ROGER AVANTS STAYS IN FAST LANE

Source: ALF RUSTAD
Date: 06/23/2002

EXTENDS POINT LEAD WITH FOURTH WIN OF SEASON DURING "RACE TO FIND MISSING KIDS"

(June 22 Erie, CO) – A rejuvenated Roger Avants came to Colorado National Speedway on Saturday night riding high off of last weekend's totally dominating performance. While Avants may not have looked quite as exceptional in this round of NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge action, he remained far too much for the rest of the field to handle. The 50-year-old veteran, of Littleton, CO, made a mid-race pass to secure the lead, then went unchallenged the rest of the way in the 40 lap "Race to Find Missing Kids" headliner. Now with four Prestige Capital Funding Late Model feature victories to his credit this year, and more than half the season still remaining, the division's current point leader has already equaled his total number of wins in 2000 and 2001 combined.

Pole-sitter Scotty Backman headed the pack at the onset, with Beau Kellogg in tow. From fifth on the grid, Avants made fast progress to get to the front, overhauling Kellogg for second on lap 11. Avants then reeled in Backman, and used the low groove to take the lead away one circuit after the halfway mark. Avants encountered heavy lapped traffic during the late stages, but made some superb moves aboard his McDonald's / Pro Vans USA Chevrolet Monte Carlo to assure a comfortable 14-length margin at the checkered flag. Backman, who is still searching for his first win of the year, notched his second runner-up effort over his last four starts. Jerry Robertson finished a close third, while top rookie candidate Kellogg fell to fourth, and Bruce Yackey took fifth.

Avants extended his lead over Yackey in the season title quest by eight more marks, and now owns a 16 point advantage (402 to 386). Third place continues to be held by Robertson, 22 points out of first place.

In Snap-On Tools ProTruck action, Chris Leaf - who is eyeing his third consecutive division championship - easily scored his second straight feature victory. The 30 lapper saw front-row starters Calvin Matthews and Dave Deines tangle just after the green flag waved, allowing Jimmy Donaldson to take over. Donaldson's stint at the front was brief however, as he surrender the lead to Chris Archer on lap two, with Leaf following. Archer looked to be in control, but was forced to pit with a fluid leak on the 10th circuit, and Leaf cruised to a full-straightaway margin at the stripe. Darren Crocker appeared to take second, but failed the post-race tech inspection. In the revised order, Paul Deines, Billy Harkins, Tim Billinger, and Donaldson completed the top five.

The evening's trend of having a divisional point leader take the feature win was also seen in the Artcraft Signs Grand American Modified class, as Joel Hansen took top honors. Hansen fended off a late-race charge by Chris Muhler, grabbing the first place prize by a car length. Ronnie Hults, Robert Martin, and Ed Vecchiarelli followed.

Danny Medina, who had his ten-race winning streak broken during the last outing by the Realty Executives Legends Car Series, returned to his familiar role. Medina led from flag to flag, and outran Anthony Medina by eight lengths. Nick Cooper took third, trailed by Paul Harder and Barry Dykes.

Tim Weaver took the top prize in the pure-stock Enduro Cars novelty event. Weaver was the first competitor to finish the race while keeping a tire balanced on his hood; a feat that just eight of the 29 starters were able to accomplish. David Gee took second.

Activities at the 3/8 mile paved oval throughout the night also included several events that, through the generosity of both fans and competitors, raised a significant amount of money for the Missing Children's Task Force.

NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge action continues at the speedway next Saturday night, June 29th, with part one of the "Sheet Metal Workers Mid-Season Championships". The Late Models will run a normal program, while the Super Stocks, the Figure-Eights, and the Legends Cars will compete in double-point races, and the night will end with a fireworks show. Part two of the event will be held on July 3rd.

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Roger Avants (June 22) - Results from the "Race to Find Missing Kids" NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge event, held Saturday at Colorado National Speedway.

PRESTIGE CAPITAL FUNDING LATE MODELS

QUICK TIME:
Roger Avants
Littleton TROPHY DASH:
Scotty Backman Parker FEATURE:
1. Roger Avants Littleton
2. Scotty Backman Parker
3. Jerry Robertson Arvada
4. Beau Kellogg Evergreen
5. Bruce Yackey Greeley
6. Trevor Morrical Brighton
7. Jim Sikes, Jr. Fountain
8. Steve Yackey Greeley
9. Scott Schmidt Fort Lupton
10. P.J. Mattorano Commerce City

SNAP-ON TOOLS PROTRUCKS

TROPHY DASH: Billy Harkins Lakewood FEATURE:
1. Chris Leaf Kersey
2. Paul Deines Longmont
3. Billy Harkins Lakewood
4. Tim Billinger Denver
5. Jimmy Donaldson Arvada
6. Brian Pacheco Elizabeth
7. Dave Deines Gering, NE
8. Dennis Edwards Golden
9. Scott Wilson Broomfield
10. Chip Coonts Arvada

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