Throughout Rick Carelli's climb up the NASCAR ladder, he has competed periodically at Colorado National Speedway, but visits to his old stomping grounds have been nearly non-existent in recent years. Saturday night's "Dodge Late Model Clash" marked just the second time in more than six seasons that the Arvada, CO driver has sat behind the wheel of a Prestige Capital Funding Late Model here. Despite his long absence, the outcome of the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge event clearly proved that he still has a mastery of the 3/8 mile paved oval. Leading all but the opening circuit, Carelli out-dueled Roger Avants to score a close victory in the special 125 lap Pepsi Super Series race, the first of four such events to be held throughout the year.
"This is fun…this place is where I came from and is home for me," Carelli said to an enthusiastic crowd after the race. "Any time that I can come back here, whether I win or not, it's great."
Pole-sitter Dan Savage paced the 26 car field at the onset, but was quickly overhauled by Carelli, who started third. Avants moved into the runner-up slot on lap three, and while he stayed within striking distance of Carelli the rest of the way, was unable to make a serious bid for the top position. At the checkered flag, Carelli's RE/MAX International Chevrolet Monte Carlo held a 31/100ths – or about a three-car-length – advantage.
"I was able to run my own race by using the middle groove," Carelli said. "Avants may have been quicker getting in (the turns), but we were better coming off. The car was a little tight, but it was good enough to win."
Ken Walter made a superb late-race charge to finish third; his best career performance. Fast qualifier P.J. Mattorano took fourth, while leading rookie candidate Rick Smith finished in fifth. Five caution periods hampered long-race strategies for many of the drivers, as the lengthiest green-flag segment came over the final 21circuits. Despite the numerous slow-downs, 20 competitors were still running at the finish, with the top 16 on the lead lap.
The contest also awarded regular points towards the 2002 track championship. Avants stretched his lead in the standings considerably, as nearest rival Bruce Yackey finished in 16th place, and now trails by 30 points (194 to 164). Joe James, Jr. moved up to third in the season-long rankings.
The Dunlap's Trailers Super Stocks, which competed in a special 50 lap, double-point-paying event, saw Rick Russolello score his second career feature victory. Mike Bowen led most of the way, but a slight miscue in heavy lapped traffic during the late stages allowed Russolello to slip past. Russolello powered away at the end, and owned a 12 car-length margin over Bowen at the stripe. Daren Gailey, Trent Phillips, and Mark Lowe completed the top five.
The Figure-Eight feature hardware went to Dave Roe. While Roe's mount suffered serious damage after tangling with an oncoming car in the "X" with just a handful of laps remaining, he was able to continue at the front of the field. Apparent runner-up Craig Moore crossed the line two lengths back, but he failed the post-race tech inspection. In the revised order, Al Duran took second, with Lance Proctor, J.D. Hafemeister, and Bill Quintrall following.
Leland Ridnour and Ed Markham guided the "War Wagon" to first place ahead of the "Steel Dragon" in Witthar Racing Train action.
NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge action continues at the speedway next Saturday, May 4th, with the "Full-Throttle Family Fun Night". The evening's schedule will include the Late Models, the ProTrucks, the Grand American Modifieds, and the Figure-Eights.
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(April 27)- Results from Saturday evening's "Dodge Late Model Clash" NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge feature event at Colorado National Speedway. (The first of four 125 lap Pepsi Super Series races to be held throughout the season for the Prestige Capital Funding Late Model division.)
Finish showing starting position in parentheses, home town, car, and laps completed:
1. (3) Rick Carelli, Arvada, RE/MAX International Chevrolet, 125 2. (4) Roger Avants, Littleton, McDonald's / Pro Vans USA Chevrolet, 125 3. (7) Ken Walter, Littleton, Astro Lite Batteries Pontiac, 125 4. (6) P.J. Mattorano, Commerce City, M & M Plumbing Pontiac, 125 5. (14) Rick Smith, Gering, NE, Hydrotex Lubricants Chevrolet, 125 6. (15) Joe James, Jr., Denver, Newsland Chevrolet, 125 7. (20) Ron Van Briggle, Eaton, Auto Restorations Ford, 125 8. (11) Jim Sikes, Jr., Fountain, A-A Towing Chevrolet, 125 9. (18) Beau Kellogg, Evergreen, Prestige Capital Funding Chevrolet, 125 10. (2) Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge, Steve's Transmission Chevrolet, 125 11. (23) Bob Dykes, Lakewood, Family Tree Corp. Pontiac, 125 12. (19) Mike Markison, Laporte, Johnson's Corner Chevrolet, 125 13. (12) Greg Fowler, Longmont, Plum Creek Mortgage Chevrolet, 125 14. (24) Mike Hannah, Arvada, Classic Auto Trim Chevrolet, 125 15. (13) Trevor Morrical, Brighton, LMS Drilling Chevrolet, 125 16. (10) Bruce Yackey, Greeley, General Air Chevrolet, 125 17. (1) Dan Savage, Aurora, FordSmith Ford, 122 18. (21) Steve Johnson, Loveland, Pacific Motor Sports Chevrolet, 120 19. (17) Danny Mientka, Colo. Springs, Value Inn & Suites Chevrolet, 118 20. (26) Tom Eldredge, Meeteetse, WY, Fiddle Back Ranch & Arena Chevrolet, 116 21. (5) Steve Yackey, Greeley, All Discount Sew & Vac Pontiac, 99 22. (25) Joe Denning, Thornton, Denning Chevrolet, 99 23. (22) J.R. Osborne, Centennial, Acklam & Associates Chevrolet, 83 24. (8) Scott Backman, Parker, Xtreme Signs Chevrolet, 76 25. (16) Bear Lynch, Thornton, JECO Racing, 72 26. (9) Jerry Robertson, Arvada, Peterson Concrete Pontiac, 70 Margin of Victory: .310 second Cautions: 5 for 49 laps (20-27, 35-44, 53-65, 70-80, 98-104) Lap Leaders: Savage (1), Carelli (2-125) Fast Qualifier: Mattorano, 15.973 seconds, 84.518 MPH
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(April 27)- Support division results from the "Dodge Late Model Clash" NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge event, held Saturday night at Colorado National Speedway.
DUNLAP'S TRAILERS SUPER STOCKS
QUICK TIME: Mike Bowen, Aurora
TROPHY DASH: Rick Russolello, Thornton
FEATURE: 1. Rick Russolello, Thornton 2. Mike Bowen, Aurora 3. Daren Gailey, Aurora 4. Trent Phillips, Hemingford, NE 5. Mark Lowe, Lakewood 6. J.R. Davis, Loveland 7. Tommy Roe, Northglenn 8. Steve Green, Alma 9. Craig Holmes, Arvada 10. Gary Lee, Greeley
FIGURE-EIGHTS
QUICK TIME: Dave Roe, Littleton
TROPHY DASH: Al Duran, Lakewood
FEATURE: 1. Dave Roe, Littleton 2. Al Duran, Lakewood 3. Lance Proctor, Arvada 4. J.D. Hafemeister, Denver 5. Bill Quintrall, Thornton 6. Dennis Stepanich, Arvada 7. Dave Smith, Englewood 8. Harry Livermore, Jr., Denver 9. Keith Swenson, Aurora 10. Dennis Stepanich, Jr., Arvada
WITTHAR RACING TRAINS
FEATURE:
1. The War Wagon
2. Steel Dragon
3. Merl’s Revenge
4. Half Fool & Plum M.T.
5. Termin8or
6. Distributor of Pain
7. No Name Train
8. Dukes of Hazzard
9. Just Surviving
10. Kody’s Express
