Dillon wins at Las Vegas: #3-Austin Dillon pulled ahead in a dominate fashion following the final restart to win the Smith's 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with almost a six-second lead over second place finisher, #13-Johnny Sauter. Dillon lead the most laps on the day; this is his second series win in his rookie season. Rounding out the top ten were; #31-James Buescher, #30-Todd Bodine, #88-Matt Crafton, #51-Aric Almirola, #18-Brian Ickler, #7-Justin Lofton, #4-Ricky Carmichael, #2-Ken Schrader. There were 14 lead changes among 9 drivers with 7 caution flags for 30 laps.(Official)(9-27-2010)

Post-Race Fast Facts:
Race Winner: Austin Dillon
Age: 20
Team: No. 3 - Bass Pro Shops / Remington / Tracker Boats Chevrolet
Owner: Andy Hillenburg
Crew Chief: Gary Stockman, Jr
*Austin Dillon won the Smith's 350, his second victory in 22 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races. At age 20, he is the youngest series
winner at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Shane Hmiel, age 24, in 2004)
*This is his second victory and 14th top-10 finish in 2010. Dillon is the first Raybestos Rookie candidate to win multiple races since Carl Edwards won three times in 2003. With 12 top-10 finishes in his last 13 races Dillon has gone from 14th to fourth in the point standings.
*This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in one races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
*Johnny Sauter (second) posted his second top-10 finish in two races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It is his 12th top-10 finish in 2010.
*James Buescher (third) posted his first top-10 finish in two races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
*Austin Dillon (first) was the highest finishing rookie.
*Todd Bodine leads the point standings by 262 points over Aric Almirola.
(Provided by NASCAR Statistics - Sat, September 25, 2010 @ 10:54 PM Central)

Race Awards:
21Means21 Pole Award: Austin Dillon, #3
Featherlite Most Improved Driver: Ricky Carmichael, #4 20 Places
Mahle Clevite Engine Builder of the Race: Larry Barnes, #3
Mobil 1 Command Performance Driver of the Race: Johnny Sauter, #13
O'Reilly Auto Parts Position Improvement Award: David Starr, #81 17 places
Raybestos Rookie of the Race: Austin Dillon, #3
Sunoco Diamond Performance: Austin Dillon, #3
WIX Filters Lap Leader: Austin Dillon, #3 93 Laps
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-25-2010)

Lucky Dog Awards - Who got a lap back on each caution at Las Vegas: (and finish)
Caution 1: #6-Lance Fenton, 31st
Caution 2: #57-Norm Benning, 30th
Caution 3: #5-Mike Skinner, 24th
Caution 4: #57-Norm Benning, 30th
Caution 5: #12-Mario Gosselin, 19th
Caution 6: #47-Jeffrey Earnhardt, 18th
Caution 7:#07-Tony Jackson Jr., 17th
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-25-2010)

Driver Point Standings following race #20:
1) #30-Todd Bodine, 3196
2) #51-Aric Almirola, 2934 -262
3) #13-Johnny Sauter, 2896 -300
4) #3-Austin Dillon, 2808 -388
5) #17-Timothy Peters, 2773 -423
6) #88-Matt Crafton, 2773 -423
7) #33-Ron Hornaday Jr., 2687 -509
8) #5-Mike Skinner, 2549 -647
9) David Starr, 2504 -692
10) #7-Justin Lofton 2379 -817
Complete driver point standings following the Smith's 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway are posted on the Las Vegas Point Standings Page.(Official)(9-27-2010)

Dillon wins record pole at Las Vegas: #3-Austin Dillon was the fastest qualifier with a top speed of 174.509 mph to win the pole for the Smith's 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Dillon is the first driver to win five poles in their rookie season. Rounding out the top ten were; #31-James Buescher, #88-Matt Crafton, #13-Johnny Sauter, #30-Todd Bodine, #2-Ken Schrader, #33-Ron Hornaday Jr., #4-Ricky Carmichael, #18-Brian Ickler, #39-Ryan Sieg. DNQ: #87-Chris Jones, #86-Jamie Dick, #95-J.C. Stout, #89-Chris Lafferty, #65-Chris Fontaine. Complete starting lineup is posted on the Las Vegas Lineup Page.(9-25-2010)

Post-Qualifying Fast Facts:
21Means21 Pole Winner: Austin Dillon
Age: 20
Team: No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Remington/Tracker Boats Chevrolet
Owner: Andy Hillenburg
Crew Chief: Danny Stockman
*Austin Dillon won his fifth career 21Means21 Pole with a record average speed of 174.509 mph. This is a record for a Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate. Dillon shared the previous mark with two drivers, Greg Biffle (1998) and Kurt Busch (2000).
*This is Dillon’s first series start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He has started among the top 10 in 15 of his 20 appearances in 2010.
*James Buescher qualified second. This is his first top-five starting position at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
*Matt Crafton qualified third. This is Crafton’s third top-five start at the track.
*Defending race winner Johnny Sauter will start fourth.
*Five drivers failed qualify for tonight’s race: Chris Jones, Jamie Dick, J.C. Stout, Chris Lafferty and Chris Fontaine.
(Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010)((-25-2010)

Buescher quickest in final practice: #31-James Buescher had the fastest lap with a top speed of 174.701 mph to lead the final practice session for the Smith's 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Rounding out the top ten were; #3-Austin Dillon, #62-Greg Pursley, #18-Brian Ickler, #4-Ricky Carmichael, #2-Ken Schrader, #30-Todd Bodine, #33-Ron Hornaday Jr., #19-David Mayew, #13-Johnny Sauter. There were 39 trucks on track for the final session. Final practice speeds are posted on the Las Vegas Practice Speeds Page.(9-25-2010)

Dillion leads opening practice at LVMS: #3-Austin Dillion was the fastest during the opening practice session for the Smith's 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a top speed of 174.984 mph. Rounding out the top ten were; #62-Greg Pursley, #33-Ron Hornaday Jr., #31-James Buscher, #88-Matt Crafton, #19-David Mayhew, #5-Mike Skinner, #13-Johnny Sauter, #47-Jeffrey Earnhardt, #60-Narain Karthikeyan. There were 37 trucks on track for the opening session. Complete practice speeds are posted on the Las Vegas Practice Speeds Page.(9-25-2010)

Official Entry List: There are 41 trucks listed on the final Entry List for the Smith's 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Complete entry list is posted on the Las Vegas Entry Page.(9-25-2010)

Preliminary Entry List: There are 42 trucks listed on the Preliminary Entry List for the Smith's 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Complete entry list is posted on the Las Vegas Entry Page.(9-20-2010)
Some Notes:
#2-Ken Schrader, returns as driver, Kroger Chevrolet for KHI
#6-Lance Fenton, driver, Fuel Doctor Chevrolet for RWR
#9-Jason Bowles, making first series start in Germain Racing Toyota
#15-Nelson Piquet Jr., returns to the #15 Qualcomm Toyota for BBM, Doug George as crew chief
#19-David Mayhew, making first series start, MI Services-Ron's RearEnd Chevrolet
#20-Johanna Long, first start in family-owned Panhandle/Group3 Asphalt Toyota, Kevin Starland, crew chief
#25-Tayler Malsam, returns to RMM driving Exide Toyota
#37-Robbie Brand, first 2010 start, second overall, driving Laguinatas, Osiris, World Com Financial Ford
#60-Narian Karthikeyan, driver, SafeAuto Insurance/Starbeast Motorsports/Stratosphere Chevrolet for TurnOne Racing
#62-Greg Pursley, second start, Star Nursery Chevrolet for Gene Price Motorsports
#65-Chris Fontaine, driver County Building Centers Chevrolet for Tagsby Racing
#73-Rick Crawford, second start driving the SuperSeal Chevrolet for Tagsby Racing
#77-Justin Hobgood, driver, Germain Racing Toyota
#86-Jamie Dick, fifth 2010 start, Viva Auto Group Chevrolet(9-20-2010)
UPDATE:
#37-Robbie Brand, withdrawn from event(9-21-2010)

Truck Series News & Notes - Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Hornaday Jr., Skinner Hard Racers, Avid Car Collectors
Hillman Jr. Toughs It Out Despite Injury
Sauter Looks To Repeat In Vegas

Hornaday Jr., Skinner Barrett-Jackson-Bound In Las Vegas
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway could not have come at a better time for series champions Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 33 E-Z-GO Chevrolet) and Mike Skinner (No. 5 International Trucks-Monaco RV Toyota). Talking scheduling, here, and not about wins on the race track; though considering the season both drivers have had, any kind of win is welcome.  Instead, the topic is the trucks and cars in Skinner’s and Hornaday’s respective garages – which are stocked full of collectables.

This Friday in Las Vegas, the duo will pay a visit as guests of SPEED to the world-renowned Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction – luckily located just 20 miles from the race track. Chances are they will resemble two kids in a candy store.

 Skinner currently is in the process of finishing a barn on his property to house a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS SS with all original stock parts; a 1955 Ford truck; 2006 Corvette Z06 and a custom-built 1991 Chevrolet SS 454 Supersport truck. Hornaday keeps a 1966 El Camino, a 1973 Dodge Charger and a 1968 Chevelle in his garage.  “You could wish for a million bucks and retire and buy anything you want, but I don’t like to buy things,” Hornaday said. “I like to restore them myself and work on them. I don’t know what I’m going to look at next; if I’m going to do some chopping and making the thing a hotrod or what. My next project probably will be something where I’m doing a little chopping and rebuilding.”

Buescher Vows To Win Vegas; Statistics In His Favor
James Buescher (No. 31 Wolfpack Rentals Chevrolet) came within one caution flag of winning his first NASCAR national-series race last Saturday at New Hampshire. After the race he declared, “We will just go win Vegas.”   And statistics show he has a good chance.
 
Las Vegas Motor Speedway has been home to three first-time winners. David Starr (No. 81 Stratosphere Toyota) did it in 2002. Shane Hmiel scored team owner Billy Ballew his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory in 2004 and Johnny Sauter (No. 13 Curb Records Chevrolet) did it last season in dominating fashion.

In addition, 10 drivers have won the last 11 races (Sauter, Mike Skinner, Todd Bodine No. 30 Germain.com Toyota, Travis Kvapil, Hmiel, Brendan Gaughan, Starr, Ted Musgrave, Greg Biffle and Jack Sprague). Skinner, who’s winless this season, is the only active multiple winner (two Las Vegas victories).

Hillman Jr. Sustains Injury At New Hampshire, Still Calls Race
With a severe injury that would have put any professional athlete out of competition, Mike Hillman Jr., crew chief for standings leader Todd Bodine, proved just how determined he is to lead the No. 30 Germain Racing team to their second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship. Hillman was injured last Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway during the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race. A tire carrier when needed, Hillman was carrying tires for a Germain Racing entry during a routine pit stop when he was struck on pit road, sending him across the front hood of the car.

Hillman sustained a dislocated lower bone in his right leg and a broken ankle in the impact, but that did not stop him from sitting atop the pit box Saturday afternoon and calling shots for Bodine in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ 18th race of the season. Bodine finished ninth and now has a 257-point lead in the standings.  His crew chief returned home to North Carolina and received further evaluation from his doctor. He will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair the broken ankle.  His status for Las Vegas is not determined at this time.  It would be the first race Hillman has missed voluntarily. He missed four races in 2008 due to a violation that occurred during pre-qualifying inspection at Daytona. 

Q&A With Jason White: Prefers Racing Over Poker
At the beginning of the season no one would have guessed Jason White (No. 23 Gunbroker.com Dodge) might finish in the top 10 in the standings.
White not only has proven them wrong, he’s also proven he is here to stay. Below are some of his thoughts on his season to-date:
Q: What has been the key to the team’s success in 2010?
“Our season was off to a great start with the pole at Daytona and followed that up with a fourth-place finish. We have had our ups and downs this season, but a fourth-place finish at Kentucky definitely helped. We have had some swings, but I am hoping we can stay on track the next few weeks. I am really looking forward to Las Vegas. I qualified third last year and finished third in the race. Our goal is to keep building this team and keep getting better every week.” 
Q: The series is Las Vegas-bound this weekend. How was your experience playing in the World Series of Poker recently?
“Las Vegas has a great atmosphere – lots of great restaurants to eat at. Playing in the World Series of Poker last year was pretty awesome. I drive race trucks and race cars for a living. I was playing against people who play professional poker for a living, so the competition was stout. I finished 800th out of 6,500 people playing, so it was a lot of fun. But racing is what I love and what I want to focus on.”
Q: You are good friends with Denny Hamlin. He is campaigning hard on Twitter for you to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Most Popular Driver Award. What does it mean to have his support?
“It is pretty cool to have him on our side. We grew up together in Virginia and have been friends for a long time. I raced against him a lot during our go-kart days. It is neat to have him in my corner, willing to help me out in that department. It would be a huge honor to win that award for the fans.”

NCWTS Most Popular Driver Vote Kicks Into High Gear
More than 25,335 votes have been cast for the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Most Popular Driver balloting. Fans can visit www.NASCAR.COM and vote for their favorite driver on the series’ page.  Fans also may write in their favorite driver who is not among the nominees by sending an e-mail to fanfeedback@nascar.com and submit their write-in vote. Voting ends on Nov. 12.
Last week, the current top five vote-getters were announced in alphabetical order: Aric Almirola (No. 51 Graceway Pharmaceuticals Toyota), Johnny Benson, Ricky Carmichael (No. 4 Monster Energy Chevrolet), Austin Dillon (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Ron Hornaday Jr.

The winner will be announced at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series postseason banquet, which returns to South Florida at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel on Monday, Nov. 22. Carmichael won the award last season.

NCWTS, Etc.
Timothy Peters (No. 17 Red Horse Racing Toyota) and Justin Lofton (No. 7 visitpit.com Toyota) will meet the Air Force’s own Red Horse Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base on Friday morning. The civil engineers unit will deploy next month to an undisclosed location.

Tayler Malsam (No. 25 Exide Batteries Toyota) returns to the series for the first time since May 21 at Charlotte to drive for Randy Moss Motorsports. He drove for RMM in 2009 and scored 10 top-10 finishes.

Ken Schrader (No. 2 Kroger Chevrolet) will return to the Kevin Harvick Inc., stable for the sixth time this season. He has scored five top-10 finishes in his five previous starts for the team

Following the Las Vegas race, Ricky Carmichael will travel to Colorado for the Motocross des Nations—an international event that highlights the three best riders from each country. Carmichael last rode professionally in 2007 at the  world competition. He won the Motocross des Nations title on three occasions.

Sauter Becomes Force To Be Reckoned With In 2010
Johnny Sauter began 2010 in typical sophomore-slump fashion.
He finished 35th in the season opener at Daytona, but there’s no shame in that given the unpredictability of the historic venue.  Then he followed up with four finishes outside the top 10 in six races. A big “but”.  He did pick up his second series win, at Kansas. Still, his average finish was 13.9 and his Driver Rating was 92.4 over the first seven events.  Then he picked it up big time. In the 12 races since, Sauter has eight top-five finishes and nine top 10s. All his numbers have exploded.

In the past 12 races, during which he has moved from sixth to third in the standings, Sauter has posted an Average Finish of 6.0, a Driver Rating of 103.5 (which would be even higher if not for a subpar Pocono rating of 72.5), an Average Running Position of 7.3, 68 Fastest Laps Run, a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 93.1% and a Pass Differential (passes minus times passed) of plus-82.  Among drivers who have run each of the past 12 races, Sauter ranks fourth in Driver Rating behind Todd Bodine (116.0), Austin Dillon (106.6) and Ron Hornaday Jr. (106.5).

Those numbers should only improve this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, site of Sauter’s first series win (last season). In that event, he had a Driver Rating of 143.3, an Average Running Position of 3.7, 62 Laps Led and 51 Fastest Laps Run.

Up Next: Martinsville Speedway
After three open weekends on the schedule, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will travel to the hills of Virginia for the Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway. The .526-mile track hosts the series for the 24th time on Saturday, Oct. 23. Hometown native Timothy Peters scored an emotional victory from the 11th starting position — and his first series win — in last year’s event. It was the first time a winner had started outside the top 10 in eight Martinsville races. 
Also, for the first time in series history, the famous grandfather clock trophy will be awarded to the Martinsville winner.(NASCAR PR)(9-21-2010)