LAS VEGAS – Three drivers forever etched their names in The Bullring’s history books by clinching track titles at Pack the Track Night presented by K&N Air Filters on Saturday.
Chris Clyne won the NASCAR Super Late Models 50-lap feature – his ninth victory of the season – to put an exclamation point on his first championship at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway short track. Clyne – whose father, Richie, founded LVMS – now has 22 career Bullring wins.
“I couldn’t do it without all these guys behind me, who bust their butts for me and never gave up on me,” Clyne said. “It means a lot. I’ve got to thank my mom, Aunt Donna, J.T. and everybody who helps me out.
“I’ve got one of my heroes, Art Goldstrom, here tonight, and that means a lot to me.”
Cameron Morga’s return to The Bullring after nearly a year away ended with him in the Winner’s Circle after he wheeled his way to victory in the 25-lap USLCI Legends feature. Morga won for the 17th time at the LVMS short track, finishing 1.639 seconds ahead of Jaron Giannini, who clinched the season title for the second consecutive year.
“It feels really good, and I’m really happy to be back here,” said Morga, a two-time Legends track champion. “I haven’t raced here since Legend Car Nationals last year, so it’s good to know we can come back and be fast. I’ve got to give a big thank you to Donny St. Ours, who gave me a great car, and I always have fun racing with Jaron and them.”
Jadan Walbridge clinched the first track title of the night, finishing second to Tanner Reif by .357 of a second in the 30-lap Jr. Late Models feature to secure his first Bullring championship. The Portland, Ore., driver will officially claim his crown along with the three-eighths-mile paved oval’s other season champs on Championship Night on Sept. 21.
“It feels pretty good, especially being my rookie year out here,” Walbridge said. “Wow, John Keller’s been killing it all year bringing me a great car every weekend. We struggled a little bit in practice and qualifying, but obviously got it dialed in there in the main event.
“I love this track, and it’s got a lot of banking, grip and speed and was really racy. I’m sad that the season’s over, but thank you all for coming out.”
For Reif, it was his fourth victory at The Bullring.
“I’m just happy to be here,” Reif said. “Thank you to the fans and everyone who helped us get here. I’m just so glad we could be here in victory circle.”
Doug Hamm kept his 2019 train chugging along, winning the 35-lap NASCAR 602 Modifieds feature by more than two seconds over Brian Reed. Hamm is in line to tie all-time Bullring wins leader Scott Gafforini with his sixth career track title since 2000.
“This one’s for my mom,” said Hamm, who also won a Bullring title before the track was reconfigured in 2000. “Her birthday’s tomorrow, so happy birthday mom, I love you. We’re working on (title) number seven, and we’ve just got our fingers crossed and will keep doing what we’ve been doing at the shop and keep on rolling.”
Camden Larsen won for the second time in three races in the NASCAR Super Stocks division, taking the checkered flag 3.274 seconds ahead of points leader Sam Jacks. Larsen tied his father, Matt, for career Bullring wins with 10 thanks to the triumph.
“This feels great,” Larsen said. “I should have been there last week, but got screwed over a little bit stuck in third place trying to pass second. I really wanted two in a row, but two works and I’m happy with it.
“I wasn’t out here looking for a win tonight, but you always want one. Dad, we’re going to Buffalo Wild Wings tonight!”
Adam Simon passed points leader Vinny Raucci Jr. with five laps remaining in the 25-lap NASCAR Bombers feature and finished 2.323 seconds ahead of Jacob Quartaro for his third career Bullring win. His wins have come in 2014, 2018 and 2019.
“Like my other wins, those last few laps were the longest of my life,” Simon said. “(Raucci Jr.) is a great friend of mine, I’ve watched him race and have raced alongside him, and he’s a clean racer. I just had the better car tonight at the end.”
Late Models Truck Series driver Cody Cambensy enjoyed his first trip to The Bullring, taking the checkered flag in the 35-lap feature. He finished more than three seconds ahead of Matt Jaskol – who edged Michael Egurloa by a nose at the line – for the win in the biggest field the LMTS has seen, 15 trucks, since it returned to action last year.
“After winning, I’m hooked now,” Cambensy said. “I didn’t know if these guys were going to be able to get underneath me on that last re-start, but we were able to bring it home. I’ve never been (to The Bullring) before, and we decided to come out here and have some fun.”
Landon Gresser held off Chloe Lynch and Brendan Tracy in the 12-lap USLCI Bandolero Outlaws feature, crossing the line .261 of a second clear of Lynch. It was the 15th career victory for the 2018 Bandolero Bandits track champion.
Hank Hall rebounded from a disqualification a week ago to win the USLCI Bandolero Bandits 12-lap feature, taking the checkered flag 5.705 seconds ahead of points leader Ashton Leonard. It was Hall’s fifth win of the season.