Gaughan wins Truck pole in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Brendan Gaughan led virtually the entire way in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series Las Vegas 350 Saturday, to collect his fifth win of the season.

Driving in his hometown, Gaughan never gave anyone else a chance. He won his second straight pole in triple-digit heat earlier in the day, then ran out front as temperatures dropped into the high 70s for the night race.

"We've been working on this for a long time," Gaughan said.

Gaughan picked up the maximum 185 points, widening his lead by 25 points over Travis Kvapil. With five races remaining, the former college roommate of NBA superstar Allen Iverson has 3,151 points and a 67-point lead.

After taking the checkered flag, Gaughan drove onto the infield and raised clouds of smoke with some spin-outs. He climbed out of the truck and on top of it, pumping his left fist. The win clinched the manufacturers' championship for Dodge, its second.