This Saturday night at the fast Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be a special tribute to one of Las Vegas’ own bright young racing stars, Spencer Clark, who lost his life in 2006 in a highway accident in New Mexico.
Clark, named a Young Lions National driving phenom in 2001, was on the road to stock car racing stardom after stellar showings at the popular 3/8-mile paved oval when he was named “Rookie of the Year” in 2003. He then competed in the NASCAR West Series and made his NASCAR Busch (now Xfinity) Series debut at the 1.5-mile superpeedway in 2006.
Clark had signed with Cary Agajanian’s Motorsports Management Group and was working with J.D. Gibbs for a future development ride at Joe Gibbs Motorsports.
Following Spencer’s death, the Clark family began the “Spencer Clark Driven” foundation to help other young local Las Vegas racing drivers including Spencer Gallagher, who moved to North Carolina to compete in the NASCAR Busch Series. After the Clark family took a five-year absence from motorsports, veteran racer T.J. Clark returned to racing, fielding Gallagher and other top young Las Vegas racers.
A production company, Ketchum Labs, began a documentary series called “Chasing Spencer,” chronicling Gallagher’s NASCAR career. The series, started in 2014, currently can be seen on Pluto TV.
On Saturday night at the Bullring, the “Spencer Clark Driven” foundation, along with JBM Underground and M&H Building Specialties owner Jerrad Martin, will provide young Legends cars driving talent with additional funding in their Legends events including the 25-lap main event. As T.J. and Debbie Clark assisted underfinanced drivers a decade ago, the “Spencer Clark Driven” Foundation will help several Legends racers in this Saturday’s competition.
“We are very happy that we can assist several young drivers in the Legends class with the ‘Spencer Clark Driven’ foundation,” said Debbie Clark, Spencer’s mother. “Spencer loved driving the Legends cars. We feel it’s important to continue his legacy with the local Las Vegas area racing talent. We want to thank Jerrad Martin and his associates for their participation in the short track racing at the Bullring.”
Leading the JBM Underground/M&H Building Specialties Legends field will be 14-year-old Tyler Reif of Henderson, NV, who dominated last Saturday’s Legend Cars feature. Reif will be challenged this Saturday by other young drivers such as Cody Brown, Amileo Thomson, Enzo Lalama, Jordon Holloway and his 15-year-old older brother, Tanner, who placed third in Saturday’s main. The wild 25-lap main event is expected Saturday for the young Legends drivers.
Tanner Reif, the Foothill High student, returns in the Sigma Performance Service Pro Late Model division after four consecutive feature victories in his No. 43 Boulder Boats/Undaunted Apparel stock car. Reif drove a sensational race last Saturday in a five-car battle with early leader Jeffrey Peterson, Tyler Reif, Kyle Keller and Justin Johnson.
In the 40-lap Modified final last Saturday, it was veteran Eric Rhead of West Jordan, Utah, stealing the limelight from multi-time track champion Doug Hamm, Jar; on Giannini, Sam and Kyle Jacks, Kayli Barker and numerous racer winner Justin Johnson. This week’s Modified main should be another shootout.
Among the other main events this Saturday will be the NASCAR Nostalgia Street Rods Bombers with a 25-lap finale; a 25-lap Super Stock contest; the popular Full-Send Cleaning Skid Plate Cars in a 15-lap feature; and the USLCI Bandoleros 15-lapper.
The “Spencer Clark Driven Night” at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a great, affordable evening for the whole family as well friendly concession prices. Tickets are available by calling 702.644.4444 or online at LVMS.com, and children (age 12 and under) get in free with a ticketed adult.
The Bullring “Spencer Clark Driven Night” Schedule
Saturday, September 11
5:00 p.m. Spectator gates open
5:10 p.m. Skid Plate Car Practice
5:20 p.m. NASCAR Nostalgia Street Rods Bomber Practice
5:35 p.m. NASCAR Sigma Performance Service Pro Late Model Practice
6:00 p.m. NASCAR Power Grade Inc. Modified Practice
6:50 p.m. Opening Ceremonies/National Anthem/Honor Guard for 9/11
7:00 p.m. USLCI Bandoleros Feature 15 laps
Full-Send Cleaning Skid Plate Car Feature 15 laps
Super Stocks feature 25 laps
USLCI American Southwest Electric Legends, featuring
M&H Building Specialists/JBM Underground “Young Guns”
Bonus Feature 25 laps
NASCAR Nostalgia Street Rods Bombers Feature 25 laps
NASCAR Signa Performance Services Pro Late Models Feature 40 laps
NASCAR Power Grade Inc. Modified Feature 40 laps
