DACONO, Colorado − Colorado’s own Cris Muhler had the fastest car all day at the 3/8th mile oval at beautiful Colorado National Speedway (CNS) and he had the fastest car when it counted most, at the finish. Muhler’s 95 car had just enough to hold off MK Kanke, fellow CNS regular Darren Bucklen and Dan Holtz and take the checkered at the first ever StockCar Racing League event at Colorado National Speedway.
A talent filled field of 22 late model drivers from the SRL and CNS thoroughly entertained the huge crowd of thousands of enthusiastic race fans that are typical for Colorado National Speedway. Not even a few brief rain showers could dampen the spirits of the CNS faithful who came to see some of their best local late model drivers go head to head with the SRL touring series drivers.
Rookie Porter Smith in the 62 car started on the pole but didn’t hold it for long as the 10 car of Mike Mendenhall took over first in the early laps of the 150 lap main event. Shortly thereafter the 62 continued to fall back in the pack, as the 3rd fastest qualifier, Dan Holtz (23), quickly took over 2nd place at lap 7. Also on the move was local favorite Chris Eggleston in the 22 car, and he was quickly battling Mendenhall for the lead which he took over in lap 13.
This tightly matched field of drivers continued to shift positions. Two drivers that were making strong runs towards the front in the first half of the race were Muhler’s 95 car and the veteran M.K. Kanke in the 33 car, who was also very familiar with the challenges of racing at CNS. Muhler had battled his way up to 2nd by lap 34 while Kanke was trying to get to the front pack from his 9th place starting position.
Troy Ermish in the Alfred Matthews 38 car had just worked his way through the field to the third spot behind the Eggleston and Muhler, when luck ran out in a big way for Mike Mendenhall in the 10 car when he had engine failure. A red flag was needed to get the 10 car off the track and ensure the track was ready for green flag racing again. This again tightened up the field and as the race moved past the mid-point, the pack at the front were running side by side with some of the most exciting racing of the SRL season. A pack that now included the 33 car of Kanke who had continued to make his run at the leaders. When Eggleston and Ermish had just begun to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the pack at the front, Darryl Lemoure’s 94 car had a tire go out on him and brushed the wall to bring out a yellow and bring the leaders back together.
On the restart, Ermish’s 38 car got into the back of the race leader Eggleston (22) and although both cars were able to recover and continue, the 38 car appeared to get the worst of it with some serious damage to the body of his car and the 22 car had dropped back in the pack. When the dust had cleared it was the 95 car of Muhler and the 23 of SRL veteran Dan Holtz who ended up in first and second respectively.
The battle between Muhler and Holtz was a beautiful thing to witness. Both drivers racing side by side through the turns of Colorado National, trading positions back and fourth as they circled the 3/8 mile oval in front of thousands of fans cheering hard for their local favorite Cris Muhler. This was truly short track stock car racing at its finest!
But coming up right behind were Kanke (33) and believe it or not, the 22 car of Eggleston who worked his way back to second by passing Holtz (23) on lap143. Following Eggleston’s lead was Kanke who quickly took the third spot away from Holtz. And then at lap 147 someone had gotten into the rear of the Eggleston’s 22 car once again. This time is was the Kanke who got into the back of the 22 car, and then things got a little interesting. As the race went to yellow and the cars were being lined up in order for the restart, Eggleston appeared to have something to say to Kanke (33). As he looped the track under yellow, he ran side by side with Kanke instead of moving to his spot for the single file restart. After a couple laps around the track, Eggleston was blacked flagged and out of the race.
This resulted in a 4 lap shootout to see who would take the victory in the SRL main event. Up front were Muhler, Kanke and Holtz all with fast cars that had the potential to take first place. But after a fierce competition from Kanke, Cris Muhler’s 95 car continued to be fast, just as it had been all day and he held on for the victory and the win in the first ever SRL race at Colorado National Speedway to the delight of the crowd cheering for their hometown hero!
“A beautiful track, a tremendous crowd of great fans, exceptional racing by talented drivers and the backdrop of the magnificent Rockies, what else could be better?” exclaimed Steve Fensler, executive director of the SRL. “We would like to thank Jim Nordhougen, Doug Greer and all the outstanding staff of Colorado National Speedway for helping us put on one of our best SRL shows ever.”
Trophy Dash: Tracy Bolin in the 02 Bolin Builders Chevrolet started at the pole in the trophy dash and held first place from start to finish to win the Performance Electric Company Inc. Trophy Dash, despite a fierce battle with the 23 car of Dan Holtz who finished a close 2nd. Following Holtz were the 95 car of main event winner Cris Muhler and the 30 car of Modesto’s Steve Belletto.
Other Awards: The Mid Valley Iron and Metals Hard Luck Award went to Mike Mendenhall who lost his engine in lap 64 after a strong start on of the outside of row one. Rookie Porter Smith in the 62 car won the Mid Valley Iron and Metals Pole Start Award. Colorado’s Darren Bucklen’s 66 car came from an 18th place start to finish 3rd and won the Performance Electric Inc. Hard Charger award. Race winner Cris Muhler was the Five Star Bodies Fast Time Award winner with a fast qualifying time of 16.238
Remaining 2007 SRL Racing Schedule:
September 1st Madera Speedway
October 20th & 21st Shasta Raceway Park
About the Stockcar Racing League (SRL):
The SRL is one of the premier stock car racing series in the country. The series has patterned itself after NASCAR with beautifully prepared cars and support vehicles, and identifiable team uniforms. This seventh season looks to break all attendance records, attracting over 70 seasoned drivers from all over California and the southwestern states. Local and regional stock car fans can also cheer for new stars that will someday drive the machines of NASCAR. The series is a training ground, not only for drivers but for mechanics, chief mechanics and engineers. This series is great for fans who love live action on a hot weekend.
