BUZZ SODEMAN The Buzzman BUZZ SODEMAN / SPECIAL TO THE PVT Race cars zip around the quarter-mile dirt oval at the Pahrump Valley Speedway, which will be dark this weekend. Advertisement

Super stocks became the premier division on a chilly Saturday evening as a full moon reminded the spectators that autumn is here and the race season is in its twilight.

Bridwell issued a statement that was loud and clear to the anticipated onslaught of would-be treasure hunters from California winning Dave Hall's $1,000 isn't going to come easy.

In fact, Bridwell's convincing victory in the super stock feature left little doubt that drivers would have to go through or around him before taking the money and running.

Consider these facts. As fast as Bridwell ate up the newly laid dirt at the "fastest quarter-mile track in the southwest," he fought off the aerodynamic challenge of a flapping hood.

He had a trunk lid that acted like it was destined for lift-off, and a right rear quarter panel that might fall off at any minute.

For awhile, Dan "The Snowman" Snowden appeared the only thing standing between Bridwell and the checker flag, that is until Snowden was unceremoniously towed off the track amidst a cloud of smoke on the frontstretch.

Points leader "Rapid Rick" VanBuytene took over second and chased eventual winner Bridwell to the flag. Following in order were Aaron Stalker, Todd Nunnally, and Dale Daffern.

California visitors Jeff and Greg Seesholtz, who were obviously here to "case the joint," left with their "tails between their legs." Super stock drivers made it clear, "if you don't want to run with the big dog, you'd better stay on the porch."

Bridwell also swept his heat race, again having to deal with Snowden, who hugged the bottom of the track. Bottom feeders may have the shortest route around the track, but Bridwell proved it isn't always the fastest. VanBuytene claimed the other heat race.

Judging from the amount of smoke trailing from several of the competitors, some of the super stocks have a lot of midnight oil to burn before the Super Stock Shoot Out Nov. 10-11.

Mini stocks, on the other hand, have just two weeks to prepare for their night in the limelight. If every mini that has competed at the track since the beginning of the season were to show up, fans could be treated to more than 50 of Detroit's answer to the Japanese auto invasion.

Bubba Ray was able to navigate the lapped traffic to open up a huge lead to capture the flag in the Mini feature. This was Ray's second feature win this season, as he has steadily climbed the points rankings.

Tony Martin barely edged out John Burch Jr. to claim second place. Terri Little worked her way from deep in the pack to garner a fourth with Tom Buckwalter rounding out the top five. Burch Jr., Martin and Little were heat winners.

The "rolling thunder," commonly referred to as the bombers, were the next to test the "magic mud."

The usual cast of characters from Las Vegas has added a couple of Pahrump drivers to their ranks both of whom figured in the podium configuration in the heat and the feature.

Las Vegan Vinny Raucci made the trip "over the hump" worthwhile as he piloted the 1978 Oldsmobile to his first feature win at the racing facility.

Raucci is a crew member on Chuck Bray's ride at the Las Vegas Bullring and is an infrequent visitor. Pahrumpian Bill Delahunte was second in his Ford LTD, while Anthony Finley found the podium in his 1976 Ford.

Finley and Delahunte were heat winners with Pahrump's Richard Weseman taking a third in the first heat.

In Pro-4 action, runaway points leader and eventual 2006 track champion Marty Mclaugh dueled with Corey Little, who claimed the heat win, then suffered an extremely smoky mechanical malfunction and was relegated to the pits.

Mclaugh then had to deal with the persistent challenge of Terri Little. Mclaugh cruised to the checkered flag, followed by Terri Little and Eric Sheinberg.

The winged micro sprints found the cool air and heavy track somewhat of a challenge. Getting the right combination was Eddie Sharron, who not only swept the class but dominated what amounts to a family affair.

"Super-charged chain saw" mowed down the competition, lapping even third-place finisher Rick VanBuytene.

Erin Sharron, who finished second, was the only driver to finish on the lead lap. Another Sharron, Errol, finished second in the heat race. The last Sharron, Anthony, didn't make the trek and remained in Vegas.

With a one-week respite, eventual track champions will be crowned after the Mini Stock Nationals. Already determined are the IMCA modified and outlaw kart track champions, Leland Hibdon and Taylor Bonetti, respectively.

VanBuytene has the opportunity to add another chapter to the storied history of the Pahrump Valley Speedway -- to win two track championships in two different divisions in one season.

Racing Updates:

IMCA modified competitors are gearing up for the Mohave Valley Speedway's Western Nationals this weekend.

Mohave Valley is located south of Bullhead City, Ariz., and just north of Needles, Calif. Practice is scheduled Thursday, with racing Friday and Saturday.

The Las Vegas dirt facility is anticipating another record IMCA modified entry and has expanded what began as a one-night show, then a two-day and is now a three-day event (Nov. 16-18). Sharing the marquee with the modifieds will be a large contingent of awesome dirt late models, which take to the track Friday and Saturday.

Dress warm, I have seen snowflakes falling at this event.

For straight-liners, the NHRA will be at The Strip at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Oct. 26-28. Anticipated participants are Pahrump residents Milt Gebo and Corey LeClair.

Gebo has the opportunity to garner a Super Comp "Wally" from a previously postponed final, as well as qualifying for another at the Vegas quarter-mile.

LeClair recently captured his first NHRA "Wally" when he beat eventual Jerry's Nugget Championship Drag Racing Series Super Pro Chris Naffziger. Naffziger is a repeat Super Pro champion.

World of Outlaw fans have an opportunity to witness the self-proclaimed "greatest show on dirt" at the same dirt track facility Oct. 27-28. They put on an excellent well run show and are easily accessible in the pits after the races.