JERRY ROBERTSON KEEPS TITLE HOPES ALIVE; CAPTURES FIFTH WIN OF 2002 IN "K99 RADIO SATURDAY NIGHT BLO

Source: Alf Rustad
Date: 07/14/2002

ERIE, Colorado -- Jerry Robertson knew he needed a strong finish on Saturday night at Colorado National Speedway if he was to keep his title hopes alive. With Roger Avants dominating the Prestige Capital Funding Late Models over the past few weeks, Robertson had lost ground in four out of the last five races. The 40-year-old Arvada, CO driver got more than just a strong finish however, he scored a much-needed victory - his fifth of the year - to remain well within grasp of Avants' point lead. Robertson led all 40 laps of the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge event, held during the "K99 Radio Saturday Night Blow-Out" at the 3/8 mile paved oval.

Although Robertson had a sub-par qualifying effort, the pill draw to determine the inversion worked in his favor, and he started on the front row. Robertson outran pole-sitter Beau Kellogg at the onset, while Scotty Backman moved up to third on the tenth circuit. The lead trio ran in a single file formation and pulled away from the rest of the pack until the waning laps, when Backman began to challenge Kellogg. The battle for second allowed Robertson to open up a slight margin, but his advantage was erased when the caution flag waved with just two laps remaining. The outcome was not effected, as Robertson's Coldwell Banker Pontiac Grand Prix owned a two car-length lead after the final run to the checkered flag. Kellogg, the division's top rookie contender, secured the runner-up slot to earn his best performance to date, while Backman's third place finish marked his fifth consecutive top five showing. Avants and Bruce Yackey followed.

Avants had his championship lead trimmed by six points, and is now ahead of Robertson by 24 marks (642 to 618). Yackey trails first place by 66 points. 13 races are in the books and seven remain for the division, including two 125 lap double-point contests.

The Snap-On Tools ProTruck feature saw Darren Crocker, aboard the only Dodge in the field, grab his first career victory. Chris Archer was in command at the start of the 30 lapper with Billy Harkins in close pursuit, until the pair made contact on the 20th circuit. Archer spun, and during the resultant caution period, officials sent both drivers to the rear. Chris Leaf took over the lead, but his mount developed mechanical problems and fell off the pace, allowing Crocker to get by with seven laps remaining. On the way to becoming the division's sixth different winner of the year, Crocker was chased by Jimmy Donaldson during the final stages, as he crossed the stripe holding a one truck-length advantage. Dave Deines, Calvin Matthews, and Richard Burton completed the top five. A 15th place showing by Leaf all but eliminated the healthy point lead he had enjoyed. Donaldson leapfrogged to second in the standings, just four points back.

It was business as usual for Danny Medina in the Realty Executives Legends Car Series, scoring his fifth triumph in six starts. Runner-up combatants Anthony Medina and Jay Sant lost several positions during a last-lap tangle, moving Nick Cooper up to second place in the final rundown, followed by Les Baker, Steve Smith, and Michael Jones.

Chris Muhler, a regular in several divisions at the speedway, notched his first-ever win in the Baby Grands. Muhler led all the way, and owned a full-straightaway margin over J.D. Daniels at the finish. Bill Gray, Del Smith, and Mike Smith trailed.

In Witthar Racing Trains action, Wally Wall and Shirley Thompson guided the "Last Call Train" to its third victory of the year. The "War Wagon" looked ready to challenge, but nearly got derailed when it encountered another train in the "X" on the final lap, and had to settle with second.

Colorado National Speedway's next event will be the "3M Night at the Races" on Saturday, July 20th. The NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge action will include the Late Models, the Grand American Modifieds, the Super Stocks, and the Figure-Eights.

Results from the " K-99 Radio Saturday Night Blow-Out" NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge event at Colorado National Speedway.

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