China’s clean-air effort won’t curtail LVMS race

The National Hot Rod Association’s pro tour stop in October at Las Vegas Motor Speedway should not be threatened by an apparent shortage of nitromethane fueled by China’s effort to curb pollution during the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

The volatile fuel that powers Funny Cars and Top Fuel dragsters is available for racing only through a Chinese manufacturer and American distributor VP Racing Fuels, which is the exclusive supplier for NHRA.

A pending shortage led NHRA officials to indefinitely ban testing by nitro teams at its member tracks.

“What we’ve been told by NHRA is that once the summer is over, the concern (about a nitro shortage) should be over,” said Chris Blair, Vice President of Racing Operations.

The ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals is scheduled for Oct. 30 to Nov. 2.

Nitromethane, which also is used in production of fertilizers and pharmaceuticals, isn’t the only product affected by China’s attempt to clear its air.

Blair said the speedway’s fireworks supplier alerted him that any pyrotechnics it might want to use in the fall should be ordered by June because of a possible shortage.

• POWELL PROMOTED — Chris Powell has been promoted from executive vice president to president of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The North Carolina native became general manager of the track when Speedway Motorsports Inc. purchased it in late 1998.

• DESERT RACING — The Las Vegas-based Menzies Motorsports team will be in Pomona, Calif., this weekend hoping to extend its hot streak in the Championship Off Road Racing Series.

Menzies’ Bryan Freeman remains undefeated in four Super Buggy races. Teammate Rob MacCachren has won three of four races in both Pro 2 truck and Pro Buggy to lead points in both classes.

Bryce Menzies, 20, will return to drive his Pro Lite truck after missing the last race in Primm with minor injuries incurred in a practice crash.

• SHORT TRACKS — One horsepower could pay off Saturday night at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring if your last name is “Brown.”

If Big Brown wins the Belmont Stakes horse race to give him the Triple Crown and your name is Brown, you will get free admission into the NASCAR All-American Series event later in the day.

Saturday also is Police and Firefighter Appreciation night, with the first 300 spectators getting a free doughnut. …

J. Avila Jr. was awarded the featured win in Saturday’s Bandolero Young Guns race after Patrick O’Hanley’s car was disqualified after failing post-race technical inspection. …

This year’s NASCAR All-American Series national banquet will be Nov. 7 at the Rio. Track champions, including the Bullring winner, will be honored. …

Rich Rochell won his first race of the season Saturday at Death Valley Raceway in Amargosa Valley. The 42-year-old veteran racer from Las Vegas started fifth in the Dwarf Cars race before taking the lead on the 10th lap and holding it for the final 10.

Other winners were: Dan Fitzgerald (IMCA Modifieds), Mike Lysinger (Classic Coupe), Jim Parker (Micro Sprint), Eric Slusher (Modified Minis) and Anthony DeBiase (Super Stocks).

The next race at the track is scheduled for June 14.

• MOTORCYCLES — James Stewart of Haines City, Fla., remains undefeated in two AMA Motocross events after winning Saturday in Sacramento, Calif. …

A reality television show — “Ricky Carmichael: Next” — chronicling the motocross legend’s transition into stock-car racing premiers June 14 on Speed (Digital 329). The 15-time two-wheel champion is driving in regional NASCAR races for a team owned by veteran racer Ken Schrader.

Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247.