Late Model Truck Series Returning to Action This Summer at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
In less than a month, the long-awaited return of the Late Model Truck Series will become a reality. The trucks – which have a long history in short track racing in the southwest – will be part of the racing action at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 2, during the track’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series race night.
Series organizers Mike Riefler and Gary Wyatt are planning a five-event schedule for the LMTS in 2018, including a trio of appearances at The Bullring.
“We’re excited to bring a truck racing tour like the Late Model Truck Series back to the Southwest,” said Riefler, a longtime Bullring competitor. “We’ve seen a growing interest in our region for this kind of racing, and we believe the series will provide drivers and fans with yet another way to love and enjoy local racing. Kicking the season off at The Bullring will be a thrill, and we can’t wait to expand the series throughout the region.”
The LMTS will compete at local tracks, from 1/4-mile short tracks to 1/2-mile ovals, as well as 1.7-mile and 2.1-mile road courses.
In addition to the June 2 race, the LMTS will race at the 3/8-mile Bullring during Back to School Night on Aug. 24 and Pack the Track Night on Sept. 22. From there, the series moves on to The Speedway at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, Calif., on Oct. 13, and is tentatively scheduled for Havasu 95 Speedway in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., on Nov. 10.
The region’s truck racing lineage dates back to the Speed Truck Series that originated in 1997 under the American Speed Association (ASA). MechanixWear gloves and Go Fast! energy drinks sponsored the class throughout the years, and the trucks raced at up to 10 different tracks in California, Arizona and Nevada before the ASA disbanded in 2013.
The series trucks will feature a full-tube chassis, a 330-horsepower sealed V-8 spec engine and two-speed direct-drive transmission, with a clutch pedal dump valve, coupled to an aluminum quick-change rear end. The trucks sport replica fiberglass bodies of the Chevrolet S-10, Chevrolet Colorado, Dodge Dakota, Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma.
Series partners include the On Wheels Now online radio show – the longest-running motorsports radio show in Las Vegas – The Bomber Nation, KO Mechanical Services, Gary’s Trailer Repair, Nevada Pic-A-Part, The “Racer’s Rewards” Contingency Connection and ReliableBanner.com.
2018 Late Model Truck Series schedule
Date Track City
June 2 The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Las Vegas
Aug. 25 The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Las Vegas
Sept. 22 The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Las Vegas
Oct. 13 The Speedway at Willow Springs Rosamond, Calif.
Nov. 10* Havasu 95 Speedway Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
*Tentative date.