AMARGOSA VALLEY -- A strong field of entries will highlight the $25,000 Dwarf Car Nationals here today and Saturday at Death Valley Raceway, a third-mile dirt track situated off Highway 373 between Lathrop Wells and Death Valley.

Gates open Friday and Saturday at noon. Heat races are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., with main events set for 6 p.m.

Among the drivers entered in the 10th annual event is Las Vegas driver Rick Rochell, who has driven in several categories of auto racing and seems to have the most fun running Dwarf Cars.

"I really enjoy the Dwarf Cars and the travel that goes with them," said the 42-year-old Rochell, a 22-year resident of Las Vegas and a 25-year veteran of auto racing. "I hadn't been on the dirt for a long time and wanted to try something different."

Rochell has a diverse background in auto racing. He competed in Thunder Roadsters, go karts, Super Late Models, Hobby Stocks and Legends before joining the Dwarf Cars, a fascinating division that also included NASCAR star Kurt Busch during the mid-1990s at Pahrump Valley Raceway.

The field will include track points leader Mark Dillie, Ryan Cotrell of Las Vegas, Bobby Meek and Troy Seymore of Pahrump; and Round Mountain drivers Justin Kimsey and Steve Winters along with many other drivers from out-of-state.

Track officials said Wednesday some 80 drivers are expected to compete in the Dwarf Car Nationals. The DVR event also includes Modified Madness, which offers $1,000 to win today and another $1,500 for first place Saturday based on 20-car fields. Cotrell, who won the last modified race at DVR April 5, is among the top entries.

Modified entrants include Pahrump drivers Levi Kiefer, Todd Nunnally and Leland Hibdon along with Las Vegas drivers Dan Fitzgerald and two-time winner Ronnie Williams.