FIRST CAREER PROTRUCK WIN FOR DAVE HUNT HIGHLIGHTS OPENING NIGHT PORTION OF "MILLER LITE MEMORIAL DA

Source: ALF RUSTAD
Date: 05/26/2002

While Snap-On Tools ProTruck competitor Dave Hunt turned in several top-five finishes throughout his fine 2001 rookie season at Colorado National Speedway, he was never able to capture the big prize. On Saturday, during the opening-night portion of the "Miller Lite Memorial Day Challenge", the 41-year-old Hudson, CO resident needed - and executed - a near-flawless performance. After leading all but the opening circuit of the 30 lap NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge event, Hunt finally grabbed his first career ProTruck feature victory at the 3/8 mile paved oval.

Regular winners were denied throughout the evening, as J.D. Hafemeister took his first-ever Figure-Eight feature victory, while Chris Muhler took top honors in the Artcraft Signs Grand American Modifieds for the first time since 1997.

Hunt and fellow front-row starter Dave Deines ran a brief side by side battle at the onset of the ProTruck contest, but Hunt would pull far enough ahead to secure his own line before the first handful of laps had been completed. Hunt stayed comfortably ahead until the race neared its completion, when Deines began to recover lost ground. Deines' late charge came up short, as he could not quite match the power of Hunt's A.S.C.I. Ready Mix Chevrolet Silverado and crossed the stripe one truck-length back. Paul Deines - son of the runner-up - took third, with Tim Billinger and Mike Sandoval completing the top five.

The season title chase saw another shake-up, as none of the top contenders fared well. An eighth place showing by Jimmy Donaldson was good enough to put him back atop the point standings. Chris Leaf, who was involved in an early race mishap and sent to the rear of the field, came back to finish 12th. He is now tied with Billy Harkins for second in the championship battle, two points behind Donaldson (258 to 256).

Leading from flag to flag in his Grand American Modified run, Muhler also faced a final-lap confrontation. Joel Hansen moved into second place just after the halfway mark of the 30 lapper, and began to close in on Muhler. The pair ran side by side exiting the final turn, but Muhler owned about a six-foot advantage at the checkered flag. Derek Clementson turned in his fourth-consecutive third place finish, with point leader Ed Vecchiarelli fourth and Ronnie Hults fifth.

Hafemeister's Figure-Eight win came ahead of 22 other machines, marking the division's largest starting field in several years. Dave Roe challenged Hafemeister for the top position early on, but the pair made contact and Roe lost control of his mount. Hafemeister was able to continue, and went on to outrun point leader Lance Proctor by 12 car-lengths. Roe stormed back through the field to take third, followed by Dennis Stepanich, Jr., and Bill Quintrall.

In Baby Grand action, Del Smith broke the night's trend of infrequent winners, as he turned in yet another display of superiority. Smith was a full-straightaway ahead of Paul Suter at the finish, with Bill Gray, Mike Smith, and J.D. Daniels trailing.

The Dunlap's Trailers Super Stocks competed in twin qualifiers to set the grid for Sunday evening’s extra-length 40 lap feature, with Daren Gailey and Mike Bowen splitting the laurels.

The "Miller Lite Memorial Day Challenge" continues tomorrow evening (May 26th). The line-up for the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge event will include the speedway's premier division - the Late Models, along with Super Stocks, the Legends Car Series, and another running of the Trains.

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(May 25) - Results from the opening night portion of the "Miller Lite Memorial Day Challenge" NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge event, held Saturday evening at Colorado National Speedway (Event concludes on Sunday night).

SNAP-ON TOOLS PROTRUCKS

QUICK TIME: Chris Leaf Kersey

TROPHY DASH: Tim Billinger Denver

FEATURE: 1. Dave Hunt Hudson 2. Dave Deines Gering, NE 3. Paul Deines Longmont 4. Tim Billinger Denver 5. Mike Sandoval Colo. Springs 6. Billy Harkins Lakewood 7. Dennis Edwards Golden 8. Jimmy Donaldson Arvada 9. Chris Archer Denver 10. Mike Hibbard Greeley

ARTCRAFT SIGNS GRAND AMERICAN MODIFIEDS

QUICK TIME: Ronnie Hults Denver

TROPHY DASH: Derek Clementson Lakewood

FEATURE: 1. Chris Muhler Erie 2. Joel Hansen Eaton 3. Derek Clementson Lakewood 4. Ed Vecchiarelli Brighton 5. Ronnie Hults Denver 6. Chris Leaf Kersey 7. Robert Martin Northglenn 8. Jim Stivaletta Pine 9. Bobby Pittington Loveland 10. Ronnie Stringfellow Littleton

DUNLAP'S TRAILERS SUPER STOCKS

QUICK TIME: Gary Lee Greeley QUALIFYING FEATURE #1: 1. Daren Gailey Aurora 2. Trent Phillips Hemingford, NE 3. Gary Lee Greeley 4. Steve Green Alma 5. Andy Lewis Louisville QUALIFYING FEATURE #2: 1. Mike Bowen Aurora 2. Jim Bob Rogers Erie 3. Brad Groff Fort Lupton 4. Lee Kemmit Thornton 5. Darrel Bauer Denver

FIGURE-EIGHTS

TROPHY DASH: Bill Quintrall Thornton

FEATURE: 1. J.D. Hafemeister Denver 2. Lance Proctor Arvada 3. Dave Roe Littleton 4. Dennis Stepanich, Jr. Arvada 5. Bill Quintrall Thornton 6. Dave Smith Englewood 7. Lorin Cantrell Denver 8. Dennis Stepanich Arvada 9. Harry Livermore, Jr. Denver 10. Bobby Zike Morrison

BABY GRAND STOCK CARS

FEATURE: 1. Del Smith Berthoud 2. Paul Suter Lakewood 3. Bill Gray Denver 4. Mike Smith Berthoud 5. J.D. Daniels Johnstown

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