Proving once again that endurance in long races is not a problem, Darren Robertson of Arvada, CO finishes third and maintains his point lead in the Late Model division at Colorado National Speedway during the “Coors Light Summer Shoot-Out 100”.
Saturday’s events at the 3/8 mile paved oval just north of Denver began with some tough track conditions for many competitors. Due to heavy rainfall the previous evening, various chassis and set-up changes were frantic and frequent in the pits as teams struggled to adjust to the ultra-clean racing surface. The # 11 Robertson Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo piloted by 21-year old Darren Robertson was no exception. In trying to manipulate the car into something more suited for the long 100-lap feature to come, Darren qualified in the eighth spot, a couple tenths behind quick time for the evening, the # 27 Roger Avants of Englewood, CO.
Competing in the trophy dash, it appeared that most of the Late Model field on hand would err to the side of caution running relatively nose to tail while warming up their tires, working out the handling, and laying down some rubber on the track for the main event. Robertson finished third in event behind dash winner, the # 31 Rick Smith of Gering, NE and second place, # 12 Bruce Yackey of Greeley, CO.
Following some exciting and emotional feature events in the nights Figure-8, Super Stock, and ProTruck divisions, it was time for the Late Model field to take to the asphalt. Starting mid-pack in the ninth position, Darren and the rest of the pack took the green behind early race leader, the # 74 Dan Savage of Aurora, CO. By the event’s mid-way point at lap-50 and following some brief cautions, Robertson had moved his # 11 Chevy up into the top five. Some great side-by-side racing ensued for the next thirty laps between Robertson, the # 22 Chris Eggleston of Erie, CO, and Yackey. With just a dozen laps left on the board, a late-race caution brought the top-five competitors back into bumper-to-bumper formation. A strong re-start by Darren Robertson shuffled him up to the top three with just ten laps to the finish. Holding off the challenge from good friend and fourth place competitor, Eggleston, Darren took the checkers for Robertson Racing in the third spot, behind second place Savage, who led 95 of the 100 laps, but was overtaken with just five to go by feature winner Rick Smith.
Darren and his crew now gear up to maintain the points lead in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series premier division at Colorado National Speedway. With seven events left on the schedule for the 2007 season, the next race for the # 11 Robertson team will be the “Whelen All American Series NASCAR Knock Out” on Saturday, Aug. 4th.
Darren Robertson drives for Robertson Racing, primarily sponsored by Furniture Row out of Denver, CO. Associate sponsors the team would like to thank are Geddes Racing Engines, A-1 Differential, Alreco Aluminum Surplus, Buckeye Welding Supply, Garmin’s Painting Service, Lang Graphics, Sherwin Williams Paint, and Western Graphics.
