Following the first two races of 2002 at Colorado National Speedway, the commanding role that Jerry Robertson had enjoyed during the previous two seasons appeared to be slipping away. Saturday night however, 40-year-old Robertson confirmed that he is still very capable of regaining his status as the driver to beat in the Prestige Capital Funding Late Model division. Holding a comfortable full-straightaway margin as the checkered flag fell, the Arvada CO resident captured his first NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge feature event of the season at the 3/8 mile paved oval.
Pole-sitter P.J. Mattorano paced the field at the start of the 40 lap contest, but soon began to feel pressure from Bruce Yackey. On the 11th circuit, the pair made contact and - while Yackey was able to continue on - Mattorano spun, resulting in a large pile-up. Several front-running machines, including Mattorano, were eliminated, but Robertson steered clear of the wreckage and was positioned in second place behind Yackey when racing resumed. One lap was all that Robertson needed to make his move to the front. While Yackey battled with Roger Avants for second place throughout the remainder of the race, Robertson's Western Trade Bindery / Peterson Concrete Pontiac Grand Prix powered away. Yackey held off Avants' charge to post his third consecutive runner-up prize, while Mike Gallegos and Beau Kellogg rounded out the top five.
With three races now in the books, Avants continues at the top of the standings, two points ahead of Yackey and six marks ahead of Robertson.
Joel Hansen dominated all 30 laps of the Artcraft Signs Grand American Modified feature. Despite a late-race caution, Hansen owned a five car-length advantage on Ed Vecchiarelli at the finish. Derek Clementson took a close third, chased by Brian Murphy and Ronnie Hults. Vecchiarelli took over the point lead.
The Realty Executives Legends Car Series made their first outing of the year, but the results looked very familiar. Danny Medina, who won seven races in seven starts during 2001, continued his perfect streak. Although he started tenth on the grid, Medina rocketed to the front in less than eight circuits, then pulled out by 14 car-lengths at the end of the 20 lapper. Early leader Anthony Medina settled with second place, ahead of Jay Sant, Jerry Schnepf, and Michael Jones.
The Baby Grand Stock Cars also made their season debut, and Del Smith came out on top. Runner-up Chris Muhler, who fended off Smith early on, crossed the stripe five lengths back, with Mike Ranalls, J.D. Daniels, and Mike Smith trailing.
Scott Smith and Rick Rusk proved that their "Kody's Express" was the fastest of the Witthar Racing Trains. The winning pair nearly got derailed however, as a fast closing "War Wagon" was just a half-locomotive-length back.
The next event at the speedway will be the "Rocky Mountain Rumble" on Saturday night, April 20th. The NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge action will include the Late Models, the ProTrucks, the Super Stocks, and the Figure-Eights.
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(April 13)- Results from the "CNS Night of Racing Thunder" NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge event, held Saturday at Colorado National Speedway.
PRESTIGE CAPITAL FUNDING LATE MODELS
QUICK TIME:
Mike Gallegos Wheat Ridge
TROPHY DASH:
Rick Smith Gering, NE
FEATURE:
1. Jerry Robertson Arvada 2. Bruce Yackey Greeley 3. Roger Avants Littleton 4. Mike Gallegos Wheat Ridge 5. Beau Kellogg Evergreen 6. Jim Sikes, Jr. Fountain 7. Joe James, Jr. Denver 8. Steve Yackey Greeley 9. Ken Walter Littleton 10. Mark Desmarias Glenrock, WY
ARTCRAFT SIGNS GRAND AMERICAN MODIFIEDS
QUICK TIME:
Joel Hansen Eaton
TROPHY DASH:
Robert Martin Northglenn
FEATURE:
1. Joel Hansen Eaton 2. Ed Vecchiarelli Brighton 3. Derek Clementson Lakewood 4. Brian Murphy Denver 5. Ronnie Hults Denver 6. Smiley Lentz Laramie, WY 7. Robert Martin Northglenn 8. Jim Stivaletta Pine 9. Brett Hickey Cheyenne, WY 10. Dave Finley Brighton
REALTY EXECUTIVE LEGENDS CAR SERIES
QUICK TIME:
Jay Sant Parker
TROPHY DASH:
Danny Medina Colo. Springs
FEATURE:
1. Danny Medina Colo. Springs 2. Anthony Medina Colo. Springs 3. Jay Sant Parker 4. Jerry Schnepf Centennial 5. Michael Jones Louisville 6. Stacee Rusk Aurora 7. Paul Harder Windsor 8. Scott Milan Fort Collins 9. Les Baker Colo. Springs 10. John Clute Lakewood
BABY GRAND STOCK CARS
FEATURE:
1. Del Smith Berthoud 2. Chris Muhler Erie 3. Mike Ranalls Aurora 4. J.D. Daniels Johnstown 5. Mike Smith Berthoud WITTHAR RACING TRAINS
FEATURE:
1. Kody's Express
2. The War Wagon
3. Termin8or
4. Merl’s Revenge
5. Road Rage
