Local NHRA event to draw a crowd

A slumping economy is not affecting this weekend's ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The speedway announced Thursday all reserved seats, which take up the 18,000-seat permanent grandstand, have been sold, and only a few remain for today and Saturday, although unlimited general admission tickets are available.

"The NHRA events in Las Vegas have been some of the most well-attended events on the NHRA schedule each year, and this year is no different," speedway president Chris Powell said.

Sportsman racing began Thursday, and professional qualifying is today and Saturday leading to Sunday's championship eliminations. ...

Top Fuel driver Rod Fuller leads a contingent of 23 Sportsman racers from Southern Nevada competing in the NHRA event.

Fuller, eighth in points, won the Top Fuel title last year, a day after winning the Technicoat Shootout all-star title.

Local veteran Jimmy Lintz is a former Super Gas national event champion, and Justin Lamb will compete in Super Stock and Super Comp divisions. ...

Youngsters can compete in a Halloween costume contest at 2:30 p.m. in the Powerade display on the west end of the midway in the pit area. After the 4 p.m. pro qualifying session, many race teams will have candy for trick-or-treaters in their pit areas.

• BULLRING -- When drag racing concludes Saturday, action moves to the speedway's 3/8-mile Bullring oval for the annual Speedfest, which begins with racing at 7 p.m.

The 50-lap SMRA Supermodifieds Classic highlights the schedule. It will give Las Vegas resident Jim Belfiore an opportunity to watch his son, Justin Belfiore of Haverhill, Mass., race.

After Funny Car drag racer Gary Scelzi of Fresno, Calif., completes his two rounds of qualifying in the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, he'll speed to the Bullring to watch Michael Faccinto of Hanford, Calif., drive for his team in the USAC Western States Midget 40-lap Fall Classic.

The last feature of the night will be a 100-lap stock race for the Southwest Tour series' season finale. Among those entered are Craig Raudman, Jim Petit II and Greg Voight, who are battling for the season championship.

For information on speedway events: 644-4444 or LVMS.com.

Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247.