The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will pay tribute to a quartet of West Coast Stock Car Hall of Famers on Saturday night.
LVMS founder Richie Clyne, South Point Hotel owner Michael Gaughan, long-time NASCAR team owner Craig Keough and veteran crew chief Jerry Pitts will be saluted this Saturday night in association with Round 3 of the 10-race short-track series at the paved 3/8-mile oval beginning at 6:45 p.m. PDT.
In addition to honoring the legends, the Bullring will host its first driver autograph session of the season prior to Saturday’s seven main events which features the Sigma Performance Service Pro Late Models, Mojave Construction NASCAR 602 Modifieds, NASCAR Nostalgia Street Rods Bombers, Late Model Truck Series, USCLI Legends and Bandoleros.
Following a 13-month layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on-track action resumed last month at the Bullring and the competition level has already seen outstanding wheel-to-wheel, nose-to-tail racing in all divisions including close finishes at the checkered flag.
Another “youth” movement is taking place at the Bullring which saw the likes of young stars Kyle and Kurt Busch, Brendan Gaughan, Noah Gragson and Riley Herbst vaulted to impressive NASCAR careers.
Last Saturday proved to be the “teenagers” night with 14-year-old Cody Hiemele of Riverside, Calif., driving his stock car past 15-year-old Tanner Reif of Las Vegas and 14-year-old Josh Bollman of Huntington Beach, Calif., in a spirited three-car duel to the finish in the Pro Late Model finale. All three youngsters are expected back to fight for Saturday’s 35-lap main event as well as Pahrump’s R.J. Smotherman, who is just 16 years old.
Thirteen-year-old Tyler Reif, also of Las Vegas, seeks his third consecutive USLCI Legends feature win this Saturday after another impressive drive last week over 17-year-old Jordon Holloway in a stellar two-driver battle in the 25-lap feature.
The two-car battle in the high-speed NASCAR 602 Modified category with multi-time series champion Doug Hamm and opening night feature winner Justin Johnson has been a highlight of Bullring action in the first two nights of 2021 competition and the two Las Vegas racers will lead the field this Saturday. Racing inches apart throughout much of the two 40-lap main events in the first two nights, Hamm and Johnson are the favorites along with Peyton Saxton and Sam and Kyle Jacks.
The 2021 Bullring season is now the 37th campaign at the popular oval, just south of the famed 1.5-mile LMVS track.
The 2021 Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway schedule will have remaining programs on May 29, June 5, June 19, July 3, Sept. 4, Sept. 11, Sept. 23 (with the ARCA Menards Series) and Nov. 6 (Open Competition).
Gates open at 5 p.m., the drivers’ autograph session is set for 5:30 p.m. and the Hall of Fame presentation at 6:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies will take place at 6:50 p.m.
Children 12 and under will be admitted free with a ticketed adult on Saturday and throughout the 2021 Bullring season. Purchase tickets in advance by visiting or calling the LVMS ticket office at 800-644-4444 or online at LVMS.com.
The Bullring Hall of Fame Night Schedule
Saturday, May 15
5:00 p.m. Spectator gates open
5:30 p.m. Drivers’ Autograph Session
6:30 p.m. Hall of Fame Presentation
6:50 p.m. Opening Ceremonies/National Anthem
7:00 p.m. NASCAR Nostalgia Street Rods Bombers Race 1 feature – 25 laps (25 minutes)
USLCI Bandolero Bandits/Outlaws feature – 12 laps (15 minutes)
TBA (determined on car count) – 20 laps (20 minutes)
USLCI Legends feature – 25 laps (25 minutes)
NASCAR Signa Performance Services Pro Late Models feature – 35 laps (35 minutes)
NASCAR Mojave Construction 602 Modifieds feature – 40 laps (40 minutes)
NASCAR Nostalgia Street Rods Bombers Race 2feature – 25 laps (25 minutes)
