Legend Car drivers from across the United States and Canada are ready to bet it all this weekend at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the 2023 Legend Car Asphalt Nationals. Topping 160 entries, the 32nd running of the Asphalt Nationals takes place October 19-21 for the 10th time at 3/8-mile, banked oval, which first hosted the event in 2001.
Drivers from 26 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces will complete the field, spread across four Legend Car divisions. California-based drivers total 31 of the 160 entries, including current Pro Division points leader, Jake Bollman. He enters Asphalt Nationals with a three-point lead over Georgia’s Donovan Strauss.
“With a three-point lead in the standings, I am not going to change a thing,” said Bollman. “All I am going to do is stay focused and just race my race.”
Bollman has plenty of experience at The Bullring in 2023 alone. In 13 starts, he has four victories and three more podium finishes.
He commented, “Racing at The Bullring is one of the hardest tracks you can race at because it is so line sensitive. One mistake is a tenth of a second.”
Strauss has amassed 15 victories and 25 total podiums in 2023, including the 2023 Winter Nationals Pro Championship, but has not made a start at The Bullring since the 2022 Asphalt Nationals last November, where he finished third. Being so close to Bollman in points where a position or two makes a difference, Strauss knows his strategy is clear.
“We just need to beat Jake,” said Strauss. “I always feel like I perform better under pressure, so I’d rather go into this race three points behind rather than three points ahead.”
There are close national championship battles in the Semi-Pro and Young Lions divisions, as well. Carson Haislip, Isaiah Newcomb, and Mason Lastra are tied atop the Semi-Pro points standings at 1900 points and Michael Crafton sits only 15 points back. The Semi-Pro championship feature on Saturday will be crucial to their national championship hopes.
Florida’s Jackson Denton, the 2023 Young Lions Cook Out Summer Shootout champion, is tied with Minnesota’s Ayrton Brockhouse for the Young Lions national points lead at 1900. Between them, they have a combined 51 victories this season.
For Denton, his goal and preparation for Asphalt Nationals doesn’t change simply because it is the national race.
“My goal is 100% to win the race,” said Denton. “We prepare every race like it’s the championship, making sure our equipment is top notch and ready to rip.”
Six previous Asphalt Nationals champions are on the entry list for this year’s edition. Lee Jordan is going for his third-straight victory after winning 2021 and 2022, along with the other three 2022 champions Branden Giannini, Cody Brown, and Joel Smith, who each are seeking their second Asphalt Nationals championship. However, they are all now competing in the Pro Division. Brown and Smith won the Semi-Pro and Young Lions races last year, respectively. Mike Alcaro (2021) and Andy Hulcy (2020) will both chase their second victory.
Joining the 160 Legend Cars will be a field of Bandoleros. Both will have a practice day on Thursday. Qualifying and heat races will be on Friday. Additionally, the Race of Champions presented by MPI will take place following the conclusion of the heat races Saturday evening. All feature racing will be on Saturday, beginning with necessary C-Mains, followed by B-Mains, and the championship features. All coverage of the racing action takes place on uslegendcars.tv beginning at approximately 4pm PT/7pm ET on Friday and 1:30pm PT/4:30pm ET on Saturday.
Spectators can purchase pit passes for $25 on Thursday, $35 for Friday and $35 for Saturday. Please see a full ENTRY LIST and schedule and top 10 in points standings on the 2023 Asphalt Nationals FACT SHEET.
After the completion of Asphalt Nationals, the 2023 INEX Racing season will conclude with the 2023 Legend Car Dirt Nationals at Fayetteville Motor Speedway, November 9-11.