Lowden, Kirsch roll to victories at LVMS

Monday, July 19, 1999 | 10:43 a.m.

Chris Lowden and Joe Kirsch each won NASCAR Late Model features Saturday night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's 3/8-mile paved oval.

As part of Fan Appreciation Night, the NASCAR Late Model drivers competed in two 30-lap feature events. In the first main, drivers started according to their qualifying time. For the second main, officials took the results of the first event and inverted the entire field.

In the first caution-filled NASCAR Late Model main, Ray Hooper Jr. hit the turn four wall while leading giving Lowden the point. He stayed in the lead and took the checkered on lap 27 when officials cut the race short because of time.

"We broke a rear end during practice," Lowden said. "I missed the trophy dash to fix it. Last week was our first DNF (did not finish) of the season. It is nice to come back and win especially on Santa Fe Smokeshop Night."

In the second NASCAR Late Model main, Steve Anderson and Kirsch battled side-by-side virtually all 30 laps. Despite numerous attempts, Anderson could not pass Kirsch. It was Kirsch's first Late Model victory.

The 20-lap Legends feature was the Busch brothers' show. Kyle Busch, who shattered the 18.914-second track record in qualifying with a 18.738-second lap, tried to take the lead from his older brother Kurt Busch several times.

At the checkered flag, Kyle Busch moved along side Kurt Busch for a photo finish. After reviewing the tape, the judges ruled Kurt Busch the winner.