Bullring runner-up achieves No. 1 goal

Jimmy Parker Jr. looked admiringly at his Super Late Models stock car after Saturday night’s feature race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s Bullring — not a scratch on it.

“My biggest goal is to bring it home in one piece,” Parker said.

That seemed to please him more than finishing second to Taylor Barton in the NASCAR All-American Series.

“My dad always taught me if you can do that, we can make it faster,” said Parker, a driving instructor with the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the speedway.

Other drivers weren’t as fortunate as Parker. The race cars of Steve Anderson, reigning series champion Scott Gafforini and others came out of the race missing pieces.

Parker, 22, was one of the track’s hot teenage NASCAR prospects a few years ago, with aspirations of moving up to a national racing series. But the cast of potential stars quickly grew crowded, and costs have skyrocketed the past two years.

“I’m an old guy now when it comes to NASCAR,” he said.

Parker’s car sustained major damage in a Bullring crash at the end of the 2007 season, and limited funds kept him off the track.

He has returned and rebounded this season with three top-10 finishes, and Saturday’s showing was his best.

Casey Kingsland sponsors Parker’s car with his King Carpet Cleaning business. He also works on the car and serves as Parker’s spotter.

“I just want to help Jimmy now. I’d love to race again, but it’s too hard to get the money to do it right now,” said the 24-year-old Kingsland, who competed in four NASCAR truck series races a few years ago with underfunded teams.

He has helped Parker close in on a top-five ranking in the NASCAR All-American Series. Barton, who posted his second win of the season, extended his series points lead after Justin Johnson finished 11 laps down in 15th place.

In other series, Cole Cabrera of Exeter, Calif., edged Jeremiah Wagner of Las Vegas to win the 100-lap ASA Speed Truck race; Cheyanne Schindler won her first title in Legend Cars rookies; and Phil Goodwin won for the third time in three Chargers races.

Other winners were Jarod Carpenter (Thunder Roadsters), Dallas Simonette (Bombers), Donny St. Ours (Legends), Christian Warren (Bandolero Bandits), and Patrick O’Hanley (Bandolero Young Guns).

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