Brandon Riehl of Boring, Ore scored his second consecutive NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division victory in week by claiming the Auto Trader "150" at Colorado National Speedway Sunday afternoon. Riehl took the lead from last year's event winner Justin Diercks on lap 143 with a thrilling outside pass as the duo exited turn four and went on to a 1.690 second margin of victory. Diercks, Burney Lamar, Eddie Hoffman, and multi-time Midwest Series champion Steve Carlson rounded out the top five finishers.
Riehl started the race from the sixth position after scoring his first Bud Pole Award of the season and the $400 bonus, then drew a six car invert. Josh Vadnais claimed the $750 PowerAde Power Move of the Race Award while Brandon Riehl also collected the $300 Featherlite Award for improving the most positions from the previous Southwest Series event. Don Campbell was the top finishing Sunoco Rookie-of-the-Year contender with a 21st place effort.
"I had to work real hard today for that one," Riehl said. "We are just starting to run like we knew we could. It has been a long learning curve for us but to beat these guys is a big big deal."
"Brandon made a great pass and my hat's off to him for the win," said Diercks after finishing second. "This is a great race track and the racing is always fun."
"Brandon drove a great race," Lamar said after finishing third. "He has been tough at each race this season and it looks they have found the set up. I lost my radio about twenty laps in and it made it difficult with no spotter. I am very happy to finish third with such a strong field of drivers."
Diercks maintains the Midwest Series point lead while Jim Pettit II maintains a slim twelve point advantage over Burney Lamar.
Auto Trader "150" Southwest/Midwest Series Combination Event
NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division
Colorado National Speedway June 5, 2005
1. Brandon Riehl, Boring Ore., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, 55.331 mph, $5,700
2. Justin Diercks, Davenport Iowa, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $3,300
3. Burney Lamar, Kernersville N.C., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $2,000
4. Eddie Hoffman, Wheaton Ill., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $1,750
5. Steve Carlson, West Salem Wisc., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $1,500
6. Andrew Morrissey, DeForest Wisc., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $1,200
7. M K Kanke, Frazier Park Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $1,100
8. Doug McCoun, Prunedale Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $1,075
9. Bruce Yackey, Greeley Colo., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $1,050
10. Tim Schendel, Sparta Wisc., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $1,025
11. Josh Vadnais, White Bear Lake Minn., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $1,750
12. Brent Kirchner, La Crosse Wisc., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $975
13. Greg Fowler, Erie Colo., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $950
14. Greg Pursley, Canyon Country Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $925
15. Russ Blakely, Whitewater Wisc., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $900
16. Nick Lynch, Burley Idaho, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $875
17. Mark Kraus, Strattford Wisc., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $850
18. Thomas Martin, Auburn Calif., Pontiac Grand Prix, 150, $825
19. Greg Voigt, Santa Barbara Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $800
20. Nick Joanides, Woodland Hills Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 150, $750
21. Don Campbell, Campbell Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 149, $700
22. David Finney, Sycamore Ill., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 149, $650
23. Dexter Bean, Westby Wisc., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 149, $600
24. Jim Pettit, II, Prunedale Calif., Ford Taurus, 149, $600
25. Eddy McKean, Jerome Idaho, Pontiac Grand Prix, 147, $600
26. Auggie Vidovich, Lakeside Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 146, $600
27. Dustin Jones, Tucson Ariz., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 121, $600
28. Roger Avants, Littleton Colo., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 84, Accident, $600
29. Josh Bauer, Random Lake Wisc., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 62, Handling, $600
30. Bob Lyon, Agua Dulce Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 33, Electrical, $600
31. Trevor Morrical, Brighton Colo., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 4, Accident, $550
32. David Bean, Westby Wisc., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 3, Electrical, $550
* Denotes Rookie of the Year Contender
Failed to Qualify: (6) Bear Lynch (#08), Kevin Clark (#07), Danny Mientka (#4), Mike Ledbetter (#61), Rip Michels (#12), Jeff Jefferson (#42).
Time of Race: 1 hrs., 0 mins, 11 secs Average Speed: 55.331 mph Margin of Victory: 1.690 Seconds
BUD POLE AWARD: Brandon Riehl, 69 Aero Turbine Chevrolet
FEATHERLITE AWARD: Brandon Riehl, 69 Aero Turbine Chevrolet
MIDWEST CHAMPIONS BONUS: Justin Diercks, 29 Iowa-Illinois/Taylor Insulation Chevrolet
POWERADE AWARD: Josh Vadnais, 01 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Chevrolet
Caution Flags: Laps 6-14; 44-50; 58-60; 71-77; 83-85; 96-99; 108-110; 116-119. 8 for 40 laps.
Lap Leaders: Burney Lamar 1-51, Justin Diercks 52-143, Brandon Riehl 144-150.
Total Laps Led: Justin Diercks 92, Burney Lamar 51, Brandon Riehl 7. 2 changes involving 3 drivers
