ROGER AVANTS FENDS OFF CARELLI, TAKES PEPSI SUPER SERIES RACE #2 DURING FINAL NIGHT SEGMENT OF "SHEE

Source: ALF RUSTAD
Date: 07/06/2002

ERIE, Colo. -- During the first Pepsi Super Series event of the year here in April, Rick Carelli held off a race-long charge by Roger Avants to win the 125 lapper. Round #2 of the Series - held Wednesday night at Colorado National Speedway - looked nearly identical, but with the roles reversed. 50-year-old Avants, of Littleton CO., got to the front of the pack first, then kept Carelli at bay to win the special 125 lap NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge contest for the Prestige Capital Funding Late Models. Following a late caution, just two car-lengths separated the pair at the checkered flag of the event, held during the final-night portion of the "Sheet Metal Workers Mid-Season Championship Explosion" at the 3/8 mile paved oval.

"I always get pumped up a couple extra notches when Carelli comes here to race," Avants told the capacity crowd from the winner's circle. "He's a great competitor; he sits back there and sets you up, and you never really know what kind of move he'll make on you. The only thing to do is run as hard as you can."

Avants certainly did just that. His McDonald's / Pro Vans USA Chevrolet Monte Carlo ran hard enough to open up an eight car-length margin during the longest green-flag stretch of 32 laps, which occurred in the mid-portions of the race. Five caution periods slowed the event however, and allowed Carelli to close in. On each restart, Carelli looked ready to challenge for the top spot and was able to pull alongside Avants, but then would begin to fade just slightly as the green-flag laps added up. Carelli saved his best for last, as he stayed within striking distance over the final 15-lap run to the stripe.

Bruce Yackey started from the pole and outran Carelli to lead at the onset. From third on the grid, Avants got past Carelli on lap seven, then both drivers overhauled Yackey on the next circuit to set the stage for their one-two battle. With seven more laps in the books, Scotty Backman took third place away from Yackey, and remained there until lap 123, when both Jerry Robertson and Yackey went by. Robertson remained third at the finish, but Yackey was involved in a final-lap mishap, moving Backman up to fourth. Dan Savage rounded out the top five to equal his best performance of the season.

The five yellow flag segments were all for minor skirmishes and mechanical problems, while the first twelve competitors finished on the lead lap. Round three of these four special races is scheduled for August 3rd, with Avants and Carelli tied in the Super Series standings.

The event also paid double-points towards the overall track championship, adding to Avants' lead. His fifth victory of the year, and the third in his last four starts, gives him a 26 point advantage on Robertson (548 to 522). Yackey, who limped across the line to post a 10th place showing, now trails Avants by 58 marks.

Point leaders in all three support divisions also notched victories in their feature races. In Snap-On Tools ProTruck action, Chris Leaf grabbed his third consecutive win. Leaf passed Darren Crocker for the lead early on, and 13 laps remained when Crocker spun while attempting to reclaim the top slot. Billy Harkins took over second, but lost several positions in the closing stages. Tim Billinger went on to claim the runner-up award, 8 lengths back, and was trailed by Jimmy Donaldson, leading rookie contender Dennis Edwards, and Harkins.

Joel Hansen led from flag to flag in the caution-free Artcraft Signs Grand American Modified event. Chris Muhler, Ronnie Hults, Derek Clementson, and Ed Vecchiarelli completed the top five.

"War Wagon", with Leland Ridnour and Ed Markham at the controls, kept most of its wheels on the ground to lead the Witthar Racing Trains competition.

Next on the speedway calendar will be the "Just Born Candy Clash", this Saturday night, July 6th. The NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge event will include the Late Models, the Grand American Modifieds, the Super Stocks, and the Super Modifieds.

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