LAS VEGAS, NV – For the second weekend in a row, a championship driver from the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series will be racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Campbell River BC’s Jason Beaulieu will be competing at one of North America’s biggest IMCA Modified race events. Over 240 IMCA Modifieds are expected to jam the pits for the 12th annual, $7,777 to win, Duel in the Desert event on the ½ mile dirt oval.

Beaulieu, who had 4 wins and finished second in the 2009 NPP Late Model Series points chase, ran two Modified events earlier this season in the United States. “I finished sixth in the Feature in Elma, Washington (fast time out of 90 cars) but had some bad luck in Oregon (suspension) and didn’t even make the Feature.” Beaulieu has put additional pressure on himself heading into this years Duel in the Desert race. “We blew the motor at last years event,” indicates Beaulieu, “we kind of came here on a whim and may have been a little unprepared. That won’t be the case this time.”

Track officials say 20 Qualifying heats will be run both Thursday and Friday night. Only 28 cars will emerge from the Heats and Preliminary Features to run Saturday nights ‘A’ Feature event. “It’s a very tough race format,” says Beaulieu, “if I can win a preliminary Feature or even make Saturday nights show, I can honestly say that it would be my biggest accomplishment in 24 years of racing.” Beaulieu will be racing against many of IMCA’s top Modified drivers. “These guys are the best of the best. Many run up to 60 races a year. This will only be my third Modified event this year.”

12th annual DUEL IN THE DESERT

UPDATE: 262 I.M.C.A cars entered (20 heat races on Night #1)
> Thursday, November 12th
Beaulieu finished 4th in his Heat Race
Finished 24th in ‘B’ Feature (tire)
> Friday, November 13th
Finished 2nd in Heat Race
Finished 30th in ‘A’ Feature (no transfer to Saturday)
>Saturday, November 14th
5:00pm: Last Chance race then Feature