LAS VEGAS – The start of the Late Model Truck Series’ 2018 season has been re-scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 25.

The trucks – which have a long history in short track racing in the southwest – were scheduled to be part of the racing action at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 2, but were unable to open their season due to last-minute cancellations. Series organizers Mike Riefler and Gary Wyatt are planning to schedule a make-up date for the cancellation, and that will be announced in the coming weeks.

“We’re disappointed that we were unable to open our season June 2 at The Bullring, but are optimistic about our future dates,” said Riefler, a longtime Bullring competitor. “This was our decision and was not the track’s call. We encourage everyone to spread the word about the Late Model Truck Series and would like to thank all of our supporters and sponsors. We look forward to a great season.”

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 Aug. 25 race on Back to School Night, the LMTS will race at the 3/8-mile Bullring during on 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
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.