LAS VEGAS -- Drivers from seven states made the trip to the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Saturday night to compete in Saturday's M.J. Dean Construction-sponsored open competition race for Modifieds. Dean Kuhn of Oceanside, Calif. -- Irwindale Raceway's 2001 Modified champion -- set fast time in qualifying and went on to win the open competition race.
Drivers from Ariz., Calif., Colo., Nev. and Utah traveled to Las Vegas to compete in the 60-lap main event.
Fabian Bray -- the Bullring's 2001 Grand American Modified track champion -- qualified third behind Kuhn and Steve Luecht.
Both track champions battled for the lead in the 27-car field. Doug Hamm was involved in an accident with Ed Vecchiarelli of Brighton, Colo., on the fourth lap. The mishap brought out the red flag and sent both drivers home early. At the halfway point, Kuhn was first, followed by Bray and Randy Swalwell of Las Vegas. A caution flag was thrown for a mandatory 10-minute break on lap 30. During this stoppage, drivers were allowed to work on their cars but niot chanbge tires.
When the race restarted, Kuhn led Bray and Rocky Mountain Raceway track champion Lynn Hardy to the checkered flag.
"The plan was to get out front, get a good lead and stay there -- to put it on cruise control," Kuhn said. "We were lucky we were able to do that. These guys run really good, really hard. I can't believe how good this track is. I couldn't believe I came to a short track like this and it had this kind of bite," Kuhn said. "I can't believe that amount of traction you have here. I had a great time."
Jim Wysong of Salt Lake City, Utah collected $400 in the Nevada Dodge/ Vegas Valley Alarms Modified Dash for Cash. The dash consisted of the final eight qualified drivers. Finish Line Graphics, Addicted to Danger, Capels Productions, LVMS tech crew, LVMS scoring, LVMS starter crew, LVMS fire/safety crew, Doug Riefler, John David Wells, David Stetzer, Chris Bruskevith and Petrie Racing also contributed to the dash's purse.
The ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series was included on the evening's program. Jackie Weethee of Grove City, Ohio, won the 30-lap main event. Robert Kati of Tuscon, Ariz., finished second, followed by Ron Searle Jr. of Tuscon, Bill Withers of Columbus, Ohio, and Scott Pike of Kingman, Ariz.
In Legends Car action, Jesse Brown collected his first win in the 30-lap main event. The fastest three qualifiers -- Brown, Spencer Clark and Danny Williams -- finished first, second and third. Rookie David Anderson finished fourth followed by John Taylor.
Luke Whitney won the demolition derby.
M.J. DEAN CONSTRUCTION 60-LAP MODIFIED FEATURE RESULTS: 1. Dean Kuhn, 2. Fabian Bray, 3. Lynn Hardy, 4. Sonny Boeckman, 5. Jerry Walton, 6. Travis Thirckettle, 7. Tony Ackerland, 8. Ronnie Hultz, 9. Larry Gerchman, 10. Jim Cooksey, 11. Patrick Vogel, 12. Mark Ith, 13. Glenn Davis, 14. Dave Williams, 15. CJ Scherkenbach, 16. Scott Gafforini, 17. Jim Wysong, 18. Randy Swalwell, 19. Roger Carufel Jr., 20. Steeve Luecht, 21. Tom Ault, 22. Rod Johnson, 23. Jay Becker, 24. Tiny Lewis Jr., 25. Charlie Wahl, 26. Ed Vecchiarelli, 27. Doug Hamm.
NEVADA DODGE/ VEGAS VALLEY ALARMS (LAST EIGHT QUALIFIERS) DASH FOR CASH: 1. Jim Wysong, 2. Jim Cooksey, 3. Tom Ault, 4. Dave Williams, 5. Patrick Vogel, 6. CJ Scherkenbach, 7. Glenn Davis, 8. Tiny Lewis Jr.
ARCA LINCOLN WELDERS TRUCK SERIES 30-LAP FEATURE RESULTS: 1. Jackie Weethee (Grove City, Ohio), 2. Robert Kati (Tucson, Ariz.), 3. Ron Searle Jr. (Tucson, Ariz.), 4. Bill Withers (Columbus, Ohio), 5. Scott Pike (Kingman, Ariz.), 6. Norm Weaver (Morgantown, W.Virginia), 7. Robbin Slaughter (Columbus, Ohio), 8. Charlie Pike (Kingman, Ariz.).
LEGENDS CARS 30-LAP FEATURE RESULTS: 1. Jesse Brown, 2. Spencer Clark, 3. Danny Williams, 4. David Anderson, 5. Justin Johnson, 6. Ryan Mosher, 7. John Taylor, 8. Rick Rogas, 9. Frank Eidrich, 10. Greg Haase, 11. Aric Wiszt,12. Jovon Halen, 13. Steve Legg, 14. Dennis Lovelady, 15. Denny Habler, 16. Matt Daly, 17. Jim Laughlin, 18. Jerry Jones, 19. BJ Bollman, 20. Kurt Minnick, 21. Mark Tompkins, 22. Ron St. Amand.
DEMOLITION DERBY WINNER: Luke Whitney
