LAS VEGAS — The highly anticipated opening Thursday night of the Riskon360 Open Wheel Showdown saw winged sprint cars and supermodifieds begin on-track action in search of record paydays at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Davey Hamilton Jr. set a blistering lap in his Kirk Morgan Racing No. 14 sprint car, running an 11.887-second lap on the .375-mile oval at 113.579 mph average. Hamilton led the nearly 50 sprint cars that took times throughout the two lightning-fast practice sessions.
“It’s intense. This track is intense. You can’t be full throttle, but you’re living on the edge in these cars here,” Hamilton said. “I went up and watched the other sprint cars go around the track – I couldn’t believe this is what I do for a living. These guys and girls are just absolutely talented. Our car is running good. Everything is going good so far.”
“Our team is so solid this year. This race is about having the best sprint cars drivers in the country competing for the most money ever. We have that this weekend for sure.”
2023 Pink Lady Classic winner Evan Margeson, Bobby Santos III, Tyler Roahrig and 2023 Must See sprint car champion Jason Blonde rounded out the top five.
Blonde led the evening session with a 12.096 second lap.Temperatures fell into the evening and the night session saw speeds increasing considerably.
“This is what it’s all about. You live for this stuff. It’s an honor to race against all these great drivers,” Blonde said.
Eleven-time Indianapolis 500 starter Davey Hamilton Sr. topped the supermodified proceedings, driving down to a 12.168-second lap during the second session. Oswego Classic winner Dave Danzer was second fastest in the night session of cars which had recorded times.
Activity increases tremendously on Friday for the inaugural Riskon360! Open Wheel Showdown with practice for all three participating divisions — the $50,000 to win Winged Sprint Cars, $10,000 to win Midgets, and $5,000 to win Speed Tour supermodifieds.
Watch all the action on SPEEDSPORT.tv.