More than 200 cars are pre-registered for this weekend's 16th Annual RACEceiver Legends Car and Thunder Roadster Asphalt Nationals at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The marquee event for the 600 Racing Legends and Thunder Roadstesr has attracted cars from 28 states and Canada.
"We are incredibly excited for the Asphalt Nationals this weekend." said Darrel Krentz, executive director of INEX. "This is the most pre-entries we've ever had for a national event, and we expect to have even more on opening day. These fields are really stacked with talent, and a driver will have to bring his A-game to win this year. The racing will be fantastic."
The Lone Star State of Texas boasts the most pre-entries with 30 cars make the trek to Las Vegas. California and Nevada are close behind with 26 and 24 entries respectively.
The most surprising aspect of the pre-registered drivers is the 30 Thunder Roadsters already entered. Eleven of those roadsters will be from Texas, and the number guarantees a B-main in the division. Additionally, a large contingent of California Thunder Roadster drivers, who are not pre-registered, are expected to make the trip.
"I really couldn't be happier with the Thunder Roadster entry list," Krentz said. "Thirty roadsters is phenomenal, and we really think we'll have more from California."
Defending Legend Pro Asphalt Nationals winner Casey Roderick is registered, and will be looking to make it a clean sweep on the year, having clinched the National Pro point title already. Roderick will have strong competition from Jordan Anderson, whom he battled all year for the point title, and won at the 2005 Asphalt Nationals in Semi-Pro. Texas's Chris Buescher has been lights out at The Bullring this season, winning in seven times in eight starts. Craig Goess, Jr. is always a threat to win at the Asphalt Nationals, and 2005 Asphalt Nationals Pro champion Johnny Gottsacker will be on hand as well. There are 62 entries in the Pro division.
The Semi-Pro division has 64 drivers entered, and is led by national point champion, John Stancill of North Carolina. Stancill has been tough to beat all year, racking up a perfect 2500 points en route to the championship. In 50 races this season, Stancill had 45 top-10 finishes.
Texas's Jason Richardson will certainly be someone to watch. Richardson won 24 races, and finished second to Stancill in the national points title. Jeremiah Wagner might be the best chance for a local Nevada driver to collect the victory at the Asphalt Nationals. Wagner collected 17 victories at LVMS in 2007.
Masters driver Clay Hair will be vying for his fifth straight Asphalt Nationals victory. Hair is the reigning Masters national point champion as well. He will face tough competition from fellow North Carolinian Cotton Spry and Minnesota's Tim Brockhouse. Canadian driver Frank Johnston will also be on hand to try and dethrone Hair. There are 50 entries in the Masters division.
The Thunder Roadster division will feature a battle between point champion Justin Long from Texas and runner-up Edward Hohman from Nevada. The Van Wingerden family from North Carolina will be a trio to watch as Thomas Van Wingerden won the Thunder Roadster championship at the Summer Shootout in Charlotte, N.C.
Early registration will take place at the Rio Hotel & Casino starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Parking for regional qualifier winners and VIP participants will take place at the track, Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Opening parking will take place starting at 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Thursday is a practice day with credentials and the pit area opening at 7 a.m. Mandatory tech opens at 10 a.m. as does on-track practice with alternating groups. All cars must pass mandatory pre-race tech before qualifying, but not before practice.
Friday will include qualifying and heat races. It closes with the Race of Champions for state winners, broken down by division.
Saturday is championship day with all features, starting at 1 p.m.