BUZZ SODEMAN MORE COLUMNS BUZZ SODEMAN / SPECIAL TO THE PVT IMCA modifieds are shown in action at Boone, Iowa, during the Super Nationals this past summer. Cars similar to these will compete at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this week. Advertisement

The Pahrump Valley has been my place of residence for more than 10 years and if I've learned anything, it's that there are two constants; controversy and valley residents love auto racing.

It is no secret that the racing scene in this valley is in an abysmal state - car count and spectator count is nearly non-existent at one of the oldest surviving dirt tracks in the nation. So what are racing fans doing to satisfy their need for speed?

NASCAR, NHRA and the World of Outlaws appear on television or there is an opportunity to catch the live action at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Perhaps the one denominator missing while sitting in your lazy boy recliner is the atmosphere. The smells of live action are one thing that cannot be duplicated by the television.

The last opportunity to experience what racing is all about is the annual Duel in the Desert, billed as "The Biggest Dirt Race in the West."

What started out as a one-night race has now grown to encompass three days of racing on the dirt half-mile oval at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Last season, the race attracted a record 178 Modified drivers bidding for starts in the 28-car A-main of 40 laps. This race has consistently brought some of the best modified drivers from across the nation.

There are track, regional and national champions, as well as winners of the prestigious IMCA Super Nationals at Boone, Iowa.

Add the nearly 100 touring dirt late models and even the most ardent dirt track racing enthusiast's appetite for the need for speed has to be satisfied.

Last year, many of our area drivers participated including Ryan Cotrell, Rick Durica Jr, Donny Berger, Leland Hibdon, Bill Smith III, Jason Pike, Ronnie Williams, Dan Fitzgerald, Jon Jensen, Jim Bonetti, Jeff Talley and Levi Kiefer.

In a recent conversation with Kiefer, he said, "This isn't one of my favorite races, but I'll be there."

Negotiations between Todd Nunnally and Hinton, Iowa's Jay Noteboom, who was scheduled to drive his Bullet Proof -sponsored, Harris-chassis Modified, have reached a standstill and the seat could very well be occupied by Troy Cordes from Raymond, Iowa. Fans of Chad Farstveet, who did well at the Elko Gold Rush, is another distinct possibility.

Farstveet will probably have James Delaney in tow and I would think Shawn Natenstedt would make the trip from Fernley. I have already received confirmation that Johnny Saathoff of Beatrice, Neb., will be there along with his hired gun, Jeremy Payne of Cave City, Ark., two-time winner and defending winner of the Duel.

Brett Root, vice-president of operations for IMCA, had this to say. "I fully expect that number (178 drivers entered) to be surpassed this year.

This event is a great way to end the season, especially with the addition of the Wild West Tour Shootout to the program.

Root has often pointed out that the Duel is the largest contingent of IMCA modifieds in the West and ranks second to the Super Nationals in driver participation.

Racing begins Thursday at 6 p.m. with 16 heat races and qualifying features. Action continues Friday at 5:30 p.m. with eight modified preliminary races followed by six late model heat races, qualifying modified races and a late model qualifying dash.

Saturday racing begins at 5 p.m. with three late model last chance races, a 15-lap shootout for the top 20 finishers in the EQ Cylinder Heads Wild West Tour, six modified last chance races, and the twin 40-lap A-Mains for the IMCA modifieds and dirt late models.

Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. each day.

The winner of the Duel and the winner of the special shootout will automatically be qualifiers for the 2008 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot, held annually at the IMCA Super Nationals.

This year, track management, in particular John Bisci and Chris Blair, along with help and assistance of PVS regular Bomber driver, J.J. Nunn, have added what is being billed as The Day after the Duel.

This promises to be an exciting program of grass roots dirt track racing. The program will feature the popular bombers, super stocks, Legends cars and mini stocks.

Web sites have been hyping the event and stock car racers from California, Arizona and Nevada are planning to attend what could become a permanent fixture at the Las Vegas 1/2-mile dirt oval. The schedule for the Day after the Duel begins at 1 p.m. with Bomber, mini stock, super stock and Legends Cars heat races.

Immediately following will be last chance races for divisions that have in excess of 28 entries. There will be 20-lap feature events for all but the Bomber class; they will be fighting for bragging rights in a 50-lap A-Main. According to Nunn, he is looking at a field of 14 Bombers at the very least.

Although there is nothing on the Las Vegas speedway Web site, I would assume that the spectator gates will open just prior to practice for the stock-bodied cars at noon.

Word is the Death Valley Raceway has tentatively scheduled a test and tune for sometime in December with its first race set for Feb. 9, 2008.

From all appearances, Death Valley Raceway will be working in conjunction with the Mohave Valley speed plant in developing quality racing action. It looks like the two tracks will alternate racing dates.

Mohave Valley Raceway has planned a winter series, billed as the 2008 Winter Days of Thunder Series for IMCA Modifieds. It starts Jan. 5 and continues on Jan. 12 and 26, and Feb. 2, 2008.