Veteran driver takes over series points lead with win
LAS VEGAS – Mark Allison used some veteran know-how to drive to Victory Lane on Saturday night.
The longtime regional racer took the lead early in the Late Model Truck Series’ 35-lap feature at The Speedway at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, Calif., and never looked back. Allison, who started second, crossed the line ahead of series co-manager Mike Riefler, with California’s Eric Reschke taking third, LMTS co-manager Gary Wyatt finishing fourth and Mike McKearn rounding out the top five.
It was Allison’s first visit to California ¼-mile oval, and the Las Vegas native has now competed at nearly 60 tracks during his career.
“That’s the smallest track I’ve ever been on, and it was real hard to pass on,” said Allison, who is competing full time in the Lucas Oil Modifieds Series this year. “It’s a technical little track that’s flat and is a one-groover. Within the first few laps, we sorted ourselves out and that’s where we ran. It was a pretty good race, and we were all right there together.”
With the race win, Allison took over the No. 1 spot in the Late Model Truck Series points standings. McKearn – who is taking over the No. 10 LMTS truck from Arlie Daniels for the rest of the season – won the heat race earlier in the evening.
“I raced them before when they had the ASA speed trucks, and they’re fun to drive,” Allison said. “The heat race was really good, too.”
The race was the feature of the Elgin Pro Stock Performance Prestige Weekend for the regional series and part of the track’s “Destruction in the Desert Race Nights” Part 1 of 2. Allison received a $250 product certificate toward Elgin Pro Stock Performance push rods or Black Ice Rocker Arms in addition to the payout, and the top five finishers took home The Racer’s Rewards Contingency Connection coupon books with up to $3,000 in race product coupons.
“Gary Wyatt and I put in a lot of work to make our trip to Rosamond, Calif., go as smooth as possible, and we have to thank our staff for making it all come together,” Riefler said. “Andy Daddario and his staff put on a great show, and everything they did went like clockwork and on schedule. We are excited and look forward to our next race at Havasu 95 Speedway 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 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 – Melling Performance Racing, The Bomber Nation, KO Mechanical Services, Gary’s Trailer Repair, Nevada Pic-A-Part, The “Racer’s Rewards” Contingency Connection, Richmond Gear and ReliableBanner.com.
Late Model Truck Series results
The Speedway at Willow Springs, Rosamond, Calif.
Saturday, Oct. 13
Late Model Truck Series 35-lap feature
1. Mark Allison; 2. Mike Riefler; 3. Eric Reschke; 4. Gary Wyatt; 5. Mike McKearn.
Remaining 2018 Late Model Truck Series schedule
Nov. 10 Havasu 95 Speedway Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
