The Las Vegas Open Comp , November 5-7, is one of the most prestigious events in the Southwestern United States, and it attracts some of the best Super Late and Late Model Stock Car drivers the west has to offer. This was the furthest thing on the mind of Grant Hebner, as the NASCAR Super Truck series he was competing in entered the final stretch of the season.

    It seems that some things are just meant to be. After sustaining heavy damage to his Super Truck in races 12 and 13, the team had some tough decisions to make. The championship was out of reach, and Grant had qualified and run up front the entire season. “We got together as a team and decided our time and remaining assets were better served looking forward to next year,” said Grant. Instead of racing the last two Super Truck races, the decision was made to run a test session in the team’s #21 Late-Model Stock Car at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale. The test was conducted by team owner Jason Bowles with Kevin and Brian Bowles on hand to keep things running. Jason Bowles is the current Camping World West series Champion.

    “The test was designed to get Grant comfortable in the car in anticipation of running some races next year,” stated Jason. “However, Grant came up to speed quickly, and before we knew it, he was running faster practice times than we normally see. Of course, this got our attention and when the subject of the Las Vegas Open Comp race came up several days later, I thought he could at least hold his own.”

    The offer to run the Las Vegas race was presented to Grant and his father, Bryant, and the decision was made to “give it a try”. “I really couldn’t see throwing Grant into the deep end on this, “ said Bryant Hebner. “So, we decided to make the trip to Vegas and see how Thursday practice for the race went. Then we could go from there.”

    The Open Comp race consists of 150 laps with a mandatory pit break at lap 75. It is contested on the 3/8 mile asphalt Bullring track at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  The schedule for the Late Models included:  Thursday practice, Friday qualifying and heat races, and Saturday “dash” races and the main event.

    When Thursday practice came to an end, the time sheets recorded Grant consistently in the top ten, running from 7th quick to 2nd fastest in the last session.  Grant and the team were extremely encouraged and set a goal of making it into the main event on Saturday.

    Friday was qualifying day. The top ten qualifying times were automatically in the main event. The rest of the field had to run a series of heat races to secure a spot in the main race.  Grant qualified with a time of 15.851 putting him solidly in the top ten in 6th place. The team ‘s goal was reset to just “finish the race”.

    Saturday started with a 10 lap “Dash” between the top 10 qualifiers to determine the first 10 starting positions in the main race. The top 10 qualifiers were inverted, giving Grant the inside of row 3 for his starting position.  “The track has one groove on the inside,” said Grant.  “If you get high, or someone gets under you, the entire line of cars on the inside will go by you. One minute you’re in 2nd, and the next, you’re dead last”. In the dash, Grant moved up to third place and was battling for second when he got into the back of the 2nd place car. NASCAR decided to penalize Grant and sent him to the back of the field. “It was a crash fest out there,” stated Hebner. “I was getting hit on both sides and from behind. I was just trying to keep the car on the track.” Hebner made it up to 7th before his spotter, Jason Bowles, instructed him to hold position. “You really want an inside starting position in the main race,” commented Grant. “ It was almost funny how guys were practically stopping on the track in the last few laps trying to finish so that they would start the main on the inside line.” Hebner was able to maintain his 7th place starting position for the main, insuring a start from the inside.

    After the “dash” race, the team had to hustle to repair minor damage to the #21 in time to make the grid for the main event. “Talking with Grant after the “dash”, it was clear his confidence was somewhat shaken,’” said Bryant Hebner, Grant’s father. “ I just told him not to worry and to go out there and get some experience. We had already surpassed our initial expectations.” Grant did just that. The race was marred with 19 different caution periods, 11 of which occurred in the first half of the race. Grant kept his nose clean and ran in the top 10 for the entire first half of the race. “I just kept telling myself that I had to get a top ten finish’” said Grant.

    After the mandatory pit stop on lap 75, Grant put his head down and worked his way into the top 5. Travis Irving, Grant’s tuner from Karting days, and close friend, made his way to the lead. “I could see Travis leading, and now I’m telling myself we have to finish in the top 5,” exclaimed Grant. “Things settled down a bit, and my car was really strong for the entire run,” said Grant. In fact, Grant ran his fastest lap of the race, a 15.926, on lap 137 of 150. Of the 26 cars starting the race, 21 took the green flag after the halfway break.

    As the laps ticked down, Grant took care of his car while others were spinning and falling by the wayside. Only 9 cars remained on the lead lap in the final stages of the race. “At this point I really wanted a top 3 “podium” finish, and with 4 laps to go I was there,” said Grant. “Travis was in a league of his own and there was no time to work on the 2nd place car. I was thrilled to bring her home in 3rd.”

    After the race, the winner, Travis Irving, had nothing but praise for Grant. “Of course I’m thrilled to have won the event. I can’t tell you how much effort went into this run, but I’m equally proud of Grant and the job he did in his very first Late Model race. He did everything that was asked of him and more. Unbelievable.”