LAS VEGAS -Brandon Whitt, 19, is proof that "it isn't over until its over" as he won the Star Nursery NASCAR Late Model Classic at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The first three rows of the 140-lap classic were comprised of Las Vegans Kyle Busch, Thane Alderman, Bill Newman, Steve Anderson, Jason Allen and Wayne Jacks out of a total of 14 locals. Busch, fastest qualifier quickly pulled ahead of the field. The 16-year-old sailed through lap traffic and maintained his lead to the halfway break.
Running order after 70 laps (Top 10): Busch, Dick Cobb, Steve Anderson, Bill Newman, Rich Attisani, Brandon Riehl, Thane Alderman, Jason Allen, Ray Hooper Jr. and Brandon Whitt.
Busch continued to hold the lead position during the second half of the 140-lap race until lap 129 when he and Attisani made contact sending both drivers to the back of the field allowing Cobb to become the new leader. Hooper Jr. and Cobb made contact on lap 135, bringing out the sixth caution flag and were sent to the back of the field. On the same lap Allen, who would have been the next leader, was black flagged for leaking oil on the track. The 2001 Bullring NASCAR Late Model track champion and rookie of the year, was having the same problem earlier in the race and worked on it during the halfway break. After Allen was black flagged, Newman took command. On lap 138, the second place driver Anderson and Newman made contact sending both to the back of the field. Whitt of El Cajon, Calif. took over as the new leader and maintained it to the checkered flag. Alderman finished second followed by John Tyezki of Lakeside, Calif., Gary Tomborelli of Escondido, Calif. and Brandon Riehl of Boring, Ore.
"It was one of the most exciting races I have been in all year, "Whitt said. " I knew we had a good car, but I was hard to get around those guys. We drove a smooth race."
Ron Peterson of San Bernardino, Calif. won the 100-lap Mechanix Wear Speed Truck race. Spencer Clark of Las Vegas started on the pole after qualifying second. He led the 26-truck field for 31 laps. The 14-year-old experienced mechanical problems and left the track after lap 79. Darren Young of Gilbert, Ariz., Dan Digiacomo of Laguna Miguel, Calif. and Peterson battled for the lead throughout the race with Peterson taking control on lap 98 for the win. Digiacomo finished second followed by Young, Scott Rueschenberg and Troy Decuir.
"I have never driven harder than I have tonight," Peterson said. " I have never won here in Vegas so it is the first time. I wasn't going to let it slip by."
Young collected $50 from Pit Stop Die Cast Collectibles for leading the most laps (38).
Local Casey Kingsland won the Mechanix Wear Speed Truck Dash for Cash.
Star Nursery NASCAR Late Model Classic Results (140 laps): 1. Brandon Whitt, 2. Thane Alderman, 3. John Tyezki, 4. Gary Tomborelli, 5. Brandon Reihl, 6. Steve Anderson, 7. Bill Newman, 8. Dan Holt, 9. Rich Attisani, 10. Ray Hooper Jr., 11. Scott Gafforini, 12. Dick Cobb, 13. Danny Gay, 14. Michael Ayers, 15. Jason Allen, 16. Kyle Busch, 17. Gerald Lair, 18. Mark Ayers, 19. Jody Tanner, 20. David Quartaro, 21. Jerry Spilsbury, 22. Nick Joanides, 23. Tony Bruncati, 24. Kevin Vernon, 25. Nathan Wulff, 26. Wayne Jacks.
Mechanix Wear Speed Trucks (100 laps): 1. Ron Peterson, 2. Dan Digiacomo, 3. Darren Young, 4. Scott Rueschenberg, 5. Troy Decuir, 6. Richard Franz, 7. Danny Williams, 8. Dave Hartsook, 9. Randy Brown, 10. Lee Hatch, 11. Jim Van Gordon, 12. Kerry Steen, 13. Kenny Smith, 14. Scott Saunders, 15. Jimmy Perry, 16. Bobby Sayers, 17. Troy Anderson,18. Gary Bryant, 19. Jeff Rocheleau, 20. Jeff Davis, 21. Spencer Clark, 22. Nathan Mirth, 23. Casey Kingsland, 24. ,25. Donny Goodwin, 26. T.J. Clark.
NASCAR Late Model B Main Results (20 laps, top four transfer to A Main): 1. Kevin Vernon, 2. Danny Gay, 3. David Quartaro, 4. Mark Ayers.
NASCAR Late Model C Main Results (15 laps, winner transfers to A Main): 1. Luke Hall.
Mechanix Wear Speed Trucks Dash for Cash (Last six qualifiers): 1. Casey Kingsland, 2. Bobby Sayers, 3. Kerry Steen, 4. Kenny Smith, 5. Gary Bryant, 6. Jeff Rocheleau.
NASCAR Late Model Qualifying Results (Top five): 1. Kyle Busch (14.946), 2. Thane Alderman (14.970), 3. Billy Newman (15.003), 4. Steve Anderson (15.018), 5. Jason Allen (15.023).
Mechanix Wear Speed Trucks Qualifying Results (Top five): 1. Darren Young (16.002), 2. Spencer Clark (16.030), 3. Nathan Mirth (16.087), 4. Scott Rueschenberg (16.088).
