PSCA Western Shootout at Las Vegas

Words by Jim Baker
Photos by Tim Marshall and Brad Baker

Footballs flying through the air signal the return of major drag racing events at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Not since May have drag racing enthusiasts been able to flex their muscles at the track. The first week of October brings Mel Roth’s Pacific Street Car Association Western Shootout to Sin City!

The weatherman appears to be cooperating too, unlike several times in the past. We are writing this on Friday afternoon at the track. The temp is low 70s with a light breeze and this is to be the coolest day of the weekend.

Upon receiving our credentials and entering the track, we spotted the hard working team from our sister publication, Mopar Max, Richard Kratz and Alex Rogeo. They were preparing the Maulin Magnum for street competition.

They were not alone in arriving early (time trials start at 5pm) as a good number of the PSCA faithful were unloading and warming up for the action. Our senses were aroused by a ’64 Chevrolet Nova, which just flew until it “shut off” early, or so we thought. Turned out it was young Chris Alston (Alston Chassis Works) from Elk Grove, California (Sacramento). The car is a blue ’64 Nova with an Alan Johnson hemi and a front mounted blower. They were running 1/8 mile with no early shut off. Turned 4.64 at nearly 200 MPH in the cool night air!