Parker forfeits victory

Jimmy Parker Jr. was emotional after finishing first Saturday night in one of the most exciting races ever at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s Bullring.

He withstood efforts by Justin Johnson in the NASCAR Super Late Models feature, but Parker prevailed to be the first to drive under the checkered flag in the 40-lap race in front of approximately 1,500 spectators.

But the 20-year-old’s reign as race champion lasted only about an hour until post-race technical inspection determined his No. 7jr entry was 4 pounds lighter than the minimum required weight.

Teams in the NASCAR All-American Series at the Bullring determine how much racing gasoline to carry at the start of a race and it could have been Parker’s team cut it too close.

He wasn’t helped by wasted laps produced by nine caution flags.

Johnson’s victory helps compensate for last year’s finale in the series when he lost the season championship to Scott Gafforini by one point.

The weight issue prevented Parker from a stellar beginning of the season — he finished second in last week’s opener.

Veteran Mike Ray started on the pole before Johnson moved to the front using a low-line pass on the backstretch. Johnson led until the 23rd lap when Parker passed him.

Nine laps from the finish, Johnson regained the lead on the backstretch but Parker took it back just before completion of the lap at the start/finish line as he Johnson and Alex Haase were nearly three abreast.

Haase and Johnson bumped and that allowed Parker to get to the finish line first by a few car lengths.

Parker’s driving effort, however, was negated by a few pounds.

In other divisions: Doug Hamm (Late Models) and Chris Buscher (Legends Cars) each won for the second consecutive week; Mike Heck was first in Chargers; Charlie Wahl won Thunder Roadsters; Damon Blakeman was best in Bandoleros.