Desert Rose to make its debut

A high-powered field of touring cars and drivers are expected to be on hand Saturday night when the West Car Late Model Series debuts in Carson City for the Desert Rose 100-lap feature event at Champion Speedway.

The Late Model tour race will highlight a show that includes Legends and Hornets. Gates to the grandstands open at 5 p.m. and racing is scheduled to start at 7.

"This is the first of 14 major events will be holding here this year, and it should be a great show," said Champion General Manager Les Kynett. "This will be a very talented field and we're going to have 100 laps of green flag racing that should be very exciting."

He went on to say 25 to 30 cars are expected to compete in the second leg of a series being held between All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif., and Carson City.

"There were 24 cars in the first race five weeks ago in Roseville, and from what I understand, there were a whole bunch of cars that weren't ready to race then. But they've had five weeks to get everything together."

Tim Bost of Paradise, Calif., won the series opener on April 9, ahead of Travis Combs of Sacramento and Dan Knight of Ukiah, Calif. Carson City's Chet Danburg finished seventh in the main. Two other familiar faces at Champion, Ken Crome and Virgil Miller, finished 12th and 13th respectively, and Chris Baker was 17th.

Two other familiar racers - and past track champions - are Phil Perry and Craig Paulsen. Dean Heller is another local driver to keep an eye on. Paulsen began racing at the Carson City track in 1971 and has won three season championships.

"There's a lot of interest in this West Car Series," Paulsen said in an interview last month. "There's some very good drivers, some of the best on the West Coast, so that will be a great night of racing."

Champion will also host its "Salute to Indy" program next Saturday night, May 28, which will feature a 100-lap California Asphalt Sprintcar Association main event and 50-lap Bay Cities Racing Association Midgets main event.

n Contact Dave Price at dprice@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-1220.