MAYHEW AND PETERSON SCORE BIG IN BATTLE AT THE BULLRING IN LAS VEGAS
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (February 21, 2026) – Californians Taylor Mayhew of Bakersfield and Jeffrey Peterson of Grand Terrace led the way in the 2026 Battle at the Bullring in Las Vegas on Saturday night, claiming the Super Late Model 150- and Limited Late Model 100-lap features. Mayhew’s win paid a cool $15,000 to the victor.
Mayhew’s victory came via a strong pass inside the 2025 champion Jace Hansen on the 133rd lap of the event.
“We kind of just fell off in the beginning and lost brakes because I was learning how to save. Jace made a little bit of a mistake and I was able to capitalize on it. Hats off to all of my guys,” Mayhew said. “Biggest win in my career by far. Definitely proud to do this in my second Super Late race. As soon as my spotter told me I had front brake, it was time to start digging.”
“It’s a huge confidence booster at the beginning of the year. Looking to carry this momentum throughout the 2026 season.”
Las Vegas’ own Chris Clyne scored the pole in time trials over a strong field of 23 Super Late Models at the Bullring. Colorado’s Jace Hansen passed him on the opening circuit, however. Napa’s Dylan Zampa drove into the top spot on lap 46. Zampa was relegated back to third on a lap 52 restart and then suffered rear end damage, eventually drifting to seventh at the finish.
Eighth-starting Mayhew was running just at the tail of the top-five heading into the scheduled race break near lap 100. Hansen looked strong coming out of the break before a competition caution flew on lap 131. On the following restart, Clyne slid wide and was part of a grinding multi-car crash on the backstretch. All drivers involved were uninjured.
Mayhew avoided the fracas and started outside Hansen when the race resumed. Hansen swung wise into turn three and Mayhew pounced, diving to the inside to lead lap 133. Mayhew darted away for victory with Hansen in second. Montana’s Bryce Bezanson was third followed by Spokane, Washington’s Haeden Plybon in fourth. Keelan Harvick was part of a spirited battle throughout the race, eventually charging from as low as 11th to finish fifth.
Tanner Huddleston earned the pole for the CARS Tour West Limited Late Models but it was Jeffrey Peterson winning the back-and-forth battle for $4,000 after 100-laps of racing.
The most serious incident of the event happened on lap four following a called back restart between Peterson and Huddleston. 12-year-old Byron Borneman and Bakersfield’s Caden Cordova collided coming to the caution, sending both of their machines into the inside wall. Both drivers were unhurt.
15th-starting Kenna Mitchell, the 2025 All American Speedway champion, avoided several early race incidents and charged into second position by lap 38. Mitchell and Peterson then collided on the second turn, collecting Brenden Ruzbarsky and Michael Killen in the process. Mitchell spun around on the backstretch while Peterson was able to keep his machine straight and move back into second position.
Peterson was undeterred by the hiccups, taking hold of the top position once more on lap 53.
Huddleston battled back on the inside on lap 85, running strong in a borrowed car to retake the lead. Peterson crossed over Huddleston to make the decisive move on lap 87 and take an express trip the pay window. Huddleston trailed by 1.5 seconds at the finish followed by a strong CARS Tour West performance for Clovis, California teenager Skyler Schoppe in third.
“It was a battle. We got together on one of the restarts and worked my back through the field. Fortunately I was able to get by (Tanner) and I hit oil and he got by me, then he lost it and we got back past him,” Peterson said. “Clay Wooster and Linny White give me an amazing race car every weekend. We had an amazing long run race car.”
2026 ARCA Menards Series, West rookie contender Gavin Ray defended his Las Vegas home turf with a complete sweep of the Terrible’s INEX Legends action as part of the Legends Tour West. Ray won both the Friday and Saturday features in dominant fashion. Bakersfield drivers chased Ray, with Robby Sawyer finishing second on Friday and Logan Chambers in the runner-up spot on Saturday. Sacramento Legends car rookie Turner “Chico” Brown finished third followed by Sawyer and Colorado’s Austin Steinke.
Sam Jacks evened the 2026 score with his brother Kyle, taking a narrow victory in the NASCAR Modifieds 40-lap feature. Opening night winner Kyle Jacks soared to the rear bumper of Sam on the final circuit but was unable to complete a pass. Sam Jacks completed the wire-to-wire victory followed by Kyle Jacks, Idaho’s Shelby Stroebel, Utah’s Zach Webster, and Utah’s Eric Rhead.
Don Geary won the Street / Factory Stocks 30-lap feature in an exciting race against Kyle Jacks. Kyle Jacks was relegated to settling for second in both of his features on Saturday night as the leaders darted in and out of traffic. Bill Paddack, Jr., Vinny Raucci, Sr. and Donna Gunther were the balance of the top-five finishers. Rob Pfaffy led the Factory Stocks drivers in seventh.
Ben Williams is two-for-two in the 2026 NASCAR Mini Stocks action at the Bullring, this time winning from ninth on the grid in the 25-lap feature. Bory Molina took over the lead from Williams on the high side on a lap 16 restart. Williams then used the high line himself to charge back into the coveted lead.
Melissa Lurkins was third followed by Ceceila Williams and Luis Rivera.
The sport’s youngest drivers staged a fast-paced feature in the INEX Bandoleros. Las Vegas’ Dylan Mancini topped Braxton Garcia for the 15-lap triumph with opening night winner Casey Piplic finishing third. Austin French and Jeff Connors rounded out the top-five.
The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway returns on March 7 with a full slate of INEX and NASCAR championship races. Tickets and info at www.lvmsbullring.com
