Bristol Motor Speedway
Late-season specials on tap for Western drivers
From staff reports
A string of late-season specials for West Coast racers kicks off this weekend with the 22nd annual Budweiser Nationals at Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway. The Oct. 12-13 event, featuring two complete programs for Super Late Models, is the first of several wrapping up the season out West.
Also coming up through mid-November is Western Dirt Nationals at Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif., a three-race weekend of action in Arizona and the 10th annual Duel in the Desert at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway.
Budweiser Nationals: The 22nd annual Budweiser West Coast Nationals carries a $22,000 total purse for Super Late Models, which will run under Western Allstars rules. The opening-night feature pays $2,000 to the winner with $3,000 going to the winner of the finale. Both features pay at least $250 to each starter. Mike Johnson of Lompoc, Calif., won last year's event.
Western Dirt Nationals: The 12th annual Western Dirt Nationals features a two-day Late Model program with $3,000 going to the winner and at least $300 to each starter. Five other divisions will be in action during the unsanctioned event. Johnson won last year's event.
Western World Championships: Western Allstars Late Models will run Nov. 8 and 10 in a non-points event at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz. USAC sprints cars will also be in competition during the Parker Store-sponsored weekend. Winning Late Model purses are $3,000 on Nov. 8 and $5,000 on Nov. 10 with at least $500 going to the starter of each event at a track which hasn't hosted a Late Model event since 2004. Central Arizona Raceway in Casa Grande will make it a three-race weekend by hosting an unsanctioned $2,000-to-win event on Nov. 9.
Duel in the Desert: Unsanctioned Super Late Models (following Western Allstars rules) will be in action the Las Vegas Motor Speedway's dirt track on Nov. 16-17 for a two-day event paying $5,000 to the winner and at least $400 to every starter. Late Models will time trial and heat race on Friday with consolation races and the main event on Saturday. Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wis., won last year's event in a California-based Victory Circle Chassis. Modifieds are in action Nov. 15-17.
