by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

They're Back! Those thunderous guys and girls of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) have returned to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway's "The Strip" for another weekend of smoking tires, earth shaking side-by-side racing and of course those great looking gals that seem to show up for us guys to admire. Yep, gang, the Fifth Annual NHRA SummitRacing.Com Nationals are here and running hard down the quarter-mile track. And all the stars are here too.

The one guy everyone is really looking at close is the son of one of the greatest guys to shoot down the strip: Brendon Bernstein. Of course you know of his father, Kenny, who established so many records during his career it would be impossible to list them all. Dad had to step in last season after his son crashed the Budweiser Top Fuel racer at the NHRA Supernationals in Englishtown, New Jersey. Dad did okay too, winning the final four races to finish sixth in the point standings. There was no question had Brendon not crashed during that May race, he could have gone on to possibly give Top Fuel Champion Larry Dixon a run for his money. The 31 year-old competitor did win three events prior to the crash. For his efforts- three victories, two No 1 qualifying spots and the points lead at the time of his crash -Bernstein was awarded the Auto Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award, honoring the top rookie of the season. He has thus far this year won one title and is third in points coming into Las Vegas. Last year the young racer lost in the semi-finals to Doug Kalitta. In a recent interview with reporters he said that "It was good to get back in the car just because I know the feeling of driving it. It feels good to be back."

Leading the pack of Top Fuel drivers competing at The Strip this weekend is Tony Schumacher (first by 85 points), Kalitta (second by 19 points) and Bernstein.

There is a very interesting battle taking place in the prestigious Funny Car Division. John Force, who sets a record every time his car rolls out on the track, is running against one of his former drivers, Tony Pedregon. The two competitors split at the conclusion of the 2003 season. No one knows for sure if there's honestly any animosity between the two men, but Force is always out there gunning for the event title. Pedregon is piloting a new Quaker State Pontiac while 12-time champion Force continues to drive his Castrol GTX Ford. Should be quite interesting..

Track champions competing this weekend include Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Pedregon (Funny Car). Those three all call Las Vegas a lucky track for them, as they went on to win the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Championships last year.

Oddsmaker for Station Casinos, Micah Roberts has picked as his favorites for the weekend: "Sarge" Schumacher in Top Fuel at 5-to-2; John Force Funny Car at 3-to-1 and Greg Anderson in Pro Stock 7-to-5.

Friday tickets range from $27 to $37 for adults with Saturday prices ranging from $42 to $53 and Sunday running $53 to $63. A four day combo package (which included Thursday) is going for $126 for reserved seating. There are other interesting packages available. Call 644-4444 for tickets.

While on the subject of auto racing this writer visited with an old friend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Bullring the other afternoon. Fritz Kroyer has been named General Manager of the Orleans Racing Team. Fritz used to build my off-road race cars back when I was competing in the Mint 400, Baja and California off-road events during the late 60's, all of the 70's and a couple years going into the 80's. He was also one heck of a competitor too. From 1970 until he retired in 1985 he won a lot of titles. One thing about Kroyer (and most off-road racers at that time) if you needed a part for your car and he had it-it was yours! The Denmark born native is married and has been on the job just a few weeks. "It's always a challenge to run a race team," Kroyer said during our visit. "There's never two days alike. And, the Orleans's Racing Team, you might say is fresh out of the box. We have a new driver (Steve Parks) and a new crew chief (Johnny Allen) along with a new Dodge body, new Goodyear tires (softer) and new spoiler regulations."

The pit crew team from last year is pretty much in place. Kevin Kroyer (Fritz's son) continues his duty as the engine builder. Kevin owns Kroyer Racing Engines and built all the engines for Brendan Gaughan last year. Fritz pointed out that they have five trucks race ready (four have been to the Dodge wind tunnel) with two on the line and another two to be added later. Parks spent all day Tuesday at the Bullring breaking in one of the new trucks and learning its characteristics. With two races now under his belt Parks is ready to prove he's back in top form and eager for a checkered flag. Unfortunately he has been involved in two crashes (not his fault by the way) that took him out of the races. "I was just unlucky, but both times when it happened we were running towards the front fast," Parks said. More on this team in a future column. Let's just say that the new combination of Parks, Kroyer and Allen are all winners!

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: Bob Kephart's Comedy Stop at the Tropicana Hotel has funny man Steve Shaffer headlining through Sunday along with Adam Leslie and Dan Grueter. A real funny guy by the name of Ron Shock takes over the room Monday. Shock is honest about his life. One thing he points out is the time he spent in prison and that he's one of the original "Texas Outlaw" comics... One of the most popular rock bands of the 70's, The Doobie Brothers will perform live at the Hilton Hotel April 9-10 at 10 pm... The Fourth Annual "Street of Dreams" custom show homes at McDonald Highland Community in Henderson this coming May will have a new contributor. Christopher Homes has commissioned Barbara Lee Woolen and her Art de Vignettes Fine Art Gallery to select the artwork to go into its home... The Ovation Theatre inside the Desert Passage Shopping Mall at the Aladdin has added a new afternoon show titled "All You Can Dance."... One of our favorite girl singers, Marlene Ricci is celebrating her third year in the Le Bistro Showroom at the Riviera Hotel. She is there every Tuesday and Wednesday at 8:30 pm., and every Friday and Saturday at 7 pm. This is a gal that can sing the heck out of any song and she's worth every penny you pay to listen to her. Believe me!

That's it for another week. I'm outa here!

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