Supers, Late Models to run in same race

Super Late Model and Late Model stock cars will begin competing in a combined feature race Saturday night in the NASCAR All-American Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Bullring.

The merger of the stock-car series was contemplated before the season began three weeks ago. After only six Super Late Models -- the premier class -- survived practice sessions for the April 5 feature, the speedway decided to implement the move.

Specifications have been modified to reduce the performance gap that track officials hope produce full, 26-car starting fields on the three-eighths-mile.

Super Late Models will begin using 9-inch-wide, treaded tires instead of 10-inch slicks; Late Models will continue to use the smaller tire and will have their minimum weight reduced by 100 pounds.

Points will be kept separately for each class for determining season champions.

• DESERT RACING -- The Best in the Desert racing series' Terrible's 250 is Saturday behind Buffalo Bill's in Primm.

The event will begin today with racing over a 1.5-mile course for Trophy Karts, which are half-scale race trucks using 265cc engines.

• SAND DRAGS -- Also in Primm, the National Sand Drag Association is conducting its Spring Nationals today through Sunday near Primm Valley Resort. The top classes are Top Fuel and Top Alcohol dragsters.

• DRAG RACING -- The Las Vegas Motor Speedway dragstrip will feature a special motorcycle bracket-racing event Saturday in memory of 2003 track champion Jason Whitenack, who died in an October highway accident. The Jason Whitenack Motorcycle Shootout will run in conjunction with that night's Jerry's Nugget Championship Drag Racing Series event. ...

• MOTORCYCLES -- Supercross points leader Chad Reed rebounded from a crash in practice to finish 12th Saturday in Detroit, but his lead was trimmed to 17 points over Kevin Windham. Davie Millsaps won his second race of the season.

Reed, who leads with eight wins this year, is expected to compete Saturday in St. Louis. The series then races in Seattle before the May 3 finale at Sam Boyd Stadium. ...

The 37th annual World Mini Grand Prix motocross championships began Monday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and will continue Sunday. More than 1,000 riders are expected to compete for $200,000 in cash and contingency awards.

For information: (951) 587-9805 or nmamx.com.

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