By NICK YAMASHITA
The Progress
Two racing sisters finished their first national series race on Sunday, Mar. 3 at the NASCAR race series at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Isabella, 8, and Samantha Haskell, 9, competed in the event and finished the race.
“It was a great learning experience as we have never ran on asphalt,” said their father Allen Haskell. “The girls had a blast.”
The girls jumped in with everything they had despite the unfamiliar circumstances. Even after practice laps they were unsure how the cars would handle the asphalt, Allen said.
Isabella competed in the Junior Honda 120 and the Junior 160. Samantha raced in the Senior Honda 120 and Light 160.
In the first heat/qualifier race, both sisters were the slower cars in their heat being lapped, said Haskell.
However they held on and learned the unfamiliar, flagging and rules of USAC NASCAR Youth Series.
Going into the lower bracket main races, Samantha was able to stay with the pack. She made a few great passes finishing but not advancing.
Isabella drove her heart out in the lower mains leaving nothing on the table, Allen said. In the Jr. Honda, she started getting passed but worked her way up the field, passing others. She placed 4th and advanced to the next race.
She fought hard in the next race making moves to pass. Unfortunately she hit the wall and ended her day of racing with a broken shock and damaged wheels.
“We had a great experience and learned a lot,” Allen said. “We will be back to more of the National series races and be stronger and faster.”
It was very windy at the races. But Allen said that this had no effect on driving conditions.
The girls even got to meet NASCAR driver Cole Custer.
Allen expressed appreciation to everyone who helped the girls on and off the track. This includes sponsors Wrap City- Las Vegas, Findlay Honda in Centennial Hills, Adrenaline ATV Tours and Megan Wilder of Farmers Insurance.
The sisters will be back on the local race track for the Southern Nevada Quarter Midget Association on March 16 at the Clark County Fairgrounds starting at 10 a.m.
That event will also include “Arrive and Drive” time where those who would like to try it out can come and drive on the track course and in a car after the race concludes around 2 p.m. Youth ages 5-17 can come and race 20 laps for $15.00.
For more information about the Southern Nevada Quarter Midget Racing can check out their website at www.snqma.com.
