THE OPENING LINE

Monday, Nov. 12, 2007 | 7:08 a.m.

I don't know how many of the Rebels can whistle Dixie. But if they can't outshoot the visitors from up the road in St. George, ESPN will probably have something to say about it. Just ask Kentucky.

TICKETS: $28, $12

ON THE WEB: www.unlvtickets.com

Duel in the Desert, Thursday-Sunday, Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

If a mad scientist - or Andy Granatelli - ever put a stock car together with an open-wheel car, an IMCA modified would probably be the result. These hybrid cars might not be the fastest thing on dirt, but they're a lot of fun to watch.

TICKETS: $15-$40

ON THE WEB: www.lvms.com

As host of a syndicated sports talk show that once was heard in 300 markets, Joe Chevalier - just plain Papa Joe if you're listening at home - had access to a lot of famous sports people.

And they him, which he discovered one rainy afternoon several years ago in Las Vegas.

A message flashed on Chevalier's computer screen that Michael Jordan was on Line 2. Yeah, right, the host thought. And Mickey Mantle's out in the parking lot, and he wants to buy me a beer.

Chevalier thought somebody was playing a joke, and a tired one at that. Then he remembered his producer, Rob Wuczynski, was a Chicago guy.

And a huge Bulls fan.

Wuczynski knew that voice, even before the Hanes commercials, and told his boss that unless Rich Little was trying to appeal to a younger audience, Michael Jordan was, indeed, on Line 2 - and he wanted to talk to the host.

Chevalier punched the button and Michael Jordan, the Michael Jordan, M.J. to his golfing pals (and Charles Barkley), identified himself.

I started going 'hamana, hamana, hamana,' " Chevalier said, effecting a Ralph Kramden impression. "I've had a lot of big names on the show but that was the only time I was truly nervous."

Jordan and Magic Johnson had blown off NBA All-Star practice for a golf outing at top-secret Shadow Creek, where you almost have to be named Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson to get a tee time. It was raining and they had taken shelter in the clubhouse when something Chevalier said on the radio got their attention and M.J. decided to call in.

That was the highlight of Chevalier's first 17 years on the air in Las Vegas. After spending a decade in Chicago, he's come back to the place that launched his career to thaw out, and to continue to entertain sports fans with his shot-and-a-beer style and total disdain for the New York Yankees.

He's back on the air full-time at KLAV 1230-AM (and online at www.papajoetalk.com) from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday.

My advice is to tune in, because you never know who the next caller might be.