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Tooele » The NASCAR Camping World Series West stops in Utah for the third straight year on Saturday with the running of the Miller 125 at Miller Motorsports Park.
The series was started in 1954 as a regional division for drivers who could not compete in the more traditional stock car hotbeds in the Deep South.
Among the drivers who have used the series as a career launching pad are NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Kevin Harvick and David Gilliland, Nationwide driver Brendan Gaughan and IndyCar driver Sarah Fisher.
Two local drivers will be competing this weekend. Shane Hubbard of Spanish Fork will drive in his second NASCAR event while Mike Self of Park City will be making his NASCAR debut.
The points race
Going into the NASCAR Camping World West race at Miller Motorsports Park, Jason Bowles owns a 33-point lead over defending series champion Eric Holmes.
Bowles has accumulated 1,524 points in the season's first nine races. Holmes has 1,491 points.
The rest of the top 10 includes David Mayhew (1,400), Greg Pursley (1,347), Paulie Harraka (1,279), Brett Thompson (1,272), Blake Koch (1,238), Moses Smith (1,206), Jim Warn (1,065) and Mike David (1,060).
In the race for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award, Harraka leads in what has been a see-saw battle with Koch.
Faces in the crowd
A couple of participants
Topping the list is 81-year-old Hershel McGriff, the oldest driver to ever compete in a NASCAR event who placed 13th at the Portland International Raceway in Oregon on July 19.
Meanwhile, Mike David is the only series driver with two top-five finishes at Miller Motorsports Park. He was second in 2008 and third in 2007.
Todd Souza returns to Miller Motorsports Park as the defending champion. He finished 1.46 seconds ahead of David last year.
Who's hot?
Veteran driver Jim Inglebright of Fairfield, Calif., comes off a victory in the Bi-Mart Salute to the Troops 125 at Portland two weeks ago.
Inglebright led only one lap but captured the third NASCAR Camping World West win of his career.
The race included 10 lead changes among nine different drivers » one shy of a series record.
Inglebright, 47, nearly won at Miller Motorsports Park last year. But he ran out of gas on the white-flag lap after the race was extended extended to a late-race caution.
"I love the track," Inglebright said, "and I love the facility."
This will be the 59th NASCAR Camping World West race of Inglebright's career. Along with his three wins, he has posted 16 top-five finishes.
Today
9 p.m. » Miller Park Racing Association Groups 1 and 2, practice
10 a.m. » Miller Park Racing Association Group 3, practice
11 a.m. » NASCAR Camping World West Series, practice
1 p.m. » MPRA Group 1, qualifying
1:45 p.m. » NASCAR Camping World West Series, practice
3 p.m. » MPRA Group 2, qualifying
3:45 p.m. » MPRA Group 3, qualifying
4:30 p.m. » Pit walk and sim rides
Saturday
8:20 a.m. » MPRA Groups 1 and 2, warm-up
8:50 a.m. » MPRA Group 3, warm-up
9:20 a.m. » MPRA, Race 1
10 a.m. » NASCAR Camping World West Series, qualifying
11 a.m. » Pit walk and sim rides
12:30 a.m. » MPRA, Race 2
1:15 p.m. » NASCAR pre-race ceremonies
1:30 p.m. » NASCAR Camping World West Series, Miller 125
3:20 p.m. » MPRA, Race 3
There are a several ticket options available for fans wanting to attend this weekend's races. Regular two-day event tickets are $25. Tickets for Friday only cost $5. There is no reserved seating. Fans can also use their tickets for admission to the Tooele County Fair rodeo and demolition derby. On Friday, $10 tickets include admission to Miller Motorsports Park and the rodeo. On Saturday, $15 tickets include admission to MMP and the demolition derby. Shuttles will run between the race track and the fairgrounds all weekend. In addition, a special $40 ticket will include admission to the auto races, a Utah Jazz game in November or December, a Salt Lake Bees game (non-fireworks night) and a movie pass and popcorn at the Megaplex threaters. For more information, call 435-277-7223 or visit MillerMotorsportsPark.com
What » NASCAR Camping World Series West
Where » Miller Motorsports Park
When » Saturday, 1:45 p.m.
Purse » $171,211
Defending champion » Todd Souza
Practice » Friday, 11 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.
Time trials » Saturday, 10 a.m.
Qualifying record » 94.888 mph (Jason Bowles, 2008)
Race record » 70.348 mph (Jason Bowles, 2007)
Noteworthy » The 125-mile race will consist of 41 laps around the 3.06-mile road course at Miller Motorsports Park. ... This is the 10th event on the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Series' schedule. It is the third of three road-course events. ... Thirty cars will start the race, including 26 qualifiers from the time trials and four provisional starters.
