By Brian Hilderbrand

Fri, Mar 28, 2008 (2 a.m.)

Sam Morris

Spectators watch between turns one and two at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Attending races at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway used to be about as pleasant as a trip to the dentist. Track officials exerted little control over the racers and the weekly Saturday night shows often dragged on past midnight.

Not anymore. Thanks to the efforts of Chris Blair, the speedway’s vice president of racing operations, and Mike Stafford, The Bullring’s competition manager, the weekly Saturday night NASCAR racing series cards are run efficiently, with little downtime between races, and the shows rarely run past 10:30 p.m.

And best of all, they’re affordable. Where else in the valley can a person buy a ticket to a sporting event and get a hot dog and a beer — all for $12?

The green flag will drop on the local short-track racing season Saturday night as The Bullring hosts the first of 19 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series shows at the 3/8-mile paved oval. Here are five reasons you should visit The Bullring at least once this season:

Return to racing’s roots

Most of today’s NASCAR stars — at least those not named Juan or Dario — began their racing careers on tracks just like The Bullring. This is racing in its purest form because, let’s face it, most of these guys and gals are just hoping to make enough money each weekend to buy a set of tires and a tankful of racing fuel.

See ’em before they’re famous

The road to NASCAR fame and fortune included a few circuits around The Bullring for Las Vegas natives Kurt and Kyle Busch. Although the vast majority of those competing at The Bullring will never make it to one of NASCAR’s touring series, that doesn’t lessen the intensity of the racing on most nights.

Two to watch

Teenagers Brianna Holley and Cheyanne Schindler — best friends off the track — waged a spirited battle in finishing 1-2 in the Bandoleros Young Guns division last year. Both young ladies will step up to the Legends Cars division this season. Holley, 15, won four Saturday night main events last season en route to the track championship and finished 64 points ahead of Schindler in the standings.

Family-friendly prices

There aren’t too many places in town where a family of four can be entertained for three or four hours for less than $30 (excluding food and beverages). In addition to a “Family Four Pack” ticket package for $26, The Bullring again will offer $1 beer, $1 hot dogs and $1 sodas this season.

Drive-in viewing

If you’re into tailgating, the Stockyard at The Bullring is for you. For $60 per vehicle, you can park outside the fence between the third and fourth turns and catch all the action from your favorite folding chair.

2008 Bullring schedule

March 29 — Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Modifieds, Late Models, Chargers, Bandoleros

April 5 — Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Modifieds, Late Models, Chargers, Bandoleros

April 12 — Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Late Models, Thunder Roadsters, Bombers

April 19 — Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Modifieds, Chargers, Thunder Roadsters, Bandoleros, Demolition Derby

April 26 — Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Modifieds, Late Models, Chargers, Bandoleros

May 3 — USAC Ford Focus Midget Series, Legends Cars, Thunder Roadsters, Bandoleros, Bombers, Baby Grand National Cars of Canada

May 10 — Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Modifieds, Late Models, Chargers

May 17 — Lucas Oil/Hoosier Tire West Modified Series, West Coast Pro Trucks, Legends Cars, Thunder Roadsters, Bandoleros, Bombers

May 24 — Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Late Models, Chargers, Bandoleros

May 31 — Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Modifieds, Thunder Roadsters, Bandoleros, Bombers

June 7 — Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Late Models, Chargers, Thunder Roadsters

June 14 — Super Late Models, Modifieds, Chargers, Bandoleros, Bombers

June 21 — Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Late Models, Thunder Roadsters, Bandoleros

July 3 —Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Modifieds, USAC Ford Focus Midget Series

Aug. 2 — Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Late Models, Chargers, Bandoleros, Bombers

Aug. 9 — Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Modifieds, Chargers, Thunder Roadsters

Aug. 16 — Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Late Models, Chargers, Bandoleros, Bombers

Aug. 30 — Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Modifieds, Chargers, Thunder Roadsters, Bombers, Demolition Derby

Sept. 13 — Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Modifieds, Late Models, Chargers, Thunder Roadsters, Bandoleros

Oct. 23-25 — Fall Classic Open Comp (Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Modifieds, Late Models, Chargers, Bombers)

Nov. 1 — Speed Spectacular (USAC Western States Midget Series, Legends Cars, Bandoleros)