WWS: SWS: Las Vegas testing recap

NASCAR drivers prepare for Oct. 13 races at LVMS

LAS VEGAS -- NASCAR drivers spent Monday preparing for the 24 Hour Fitness 150 NASCAR Winston West Series race and Nevada 100 Featherlite Southwest Series race Oct. 13 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Mark Reed is among the drivers that tested on the 1.5-mile superspeedway today. Reed is 25 points behind NASCAR Winston West leader and 2000 champion Brendan Gaughan. Earlier this year, Reed won the NAPA 300 at the Bullring at LVMS. With two races remaining in the season, Reed looks to take the point lead from Gaughan.

" We have to beat him (Gaughan) the last two events," Reed said." As a driver, I aspire to the bigger tracks. We set the new track record at Fontana this year, so we feel like we are competitive on the superspeedway.

" Our strategy all year long has been to try to qualify in the top 10, finish in the top five and try to be the top finishing rookie," Reed said." I don't think we can be as conservative as we have been early in the year, we have to put us in a position to win."

NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series points leader Craig Raudman also tested for the Oct. 13 race. Raudman won the StarNursery.com 250 earlier this year at the Bullring at LVMS.

" I'm looking forward to getting fast time and winning this race," Raudman said." That is what we are after. That is why we are out here testing."

Also testing Monday were Austin Cameron (Winston West), Johnny Borneman (Winston West), Sammy Potashnick (Winston West) Craig Raudman (Southwest Series) and Scott Lynch (Southwest Series).

In addition to the 24 Hour Fitness 150 and Nevada 100, the stars of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will return to LVMS for the running of The Orleans 350 on Sunday, Oct. 14. Tickets are available for all three events by calling 1-800-644-4444.

-LVMS-