By Amanda Monk
Moapa Valley Progress
It happens to the best of us. You don’t recognize the same person, unless their wearing their work uniform. Especially if you saw Sergeant Brent Empey wearing a complete fire retardant, racing suit instead of his police uniform. A bright yellow car has replaced his regular black and white cruiser.
This season Empey, who has been moonlighting as a racecar driver, finished fourth in the Open Comp 200 at the bullring, located at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Bret grew up in North Las Vegas and had a need for speed like any young man. His dream of driving fast took him in a very different direction. Empey served at Metro as an instructor teaching future officers how to navigate fast cars, bad drivers, and irregular terrain; all at top speeds. Empey said that the program was hook, line, and sinker for him when he was told that this course would required him to “burn as many tires as you like.”
That was years ago. But car racing was always a hobby that he kept on the list as something he would do when time allowed. When he moved to the Moapa Valley three years ago and became local Metro Sergeant, he found his chance.
In August 2008 Bret was searching for race cars and found a 1971 Ford Custom 500. His boost of confidence came from his co-worker Nate Boss. “Nate is a great mechanic, not just good,” said Empey.
After attending one race with Empey, Boss too had race fever. “When he saw the car he told me if I didn’t buy it he would,” Empey remembered.
Before Empey could get his car on the race track, he and Boss had lots of work to do. “Just being interested in racing brought so many people out of the woodworks to put in their two cents,” said Empey.
He met Jerry Bowles, who owns/operates Las Vegas Roadsters located in Logandale, and essentially moved in. Bowles, who is an excellent fabricator helped prepare the car to race. Empey likened Bowles’ assistance to having Martha Stewart come to show fast food workers how to flip a burger. “He’s that good, he’s worked with the best,” said Bret.
Empey also met other enthusiasts who were willing to take a chance on a rookie racer and help with the car. He had a gentleman take two days off of work to help build a three point roll cage, all the while receiving a quick release steering wheel, a heat shield, and a gel seat to cover the very durable but uncomfortable, aluminum seat. Merlin provided a transmission. John Price gave him the 9-inch rear end he needed. He had four tires rolled out to him, courtesy of Ted Wiens of Las Vegas. Jack of Diamonds Auto Body gave him a free paint job.
As part of the paint job he added a number 54. As in “Car 54, where are you?” an old cop sitcom that ran in the early 1960s.
While Bret will tell you that watching the bombers race for the previous five years and being a police driving instructor gives him an advantage. Still, his wife Tammy says that “…his first race he drove around so much it looked like he was looking for a parking spot.”
But she points out that Empey was a quick study.
“His first race he was lapped twice by multiple cars,” Tammy adds. “The second race he was only lapped once, and on his final race of his first season he was never lapped.”
It was evident to Empey that he was clearly improving, but he was never counted as a rookie because he raced three races when five was required.
When he came back for his first full season as a rookie he was now committed to qualifying and accumulating points in his class. This years six month racing season, ended on a high note for Empy’s first year. He placed 4th overall and will be receiving the Rookie of the Year award at January’s banquet.
“Whether I receive a cash prize, plaque, or a wink from the announcer; I hope to be racing for a long time,” Empey said.
