Words by Eric Lotz
Photos courtesy NHRA

Nearly 400 of the best racers from the Western United States converged on The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the NHRA JEGS Pacific SPORTSnationals with nine champions being crowned the first day of competition. 

Alan Ellis, Mapleton, Utah, earned the Comp Eliminator win and trophy combining a perfect reaction time with a  lap of 6.670 seconds at 202.76 mph to run down former NHRA Lucas Oil National Champion Dean Cater, Glendale, Ariz., and his front engine dragster.