JOSH CHASE / SPECIAL TO THE PVT Levi Kiefer, in the No. 3 IMCA modified, won the 20-lap feature Saturday, on Death Valley Raceway's one-third mile dirt oval. Micro sprints ran into problems in the backstretch, with the feature win going to Erin Sharron. Advertisement

AMARGOSA VALLEY -- When the dust finally cleared Saturday afternoon at Death Valley Speedway, after a frightening collision in the super stocks class, Dan Snowden was declared the winner.

Snowden, who was leading the field at the time, was flagged down by spectators before he could drive through the dust cloud and the wreckage it surrounded.

Just moments earlier, Daniel Katzer, driver of the No. 25 car, hit the wall just after turn four and flipped toward the infield, being hit along the way by Dale Daffern and his No. 94 car.

The crash followed a tight race, much of which was led by Snowden. The race's only other leader was Katzer, who took the lead after a restart and lost it a couple of laps later.

The race was called following the crash, which occurred in lap 14 of the 15-lap race. Track officials listed Katzer as the runnerup.

Snowden said it was a relief to have his first win of the season out of the way. He attributed the win to his car's set-up, as well as the longer track, which he says gives him more room to maneuver.

"I was real happy with the way we set the car up for this track," said Snowden. "We set the car up for the track condition and it worked out well for us this week."

Although the super stock division certainly had the most climactic ending of the event--which nearly was canceled due to bad weather--it wasn't the only race with a dramatic finish.

Levi Kiefer, driver of the No. 3 IMCA Modified car, crossed the checkered flag first, despite a several restarts and a hotly contended race. When he did cross the line, he did it literally while on fire.

Kiefer started out the race in the lead position, and for several laps, the battle to watch was the one going on behind him between Ronnie Williams and Fred White as they jockeyed for the second spot.

But after sliding off the track in turn four and bringing out the yellow flag, White was out of contention. Despite enormous pressure from Williams, Kiefer was able to maintain the top spot after the restart. After a second caution flag, though, Williams got the better jump on the restart and took first.

Kiefer was able to take the lead again, but the two drivers battled it out neck-and-neck for a couple of laps before Kiefer was able to build a strong lead and finish the race. For his last three laps, Kiefer had alcohol leaking from his headers, causing flames to shoot out from under his right tire, much to the crowd's amusement.

Kiefer was unaware of the flames until after the race, but said he had a feeling something was wrong with his car.

"I saw a puff of smoke under the hood but I just figured the engine was about to blow up," he said shortly after crossing the checkered flag. "But I wasn't about to stop -- not when I'm leading."

Other winning drivers included Justin Berger, of the classic coupe division; Mark Nusted, a modified mini driver; Bobby Clark, a 360 sprint pilot, Chad Broadhead of the mini stock division and Erin Sharron of the micro sprint division.

CHECKERED FLAGS -- The next race at the one-third mile dirt oval will be March 8 at 1 p.m. ... In addition to other divisions, the Dwarf cars class will make its first appearance at the track. Additional sponsors for Saturday's event included Round Mountain Gold and Saturn of West Sahara. ...The IMCA modifieds, super stocks, mini stocks, classic coupes, 360 sprints, micro sprints and Dwarf cars will also compete. ... Further information can be found at www.deathvalleyraceway.homestead.com or by calling 775-209-5291. ... Death Valley Raceway is situated west of U.S. Highway 95 off State Route 373.

Race results

Feb. 23 at Death Valley Raceway

IMCA modifieds (20 laps): 1. Levi Kiefer; 2. Ronnie Williams; 3. Leland Hibdon; 4. Ryan Cotrell; 4. Dan Fitzgerald; 5. Rick Durica; 6. Randy Thornell; 7. Jon Jensen; 8. Bill Meyer; 9. Todd Nunnally; 10. Cory Simoneau; 11. Terry Little; 12. Fred White; 13. Joe Kent.

Micro sprint (15 laps): 1. Erin Sharron; 2. Errol Sharron; 3. Terry Nichols; 4. Randy Knipschild; 5. Gene Sharron; 6. Angela Sharron; 7. Eddie Sharron.

360 sprint (20 laps): 1. Bob Clark; 2. Josh Stringer; 3. Billy Hall; 4. Bill Hall.

Classic coupe (20 laps): 1. Justin Berger; 2. Donny Berger; 3. Keith Gott; 4. Randall Boren; 5. Terry Hiser; 6. Richard Grimm; 7. Jim Castaneda.

Mod mini (20 laps): 1.Mark Nustad; 2. Eric Slusher; 3. Keith Young; 4. Jonathon Burch.

Super stock (20 laps): 1. Dan Snowden; 2. Daniel Katzer; 3. Dale Daffern; 4. Beau Gott; 7. Dennis Smerek.

Mini stock: (15 laps): 1. Chad Broadhead; 2. Michael Lysinger; 3. Michael Brown; 4. Brandon Madan; 5. Robert Pearson; 6. Steven Figgins; 7. Cassandra Martin.