ERIE, Colorado -- The High Plains NASCAR Knock-Out was held on Saturday April 22, at Colorado National Speedway. The Winged Sprints made their return to the Speedway along with the Sunoco Race Fuels Grand American Modifieds, Shed R Us Super Stocks, Figure 8’s, Trains and the 50-lapper for the Sportsman division.
In the afternoon qualifying sessions, Nick Haygood took the top honors in the Winged Sprints with a 14.925 lap. Second quick in the division was Rick Bubak and Jeff Wheeler third. The Sheds R Us Super Stock had the K&W Custom Embroidery & Silk Screening Nova of Ric Lothert set quick time with a 20.465 lap. Mike Cox and Emett Grazier rounded out the top 3 in qualifying. In the Sunoco Race Fuels Grand American Modifieds the Diesel Service and Supply Dodge of Ed Vecchiarelli set quick time with a 16.854 lap. Second quick Joel Hansen and Ed Vecchiarelli Jr was third quick. John Baker in the Simpson Electric Chevrolet set quick time in Sportsman qualifying with a 17.814 lap. Jim Lahey and Davin Fisbeck were second and third quick. The Figure 8’s were the last division to qualify and Harry Bragg in the Lonewolf Disposal/Race Towing Camaro set quick time with a 28.630 lap. Joe Matlock was second quick and Al Duran was third quick in qualifying.
The Sheds R Us Super Stocks had an early B main, and Darrell Smith jumped to the early lead, but Russ Middaugh took over on lap 3. Kent Stubbe, Mark Neff, and Bruce Borchardt went 3-wide on lap 3, but Borchardt backed off on lap 4. Stubbe worked his way to second, and the racing was intense up front. On lap 8, contact from Stubbe sent Addy spinning in turn 4. Stubbe was sent to the rear, and Addy regained his position. On the restart Ric Lothert and Emett Grazier split Addy. Lothert was able to hold off Grazier for the win over Addy, Mark Neff, and a close battle between Bruce Borchardt and Darrell Smith.
The early B Main for the Grand American Modifieds had Jeff Purvis shoot to the early lead over Forest Smith. D.L. Clementson moved to third on lap 3 with the 2 Vecchiarelli cars moving up. On lap 7, Jon Lincicome tagged Joe Jordan down the backstretch and Jordan went spinning. Lincicome was sent off the track with a loose bumper, and retuned. Both Vecchiarelli cars moved into second, but wasn’t able to catch Purvis. Purvis took the win over Vecchiarelli Jr, Vecchiarelli, Clementson, and Smith.
The Sportsman division ran the trophy dash with the fastest 8 cars inverted with Stan Griffin and Rick Hunt on the front row. Craig Holmes in the Fat Rabbit Monte Carlo took the lead from Stan Griffin on lap 2 and never looked back. Rick Hunt moved into second on lap 4, but wasn’t able to catch Holmes. Holmes won over Hunt, and Brad Groff.
The first B main for the Figure 8 division saw Dave Smith take the lead from JD Hafemeister on the second lap. Dennis Stepanich moved into second on the third lap as Hafemesiter started fading back and eventually pulled off. Smith held on for the win over Stepanich, Harry Bragg, Al Duran, and Joe Martinez. After a caution for Mike Wolfe as he spun before the flag-stand on the first lap, Ronnie Hults took the lead in the second B main as Dennis Stepanich Jr spun. Jonathan Lindberg pulled into the infield as well as Bobby Zike by lap 3. A caution for debris on lap 3 bunched up the field. On the restart, the 11 starters were down to 8, with Stepanich Jr back on track. Joe Matlock started pressuring Hults before taking over on lap 5. Matlock held on for the win over Hults, John Johnson, Nick Martinez and Jim Egli.
The second B main for the Sheds R Us Super Stock was next on the card with Mario Garramone and Jeff Walburn on the front row. Garramone led early over A.J. Grasso. Grasso took over on lap 2 over Walburn and Edwards. Mike Cox moved to fourth on lap 3 and the Edwards/Cox train got by Walburn on lap 4. Cox got under Edwards on lap 5 and started chasing down Grasso. On lap 8 Cox got under Grasso and took over the lead. Edwards got by Grasso on the last lap but wasn’t able to reel in the Cox Automotive Caprice. Cox as Cox won over Edwards, Grasso, Walburn, and Chris Vieth.
The Sunoco Race Fuels Grand American Modifieds were next out for their second B main with Nathan Gasser and Ryan Moore on the front row. Gasser took the lead on the first lap over Ryan Moore. Mike Castagno went spinning through the infield on lap 2. Adam Shrove moved into second by lap 3 over Ryan Moore and Joel Hansen. Shrove took over the lead on lap 6, and Hansen got by Gasser. On lap 7, Hansen got by Shrove for the lead and was able to hold off the field for the win. Shrove, Gasser, Moore, and Ronnie Stringfellow Jr rounded out the top 5.
Jeff Webb and Alan Carter were on the front row for the Sportsman B Main. Webb took the lead on the first lap over Eric Blackard and Lee Kemmit as Alan Carter fell to fourth ahead of Frankie Estes. Blackard got loose on lap 3 and Kemmit got by Blackard for second as Blackard fell to third. On lap 6, Kemmit got under Webb and took the lead from Webb and then William Oaks slammed into the front wall for a caution on the next lap. Tommy Roe moved to fifth by lap 8, and Black and got around Lahey on lap 9. On lap 11, JimBob Rogers got around Roe for fifth. Kemmit held on for the win with Blackard right on his bumper, followed by Webb, Carter, and Rogers.
The first main event to roll out was the Figure 8’s and 24 of the 25 cars rolled onto the track for their 20-lapper. The Bad Boys Racing team did a car-swap in the pits leaving Michael Wolfe out of a car. Dave Smith jumped into Wolfe’s car, while Harry Bragg jumped in Smith’s car. Joe Matlock led the first lap over Ronnie Hults and Dennis Stepanich. Harry Livermore sent Shirley Thompson for a spin and heck broke loose on lap 2. Randy Grubb’s bumper fell off, Jim Egli went spinning, John Johnson and Nick Martinez had to swerve into each other to miss a car in the X. As the caution flew, with only 1 lap complete, Matlock was in front over Hults, Stepanich, Al Duran, and Johnson. Ben Martinez pulled off on lap 3, and Hults started pressuring Matlock. Hults took over on the third lap and Matlock fell back with problems as Stepanich, Duran, Johnson, and Nick Martinez were no the top five on lap 5. Mike Steward pulled off on lap 5 and watched the X action for a few laps. On lap 10, Bobby Hutchings blew up for a caution as he laid down fluid. N Martinez got around Johnson on the lap 10 restart. On lap 13, Duran got by Hults for the lead and took off. Harry Livermore Jr, Matlock and Shirley Thompson got together near the track exit on lap 15 for a caution and smoking pieces off Jonathan Lindberg’s car fell off under the caution. Stephen Webb got a huge round of applause for all of his near X hits. Johnson pitted on the caution after pieces of his car started falling off and that moved Joe Martinez into the top 5. Duran held on for the win in the Torres Mexican Food/No BS Motorsports Nova over Hults, Stepanich, N Martinez, and J Martinez.
The Winged Sprint Cars were next onto the track and the front row had Kent Conrad, and Kevin Schramek on the front row for their 25-lap main event. Schramek led the first lap over Jake Pierson and John Gerloff. Jake Pierson moved into the lead on lap 4 with Schramek, Gerloff, Rich Bubak, and Nick Haygood rounding out the top 5. Haygood shot to second on lap 7, and started trying to chip at Pierson's quarter-lap lead. By lap 10, Bubak moved into third ahead of Gerloff and Jeff Weaver. Weaver moved into fourth on lap 18, but it was all Jake Pierson. Pierson took the win ahead of Haygood, Bubak, Weaver and Gerloff.
Darrell Smith and Aaron Gailey led the field onto the track for the Sheds R Us Super Stock 25-lap main event. The 26 car field took the green with Ric Lothert taking the lead from Darrell Smith on lap 1. Emett Grazier took second on lap 2 and Mike Cox was third over Smith and Dennis Edwards. Edwards moved into fourth on lap 4 and Sandy Thompson used a lap 5 pass on Smith to move into the top 5. The battle for second between Grazier and Cox ended when Cox took the position on lap 8. Mike Cox started pressuring Lothert on lap 10 with Emett Grazier right behind them. Cox got by Lothert on lap 14 in lapped traffic, but Lothert stayed right behind Cox. A lap 16 caution for A.J. Grasso trying to get off the track bunched up the field. Kent Stubbe started pressuring Sandy Thompson on lap 17, and Grazier slowed on lap 23. Cox held onto the win over Lothert, Edwards, Grazier and Stubbe as he got around Thompson late in the race.
Forest Smith and Ryan Moore sat on the front row for the Sunoco Race Fuels Grand American Modified 30-lap main event. On the first lap, Nathan Gasser stopped in turn 2 after a lot of pushing and shoving in the first turn for a caution. Ronnie Stringfellow Jr pitted under the caution with a flat tire. Smith led lap 1 over Ed Vecchiarelli Jr and Ed Vecchiarelli. Joel Hansen moved into fourth on lap 2 and Ryan Moore was fifth. Vecchiarelli Jr took over on lap 4 with his dad, and Hansen in tow. Smith fell to fourth ahead of Moore. On lap 7, Gasser, Sam Calvetti, and Jon Lincicome tangled in turn 2. Nick Martinez pulled into the infield and was towed off the tack under the caution. The two Diesel Service and Supply Dodge’s led the way with Vecchiarelli Jr leading his dad, and Hansen. Jim Stivaletta got by Ryan Moore to move into fifth on lap 8. The front three cars checked out from fourth place and Stringfellow pitted again on lap 13. Hansen started pressuring Vecchiarelli on lap 16 as Vecchiarelli Jr opened up a little lead. On lap 22, Hansen moved to the outside of Vecchiarelli and Hansen slammed down the front wall. Vecchiarelli got black flagged and smoked his tires leaving the track. Forest Smith was now second over Stivaletta, Moore, and Adam Shrove. Shrove got around Moore for fourth on lap 24. The race was shorted to 26 laps due to time and Vecchiarelli Jr won ahead of Smith, Stivaletta, Shrove, and Moore. Terry Tjarks got into the front wall after the checkered flag, and Barney Visser spun to avoid Tjarks.
The big 50-lap Sportsman main event had JimBob Rogers and Tommy Roe on the front row. Rogers jumped into the early lead over Craig Holmes, Tommy Roe, Brad Groff and Rick Hunt. Holmes jumped to the lead with Groff following him to second ahead of Roe, Rogers and John Baker on lap 5. Baker shot to third on lap 7 knocking Row to fourth and Rogers to fifth. On lap 11 Groff took over the lead with Holmes now second. On lap 13, Hunt knocked Rogers out of the top 5. Matt Curless and Scott Estes tangled for a caution on lap 14. Baker slowed on the restart and pitted and Groff now led, Holmes, Roe, Hunt, and Davin Fisbeck. Hunt and Fisbeck both moved around Roe on lap 25. On lap 30, Eric Blackard got by Roe to move into the fifth position. Blackard got around Hunt for fourth on lap 33 and started chasing Fisbeck. Groff in the TBG Service Company Pontiac took the win ahead of Holmes, Fisbeck, Blackard and Hunt. In post race inspection, Groff’s car was found to be illegal so the win went to Holmes in the Fat Rabbit Race Cars Monte Carlo ahead of Fisbeck, Blackard, Hunt and Rogers.
The Witthar Racing Trains hit the track to end the evening. Smash-N-Crash and Santa’s Express sat on the front row. Santa’s Express led the first lap, and 1/2 Fool and Plum M.T. took over on lap 2. Last Call moved into second on lap 3, then Termin8or moved into second on lap 6 and started chasing down 1/2 Fool and Plum M.T. At the finish 1/2 Fool and Plum M.T. of Kathy Caulkins and Betsy Kytle took the win sideways with Termin8or pushing them across the line also sideways. Last Call took third over Galloping Goose, and Steel Dragon.
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Figure 8
1. 23 Al Duran, Lakewood; 2. 42 Ronnie Hults, Centennial; 3. 18 Dennis Stepanich, Arvada; 4. 74 Nick Martinez, Morrison; 5. 24 Joe Martinez, Centennial; 6. 84 J.D. Hafemeister, Denver; 7. 08 Jim Egli, Denver; 8. 80 Harry Bragg, Castle Rock; 9. 90 John Johnson, Golden; 10. 25 Phil Taylor, Leadville; 11. Stephen Webb, Elizabeth; 12. 8 Dennis Stepanich Jr, Arvada; 13. 22 Joe Matlock; Aurora, 14. 04 Harry Livermore Jr, Denver; 15. 27 Bobby Zike, Morrison; 16. 7 Randy Grubb, Lakewood; 17. 38 Jonathan Lindberg, Ft. Lupton; 18. 15 Jereme Wall, Commerce City; 19. 86 Shirley Thompson, Northglenn; 20. 33 Bobby Hutchings, Denver; 21. 9 Mike Steward, Commerce City; 22. 81 Dave Smith, Englewood; 23. 3 Ben Martinez, Denver; 24. 77 Dusty Palmore, Arvada.
Winged Sprints
1. 77d Jake Pierson, _; 2. 1 Nick Haygood, Centennial; 3. Rich Bubak, Golden; 4.82 Jeff Weaver, Denver; 5. 9 John Gerloff,_; 6. 4s Kevin Schramek,_; 7. 1c Kent Conrad,_.
Sheds R Us Super Stocks
1. 3 Mike Cox, Littleton; 2. 46 Ric Lothert, Loveland; 3. 00 Dennis Edwards, Littleton; 4. 33 Emett Grazier, Denver; 5. 71 Kent Stubbe, Sterling; .6. 79 Chris Vieth, Thornton; 7. 43 Russ Middaugh, Arvada; 8. 82 Sandy Thompson, Gering NE; 9. 75 Aaron Gailey, Centennial; 10. 8 Bruce Borchardt, Broomfield; 11. 5 Chris Naeb, Denver 12. 51 Jeff Philpott, Dacono; 13. 34 Pat Addy, Wheat Ridge; 14. 32 Mark Neff, Eaton; 15. 98 Jeff Walburn, Erie; 16. 81 Bob Foster, Lakewood; 17. 30 Connie Cox, Littleton; 18. 45 DJ Neff, Eaton; 19. 58 Tim Weaver, Louisville; 20. 21 Jack Mahnke, Sterling; 21. 10 Mario Garramone, Littleton; 22. 52 Alex Jurys Jr, Northglenn; 23. 23 George Gallegos, Lakewood; 24. 02 Darrell Smith, Littleton; 25. 92 A.J. Grasso, Longmont; 26. 28 Shane Riddell, Morrison.
Sunoco Race Fuels Grand American Modifieds
1. 48 Ed Vecchiarelli Jr, Brighton; 2. 69 Forest Smith, Poverty Flats; 3. 71 Jim Stivaletta, Pine; 4. 52 Adam Shrove, Ft. Collins; 5. 6 Ryan Moore, Bailey; 6. 44 Justin Case, Brighton; 7. 01 Terry Tjarks, Berthoud; 8. 21 Jeff Purvis, Frederick; 9. 55 D.L. Clementson, Littleton; 10. 25 Nathan Gasser, Thornton; 11. 73 Barney Visser, Englewood; 12. 22 Mike Castagno, Arvada; 13. 77 Jeff Hansen, Berthoud; 14. 3 Pete Jurickovich, Arvada; 15. 18 Ed Vecchiarelli, Brighton; 16. 8 Joel Hansen, Eaton; 17. 38 Ronnie Stringfellow Jr, Littleton; 18. 17 Joe Jordan, Erie; 19. 7 Jon Lincicome, Ft. Lupton; 20. 46 Sam Calvetti, Cheyenne WY; 21. 74 Nick Martinez, Morrison.
Sportsman
1.55 Craig Holmes, Arvada; 2. 32 Davin Fisbeck, Thornton; 3. 46 Eric Blackard, Lakewood; 4. 02 Rick Hunt, Arvada; 5, 62 JimBob Rogers, Erie; 6. 43 Stan Griffin, Strasburg; 7. 58 Jeff Webb, Arvada; 8. 98 Lee Kemmit, Thornton; 9. 66 Darren Bucklen, Greeley; 10. 49 Dennis Pobanz, Colorado Springs; 11. 5 Jim Lahey, Denver; 12. 4 Matt Curless, Cheyenne WY; 13. 7 Tommy Roe, Thornton; 14. 28 Alan Carter, Thornton; 15. 6 Seth Boutilier, Pueblo; 16. 97 Adam Gastineau, Aurora; 17. 93 John Baker, Cheyenne WY; 18. 39 Scott Estes, Parker; 19. 47 Bryan Anglim, Loveland.
Witthar Racing Trains
1. 43 1/2 Fool and Plum M.T; 2. 8 Termin8or; 3. 86 Last Call; 4. 6 Galloping Goose; 5. 0 Steel Dragon; 6. 25 Santa's Express; 7, 02 Smash-N-Crash.
