JOE BARBOZA / SPECIAL TO THE PVT Ryan Cotrell (15) pulls ahead of Leland Hibdon en route to his first IMCA modified victory of the year Saturday at Death Valley Raceway in Amargosa Valley. Advertisement

AMARGOSA VALLEY -- Native Las Vegan Ryan Cotrell bolted from a third-row starting spot Saturday night at Death Valley Raceway and captured his first IMCA Modified victory of the year to headline a 15-car showdown.

The victory capped the first night race ever at the one-third mile dirt track situated off Highway 373 between Lathrop Wells and Death Valley. With ideal weather and excellent track conditions, Cotrell scurried to the lead early and survived a series of late-race restarts to gain the triumph.

"Man, they were crazy out there," said the 24-year-old Cotrell, a graduate of Eldorado High School in Las Vegas. "I really like the night racing. It's much better than running during the day."

Cotrell grabbed the lead on the fourth lap and won by 2 1/2 car lengths over Jim Bonetti in a 20-lap main event. The top five included Dan Fitzgerald, Leland Hibdon and Rick Durica.

"The car got a little tight, but we had a good night overall," said Cotrell, who began running Dwarf cars at the age of 16. "I am hoping to win more now that we have the car where we want it. The modifieds are exciting to watch since they're equal and everyone is battling everywhere."

However, the final laps weren't easy, considering a series of restarts after Hibdon spun on the 15th lap taking several cars with him between the third and fourth turns. Following a red flag session to clear the cars involved in the wreck, Cotrell was able to assume the lead after a series of restarts.

"The restarts were really giving me trouble at the end," he said. "Everyone was getting bottled up."

Cotrell lauded Death Valley Raceway, which was created through the work of the husband and wife team of Jason and Tanya Pike, who built the track after the closing of Pahrump Valley Speedway.

"The track is excellent," said Cotrell. "It's second-to-none. With the next race being only their sixth event, it's really something knowing that they are getting ready to host one of the biggest shows on the West Coast."

The Dwarf Car Nationals April 17-19 will also include two nights of IMCA modifieds, which Cotrell said could draw 25-car fields with $1,000 to the winner each evening. Cotrell will be running in both Dwarf cars and modifieds.

DVR's first night race was run with portable lights, which drew praise from the drivers. Permanent lighting will be added soon.

"Saturday night was not only our 13th race of the 2008 race season, it was also the first race under the lights," said Dan Fitzgerald, who followed his win two weeks ago with a third place finish Saturday. "The cooler temperatures put a little more moisture and speed into the track. For not having permanent lights, they had a great amount of light banks brought in and you could see everywhere on the track.

Other winners included Jim Wulfenstein, super stocks; Mark Dillie, Dwarf cars; Austin Black, mini mods; Chad Broadhead, mini stocks; and Donny Berger, classic coupes.

Information regarding the track may be found at www.deathvalleyraceway.homestead.com or by calling 775-209-5291.

Results

Dwarf cars (20 laps): 1. Mark Dillie; 2. David Boardman; 3. Bobby Meek; 4. Justin Kimsey; 5. Troy Seymone; 6. Steve Winters; 7. Cecilia Dillie; 8. Rick Rochell; 9. Scott Kelley.

Classic coupe (15 laps): 1. Donny Berger; 2. Keith Gott; 3. Randall Boren; 4. Richard Grimm; 5. Matt Lutz; 6. Jim Castaneda.

Super stock (15 laps): 1. Jim Wulfenstein; 2. Dennis Smerek; 3. Dale Daffern; 4. Anthony Debiase; 5. Tom Baird.

Mini stock (15 laps): 1. Chad Broadhead; 2. Jabez Broadhead; 3. Anthony Broadhead; 4. Frankie England; 5. Stacy Stinson; 6. Steve Figgins; 7. Cassandra Martin.

Modified minis (20 laps): 1. Austin Black; 2. Richard Gast; 3. Keith Young; 4. Jeff Mitchell; 5. Jonathan Burch; 6. Eric Slusher.

IMCA modifieds (20 laps): 1. Ryan Cotrell; 2. Jim Bonetti; 3. Dan Fitzgerald; 4. Leland Hibdon; 5. Rick Durica; 6. Joe Kent; 7. Todd Nunnally; 8. Jay Rode; 9. Ronnie Williams; 10. Teri Little; 11. Levi Kiefer; 12. Josh Stringer; 13. Fred White; 14. Bryan Wulfenstein; 15. Andy Rogers.