Las Vegas Bullring summary 2004-10-30

LAS VEGAS -- Thane Alderman of Las Vegas won the VP Racing Fuels Super Late Model Championship at the Orleans Hotel and Casino Fall Classic at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Saturday night.

Alderman won the event last year and carried that momentum to this year's event. The 2002 Bullring Super Late Model champion was the fastest qualifier and started the 140-lap feature on the pole. Alderman was challenged early by Mike Cofer of Henderson but was able to hold the two-time Super Bowl champion off. Billy Mitchell of Las Vegas took the inside line of Alderman in turn three on lap 36 for the lead. Mitchell's lead was short lived after he was sent to the rear of the field after brake checking on the restart after a caution period on lap 41. Alderman was awarded the lead and maintained it through the mandatory midway break and to the checkered flag. Cofer finished second followed by the 2003 Bullring Super Late Model champion Chuck Trickle and the 2004 Super Late Model Rookie-of-the-Year Travis Swalwell.

"The last half of the season we really have been on our game. It was a lot of hardwork. I need to thank Robby of Auto Tech for giving me this ride," said Alderman in Summit Racing Equipment Victory Lane. "The car was perfect the second half of the race. We put a little stager in it (at the break). It was a little tight in the center, but Cofer drove me clean. Many times he could have got me, but he drove me clean the first half and then we made the change and it was good enough to get into Summit Equipment Victory Lane."

The 2004 Bullring Late Model champion Doug Hamm won the Justice Brothers 100 Late Model Championship presented by Impact Sports and Entertainment. Hamm was the fastest qualifier and started the 100-lap race in the front row. Tim Huddleston of Agoura, Calif. and Hamm took turns taking command of the 15-car field. The three-car train of Hamm, Huddleston and Andrew Myers maintained a significant lead until lap 77 when Myers broke. Hamm then was unchallenged for the win. Huddleston finished second followed by Mike Mulhall of Monrovia, Calif. and Eric Richardson of Bakersfield, Calif.

"I'm worn out. I'm glad we won tonight," said Hamm in Summit Racing Equipment Victory Lane. "My dad AJ does the chassis and it was hooked up. This win is for the whole crew and my devoted fans."

Michael Morrissey Jr. of Tahoe City, Calif. was the fastest qualifier for the IMCA Modified Pavement Nationals and started on the pole for the 50-lap feature. Morrissey was trailed by Andrew Phipps of Simi Valley, Calif., but able to maintain his lead for the entirety of the race to take the checkered flag. Phipps finished second followed by Don Williams of Las Vegas and Nick Parker of Kearns, Utah.

"We had fastest time, won our heat, won the main. The car was gorgeous," said Morrissey Jr. in Summit Racing Equipment Victory Lane. "It was a great weekend."

The ASA Speed Trucks ran two 75-lap segments to breakup the 150-lap feature event. Lee Hatch of Covina, Calif. took the checkered flag in the first 75-lap ASA Speed Truck Challenge presented by CMKXtreme.com. JD Gardner and Spencer Clark both of Las Vegas continually challenged Hatch for the lead, often in side-by-side battles. In the end Hatch won while Clark finished second and Gardner third. The finish of this race determined the starting lineup for the second half.

Seventeen-year-old Spencer Clark of Las Vegas won the second 75-lap ASA Speed Truck Challenge presented by CMKXtreme.com and was crowned the winner of the entire 150-lap Speed Truck event. Clark started on outside pole and quickly took command of the 21-car field. Gardner was Clark's only strong challenger, but broke on lap 62. Clark continued to lead the field to the checkered flag. Gardner finished second followed by Hatch and Danny Williams of Las Vegas.

"It (patience) is just something you have to do to get to the front. It's how you win races," said Clark in Summit Racing Equipment Victory Lane. "I have to thank my dad and Mike Sevy for backing us."

Nevada Secretary of State Dean Heller finished 19th and 20th respectively in the ASA Speed Truck Challenge presented by CMKXtreme.com.

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