Perkins wins IMCA event; Gilbert prevails

Las Vegas Motor Speedway officials welcomed an estimated 900 fans, the largest crowd of the season, to the 1/3-mile dirt track Saturday night for Fan Appreciation Night. While drivers were competing at the dirt arena, drag racers were thundering down the quarter-mile dragstrip on the south side of the property.

In the IMCA Modified main event, Jim Perkins took the victory with a late race pass for the lead. Mark Allison led virtually the whole race, but Perkins was able to take the high groove with five laps remaining to gain the point. At the same time, Dan Fitzgerald took the low route and stole second place from Allison.

Legends cars made a special appearance on the dirt oval. Points leader Kyle Busch, 15, showed that he can make it around any oval, dirt or paved. Busch led Shawn Lee and Bobby Ruppert Jr. to the flag.

Jay Ewing topped the Dwarf car main event with Ronnie Williams and Angelo Monticelli following.

Anthony DeBiasse visited victory lane for the Street Stock division. Despite a late race challenge for the lead, Allen Levinson could not make the pass and finished in the runner-up position. Milos Petaros finished third.

At the dragstrip, Gary Gilbert shot his racing machine to the final round Pro ET victory over Rudy Long, highlighting local National Hot Rod Association/Craftsman ET drag race action.

Gilbert had a time of 12.065 seconds at 119.14 mph, while Long made his pass at 8.992 seconds at 149.46 mph.

Paul Haszlauer guided his race car to a time of 11.874 seconds at 108.66 mph to beat Scott Horsley in the Sportsman. Horsley went 12.75 seconds at 104.73 mph.

Billy Farnum turned a time of 14.441 seconds at 89.51 mph to win the Street category over John Farnum, who had a time of 12.715 seconds at 108.12 mph.

Jerry Taylor powered his machine to a 10.677 second pass at 116.87 mph to win the motorcycle competition over Kahea Woods, who had a runner-up effort of 8.999 at 141.26 mph.

In the Junior Dragsters 12.90 class, Cruz McDonald was the winner with a time of 13.684 seconds at 39.67 mph. The runner-up was Adam Weatherbee with a time of 22.391 seconds at 16.14 mph.

Tanna Sanders won the Junior Dragsters 8.90 division. Sanders turned a time of 9.252 seconds at 60.11 mph. The runner-up was Greg Hicks with a time of 11.806 seconds at 52.55 mph.

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