For teenager Amilleo Thomson, all he remembers as a child is going to the Bullring at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and watching his grandfather John compete at the fast 3/8-mile paved oval with aspirations of moving up the racing ladders and battling in the Pro Late Model cars.
Now, at just age 17, the Las Vegas racer is proving to be one of the fastest drivers at the Bullring as he scored his second straight Pro Late Model feature win Saturday in the No. 14 Star Nursery machine as part of the “Going Green” Night in the Round 2 of the 2024 Star Nursery Series.
Two weeks ago, Thomson, who started racing go-karts at age 4, captured his first main event at the Bullring after a spirited battle with Jaron Giannini in the first two feature events. Driving to a wire-to-wire win in the second 40-lapper, the excited youngster thanked his crew, sponsors and fans as he leaped into the arms of everyone in victory lane.
Last Saturday, Thomson started fourth and held off Giannini again to take his second consecutive 40-lap win under the tutelage of multi-time Bullring champion Chris Clyne who has known the young Thomson since he was born. Thomson showed his emotion again with the victory by jumping on the hood of his race car in the winner’s circle.
Second went to fast qualifier Jaron Giannini in the No. 25 car followed by young Gavin Ray, former Bullring track champion Scott Gafforini, Arizona’s T.J. Roberts and early leader Colton Ray. Johnny Spilotro, Ashton Leonard, David Anderson and Dave Campoverde rounded out the top ten.
“It was amazing tonight,” said Thomson in victory lane. “I was just going for it. I want to thank Chris Clyne, Star Nursery, Royal Purple and our other sponsors for giving me a great car. Chris has been my driving coach since I started racing and he is a great spotter too. Our goal is to win the Bullring championship and this win is another step towards that goal. Thanks to the fans too.”
While the 17-year-old Thomson returned to victory lane Saturday night, it was another familiar face in the winner’s circle with nine-time track champion Doug Hamm running wire-to-wire in the 30-lap 602 Modified feature. After taking most of the 2023 season off, the popular “Hounddog” is back and fighting for another Bullring title in 2024 in the fast No. 4X.
Chasing Hamm throughout the main event was Sam Jacks in the No. 29 machine followed by Brian Williams, Ben Williams, David Boardman, Scott Ozborn and Brian Reed.
“We have had some tough luck the last two races, and my crew has really worked hard to get this get ready,” said Hamm. “I love racing here at the Bullring as well as working with this crew. After racing very little in 2023, we have made the commitment to go for another championship this year. Thanks so much to the great fans who come out each week. It’s fun racing in front of you.”
As usual the highly competitive lap USLCI M&H Building Specialists/JBM Underground Legend car feature provided some outstanding wheel-to-wheel and bumper-to-bumper action in the 25-lap final, as Cody Brown, Branden Giannini and Stephen Brucker battled for the lead. After a mid-race spin by Brendan Tracy, Giannini, the 2022 U.S. Legend Cars Championship race winner, made the inside move in turn three on the leader Brown, who was seeking his second straight Bullring feature win. Brown tried to apply the pressure to Giannini, but the No. 25 car was too tough, and Branden scored the victory.
Brown had to settle for second followed by Brucker, Sean Salazar, Keller Meechudhome, Scott Harbison, Roxali Kamper, B. Tracy, Keaton Harbison and Bryanna Bruce.
“The restart was important for me,” said Giannini. “The car was good after five or six laps, and I wanted to for long runs. I have been racing at the Bullring since 2006 and it always feels great to get to victory lane. We had a good battle with Cody and Stephen. There is always great competition in the Legend cars.”
In the twin 20-lap Super Stock main events, another Jacks brother, Kyle, captured both finales after Sam won the feature two weeks ago in the fast No. 4 stock car. Second in the first race went to Colton Ray followed by Don Geary, Mike McKearn and Bill Paddack Jr., while runner-up in race two was Paddack Jr., with third to Ray followed by McKearn and Geary.
“We have put together a fast car right now,” said K. Jacks. “I just hit my marks and the car did the rest. We have taken this car to many racetracks and put it in victory lane.”
In the twin NASCAR Nostalgia Street Rods Outlaw Factory Stock mains, it was Justin Cicchini, who returned to the Bullring after 17 years, who took the 20-lapper over Rob Pfaffly, Michael Miller, Jacob Quartaro and last month’s winner Nick Nuccitelli. Pfaffly then returned to win the 25-lap feature later in the night over Miller, Pete Meyer, N. Nuccitelli and early race leader Dallas Simonette.
Young Aspyn Lange of Wyoming dominated the 12-lap USLCI M&H Building Specialists/JBM Underground Bandoleros main event Saurday over Siena Nuccitelli, James Trimmer, last month’s winner Wyatt Layne, Austin Steinke, Leila Trimmer, Tuck Webster, Dyland Layne, Maryah Soloman and Jeff Conners.
In the popular 12-lap Bullring Skid Plate feature, former track champion Ben Williams came from a back straightaway starting spot to take the lead on lap nine and score his second 2024 win in the black No. 6. Jeff Dailey and Zach Satkowiak rounded out the victory podium followed by Dylan Hummel, Ed Shoemaker, Greg Lee, Ken Coombs, early leader Greg Matta, Rich McMahon and A.J. Hintsala.
NEXT RACE: The 2024 Star Nursery Series at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway returns on Saturday, March 23, with the “Hometown Heroes & First Responders Night” featuring Pro Late Models, Modifieds, Legend cars, Factory Outlaw Stocks, Super Stocks and Bandoleros plus the popular Skid Plate cars. Adult general admission is $8.00 with children 12 & under free. For more information, please contact the LVMS ticket office at 800-644-4444 or online at LVMS.com. For stockyard passes, please call 800-644-4444, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. PST.
2024 Bullring Racing Season, Round 2 for the Star Nursery Series
Saturday, March 9, 2024 (Starting position in [ ])
PRO LATE MODELS
NASCAR Pro Late Models A Feature 1 (40 Laps): 1. 14X-Amilleo Thomson[4]; 2. 25-Jaron Giannini[5]; 3. 18-Gavin Ray[3]; 4. 38-Scott Gafforini[7]; 5. 24-TJ Roberts[2]; 6. 71-Colton Ray[1]; 7. 77-Johnny Spilotro[9]; 8. 17-Ashton Leonard[6]; 9. 5-David Anderson[10]; 10. 44-Dave Campoverde[8]; 11. 95-David Fountain[11]
NASCAR Pro Late Models Qualifying 1 (2 Laps): 1. 25-Jaron Giannini, 00:15.557[11]; 2. 14X-Amilleo Thomson, 00:15.600[10]; 3. 18-Gavin Ray, 00:15.638[9]; 4. 24-TJ Roberts, 00:15.679[6]; 5. 71-Colton Ray, 00:15.725[7]; 6. 17-Ashton Leonard, 00:15.850[5]; 7. 38-Scott Gafforini, 00:15.887[8]; 8. 44-Dave Campoverde, 00:16.015[2]; 9. 77-Johnny Spilotro, 00:16.106[4]; 10. 5-David Anderson, 00:16.278[3]; 11. 95-David Fountain, 00:18.865[1]
NASCAR Pro Late Models Hot Laps 1: 1. 25-Jaron Giannini, 00:15.570; 2. 14X-Amilleo Thomson, 00:15.706; 3. 18-Gavin Ray, 00:15.746; 4. 71-Colton Ray, 00:15.977; 5. 17-Ashton Leonard, 00:16.133; 6. 24-TJ Roberts, 00:16.136; 7. 77-Johnny Spilotro, 00:16.211; 8. 5-David Anderson, 00:16.355; 9. 44-Dave Campoverde, 00:16.405; 10. 95-David Fountain, 00:21.186
NASCAR Pro Late Models Hot Laps 2: 1. 14X-Amilleo Thomson, 00:15.637; 2. 18-Gavin Ray, 00:15.760; 3. 38-Scott Gafforini, 00:15.853; 4. 71-Colton Ray, 00:15.971; 5. 24-TJ Roberts, 00:15.997[1]; 6. 17-Ashton Leonard, 00:16.072; 7. 77-Johnny Spilotro, 00:16.108; 8. 5-David Anderson, 00:16.283; 9. 44-Dave Campoverde, 00:16.380
602 MODIFIEDS
NASCAR 602 Modifieds A Feature 1 (30 Laps): 1. 4X-Doug Hamm[1]; 2. 29-Sam Jacks[4]; 3. 6-Brian Williams[3]; 4. 24-Ben Williams[2]; 5. 7B-David Boardman[6]; 6. 0Z-Scott Ozborn[5]; 7. 14X-Brian Reed[8]; 8. 75-Robby Clutts[9]; 9. 21M-Billy Mitchell[7]; 10. (DNS) 41-Kyle Jacks
NASCAR 602 Modifieds Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 4X-Doug Hamm[4]; 2. 6-Brian Williams[3]; 3. 0Z-Scott Ozborn[1]; 4. 21M-Billy Mitchell[2]; 5. (DNS) 75-Robby Clutts
NASCAR 602 Modifieds Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 24-Ben Williams[1]; 2. 29-Sam Jacks[4]; 3. 7B-David Boardman[2]; 4. 14X-Brian Reed[3]; 5. (DNS) 41-Kyle Jacks
NASCAR 602 Modifieds Qualifying 1 (2 Laps): 1. 4X-Doug Hamm, 00:15.431[1]; 2. 29-Sam Jacks, 00:15.436[9]; 3. 6-Brian Williams, 00:15.618[7]; 4. 14X-Brian Reed, 00:15.658[8]; 5. 21M-Billy Mitchell, 00:15.823[4]; 6. 7B-David Boardman, 00:15.844[3]; 7. 0Z-Scott Ozborn, 00:15.851[6]; 8. 24-Ben Williams, 00:15.977[5]; 9. 75-Robby Clutts, 00:16.569[2]; 10. (DNS) 41-Kyle Jacks
NASCAR 602 Modifieds Hot Laps 1: 1. 41-Kyle Jacks, 00:15.488; 2. 29-Sam Jacks, 00:15.632; 3. 14X-Brian Reed, 00:15.765; 4. 6-Brian Williams, 00:15.769; 5. 0Z-Scott Ozborn, 00:15.823; 6. 24-Ben Williams, 00:15.838; 7. 75-Robby Clutts, 00:15.988; 8. 21M-Billy Mitchell, 00:16.025; 9. 4X-Doug Hamm, 00:16.144[1]; 10. 7B-David Boardman, 00:16.504
NASCAR 602 Modifieds Hot Laps 2: 1. 41-Kyle Jacks, 00:15.451; 2. 29-Sam Jacks, 00:15.603; 3. 14X-Brian Reed, 00:15.766; 4. 0Z-Scott Ozborn, 00:15.799; 5. 21M-Billy Mitchell, 00:15.928; 6. 7B-David Boardman, 00:15.980[1]; 7. 75-Robby Clutts, 00:15.982
M&H BUILDING SPECIALISTS/JBM UNDERGROUND BANDOLERO
US Legend Cars International Bandolero Feature (12 Laps): 1. 12-Aspyn Lange[1]; 2. 86-Siena Nuccitelli[6]; 3. 56-James Trimmer[2]; 4. 21W-Wyatt Layne[5]; 5. 14-Austin Steinke[3]; 6. 16T-Leila Trimmer[7]; 7. 5T-Tucker Webster[4]; 8. 18B-Dylan Layne[9]; 9. 28-Maryah Soloman[8]; 10. 7X-Jeff Conners[11]; 11. (DNS) 9-Peyton Harbison
USCLI MH Building Specialties/JBM Underground Heat 1 (4 Laps): 1. 12-Aspyn Lange[4]; 2. 14-Austin Steinke[3]; 3. 21W-Wyatt Layne[2]; 4. 16T-Leila Trimmer[1]; 5. 18B-Dylan Layne[5]; 6. 7X-Jeff Conners[6]
USCLI MH Building Specialtie Heat 2 (4 Laps): 1. 56-James Trimmer[3]; 2. 5T-Tucker Webster[1]; 3. 86-Siena Nuccitelli[4]; 4. 28-Maryah Soloman[5]; 5. (DNS) 9-Peyton Harbison
US Legend Cars International Bandolero Practice 1: 1. 12-Aspyn Lange, 00:19.498; 2. 14-Austin Steinke, 00:19.843; 3. 56-James Trimmer, 00:20.130[1]; 4. 86-Siena Nuccitelli, 00:20.176; 5. 9-Peyton Harbison, 00:20.222; 6. 16T-Leila Trimmer, 00:20.313; 7. 5T-Tucker Webster, 00:20.769
US Legend Cars International Bandolero Practice 2: 1. 12-Aspyn Lange, 00:19.415; 2. 86-Siena Nuccitelli, 00:19.694; 3. 14-Austin Steinke, 00:19.920[1]; 4. 56-James Trimmer, 00:20.102; 5. 21W-Wyatt Layne, 00:20.162; 6. 9-Peyton Harbison, 00:20.170; 7. 16T-Leila Trimmer, 00:20.225; 8. 5T-Tucker Webster, 00:20.558; 9. 18B-Dylan Layne, 00:22.569; 10. 28-Maryah Soloman, 00:24.246; 11. 7X-Jeff Conners, 00:24.689
SATURDAY M&H BUILDING SPECIALISTS/JBM UNDERGROUND LEGEND CARS
USCLI MH Building Specialties/JBM Underground A Feature 1 (25 Laps): 1. 25B-Branden Giannini[2]; 2. 88XP-Cody Brown[3]; 3. 2SP-Stephen Brucker[1]; 4. 17-Sean Salazar[4]; 5. 18M-Keller Meechudhone[14]; 6. 34M-Scott Harbison[5]; 7. 14K-Roxali Kamper[6]; 8. 98P-Brendan Tracy[9]; 9. 21HYL-Keaton Harbison[13]; 10. 12-Bryanna Bruce[11]; 11. 30°-Doug Sheldon[7]; 12. 34-Trent Dillard[16]; 13. 21YL-Madilyn Lange[10]; 14. 50-Ryder Juarez[8]; 15. 45Z-Zeke Anderson[15]; 16. 8-Scott Janssen[17]; 17. 11YL-Tanner Ash[12]
USCLI MH Building Specialties/JBM Underground Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 2SP-Stephen Brucker[3]; 2. 88XP-Cody Brown[4]; 3. 34M-Scott Harbison[2]; 4. 30°-Doug Sheldon[1]; 5. 98P-Brendan Tracy[7]; 6. 12-Bryanna Bruce[5]; 7. 21HYL-Keaton Harbison[6]; 8. 45Z-Zeke Anderson[8]; 9. 8-Scott Janssen[9]
USCLI MH Building Specialties/JBM Underground Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 25B-Branden Giannini[4]; 2. 17-Sean Salazar[2]; 3. 14K-Roxali Kamper[6]; 4. 50-Ryder Juarez[7]; 5. 21YL-Madilyn Lange[8]; 6. (DNF) 11YL-Tanner Ash[1]; 7. (DNF) 18M-Keller Meechudhone[3]; 8. (DNF) 34-Trent Dillard[5]
USCLI MH Building Specialties/JBM Underground Practice 2: 1. 88XP-Cody Brown, 00:16.537[1]; 2. 25B-Branden Giannini, 00:16.651; 3. 2SP-Stephen Brucker, 00:16.758; 4. 18M-Keller Meechudhone, 00:16.838; 5. 17-Sean Salazar, 00:16.858; 6. 34M-Scott Harbison, 00:16.947; 7. 30°-Doug Sheldon, 00:17.040; 8. 21HYL-Keaton Harbison, 00:17.129; 9. 14K-Roxali Kamper, 00:17.145; 10. 12-Bryanna Bruce, 00:17.433; 11. 50-Ryder Juarez, 00:17.451; 12. 21YL-Madilyn Lange, 00:17.752; 13. 8-Scott Janssen, 00:17.847
USCLI MH Building Specialties/JBM Underground Practice 1: 1. 25B-Branden Giannini, 00:16.564; 2. 2SP-Stephen Brucker, 00:16.703; 3. 88XP-Cody Brown, 00:16.807; 4. 18M-Keller Meechudhone, 00:16.823; 5. 34M-Scott Harbison, 00:16.854; 6. 30°-Doug Sheldon, 00:16.964; 7. 17-Sean Salazar, 00:16.985; 8. 11YL-Tanner Ash, 00:17.003; 9. 12-Bryanna Bruce, 00:17.096[1]; 10. 34-Trent Dillard, 00:17.123; 11. 14K-Roxali Kamper, 00:17.136; 12. 98P-Brendan Tracy, 00:17.147; 13. 21HYL-Keaton Harbison, 00:17.149; 14. 45Z-Zeke Anderson, 00:17.620; 15. 21YL-Madilyn Lange, 00:17.664; 16. 50-Ryder Juarez, 00:17.689; 17. 8-Scott Janssen, 00:17.713
BULLRING SKID PLATE CARS
Bullring Skid Plates A Feature 1 (12 Laps): 1. 6W-Ben Williams[12]; 2. X-Jeff Dailey[6]; 3. 10 4-Zach Satkowiak[11]; 4. 22-Dylan Hummel[10]; 5. 48-Ed Shoemaker[9]; 6. 23-Greg Lee[7]; 7. 1W-Ken Coombs[5]; 8. 11-Greg Matta[3]; 9. 71-Rich McMahon[2]; 10. 6-AJ Hintsala[4]; 11. 7-Christina Harper[8]; 12. (DNS) 4X-Cecilia Dillie
Bullring Skid Plates Hot Laps 1: 1. 6W-Ben Williams, 00:30.929; 2. 1W-Ken Coombs, 00:31.790[1]; 3. 7-Christina Harper, 00:32.011; 4. 11-Greg Matta, 00:33.061; 5. 48-Ed Shoemaker, 00:33.989; 6. 22-Dylan Hummel, 00:34.413; 7. X-Jeff Dailey, 00:34.851; 8. 6-AJ Hintsala, 00:35.298; 9. 23-Greg Lee, 00:35.405; 10. 4X-Cecilia Dillie, 00:45.817
Bullring Skid Plates Hot Laps 2: 1. 1W-Ken Coombs, 00:12.612; 2. 6W-Ben Williams, 00:29.848; 3. 7-Christina Harper, 00:31.724; 4. 11-Greg Matta, 00:32.537; 5. 22-Dylan Hummel, 00:32.796; 6. 23-Greg Lee, 00:32.834; 7. 48-Ed Shoemaker, 00:33.011; 8. X-Jeff Dailey, 00:33.205[1]; 9. 6-AJ Hintsala, 00:33.530; 10. 4X-Cecilia Dillie, 00:41.047
NASCAR NOSTALGIA STREET ROD OUTLAW FACTORY STOCKS
NASCAR Nostalgia Street Rod Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 07-Justin Cicchini[9]; 2. 11-Rob Pfaffly[7]; 3. 21-Michael Miller[8]; 4. 44-Jacob Quartaro[5]; 5. 6-Nick Nuccitelli[4]; 6. 96-Pete Meyer[3]; 7. 17-Dallas Simonette[6]; 8. 97-Nick Lautenbach[2]; 9. 66-Tuscan Nuccitelli[1]; 10. 03-Stephen Irvine[10]
NASCAR Nostalgia Street Rod Feature 2 (25 Laps): 1. 11-Rob Pfaffly[7]; 2. 21-Michael Miller[6]; 3. 96-Pete Meyer[3]; 4. 6-Nick Nuccitelli[4]; 5. 17-Dallas Simonette[2]; 6. 97-Nick Lautenbach[1]; 7. 66-Tuscan Nuccitelli[9]; 8. 44-Jacob Quartaro[5]; 9. 03-Stephen Irvine[10]; 10. 07-Justin Cicchini[8]
NASCAR Nostalgia Street Rod Outlaw Factory Stocks 1: 1. 07-Justin Cicchini, 00:18.591; 2. 21-Michael Miller, 00:18.688; 3. 17-Dallas Simonette, 00:18.738; 4. 11-Rob Pfaffly, 00:18.769[1]; 5. 96-Pete Meyer, 00:19.264; 6. 97-Nick Lautenbach, 00:19.518; 7. 03-Stephen Irvine, 00:21.784
NASCAR Nostalgia Street Rod Outlaw Factory Stocks 2: 1. 21-Michael Miller, 00:18.625[1]; 2. 07-Justin Cicchini, 00:18.634; 3. 11-Rob Pfaffly, 00:18.662; 4. 17-Dallas Simonette, 00:18.829; 5. 44-Jacob Quartaro, 00:18.890; 6. 6-Nick Nuccitelli, 00:19.064; 7. 96-Pete Meyer, 00:19.256; 8. 97-Nick Lautenbach, 00:19.410; 9. 66-Tuscan Nuccitelli, 00:19.756; 10. 03-Stephen Irvine, 00:21.353
NASCAR SUPER STOCKS
NASCAR Super Stocks Super Stocks Feature #1 (20 Laps): 1. 4-Kyle Jacks[2]; 2. 18R-Colton Ray; 3. 45-Don Geary[3]; 4. 64-Mike McKearn[6]; 5. 60-Bill Paddack Jr[4]; 6. 44H-Robbie Hewitt[5]
NASCAR Super Stocks Super Stocks Feature #2 (20 Laps): 1. 4-Kyle Jacks[5]; 2. 60-Bill Paddack Jr[1]; 3. 18R-Colton Ray[4]; 4. 64-Mike McKearn[2]; 5. 45-Don Geary[3]; 6. 44H-Robbie Hewitt[6]
NASCAR Super Stocks Super Stocks Practice 1: 1. 4-Kyle Jacks, 00:16.705; 2. 18-Gavin Ray, 00:16.824; 3. 45-Don Geary, 00:16.933[1]; 4. 60-Bill Paddack Jr, 00:21.902
NASCAR Super Stocks Super Stocks Practice 2: 1. 4-Kyle Jacks, 00:16.685; 2. 45-Don Geary, 00:16.919; 3. 18R-Colton Ray, 00:16.931; 4. 60-Bill Paddack Jr, 00:17.524
