April 4, 2008

NHRA stars Scelzi, Kalitta, Lucas, Todd, Johnson, Coughlin to compete in Thunder Roadsters April 12 at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

LAS VEGAS – The stars of the National Hot Rod Association’s POWERade Drag racing Series will invade The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 12, for a special 15-lap match race. NHRA drivers Gary Scelzi, Doug Kalitta, Morgan Lucas, J.R. Todd, Allen Johnson and Jeg Coughlin, Jr. will race each other in Thunder Roadsters during Saturday’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series short track stock car racing program. The race will have a surprise honorary starter and Switzerland’s Top Fuel Dragster pilot Urs Erbacher will serve as color commentator. The drivers, in town for the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at LVMS, also will participate in the evening’s opening ceremonies.

Four-time NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series champion Gary Scelzi is taking particular aim at fellow Mopar racer Allen Johnson.

“I'm just going to wax him,” Scelzi joked. “Allen Johnson is not going to have a chance unless he has dad (engine builder Roy Johnson) over there tuning on that engine. That's the only chance that Allen Johnson's got to beat me. Tommy Johnson Jr., Ron Capps, Cruz Pedregon and I did it last year. It was so much fun to run on pavement. My preference is obviously running on dirt, but we absolutely had a ball. The fans enjoyed the heck out of it. We have Doug Kalitta going to play this year, who was a USAC world champion. It's going to be a lot fun.”

Defending NHRA Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin also is looking forward to the 15-lap contest.

"We're going to give it a whirl," Coughlin said. "I know Scelzi and Doug Kalitta are racing and those guys know what they're doing so my initial plans are to survive. As long as we all have fun, it'll be worthwhile"

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Pro Stock standout Allen Johnson. “I love doing events like this, and would love to do even more in the future. It’s really not hard for me to transition from the drag strip to the circle track. Anything that involves competition, I love it.”

In addition to the NHRA match race, Bullring fans will be treated to a complete program of stock car racing on LVMS’ 3/8-mile asphalt oval. Classes in competition April 12 include Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Late Models, Thunder Roadsters and Bombers.

Spectator gates will open at 5 p.m. The Bullring’s concession stand includes a family-friendly dollar menu, featuring $1 hot dogs, $1 soda and $1 beer.

To purchase tickets for the Bullring or the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals, please call the LVMS ticket office at (702) 644-4444 or visit www.LVMS.com online.