The ninth race of the Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings Season 6 tour took place at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on September 17, 2023. It was a night of firsts, as Damon Merchant claimed his first-ever Invitational win and the first NPK event was held at the iconic venue. Merchant, who drives a 1968 Camaro named “Rogue”, defeated Larry Larson in the final round to take home the $40,000 prize and move closer to the points leader, Kye Kelley. As the dust settles on the Las Vegas event, it's time to take a closer look at the current Individuals and Team points standings and celebrate Damon Merchant's impressive victory.
Damon Merchant win NPK Invitational class at Las Vegas. Photo by Dean Images.
Merchant had a stellar performance throughout the event, beating some of the top contenders in the series. He started off by eliminating David Gates in the first round, then took out Jim Howe in the second round. In the quarterfinals, he faced off against Kelley, who had beaten him twice in previous Invitational finals this season. Merchant was determined to get his revenge, and he did so by getting a holeshot and holding off Kelley’s charge.
In the semifinals, Merchant met another tough opponent, Nate Sayler, who was also in the top five in points. Merchant prevailed again, setting up a final round showdown with Larson, a veteran racer and Drag Week legend. Larson had also impressed throughout the event, knocking out drivers like Ryan Martin, Scott Taylor, and Lizzy Musi. However, he could not stop Merchant’s momentum, as Merchant once again left first and crossed the finish line ahead of Larson.
Damon win over Larry Larson in the final of NPK Las Vegas. Photo by TBM Brakes
While he held the number one spot for a substantial part of the season, he had not secured an Invitational win until recently. This victory was particularly notable because he achieved it with a big block Chevy engine, a departure from the norm. Such wins with boosted big block Chevys have been rare since Jeff Lutz's victory last season. Damon's win marks a welcome change, and it's heartening to see someone else succeeding in the Invitational races.
Damon Merchant win NPK Las Vegas Invitational with a big block Chevy combo. Photo by Dean Images.
With his win in Las Vegas, Merchant moved up to second place in the Invitational points standings, trailing Kelley by only 20 points. Following them are Nate Saylor, Kayla Morton, Robin Roberts, Axman, Giuseppe Gentile, and Murder Nova, effectively comprising the top eight. Giuseppe and Murder Nova will need to draw in the upcoming race to determine who secures a spot in the grade eight. Additionally, Scott Taylor, David Gates, and Larry Larson have made significant advancements, while Justin Swanstrom continues to struggle, experiencing three or four recent first-round exits.
NPK Individual Points standings after Las Vegas. Photo by Street Outlaws Stat Guy
Turning to the team standings, Kai Kelly continues to lead with 880 points, holding a considerable advantage over Daddy Dave's team. Boddie's team is tied with Ryan Martin's, and behind them are Murder Nova, Justin Swanstrom, Mike Murillo, and the team represented by Disco Dean. Hopefully, they will find a solution to improve their performance.
NPK Team Points standings after Las Vegas. Photo by Street Outlaws Stat Guy
This season has witnessed a variety of winners, including repeat champions like Kye Kelley and Lizzy. Out of eight races, there have been five distinct winners, showcasing the competitiveness of the top 10 to 15 drivers in the points standings. Looking ahead, the next race will take place at Dragway 42, a fast track with favorable atmospheric conditions. With six more races remaining in the NPK season, there's plenty of opportunity for developments. As always, we'll eagerly await what unfolds in the coming races and it promises to be an exciting show.
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