a package in which they can drive up to 10 cars!  All of the experiences include: training and safety, one lap in a Porsche Cayenne GTS for lap discovery, driving with an instructor, a gift certificate, and an Exotics Racing Driving Certificate.  If you can’t drive a standard transmission like me, you can always do a ride-along with a professional driver!

Make sure to check out their websites at www.dreamracing.com and www.exoticsracing.com for more information or to schedule your one-of-a-kind experience today. Now if I can just learn how to drive standard…

On my first day as a public relations intern here at LVMS, I got a tour around all the tracks on property.  I got to be the passenger as we rode down The Strip and the Bullring. 

Our last stop was the superspeedway, and just as we were going for a once-in-a-lifetime ride, we realized that the Richard Petty experience was still on the track, and we couldn’t go. After four months, I still haven’t had the opportunity for the much-anticipated ride around the famous 1.5-mile superspeedway. But now, I have an even better reason to take that spin around the track!

On January 29, the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities is hosting the Laps for Charity event where YOU can take your own personal vehicle for three laps at 75 miles per hour around the superspeedway. So pile the whole family -- pets included -- into your personal vehicle and for just $30 (per vehicle) come join us!  You can also take your picture in Victory Lane for an additional $10.  All the proceeds go to the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. 

Last year more than 700 cars, trucks and motorcycles showed up to support Speedway Children’s Charities.  This year, we are anticipating more than 1,100 vehicles to participate.

Last year more than $25,000 was raised for local children’s causes.  This event is open to the public, and no pre-registration is required.  I will finally get my chance to feel the rush the NASCAR drivers get for a good cause! Be looking for me taking pictures to post on our Facebook and Twitter pages all day.

Well race fans, the holidays are behind us and some of us are stuck with the winter blues, but the countdown to NASCAR Weekend in fabulous Las Vegas has begun!

 Since the dawn of the new year, the offices here at Las Vegas Motor Speedway have definitely been buzzing in preparation for the big race! 

I know I’m excited, since this will be my first time seeing NASCAR in Vegas while being a part of the LVMS team!  I have had a little taste of the excitement by being a part of the past few races here, but nothing will compare to NASCAR Weekend!  Seeing the twelve Chase drivers at Fanfest in downtown Vegas definitely got me excited for March! The countdown is on and we have plenty of opportunities for you, as fans, to get involved.

One of the events leading up to NASCAR weekend is the Speedway Superstar Contest and I have been asked to be one of the judges of the first round of contestants! You could win the opportunity to sing the national anthem prior to the Sam’s Town 300 on March 10.  Tryouts are Saturday, Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sam’s Town Hotel. I feel very honored (and nervous) to be able to judge all of our talented fans!

Last week, we announced a brand new addition to this year’s NASCAR Weekend Neon Garage experience. Sunday Neon Garage pass holders will get to see their favorite drivers in the first public LVMS drivers’ meeting prior to the Kobalt Tools 400. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind opportunity!

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for me throughout NASCAR weekend. I’ll be around with my FlipCam and camera phone in hand, capturing fan moments for our Facebook and Twitter updates!

If you didn’t get tickets to NASCAR Weekend in your stocking, don’t worry.  There are still plenty of good seats available. We also will be giving away a few tickets through contests on Facebook and Twitter (@lvmotorspeedway).  Be prepared to show us how much of a NASCAR fan you really are!  I love hearing your stories and seeing all your amazing experiences through pictures and posts on our social networks, so keep posting!

Courtney Francis
cfrancis@lvms.com

Love the holidays, but hate trying to find the right present for your loved ones?  Las Vegas Motor Speedway offers one-of-a-kind gifts for race fans any age.

Holiday Ticket Offers

Las Vegas is known for its fast-paced lifestyle so nothing fits better than NASCAR tickets for your friends and family! LVMS is celebrating the holidays by offering some must-have ticket and concession deals. Now through January 10, 2012 you can get two tickets to the Kobalt Tools 400, two hot dogs, and two cokes for just $99.  Check out www.lvms.com/holiday for details on how to take advantage of this great holiday offer.

Join us March 9-11 for an exhilarating weekend of NASCAR racing. Weekend ticket packages are available for as low as $99.  Lucky 7 preferred parking passes, driver introduction passes, and Neon Garage passes are all on sale now.  If NASCAR isn’t enough, NHRA will be coming to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway not once, but twice in 2012. Tickets are on sale now for the SummitRacing.com Nationals, March 30-April 1 and the Big O Tires Nationals, October 25-28.

NASCAR Fan Gear

Along with tickets, your family and friends will need the ideal racing gear to watch the races in style. Our gift shop has everything you need including t-shirts, jackets, hats and more. The LVMS gift shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.  You can easily browse all of our merchandise at www.gospeedwayworld.com.  For a limited time, customers who purchase items online can receive 20 percent off their purchase by entering the coupon code: KOBALT20.

Can’t make it to the races this year? The gift shop at LVMS offers an exclusive track tour that includes viewing of our nine tracks, a visit to a luxury suite and access to the infield of the superspeedway. Track tours run every hour at the top of the hour, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Glittering Lights

Come drive through the city’s most incredible set of Christmas displays.  The Glittering Lights display is illuminating Las Vegas Motor Speedway this holiday season.  The display will run nightly through New Year’s Day.  Formerly known as the Gift of Lights, the annual Glittering Lights display is open every night, including Christmas, from 6-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is just $15 per car and $2 from every car will go to the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.  This year’s unique 2.5-mile course will include over 400 animated displays.  A free photo opportunity with Christmas characters will be taking place inside Santa’s Village.  For more information, visit our website at www.vegasglitteringlights.com or by calling (800) 926-7402. 

Richard Petty Driving Experience holiday offer

If watching the races from the grandstands at LVMS isn’t enough, you’re in luck. Give the gift of speed this holiday season and put your friends and family into the front seat of a real NASCAR stock car. For only $50, you can go up to speeds of 165 miles per hour around the famous 1.5-mile superspeedway. The ride-along experience puts you shot-gun in a NASCAR race car driven by a professional instructor for three laps around the superspeedway. Purchase your rides and gift cards now and use it anytime after January 1, 2012. 

For more information on Las Vegas Motor Speedway, please visit www.lvms.com or call (800) 644-4444. Also, follow us on Twitter (@LVMotorSpeedway) and Facebook.

7:25 p.m. – Comments from Top Fuel driver Del Worsham, who earned his 32nd career victory and seventh of the season Sunday at the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals:

“Like Reading (two races ago), I’m out there running the fastest car again and the best team … so I didn’t want to let anybody down. (Spencer Massey) got me a little bit out of the gate there – I will never deny that he is very good. All the Top Fuel guys have really taught me something here about competition and having to dig deep. It was so close down there (in the final). You can’t see the other guy but when someone stares at you, when someone’s next to you and you know they’re there, that’s what it felt like. I just knew (Massey) was lurking. And he told me he never saw me, either. When my big ol’ win light flashed up down there, I was pretty proud.”

(Talk about the battle for the championship. You’re two points behind Massey with one race to go) “This is 21 years in building here. My whole career here, as far as drag racing goes, has come down, basically, to one race right now and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve got some confidence built up now and I’ve had a lot of success through the years but I’ve never personally been at this level and for (team owner) Sheik Khalid to give me this opportunity and for (team manager) Alan Johnson and (crew chief) Brian Husen to build this kind of car with this team, I’m a lucky guy. Coming off a win and going in (to the final race) with momentum is probably the biggest advantage I have right now.”

(Do you feel like you’ve got the car to beat in the season finale?) “I feel like I’m in the car to beat every day. I believe the car is going to be there, it’s going to run well and it’s going to come down to – mark my words – the final round and the two cars in the final; whoever wins is going to be the Top Fuel world champion.”

7:05 p.m. – Comments from Funny Car driver Ron Capps, who earned his second win of the season and the 33rd of his career Sunday at the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals:

“It’s so gratifying for the guys and Tim Richards, my crew chief. I go up there every time, literally, to make him proud when I drive. It’s a tough car to drive and keep in the groove – I’m not going to lie to you.

 I’ve really have to dig down and I haven’t had this much of a challenge in a long time to drive a car and keep it in the groove. It’s a lot of fun to drive but it’s a challenge. It’s going to be fun to go to Pomona because Tim now has got enough data that if we see the (right) conditions, he can throw down and go for a record and go for a backup; he’s got that kind of mentality. But when it’s hot out and we need it, he can slide that thing down there.

“A 4.10 in the final – I couldn’t even believe it. I was in the trunk again like I was the other night (in qualifying) and I couldn’t believe the car was staying hooked up. It was nice to see that little win light on the guardrail. That second-round matchup with (Jack) Beckman was emotionally draining. They’re fighting for (the championship) and we’re fighting just to show off in front of our sponsors and get back into it. You hate to take a guy out like that but you really have to commend (team owner) Don Schumacher … he makes sure we race straight up and you saw that again today. To have seven cars like he does and to go up there, no matter what the points are, no matter who is fighting, and to let it all hang out and have no (team) orders, I commend him for that.”

6:50 p.m. – Comments from Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards, who earned his 32nd career victory and the fourth of the season Sunday at the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals:

“To win the race, to come out here and run really well, to qualify number one and today to put four rounds together – we’ve been struggling to do that for the past six or seven races, for sure.

It feels good to come out and finally win a race. I want to say congratulations to Jason Line (for winning the championship). They did a fantastic job, the whole team.

“We seem to run well at altitude tracks. We won Denver this year and then we came here and ran really, really well the (spring) race this year. It seems like when it’s hot out, we run better for some reason. We just need to figure out the rest of the conditions so maybe we can run a little bit better. It’s fun to come here and race. There’s so much to do here and I really, really, really enjoy coming here and we’ve had some success here, that’s for sure.”

6:40 p.m. – Comments from Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Eddie Krawiec, who earned his 11th career victory and the fourth of the season Sunday at the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals:

“The most important thing here was consistency – rounds wins, round wins, round wins and I’ve been saying that all year. I’ve been leading the points pretty much the whole year and I definitely didn’t want to give it up or come into the Countdown and fumble. I’ve just been trying to work on my riding and be consistent – that’s the one thing that shows.

“This (championship) race, by no means, is over yet. I mean, 69 points is definitely a three-round lead. Our Harley-Davidson got four win lights today and I couldn’t be any more excited. It definitely takes the weight off my shoulders going into Pomona but it’s still in the back of my head. I don’t look at it like I won the championship yet.”

5:30 p.m. – Final results from the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

Top Fuel: Del Worsham (3.823 at 318.77) def. Spencer Massey (3.834 at 323.74).
Funny Car: Ron Capps (4.109 at 311.34) def. Johnny Gray (4.203 at 295.08).
Pro Stock: Mike Edwards (6.641 at 208.30) def. Allen Johnson (6.668 at 208.01).
Pro Stock Motorcycle: Eddie Krawiec (6.936 at 194.30) def. Andrew Hines (6.995 at 192.96). 

Check back shortly for comments from the winning racers.

4:35 p.m. – Jason Line committed a red-light foul in his semifinal matchup with Allen Johnson but still clinched his second NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championship in Pro Stock when his closest pursuer, teammate Greg Anderson, lost to Mike Edwards in the other semifinal. 

“It feels unbelievable,” Line said. “It’s a great day. It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t have finished it in true championship style but it is what it is and I’m not giving the (championship) jacket back or the trophy.”

The Pro Stock championship was the sixth for team owner Ken Black, a Las Vegas businessman. Line said it was important for him to clinch the title in Black’s hometown, with his team owner looking on.

“It’s more important to clinch here in front of (Black’s) whole family,” Line said. “It’s a big deal because without them and Summit, this doesn’t happen and we’re not out here racing so we owe everything to them. I personally feel very indebted to them for everything they’ve done for me.”

Line won his first Pro Stock championship in 2006. Anderson has won four world championships, including three in a row from 2003-2005.

4:10 p.m. – Semifinals results and final-round matchup in Pro Stock Motorcycle:

Semifinals: Andrew Hines (6.977 at 192.85) def. Angie Smith (7.053 at 189.47); Eddie Krawiec (6.989 at 193.45) def. Hank Arana Sr. (7.157 at 191.48).

Final: Hines vs. Krawiec. 

4:05 p.m. – Semifinals results and final-round matchup in Pro Stock:

Semifinals: Allen Johnson (6.674 at 207.53) def. Jason Line (foul); Mike Edwards (6.663 at 208.17) def. Greg Anderson (6.646 at 207.78).

Final: Edwards vs. A. Johnson.

3:57 p.m. – Semifinals results and final-round matchup in Funny Car:

Semifinals: Ron Capps (4.125 at 309.20) def. Cruz Pedregon (4.196 at 304.05); Johnny Gray (4.123 at 311.56) def. Bob Tasca III (10.799 at 86.69).

Final: Capps vs. Gray.

3:51 p.m. – Semifinals results and final-round matchup in Top Fuel:

Spencer Massey (3.890 at 318.62) def. Brandon Bernstein (foul); Del Worsham def. Antron Brown (foul).

Final: Massey vs. Worsham.

2:46 p.m. – Second-round results and semifinals matchups in Pro Stock Motorcycle:

Eddie Krawiec def. LE Tonglet; Angie Smith def. Hank Arana Jr.; Hank Arana Sr. def. Jerry Savoie; Andrew Hines def. Jim Underdahl.

Semifinals: A. Smith vs. Hines; Krawiec vs. Arana Sr.

2:38 p.m. – Second-round results and semifinals matchups in Pro Stock:

Allen Johnson def. Larry Morgan; Greg Anderson def. Kurt Johnson; Jason Line def. Ron Krisher; Mike Edwards def. Ronnie Humphrey.

Semifinals: Edwards vs. Anderson; Line vs. A. Johnson.

2:28 p.m. – Second-round results and semifinals matchups in Funny Car:

Johnny Gray def. Paul Lee; Ron Capps def. Jack Beckman; Cruz Pedregon def. Matt Hagan; Bob Tasca III def. Tony Pedregon.

Semifinals: Capps vs. C. Pedregon; Gray vs. Tasca III.

2:10 p.m. – Second-round results and semifinals matchups in Top Fuel:

Del Worsham def. David Grubnic; Brandon Bernstein def. Larry Dixon; Antron Brown def. Bob Vandergriff; Spencer Massey def. Rod Fuller.

Semifinals: Worsham vs. Brown; Massey vs. Bernstein.

12:53 p.m. – First-round results and second-round matchups in Pro Stock:

Ronnie Humphrey def. Erica Enders; Ron Krisher def. Shane Gray; Larry Morgan def. Vincent Nobile; Greg Anderson def. Steve Kent; Kurt Johnson def. Rodger Brogdon; Mike Edwards def. Mark Wolfe; Jason Line def. V. Gaines; Allen Johnson def. Greg Stanfield.

Second round: Edwards vs. Humphrey; K. Johnson vs. Anderson; Line vs. Krisher; A. Johnson vs. Morgan.

12:30 p.m. – First-round results and second-round matchups in Funny Car:

Johnny Gray def. Melanie Troxel; Tony Pedregon def. Robert Hight; Ron Capps def. Todd Lesenko; Paul Lee def. Mike Neff; Cruz Pedregon def. Jeff Arend; Matt Hagan def. Tim Wilkerson; Bob Tasca III def. Alexis DeJoria; Jack Beckman def. John Force. 

Second round: Capps vs. Beckman; C. Pedregon vs. Hagan; Lee vs. Gray; T. Pedregon vs. Tasca III.

11:58 a.m. – Las Vegas resident Rod Fuller, who won the Top Fuel category at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the fall of 2007, earned an opening-round victory over Doug Kalitta on Sunday with a 3.849-second pass at 325.53 mph – the fastest run of the first round. 

“It’s always good to be home,” Fuller said. “This is my place. This is my track and I think all those fans in the stands today are going to get to see some great drag racing. I’m excited about this next round. I think that we have a great shot of beating Spencer (Massey).”

11:35 a.m. – First-round results and second-round matchups in Top Fuel:

David Grubnic def. Steve Torrence; Larry Dixon def. T.J. Zizzo; Antron Brown def. Tony Schumacher; Bob Vandergriff def. Clay Millican; Del Worsham def. Shawn Langdon; Spencer Massey def. Ron August Jr.; Brandon Bernstein def. Dominick Lagana; Rod Fuller def. Doug Kalitta. 

Second round:  Worsham vs. Grubnic; Vandergriff vs. Brown; Massey vs. Fuller; Bernstein vs. Dixon.

9:40 a.m. – Here are the first-round pairings for today’s professional eliminations:

TOP FUEL: 1. Del Worsham vs. 16. Shawn Langdon; 2. Spencer Massey vs. 15. Ron August; 3. Brandon Bernstein vs. 14. Dom Lagana; 4. Bob Vandergriff vs. 13. Clay Millican; 5. Antron Brown vs. 12. Tony Schumacher; 6. Larry Dixon vs. 11. T.J. Zizzo; 7. Rod Fuller vs. 10. Doug Kalitta; 8. Steve Torrence vs. 9. David Grubnic. 

FUNNY CAR: 1. Ron Capps vs. 16. Todd Lesenko; 2. Mike Neff vs. 15. Paul Lee; 3. Robert Hight vs. 14. Tony Pedregon; 4. Cruz Pedregon vs. 13. Jeff Arend; 5. Matt Hagan vs. 12. Tim Wilkerson; 6. Bob Tasca III vs. 11. Alexis DeJoria; 7. Melanie Troxel vs. 10. Johnny Gray; 8. Jack Beckman vs. 9. John Force.

PRO STOCK: 1. Mike Edwards vs. 16. Mark Wolfe; 2. Jason Line vs. 15. V. Gaines; 3. Allen Johnson vs. 14. Greg Stanfield; 4. Rodger Brogdon vs. 13. Kurt Johnson; 5. Greg Anderson vs. 12. Steve Kent; 6. Larry Morgan vs. 11. Vincent Nobile; 7. Ron Krisher vs. 10. Shane Gray; 8. Ronnie Humphrey vs. 9. Erica Enders.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: 1. Hector Arana Jr. vs. 16. Matt Guidera; 2. Eddie Krawiec vs. 15. David Hope; 3. Hector Arana Sr. vs. 14. Shawn Gann; 4. Andrew Hines vs. 13. Bailey Whitaker; 5. Matt Smith vs. 12. Jim Underdahl; 6. Jerry Savoie vs. 11. Michael Ray; 7. Steve Johnson vs. 10. LE Tonglet; 8. Mike Berry vs. 9. Angie Smith.

9:20 a.m. – Good morning from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and final eliminations for the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals. Fans are in for a spectacular fall day as the forecast calls for sunny skies and a high of 81 degrees. 

Pre-race ceremonies for the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals are scheduled to start at 10 a.m. (PDT) and pro eliminations will begin at 11 a.m.

Make sure to check back here throughout the day for the latest news, results and driver interviews.

 7 p.m. – Racing resumes at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at 9 a.m. Sunday with Sportsman eliminations. Pre-race ceremonies for the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals begin at 10 a.m. and final eliminations in the four pro categories start at 11 a.m.

Good evening from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and be sure to check back here Sunday for updates throughout the day.

6:50 p.m. – Comments from Ron Capps, the top qualifier in Funny Car:

(How does this feel after not qualifying for the most recent race?) “Zero to hero? It’s pretty cool. I’m so proud of Tim (Richards, crew chief) and the guys because, obviously, we didn’t qualify in Phoenix and then the guys packed up Saturday night and I went to the track on Sunday and had to stand around and do my business with NAPA and all of the people.

 It had been four years since I didn’t qualify so it was tough. The dedication for the NAPA guys to pack up, come here and spend (last Monday) testing a brand-new car when they could have gone home … that was what they needed; that was the spark the guys needed.”

(How aggravated were you after Phoenix?) “I wasn’t aggravated … yeah, maybe a little bit. You’re like, OK, this could have happened at any point in the season but now? It’s got to happen now, in the Countdown? It just seems like sometimes we can’t catch a break. You don’t want to cry about not winning a championship and the different ways that we’ve not won it and come close, but it’s just making us earn it. It’s making us work for it.”

(After four years, do you just expect to qualify?) “That streak kept going on and on and you hear the announcers talking about it. You’re like, ‘Gosh, four years, that just doesn’t seem right.’ And you take it for granted. I’m always bragging to the NASCAR guys that in our sport, John Force has won 15 championships but he still has to qualify for Sunday. We don’t have provisionals like these NASCAR guys and it’s not a given that we’re going to be there. It sucks that that rule is there, sometimes, when you have a big sponsor, for that very reason. We had 180 people show up (in Phoenix) from NAPA and I wasn’t there racing. But I think it’s the coolest part of our sport – that you’ve got to earn it every time, I don’t care who you are. That’s the part that reminds you … that you can’t take it for granted.”

6:38 p.m. – Comments from Del Worsham, the top qualifier in Top Fuel:

“It feels amazing. We were on a great run last night and kind of let one get away.

When it cooled down today and Alan (Johnson, team manager) walked in the trailer and said to Brian (Husen, crew chief) and myself, ‘How about if we just go 3.80 and take the one spot.’ I said, ‘Sounds good to me if you can do it.’ He lied – we went 3.79. But what a great run. The car went straight, it’s been running great all weekend and it’s a brand-new chassis this weekend. For the record, I’m not driving (Larry) Dixon’s car and it’s still running well.”

(How do you feel about tomorrow?) “We’re trying to make up these little points and there are 20 points around. It’s pretty big; we need to maintain that through Pomona now so that … if you’re 41 points out and you win two rounds more than the other guy, he still wins by one. But if you’re 39 points out and you win two rounds, you’re number one by one point. These little points are going to be very, very important here as the last two races shake down. We did all we could do this weekend, I believe. I thought we did very well in qualifying and now we’ve just got to race well tomorrow.”

(On losing the points lead four races ago) “We’ve run pretty well, we just haven’t won and when you don’t win, people think that you can’t. We’ve won a lot of races this year and the competition is tough. We’ve made some mistakes and I’ve made some mistakes and we just haven’t run as good as what everybody’s seen. Alan made the call to come into this race with a brand-new car and I believe in him 100 percent and he’s shown me, at least to this point, that that’s the right call.”

6:27 p.m. – Comments from Mike Edwards, the top qualifier in Pro Stock:

“It just feels to make a good run and we just did it at the right time.

  The conditions were definitely the best all weekend this morning. We just made an outstanding run, really. It’s the fastest corrected run we’ve ever made so I’m pretty happy about that. Tomorrow is another day but the track has really been good all weekend for us. For where we came from the last race, it’s tremendously better.

“I feel good about the track tomorrow. The sun’s going to be a little bit hotter tomorrow and we’re going to be challenged by the track conditions but we’re like that every race we go to. Hopefully, tomorrow, we can make the right adjustments and go some rounds. We’ll try to go back to what we did this morning and adjust from there.”

5:59 p.m. – Comments from Hector Arana Jr., the top qualifier in Pro Stock Motorcycle:

(On taking the pole from his father) “I tell you what, he didn’t make it easy;

I had to take it from, he didn’t let me have it. It’s just a dream come true to come out here and race in NHRA. It’s a tough class – any of the racing divisions over here are tough. Everybody’s on their top game so in order to be good, you have to be 100 percent. We’re just having fun out here.”

(On the pressure of the championship race) “It feels good to know that I’m riding a consistent Lucas Oil Buell. This bike is amazing. It’s proved it numerous times that it goes right down the track and it repeats itself so it’s not just a one-hit wonder; it’s consistent. It’s a really good feeling. I like being the predator. I feel like Eddie (Krawiec) probably feels like the prey right now because I’m coming after it. Right now, I feel like a lion, getting ready to take that championship.”

5:37 p.m. – Here are the top 16 qualifiers in Funny Car for the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals:

1. Ron Capps; 2. Mike Neff; 3. Robert Hight; 4. Cruz Pedregon; 5. Matt Hagan; 6. Bob Tasca III; 7. Melanie Troxel; 8. Jack Beckman; 9. John Force; 10. Johnny Gray; 11. Alexis DeJoria; 12. Tim Wilkerson; 13. Jeff Arend; 14. Tony Pedregon; 15. Bob Bode; 16. Todd Lesenko.

4:45 p.m. – Here are the top 16 qualifiers in Top Fuel for the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals:

1. Del Worsham; 2. Spencer Massey; 3. Brandon Bernstein; 4. Bob Vandergriff; 5. Antron Brown; 6, Larry Dixon; 7. Rod Fuller; 8. Steve Torrence; 9. David Grubnic; 10. Doug Kalitta; 11. TJ Zizzo; 12. Tony Schumacher; 13. Clay Millican; 14. Dominick Lagana; 15. Ron August Jr.; 16. Shawn Langdon.

3:44 p.m. – Here are the top 16 qualifiers in Pro Stock for the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals:

1. Mike Edwards; 2. Jason Line; 3. Allen Johnson; 4. Rodger Brogdon; 5. Greg Anderson; 6. Larry Morgan; 7. Ron Krisher; 8. Ronnie Humphrey; 9. Erica Enders; 10. Shane Gray; 11. Vincent Nobile; 12. Steve Kent; 13. Kurt Johnson; 14. Greg Stanfield; 15. V Gaines; 16. Mark Wolfe.

3:18 p.m. – Here are the top 16 qualifiers in Pro Stock Motorcycle for the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals:

1. Hector Arana Jr.; 2. Eddie Krawiec; 3. Hector Arana Sr.; 4. Andrew Hines; 5. Matt Smith; 6. Gerald Savoie; 7. Steve Johnson; 8. Mike Berry; 9. Angie Smith; 10. LE Tonglet; 11. Michael Ray; 12. Jim Underdahl; 13. Bailey Whitaker; 14. Shawn Green; 15. David Hope; 16. Matt Guidera.

3:05 p.m. – Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Joe DeSantis took a spill off his bike as it was nearing the finish line during his fourth-round qualifying run. According to NHRA, DeSantis, 69, was conscious and alert and talking to the medical crew. DeSantis was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. 

2:15 p.m. – It should come as no surprise that Alexis DeJoria is among the top five in the Funny Car field through three rounds of qualifying for the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 

Although she is attempting to make only her third Funny Car race, DeJoria, 34, said she has been looking forward to this event for quite some time.

“This is one of my favorite tracks,” DeJoria said of The Strip. “It’s a great facility, the fans are awesome and there’s always a big turnout. My family has a home in Vegas, so I consider that town my second home, which really makes a difference. Plus, my sponsor, Tequila Patron, is headquartered in Vegas, so I’m excited for the Patron team to come out to the track and see us competing in this new class.”

DeJoria, who is driving a car prepared by Kalitta Motorsports, is the daughter of John Paul DeJoria, the co-founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems and owner of Tequila Patron. She had a successful career in the Top Alcohol Funny Car category, where she co-owned and operated her team.

2 p.m. – Johnny Gray posted the quickest time (4.118) in the third round of Funny Car qualifying and moves up one spot to No. 4. Robert Hight, Matt Hagan and Melanie Troxel hold the top three spots and Alexis DeJoria is fifth.

The final round of pro qualifying is scheduled to begin shortly.

1:19 p.m. – Just a reminder for fans who are thinking about attending Sunday’s final eliminations for the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals: A very limited number of reserved seats remain for the event. Call the LVMS ticket office at 702-644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com/tickets/ .

1:08 p.m. – Brandon Bernstein retained the No. 1 qualifying position after three rounds of Top Fuel qualifying. Del Worsham set the low time of the session at 3.838 seconds at 321.81 mph and is No. 2. Spencer Massey posted a 3.849 at 321.42 and is third, former Las Vegas resident Rod Fuller jumped from 10th to fourth with a third-round pass of 3.854 at 325.85 and Steve Torrence is fifth.

11:58 a.m. – Mike Edwards laid down a blistering pass in the third round of Pro Stock qualifying and established track records for both low elapsed time and fast speed.

Edwards claimed the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot with a record pass of 6.594 second at 208.81 mph. Jason Line (6.624) is second quickest, Allen Johnson (6.630) moves up to third, Rodger Brogdon (6.632) is fourth and Greg Anderson, who did not make a third-round pass because of a mechanical failure, is fifth.

11:45 a.m. – Hector Arana Jr. turned in the quickest pass of the weekend in the third round of Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying and bumped his father, Hector Arana Sr., off the provisional pole he held after the second round of qualifying.

 Arana Jr.’s track-record pass of 6.879 seconds at 194.46 mph came on the final run of the session and with his father in the lane beside him.

Eddie Krawiec holds the No. 2 spot with a third-round pass of 6.894 seconds at 196.56 mph. Hector Arana Sr. is third, Andrew Hines fourth and Gerald Savoie fifth.

10:55 a.m. – Antron Brown has a 20-point lead over Larry Dixon and a 25-point edge over Spencer Massey in the Top Fuel standings going into the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals, but the six-time winner this season is not taking anything for granted as he pursues his first NHRA world championship. 

“To be in the position we are, we are very blessed but there is still a lot of racing left,” Brown said. “There are two races … there are eight more rounds – plus the fact that you have to qualify because you have everybody and their momma coming out for these last few races trying to qualify and get in the show.

“We’re going to go out there and try to stay poised and give our best shot because right now it’s anybody’s race for this championship. We’re definitely going to put a good fight on for it.”

Brown, who drives for team owner Don Schumacher, said his Matco Tools team is not going to change the way it is approaching this weekend’s race or the season finale in Pomona.

“We’ve been an aggressive team throughout the season,” he said. “We go after it every race, never letting up on ourselves or the competition. Obviously, this approach has served us well and we think it’s the way to the best results. We’ve got the points lead, but we won’t go the rest of the way in a defensive mode. We’re going to play to win rather than play not to lose.”

10:25 a.m. – Good morning from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the second day of professional qualifying for the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals.

It’s sunny with an ambient temperature of 63 degrees and a slight breeze (2 mph) out of the south. The forecast calls for a high of 79 degrees. The track temperature is 84 degrees as the professional classes prepare for qualifying later this morning. The third round of Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying is set to begin at 11 a.m. (PDT) and the Funny Cars and Top Fuel Dragsters are slated to hit the track at 11:45 a.m. The fourth and final round of pro qualifying is slated to begin at 1:45 p.m. Be sure to check back here often as we’ll be updating this blog throughout the weekend with news, results and driver interviews.

7:15 p.m. – Good night from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Spectator gates will open Saturday morning at 7:30 and racing will resume at 8 a.m. with Sportsman eliminations. Professional qualifying sessions will be held at 11 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.

Be sure to check back here throughout the weekend for continual updates from the third and fourth rounds of pro qualifying for the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals.

7:10 p.m. – Comments from Brandon Bernstein, the provisional No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel following the second round of qualifying:

“It felt great. The car really seemed like it didn’t move – it was really a straight run. At 321, with that kind of speed, you always know that it’s a great run when you run that kind of speed and the finish line comes so much quicker. We’ve been really trying to focus on making four good qualifying runs and just trying to get some round wins on Sunday. This is a good start for our team to get number one so far. That morning session tomorrow is going to be critical because you can be able to swing for the fences on that one, so hopefully it stands up.

“Coming into this race, we knew that there was no way we can win the championship but we’re one of those cars that can definitely run with these guys and hopefully we come out on Sunday and do some damage. I don’t like the word spoiler; we’re just out here trying to win. We’re one of those teams right now that needs a win and that’s what we’re out here trying to get.”

7 p.m. – Comments from Robert Hight, the provisional No. 1 qualifier in Funny Car following the second round of qualifying:

“I think the conditions are going to be good tomorrow. We’re in Vegas and that’s why I never gamble because I would have bet anything that we wouldn’t have been number one – especially being the first car out. The track cooled down a lot since we ran but (crew chief) Jimmy Prock just goes up there with a lot of confidence and he makes this Auto Club Ford thunder. We love racing here in Vegas – we won it earlier this year but this is exactly what we need to do to get back in the hunt.

“This track is going to come around and you’re going to see good conditions. I’ll be honest: I don’t believe that 4.08 is going to stick but looking at the data, we can probably run a little quicker but we need to do that four times on race day and that gives us a shot to get back in this (championship race).”

6:50 p.m. – Comments from Jason Line, the provisional No. 1 qualifier in Pro Stock following the second round of qualifying:

“This is definitely a good way to start. We haven’t traditionally been strong the last few years here. The goal is to make a big rebound from Phoenix -- we kind of stunk up the joint there and we’re not going to do that two weeks in a row. We’re off to a good start. We were terrible here in the spring race and I tend to remember the bad races. We’re certainly not going to do anything differently than we have the rest of the year. We want to keep doing those things and finish it off.”

(What would it mean to clinch the championship here in Las Vegas, the hometown of team owner Ken Black?) “It would be a big deal. (Teammate Greg Anderson) tends to do a better job showing off than I do. He did it last year but I’d like to do it once, too, and maybe that can happen. We’ll see about that.”

6:35 p.m. – Comments from Hector Arana, the provisional No. 1 qualifier in Pro Stock Motorcycle following the second round of qualifying:

“It feels good to me. We’ve been working hard and finally it seems like everything is lining up and going to my favor, my side.”

 (On winning the provisional pole while his son, Hector Arana III, is in a battle with Ed Krawiec for the points championship) “Definitely, I’m playing defense. I know he has it, the power is there, but he’s struggling a little bit off the starting line. I told him, ‘I’m going to be right behind you – either you take first or I’m going to take it away from you.’ I know he wants it and we’ve seen a couple little mistakes and if he concentrates for tomorrow, he should have the number one (qualifying position).”

(On racing at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he could earn his third consecutive No. 1 qualifying spot in the fall event here) “This is one of my favorite tracks. It’s good, it’s smooth. Now that you say that it (could be) three years in a row, I definitely would like to keep the number one. It’s a pleasure to come here. The fans are awesome. They receive us very well so it makes us feel at home.”

6:20 p.m. – Brandon Bernstein took advantage of a cooler track early in the evening and grabbed the provisional pole in Top Fuel with a pass of 3.833 seconds at 321.27 mph during the second round of qualifying.

 Spencer Massey was second quickest in the session at 3.856 at 319.67 and Steve Torrence improved to third at 3.856 at 317.49. Bob Vandergriff (3.858 at 321.88) is fourth and Antron Brown (3.863 at 318.54) fifth going into Saturday’s third round of qualifying.

Stay tuned for comments from the top qualifiers.

5:30 p.m. – Robert Hight grabbed the provisional pole in Funny Car with a 4.085-second pass on the first run of the second round of qualifying.

 Matt Hagan (4.093 at 310.05) was second quickest and Melanie Troxel (4.103 at 310.20) was third. Alexis DeJoria, making only her third attempt at a race, was fourth with a 4.121-second pass at 305.15 and Johnny Gray (4.126 at 311.99) was fifth.

4:38 p.m. – Jason Line and Mike Edwards remained the top two qualifiers in Pro Stock following the second round of qualifying.

Greg Anderson, a seven-time winner in Las Vegas, moved up one spot to third with a 6.633-second pass at 208.14 mph. Ron Krisher is fourth and Ronnie Humphrey is fifth going into Saturday’s third round of qualifying.

4:10 p.m. – Hector Arana vaulted to the No. 1 qualifying spot with a 6.924-second pass at 190.86 mph in the second round of Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying.

Andrew Hines turned in a 6.940-second pass at 191.84 mph and moved up two spots to No. 2. Eddie Krawiec slipped from first to third despite improving his speed (6.948 at 192.74) from the first round. Hector Arana III is fourth after two rounds of qualifying and Gerald Savoie is fifth.

3 p.m. – Fans attending the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend will have the opportunity to meet two of the legendary drivers of the NHRA: Don “The Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “Mongoose” McEwen. 

Both Prudhomme and McEwen will be available throughout the weekend and will be participating in meet-and-greets and autograph sessions from 10-11 a.m. and 1:45-2:30 on Saturday and 12:30-1 p.m. on Sunday. Both drivers also will take part in the “Track Walk with a Legend” at 9:30 Sunday morning at The Strip.

In addition, both drivers’ cars and haulers from the 1970s will be displayed all weekend in the pits.

2:42 p.m. – Del Worsham was the top qualifier in the opening round of Top Fuel qualifying with a 3.879-second pass at 316.97 mph.

 TJ Zizzo was second quickest at 3.899 at 310.13 mph and Tony Schumacher was third at 3.902 at 318.24. Larry Dixon (3.903 at 317.57) and Spencer Massey (3.903 at 316.01) were fourth and fifth, respectively. Antron Brown, who led Dixon by 20 points in the Top Fuel standings coming into Las Vegas, was the 12th qualifier at 3.941 (315.56 mph).

The second round of pro qualifying is scheduled to begin at 3:15 p.m.

1:55 p.m. – Matt Hagan is on the provisional pole after a 4.142-second pass at 301.40 mph in the first round of Funny Car qualifying.

 Mike Neff (4.145 at 309.98) was second quickest and Alexis DeJoria (4.145 at 302.96) was third quickest. Jack Beckman (4.149 at 303.64) was fourth and Tim Wilkerson (4.154 at 286.86) fifth after one round of qualifying.

1:15 p.m. – Jason Line grabbed the provisional pole with a 6.624-second pass at 207.66 mph in the first round of Pro Stock qualifying. Mike Edwards was second quickest (6.627 at 208.33) and Ron Krisher was third quickest (6.638 at 208.33). Greg Anderson (6.650 at 207.94) and Ronnie Humphrey (6.650 at 206.76) rounded out the top five.

12:48 p.m. – Eddie Krawiec, a three-time winner this season and the Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader, holds the No. 1 qualifying position after the first round of Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying with a pass of 6.952 seconds. Gerald Savoie is second quickest at 6.970 seconds and Hector Arana third at 6.980. Andrew Hines (6.996) and Hector Arana III (7.006) round out the top five after one round.

NHRA Weekend comes to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. Check out all of the special events going on throughout the weekend.

Thursday, Oct. 27 - Speedway Children's Charities "Cards for Kids" Poker Tournament

The stars of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will kick off the eleventh annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway by participating in the Speedway Children's Charities poker tournament at the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino on Thursday, Oct. 27. 

Drivers entered in the Speedway Children's Charities' seventh annual "Cards for Kids" Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament include: Brandon Bernstein, Jack Beckman and many more.

Thursday, Oct. 27 - Big O Tires NHRA Nationals Driver Autograph Session - Fremont Street Experience

Some of the biggest names in professional drag racing are expected to participate in a free autograph session and fan fest at Las Vegas' Fremont Street Experience on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 5-7 p.m.

Drivers scheduled to participate include: Del Worsham, Larry Dixon, Doug Kalitta, Brandon Bernstein, Shawn Langdon, Morgan Lucas, David Grubnic, T.J. Zizzo, Terry McMillen, Dominick Lagana, Jack Beckman, Bob Tasca III, Jeff Arend, Tim Wilkerson, Melanie Troxel, Steve Torrence, Bob Bode, Alexis DeJoria, Johnny Gray, Allen Johnson, Jason Line, Greg Anderson, Erica Enders, Larry Morgan, Shane Gray, L.E. Tonglet, Hector Arana, Hector Arana Jr., Karen Stoffer and Leah Pruitt.

NHRA announcer Bob Frey will interview the drivers during the session and fans will have the opportunity to win free race tickets. Johnny Gray’s Funny Car will be on display.

Thursday, Oct. 27 - Big O Tires NHRA Nationals Driver Autograph Session - New York New York Hotel and Casino

Some of the biggest names in professional drag racing are expected to participate in a free autograph session at New York New York Hotel and Casino on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 7-9 p.m.

All Don Schumacher Racing drivers will participate, including Tony Schumacher, Jack Beckman, Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Johnny Gray, Matt Hagan and Spencer Massey.

-Kids Trick-or-Treating, Friday, Oct. 28

Kids are invited to trick-or-treat for candy Friday at the race teams' haulers in the pits between the first and second Nitro Qualifying Sessions.

5:05 p.m. – Ron Hornaday raced himself into contention for a fifth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship by leading 107 of 146 laps and winning Saturday’s Smith’s 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 

On Sunday, the championship in the IndyCar Series WILL be decided when 34 cars take to the 1.5-mile oval for the IZOD IndyCar World Championships. Dario Franchitti holds an 18-point lead over Will Power in the battle for the IndyCar Series championship. 

As if that weren’t enough excitement, reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon will attempt to share a $5 million bonus with a lucky fan if he can win Sunday’s race from the back of the field. 

Ticket gates open at 8 a.m. Sunday. The developmental Firestone Indy Lights Series will contest a 67-lap race at 9:45 a.m. and the IZOD IndyCar World Championships is scheduled to take the green flag at 12:45 p.m.

4:50 p.m. – Comments from Ron Hornaday, who won Saturday’s Smith’s 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: 

“I know I stunk up the show for the fans but I wanted this win really, really bad. I finally won in Vegas. This is just a dream come true. You don’t get trucks like that very often and I’ve got it two races in a row so that’s pretty awesome. Kevin and Delana (Harvick, the truck owners), I owe them a lot. They give me a championship truck with the owner points and still believing in me. They put Bruce Cook (crew chief) with me and we go out and win another one. This is fun. 

“Bruce made great calls all day. We went out there and those guys pitted and we stayed out a little bit and then we put gas in it. When we all came out, there were only a couple of trucks that could have gone to the end. I don’t know how he figures out pit strategy and all that stuff but it’s unbelievable. 

“The only one who gave me a real fit was Timothy Peters. I thought he was going to be the guy to beat today. He ran with me for three, four laps on the bottom and he finally got a little loose. But it was fun. When you’ve got a truck like that, it’s fun.”

4:40 p.m. – Comments from Matt Crafton, who finished second in the Smith’s 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: 

“I think all of the races (at LVMS) should be during the day. That was, I think, was some of the best racing we’ve had here because the track was so hot and slick and you couldn’t just run around here wide open like we do a lot of times at night. You have to lift to make the truck do something and handle well. I think that’s huge.”

4:35 p.m. – Comments from Timothy Peters, who finished third in the Smith’s 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: 

“I had a great GearWrench Tundra all day long. There towards the end, I was just trying to trick Hornaday and I got schooled. I spun my tires and when I did, Johnny (Sauter) was there and got into us a little bit. We brought it home third and I’m not going to complain one bit because the team has worked really hard … and everyone here made great adjustments. Everybody else, with the trouble that they had, it kind of puts us right back in the thick of things (in the points race).”

3:15 p.m. – Ron Hornaday held off a late challenge by Matt Crafton on Saturday and earned his second victory in a row and the 51st of his career in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Smith’s 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Hornaday, 53, led 107 of the 146 laps and notched his first victory in 11 starts in Las Vegas. Crafton was second, Timothy Peters was third, Johnny Sauter finished fourth and Todd Bodine rounded out the top five. 

Stay tuned for comments from the top finishers.

2:25 p.m. – The top 5 in the Smith’s 350 after 100 of 146 laps: 1. Ron Hornaday; 2. Timothy Peters; 3. Johnny Sauter; 4. Matt Crafton; 5. Nelson Piquet Jr.

1:56 p.m. – The top 5 in the Smith’s 350 after 50 of 146 laps: 1. Johnny Sauter; 2. Jason White; 3. Todd Bodine; 4. David Starr; 5. Joey Coulter. 

Both Austin Dillon and James Buescher, the top two drivers in the series points standings, have had their trucks damaged due to contact and are running 26th and 23rd, respectively.

1:21 p.m. – NASCAR officials have displayed the red flag after a multi-truck crash in the first turn on lap 30. The incident involved Ricky Carmichael, Brian Ickler, Miguel Paludo and Ryan Sieg. Ron Hornaday continues to lead after 30 laps.

1:05 p.m. – Series points leader Austin Dillon crashed coming out of the fourth turn on the second lap and suffered damage to the right front of his truck. Dillon came into the Smith’s 350 with a 3-point lead over James Buescher and a 19-point edge over Johnny Sauter. Dillon is now running in 29th, five laps behind race leader Ron Hornaday.

12:50 p.m. – The field has taken the green flag for the 15th running of the Smith’s 350. Pole-sitter Ron Hornaday opted to start on the outside of the front row to take advantage of the track’s high line. One truck, the No. 66 of Max Gresham, started at the back of the field after an engine change.

11:15 a.m. – Some quick facts regarding today’s Smith’s 350 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race...

• Defending race winner Austin Dillon is the youngest driver to win a Smith’s 350 (20 years, 4 months, 29 days in 2010). 
• Joe Ruttman is the oldest winning driver in race history (53 years, 12 days in 1997). 
• Six Smith’s 350 races have been won from the pole – most recently last year by Austin Dillon. 
• David Starr set the race record of 135.394 mph in 2002. 
• The record for most caution periods is 12 in 2008. 
• The record for fewest cautions periods is two in 2002. 
• The record for lead changes in a race is 15. 
• Mike Skinner holds the record for most laps led (114 in 2006). 
• Ron Hornaday has seven top-10 finishes in 10 truck races at LVMS.

10:55 a.m. – Buddy Rice’s qualifying run from Friday’s IZOD IndyCar Series qualifying session was disallowed after IndyCar officials determined Rice had driven below the white line on the bottom of the track – a violation of league rules – during his run. Rice, who had qualified 19th, will now start the race 33rd out of 34 drivers.

10 a.m. – Good morning from Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the 15th running of the Smith’s 350 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. It’s sunny and 66 degrees and the forecast calls for sunny skies and a high temperature of 88 degrees. 

Driver introductions are scheduled to begin at noon and Ron Hornaday will lead the field of 34 trucks to the green flag at approximately 12:49 p.m. Hornaday, who is searching for his first Truck Series victory in 11 starts here, won the pole on Friday with a 176.056-mph lap. 

There are four past Smith’s 350 winners in the field today: Austin Dillon (2010); Johnny Sauter (2009); Todd Bodine (2005); and Brendan Gaughan (2003). Jack Sprague and Mike Skinner are the only two-time winners of this race but neither is in the field today. 

There will be no on-track activity today for the IZOD IndyCar Series, which will stage its season-ending IZOD IndyCar World Championships on Sunday, or the Firestone Indy Lights Series. 

Be sure to check back here throughout the day, as we’ll be updating this blog with news, results and driver interviews.