Eleven Seasons And 10 Races Later, Six Still Are Going Strong
Las Vegas Motor Speedway was the fastest track when it joined the series in November 1996 but that speed – a lap of 157.909 mph – pales by comparison to this year’s Daytona top qualifying lap of 179.508 turned in by race winner Jack Sprague (No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota).
Sprague and four others – all series champions – share a common bond with Las Vegas Motor Speedway, host of Saturday night’s Smith’s Las Vegas 350. The race is the track’s 11th.
The five are among the six remaining active drivers who competed in the 1996 Carquest 420 won by Sprague. Mike Skinner clinched the first NASCAR Craftsman Truck title with a seventh-place finish.
Also in the field – and still racking up wins and top finishes – were Ron Hornaday Jr. ; Mike Bliss (No. 4 Open Joist Dodge); and Ted Musgrave (No. 9 Team ASE Toyota). Joe Ruttman, 62, who runs a limited schedule for Bobby Hamilton Racing, also competed in the first event.
Bliss is absent this week competing in the NASCAR Busch Series at Dover.
Sprague is LVMS’ only two-time winner. Ruttman, Skinner – the defending winner – and Musgrave also have victories at the 1.5-mile speedway.
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