Compiled from press releases by Kay Burk
Photos by Ron Lewis

The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was the fourth stop on the 23-race NHRA circuit. It is one of the most popular tracks on the tour, especially for the Sportsman competitors since the first Vegas race is one where all of the Sportsman classes are on the race schedule. There were almost 200 Stock and Super Stock cars entered at this event including a season high 106 entries in the Stock Eliminator division.

The Pro classes, especially the nitro divisions, saw the return of West Coast-only teams including racers Gary Densham, Rob Passey, Arly Langlo, and Steve Faria.

That being noted, there were some remarkable and spectacular performances at this event. In Top Fuel the U.S. Army team has picked up right where they left off last year except without tuner Alan Johnson by winning this event for their second straight Top Fuel title in four events. The U.S. Army-backed team also re-set the record for first round wins in the NHRA surpassing a mark formerly held by Larry Dixon.

Ron Capps got his third Nitro Funny Car win in four races to take a commanding points lead. Defending Pro Stock Champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. collected his second win this year.