DACONO, Colorado — Rich Castor Jr. started shotgun on the 11-car Englewood Racing Association main Saturday at Colorado National Speedway">Colorado National Speedway and drove to his first feature victory of the season at the three-eighths-mile oval in a competitive 25-lap feature.
Castor, who is the ERA president and defending point champion, quickly worked his way through the field of winged supers, taking the lead from a strong running Chris Sheil on lap 11. Castor was never headed as he cruised to the victory, his first of 2010 in the ERA’s third event of the season.
While Castor lapped cars and paced the field throughout the second half of the affair, eyes were on opening night winner Harry Stone as the veteran charged through the pack. Stone, who started 10th, passed the likes of ERA staple drivers Joe Priselac and Harold Evans before settling into second with a handful of laps remaining. A potential Castor, Stone battle for the victory never amounted; the last caution fell on lap nine and by the time Stone cleared the top-five runners no yellow waved to close up the pack.
Castor and Stone took the top-two positions over third-place finisher Harold Evans, who was the victor in the last ERA event at I-25 (Colo.) Speedway and started ninth in Saturday night’s go. The top-three finishers started the 25-lapper in the last three spots, while fourth-place finisher Priselac took the green from the fifth slot. Kevin Day rounded out the top five.
Early front-runner Sheil, who led a handful of laps before Castor overtook him, retired on lap 16 due to overheating problems.
It wasn’t a great night for early leaders. In addition to Sheil’s problems, second-place starter Craig Moore, who took the lead at the initial green, brought out the race’s second caution when his right-rear shock gave out on lap nine. A shower of sparks followed Moore before he came to a halt in turn three. His No. 29 went off on the wrecker and didn’t return.
Regular ERA top dog Ira Castor brought out the race’s first caution on lap six. Castor’s No. 22 was leaking fluids and black flagged. He didn’t return.
The ERA is back in action on July 17 for another 25-lap feature at Colorado National. The series will run the CNS three-eighths for the remainder of the season. Six events remain on the 2010 slate.
| Englewood Racing Association |
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| 1) RICH CASTOR JR., 2) Harry Stone, 3) Harold Evans, 4) Joe Priselac, 5) Kevin Day, 6) Brian Pacheco, 7) Josh Lewis, 8) Chris Sheil, 9) Craig Moore, 10) Brian Gossell, 11) Ira Castor |
