Las Vegan excelling as rookie

Steve “Bear” Rzesnowiecky of Las Vegas heads to Blythe, Calif., on Saturday for the penultimate race of the ASA Speed Truck Challenge Series having already clinched the top rookie honor.

Rzesnowiecky, 15, is third overall in points with one victory this season driving a Chevrolet S-10 for United Nissan Racing.

He also won a Legends Cars exhibition race Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on the mini-oval that uses part of the speedway’s main track. He will compete Oct. 6 at the LVMS Bullring with a chance to win the Legends Pro division season championship.

• NASCAR — The schedule for the 2008 Sprint Cup Series, which currently is Nextel Cup, was released this week.

The biggest change is at the start of the season when teams face five consecutive weeks of racing, including the March 2 UAW-Dodge 400 at LVMS. …

NASCAR fined Craftsman Truck Series crew chief Larry Prior $5,000 this week for rules violations prior to Saturday’s race at Las Vegas. It was determined in pre-race inspection that the intake manifold on Pryor’s No. 29 Dodge did not conform to NASCAR rules.

• DRAG RACING — The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities will have its “Cards for Kids” Texas Hold ’em Poker Tournament on Oct. 24 at the Cannery.

The fundraiser kicks off the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals on Oct. 25-28 at the speedway.

Among pro drivers committed to play are Brandon Bernstein, Melanie Troxel, Morgan Lucas, Dave Connolly and Jack Beckman.

Call 632-8242 for more information.