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Even though all eyes will be glued to the TV screen this weekend for Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday, Las Vegas is still continuing as usual with its full array of weekend sporting events. And one such high-thrills happening is the Pro Stock Showdown and the Pacific Division National open at the The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Taking place at the famed raceway from January 31 to February 1, the showdown will kick the 2009 racing season into high gear.
Fans will be particularly interested to see Pro Stock racer Jeg Coughlin Jr. defending his title. Coughlin, a veteran of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, won last year’s Strip Showdown and went on to capture the 2008 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Championship. The Delaware, Ohio, racer is excited to show what he can do in 2009.
“I am more than ready to get behind the wheel and start the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season,” said Coughlin. “Being in Las Vegas for the Pro Stock Showdown gives everyone a chance to get reacquainted and see which teams’ hard work in the off season paid off on the track. It’s kind of like our spring training – you want to show everyone you’re ready to play. Last year we were fortunate to win the shootout and go into Pomona with a little boost of energy as a team.”
The racing action will kick off on Friday, January 30, with three Pro Stock qualifying runs at noon, 2 pm, and 4 pm. Another qualifying run will take place on Saturday with 16 car eliminations at noon. Then on Sunday, a bonus bracket race will take place featuring two classes, Electronic and Non-Electronic brackets.
This is the fourth annual Pro Stock Showdown at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Called the Racing Capital of the West by Sports Illustrated, the Speedway features more than a dozen different venues in its 1,600-acre racing complex in the northeast portion of the Las Vegas valley. In addition to the Strip, the Speedway features the Bullring, a 3/8-mile paved oval, road courses, a dirt track, and a 1.5-mile Superspeedway.
Throughout the weekend, fans will be able to get a sneak peek of the 2009 drag racing campaign. The National Open classes include the Stock/Super Stock Combo, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Top Sportsman/Top Dragster Combo, Electronic Bracket, Non-Electronic Bracket, and Sportsman Motorcycle teams. NHRA divisional grade points will be awarded and the winners will receive NHRA “Wally” trophies.
To check out all the high-speed action, head down to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. It’ll be a great escape from all the football madness and a nice alternative for anyone not interested in the big game.
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