Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Busy-bee driver Leffler racing at LVMS

Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2002 | 9:57 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.

Jason Leffler may not reside in Southern Nevada, but the 27-year-old racer knows his way around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway complex.

Leffler is the only driver who has competed in all four major racing series -- NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck series and the Indy Racing League -- on the 1.5-mile superspeedway here and also has notched a victory in a USAC Midget Car race at the 3/8-mile Bullring in 1997.

The Southern California native returns to The Bullring Saturday night to compete in the USAC Sprint and Midget races. Less than two months ago, Leffler enjoyed his best finish on the 1.5-mile track when he took fifth in the Las Vegas 350 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.

"Obviously, with the time off on Thanksgiving weekend, we don't have any other races scheduled so it's nice to come out West where I'm from and race," Leffler said. "I'm looking forward to coming to Las Vegas and running on the little track."

Leffler and many of the drivers competing Saturday night are expected to take part in an open practice for Sprints and Midgets from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at The Bullring. The practice session is open to the public, free of charge.

Only 64 points separate the top four drivers in the Western Sprint Car standings going into the final two races at Irwindale and Las Vegas. A total of 144 points are available in the final two races.

Darland holds an 83-point lead over Yeley in the National standings. Danny Stratton assumed a 10-point lead over Robby Flock in the Western Midget Car standings after finishing seventh at Tucson. A total of 138 points are available at Irwindale and Las Vegas.

Wheldon competed in two IRL races this season with Panther Racing as a teammate to IRL champion Sam Hornish Jr. Andretti Green Racing will field cars in the IRL for drivers Michael Andretti, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan.