ERIE, Colorado -- Scotty Backman took his fourth Wright Group Event Services Late Model main event during the “Snap-On Tools Salute to Racing” at Colorado National Speedway Saturday Night. Nick Haygood claimed the Winged Sprint Car main event and Gary Taylor was the winner of the RMMRA Midget main event. Rookie Mark Neff was victorious in the Sheds R Us Super Stock main event and Forest Smith took the honors in the SUNOCO Grand American Modifieds in a unfamiliar car.
The first main event to hit the track was in the Winged Sprint Car division and Kevin Schramek and Larry Bensenberg were on the front row. Schramek led the first lap with Jace Pennetta in second. Larry LaPointe was third and caution flew on lap 6 for Bryan Gossel spinning and tagging the turn 1 wall. Schramek continued to lead on the restart with LaPointe up to second. LaPointe took the lead on lap 12, with Nick Haygood flying into second over Jake Pierson, Pennetta, and John Gerloff. On lap 15, LaPointe pulled into the infield handing the lead to Haygood with Pierson in second over Pennetta, Gerloff and Bubak. Haygood won over Pierson, Pennetta, Gerloff, and Bubak.
Steve Newman and Kyle Rayburn were on the front row for the Midget main event and Rayburn shot to the early lead. Gary Taylor had moved up to second by lap 8 and started chasing down Rayburn. On lap 10, Taylor shot to the lead over Rayburn, Tony Rossi, Newman and Scott Milan. By lap 15, Keith Rauch moved into fifth knocking Milan out of the top 5. On lap 16, Rauch took fourth and Taylor was in his own zip code. Rauch moved into third on lap 20 as Kyle Ray was now fifth. Newman slowed with a couple laps left and Taylor won over Rauch, Rayburn, Ray and Rossi.
The Grand American Modified main had Jeff Purvis and Forest Smith on the front row. Smith in the unfamiliar and unpracticed Wayne Muhler machine took the early lead over Purvis, and Ronnie Stringfellow Jr. Stringfellow moved into second on lap 5 with Purvis, Ed Vecchiarelli Jr and Justin Case in the top spots. By lap 15 Smith led Stringfellow, Purvis, Case and Muhler. Case spun on lap 15 as Smith still led Stringfellow, Purvis, Muhler and Ed Vecchiarelli. Caution flew on lap 17 when Adam Shrove and Ed Vecchiarelli Jr tangled and Barney Visser spun to miss the other spun cars. Ryan Moore, Dany Clementson and Jon Lincicome all tangled on the false start. On the restart, contact between Moore and Terry Tjarks saw Tjarks car spinning to turn 1. With the caution waving, Visser slowed and was spun in turn 3. Muhler and Vecchiareli got by Purvis by lap 20 with Joel Hansen moving into fifth. Muhler and Veccharelli battled for third for several laps before contact from Muhler sent Vecchiarelli spinning and then Ed was hit by Peter Jurickovich. Smith now led Stringfellow, Hansen, Purvis and Gasser. Gasser spun on lap 26 moving Mike Castagno into fifth. Smith held on for the win over Hansen, Stringfellow, Purvis and Castagno.
AJ Grasso and Dave Neff started on the front for the Super Stock main as Grasso led the first lap with Emett Grazier charging to the lead on lap 4. Mark Neff took second on lap 5 and started reeling in Grazier. Caution flew on lap 6 when Joe Dillard spun and collected Dennis Edwards. By lap 10, M Neff was in the lead over Grazier, Grasso, D Neff, and Philpott. Caution flew on lap 12 when Chris Naeb spun and was clipped by Alex Jurys Jr. On lap 13, the big one occurred and Kurt Riddell went on his lid, the list of cars involved is more then the number of cars not involved. Michael Cox and Aaron Gailey got locked together and everyone got their spot back except for D Neff who was put to the rear. Neff continued the lead with Grazier second over Grasso, Philpott, and Borchardt. Cox took fifth from Borchardt on lap 15 and was fourth on lap 17 knocking Philpott to fifth. Cox took third from Grasso on lap 18 and started reeling in Grazier. Neff took the win with Grazier second over Cox, Grasso and Philpott.
Chris Muhler and Bruce Yackey were on the front row for the Late Model main event. Darren Robertson charged into second on lap 4 and Scotty Backman was third on lap 5. Rick Smith and Chris Archer rounded out the top 5 as Yackey slid backwards. Backman took the lead on lap 14 with Muhler second ahead of Archer, Robertson and Smith. Randy Gastineau spun in the turn 3 infield on lap 22 without caution. On lap 26, Smith got by Robertson for fourth. On lap 27, caution flew when Archer, Muhler, and Smith tangled in turn 4. Archer was sent to the rear for the restart with Muhler and Smith getting their spots back. Muhler was shooting sparks under the caution and pitted to leave Backman leading Smith, Robertson, Bear Lynch and Ronnie Hults. Roger Avants spun down the back-stretch for no caution, and Backman held off Smith for the win. Third was Robertson ahead of Hults and Lynch.
Jeff Wheeler led the qualifying for the Winged Sprints with a 15.109 lap. Second quick was Jake Pierson and third quick was Rich Bubak. In the Midgets Gary Taylor set quick time with a 15.825 lap. Second quick was Keith Rauch and Kyle Ray was third quick. Mark Neff took quick time for the Super Stocks with a 20.603 lap. Ric Lothert and Michael Cox were second and third quick. Chris Archer was quick time in the Late Models with a 16.219 lap. Scotty Backman and Rick Smith were second and third quick. Joel Hansen set quick time in the Grand American Modifieds with a 17.067 lap. Ed Vecchiarelli and Chris Muhler were second and third quick.
The First B-main to hit the track was for the Super Stocks and Dennis Edwards along with Bruce Borchardt were on the front row. Edwards jumped out to the early lead over Borchardt, AJ Grasso, and Mark Neff. Neff took over third on lap 4 and then Neff pulled off on lap 5 as Michael Cox took over third. Cox took second on lap 8 and Cox took the narrow win over Edwards, Borchardt, Emett Grazier, and AJ Grasso.
JD Gresham and Adam Shrove sat on the front row for the Grand American Modified trophy dash. Shrove jumped out to the early lead with Ronnie Stringfellow Jr, Chris Muhler and Gresham following. Ed Vecchiarelli Jr took fourth on lap 6 with Gresham in fifth. Shrove held onto the win with Stringfellow, Muhler, Vecchiarelli Jr, and Ed Vecchiarelli following.
The first Sprint Car B-main had Kevin Schramek and Larry Bensenberg on the front row. John Gerloff led the fist lap over Bryan Gossel, Jace Pennetta, Bensenberg, and Schramek. Gerloff took the win over Gossel, Pennetta, Bensenberg, and Schramek. The second B-main for the Sprint Cars had Jeff Heffner and Nick Haygood on the front row. Haygood took the early lead over Heffner, Rich Bubak, Larry LaPointe, and Jake Pierson. Pierson took fourth on lap 8 and Bubak lost power shortly. Haygood now led Heffner, Pierson, LaPointe, and Jeff Wheeler. Haygood ended up with the win over Heffner, Pierson, LaPointe and Wheeler.
The Midgets had 2 B-mains and in the first B, Billy Mentgen along with Buddy Lowther sat on the front row. Jim Cook shot to the lead on the first lap and Kyle Rayburn took over on lap 5 with Cook back to second ahead of Mentgen. Rayburn took the win over Cook, Scott Milan, Mentgen, and Brandon Lee. Rick Ellis and Tony Rossi sat on the front row for the second Midget B. Rossi led the first lap with Gary Taylor moving into second as Kyle Ray pulled off. Taylor took the win with a last lap pass on Rossi. Rauch, Ellis and Harr rounded out the top 5.
Mike Castagno was on the pole for the first B main for the Grand American Modifieds and Ryan Moore took over. Nathan Gasser fell into second ahead of Jeff Purvis, Forest Smith, and Mike Castagno. Smith was in an unfamiliar car after breaking his primary car in practice. Moore took the win over Gasser, Purvis, Smith, and Mike Castagno.
Jeff Philpott and Russ Middaugh were on the front row for the second Super Stock B-main. Coming around to complete the second lap, Contact sent Aaron Gailey spinning and Chris Vieth into the turn 1 wall. Middaugh led on the restart over Philpott, Dave Neff, Ric Lothert, and Kurt Riddell. Lothert took over third on lap 4 and took second on lap 5. Lothert took the lead on lap 8 and Neff got around Philpott for third. Lothert won over Middaugh, Neff, Philpott and Shane Riddell. Randy Scoles spun from his sixth position on the last lap.
Mike Hannah and Roger Avants were on the front row for the first Late Model B-main. Hannah led early with Chris Muhler into second over Darren Robertson, Bear Lynch, and Rick Smith. Hannah took the win over Muhler, Robertson, Lynch, and Smith. Kyle Yattaw and Mark Dixon were on the front row for the second Late Model B-main. Dixon led the first lap before Chris Atkinson shot to the lead. Bruce Yackey moved into second on lap 4 with Savage now third. Dixon tagged the front wall on lap 6. Scotty Backman took third on lap 8 knocking Savage to fourth ahead of Joe James Jr. Atkinson took the win ahead of Yackey, Backman, Savage and James.
Winged Sprint Car Main Event
1. 1 Nick Haygood, Centennial; 2. 77 Jake Pierson, Bellvue; 3. 17 Jace Pennetta, Arvada; 4. 7 John Gerloff, Thornton; 5. 9 Rick Bubak, Arvada; 6. 82 Jeff Wheeler, Colorado Springs; 7. 14 Jeff Heffner, Denver; 8. 4 Kevin Schramek, Colorado Springs; 9. 5 Larry Bensenberg, Colorado Springs; 10. 88 Larry LaPointe, Steamboat Springs; 11. 6 Bryan Gossel, Ft. Collins.
RMMRA Midget Main Event
1. 5 Gary Taylor, What Ridge; 2. 33 Keith Rauch, Thornton; 3. 99 Kyle Rayburn, Pueblo West; 4. 58 Kyle Ray, Highlands Ranch; 5. 14 Tony Rossi, Westminster; 6. 29 Rick Ellis, Lakewood; 7. 4 Scott Milan, Ft. Collins; 8. 7 Billy Mentgen, Arvada; 9. 30 Jim Cook, Castle Rock; 10. 2 Bobby Harr, Arvada; 11. 8 Brandon Lee, Aurora; 12. 11 Steve Newman, Lakewood; 13. 31 Buddy Lowther, Thornton.
SUNOCO Grand American Modified Main Event
1. 69 Forest Smith, Poverty Flats; 2. 8 Joel Hansen, Eaton; 3. 38 Ronnie Stringfellow Jr, Littleton; 4. 21 Jeff Purvis, Frederick; 5. 22 Mike Castagno, Arvada; 6. 48 Ed Vecchiarelli Jr, Brighton; 7. 95 Chris Muhler, Erie; 8. 73 Barney Visser, Englewood; 9. 6 Ryan Moore, Bailey; 10. 44 Justin Case, Brighton; 11. 7 Jon Lincicome, Ft. Lupton; 12. 25 Nathan Gasser, Thornton; 13. JD Gresham, Bennett; 14. 18 Ed Vecchiarelli, Brighton; 15. 3 Peter Jurickovich, Arvada; 16. 01 Terry Tjarks, Arvada; 17. 52 Adam Shrove, Ft. Collins; 18. 55 Dany Clementson, Littleton.
Sheds R Us Super Stock Main Event
1. 32 Mark Neff, Eaton; 2. 33 Emett Grazier, Denver; 3. 3 Michael Cox, Littleton; 4. 92 AJ Grasso, Longmont; 5. 51 Jeff Phipott, Dacono; 6. 8 Bruce Borchardt, Broomfield; 7. 62 Joel Sidell, Brighton; 8. 46 Ric Lothert, Loveland; 9. 43 Russ Middaugh, Arvada; 10. 75 Aaron Gailey, Centennial; 11. 48 Jeff Manchester, Erie; 12. 01 Ted Droz, Conifer; 13. 10 Mario Garramone, Littleton; 14. 45 David Neff, Eaton; 15. 02 Darrell Smith, Littleton; 16. 00 Dennis Edwards, Golden; 17. 79 Chris Vieth, Thornton; 18. 03 Dave Miles, Ft. Collins; 19. 30 Connie Cox, Littleton; 20. 42 Dave Neff, Eaton; 21. 52 Alex Jurys Jr, Northglenn; 22. 5 Chris Baeb, Denver; 23. 11 Bobby Duran, Ft. Lupton; 24. 58 Tim Weaver, Louisville; 25. 07 Joe Dillard, Littleton; 26. 34 Pat Addy, Wheat Ridge; 27. 26 Kurt Riddell, Denver; 28. 16 Randy Scoles, Westminster.
Wright Group Event Services Late Model Main Event
1. 5 Scotty Backman, Parker; 2. 31 Rick Smith, Gering NE; 3. 11 Darren Robertson, Arvada; 4. 42 Ronnie Hults, Centennial; 5. 08 Bear Lynch, Denver; 6. 74 Dan Savage, Aurora; 7. 15 Mike Hannah, Platteville; 8.61 Chris Archer, Arvada; 9. 9 Chris Atkinson, Cheyenne WY; 10. 66 Darren Bucklen, Greeley; 11. 12 Bruce Yackey, Denver; 12. 8 Larry Hunter, Parker; 13. 21 Kyle Yattaw, Castle Rock; 14. 27 Roger Avants, Littleton; 15. 91 Chris Muhler, Erie; 16. 00 Randy Gastineau, Centennial; 17. 54 Joe James Jr, Denver; 18. 16 Mark Dixon, Brighton.
