Tyler Tanner to Roll the Dice in SRL Vegas Run

2018 and 2019 Evergreen Speedway Super Late Model Track Champion Tyler Tanner will make the trip from his new home base in Mooresville, NC to Las Vegas, NV to participate in the “Retro Custom Metals 137” at the LVMS Bullring and Dirt Track (NV). Tanner will be making his first start in a championship event, for the Spears Srl Southwest Tour Series, after participating in the SRL Winter Showdown four previous times. The Auburn, WA native had a best finish of fourth in 2016, but will look to cash in a $10,000 check, compliments of David Nava Mulcahy (Homie), with the proper roll of the dice on November 21st.

As has been the case for most Super Late Model racers in the state of Washington, Tanner has had an abbreviated season. He counts only two Northwest Super Late Model Series (NWSLMS) starts, to go along with another Super Late Model event at South Sound Speedway (WA), where he finished third. He finished 12th in the NWSLMS event at South Sound Speedway, after a mechanical issue ended his day while leading. The lack of events in the Pacific Northwest has resulted in the 2018 NASCAR State of Washington Champion to look outside the region during their off-season, for big events to attend.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t have the opportunity to race as much as we wanted this year, due to race cancellations etc.”, Tanner told the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series. “So, we decided “let’s go down south for the Fall / Winter and hit some big races.””

The four-time Budweiser Crown Series Winner, for Super Late Models, will be searching for his first marquee win this Winter. The traditional Las Vegas finale, for the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series, has grown into that type of event, with 30 or more cars attending over the last four seasons. Although this year’s event is the penultimate race on the SRL schedule, the $10,000 on the line for the winner, should see this year’s event with another large car count. But the stiff competition he will face, doesn’t change his outlook for the weekend.

“My goals and expectations are pretty simple”, Tanner stated. “We want to run all the laps and contend for a win. It’s no different than any other time we prepare for an event.”

Despite all his success, the 14-time starter in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, can’t point to one particular event as a career highlight. He has top-five finishes in both the Winter and Summer Showdown’s, to go along with a multitude of wins at Evergreen Speedway. But a big marque win has eluded the 29-year-old driver.

“There are none (wins) that really stand out in my mind”, Tanner stated. “I’ve won a fair amount of competitive races, but I’ve never won a big marquis event or crown jewel Super Late Model race. Something always seems to happen at those events when we are running good. Hopefully, we can change that this fall.”

Tyler, and his Washington based team, will bring their best car to the Bullring on the 21st. It has been a car that has performed very well for them in the past, but has not had the fortune of wracking up as many wins as it is capable of. He and the team hope to change that in a few weeks.

We are bringing our 2016 Hamke Race Cars & Parts Inc with a parts engine”, Tanner offered, “It’s always our fastest car, but for whatever reason, as mentioned prior, something happens. So I’ve only won a few races with it. We are gonna roll the dice in Vegas and try to change that.”

Tanner is happy to have the opportunity to make the cross-country trip, to participate with the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series in Las Vegas. It will be a challenging journey for both the driver and team, but he is thankful to those who have made it possible.

“First and foremost, I have to thank my parents for making it all possible”, Tanner began. “In many aspects, living in North Carolina, and having all my equipment in Washington, brings a few challenges. I would also like to give a big shoutout to my sponsors and supporters; 9D Creative, King’s Transmission, Floor Coverings International (FCI) – Tacoma, WA, Hypercoils, Earnest Performance, and Thomas Stanford Racing.”

The “Retro Custom Metals 137” will be run on November 21st, with $10,000 going to the winner thanks to David Mulcahy (Homie). The Spears Modified Series will join the SRL in the event, for the OPTIMA Batteries 75 presented by FAST – Fuel Air Spark Technology”. Practice will occur on Friday the 20th, with three sessions for the Super Late Models, beginning at 3:45 pm (PST) and ending at 7:30 pm. Saturday will find the Super Late Models practicing from 12:15 pm to 1:00 pm. Qualifying is scheduled for 3:15 pm. The Last Chance Qualifier (if needed) will follow, with feature events rolling off thereafter. There will be a halfway break on lap 68 for the SRL Super Late Models.

If you can’t attend the event, catch the action at www.SpearsRacing.TV, with your paid subscription.

Celebrating its twentieth season in 2020, the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series is a regional stock car series competing on paved ovals in the southwestern portion of the U.S. “The SPEARS Southwest Tour Series…Where the Champions Race”.