JERRY ROBERTSON CHARGES HARD, EARNS HIS FIRST LONG-DISTANCE SPECIAL OF 2002 DURING "PEPSI SUPER SERI

Source: Alf Rustad/CNS
Date: 08/04/2002

ERIE, Colorado -- Throughout the 2002 season at Colorado National Speedway, Jerry Robertson has enjoyed a large share of success, but has seemed to be just a step behind chief rival Roger Avants. Saturday night's 125 lap special for the Prestige Capital Funding Late Models saw 40-year-old Robertson turn the table. The Arvada, CO driver passed - and then outran - Avants to score his biggest win of the year during round three of the Pepsi Super Series, a series of four extra-distance races held throughout the season at the 3/8 mile paved oval. The winning move came on the 53rd circuit, and Robertson went on to take the checkered flag in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge contest by eight car-lengths.

While Avants had the luxury of starting on the front row, Robertson took the green from eighth on the grid. Charging through the field, Robertson made getting past some of the track's most competitive drivers look easy, and was up to second by lap 43. He then used the low groove to power ahead of Avants, but the pair stayed tight until the final stages.

Another full house - fast becoming a standard for special events here - listened in on the interview after Robertson brought his Coldwell Banker Pontiac Grand Prix into Victory Lane. "This win wasn't easy", Robertson said. "I got through traffic pretty good, but when I caught Avants, I gave him a little bump. I didn't really mean to do it, but it worked out. He dogged me the rest of the way and never let up - I was getting pretty tired near the end".

Scotty Backman took third, and has now notched a top three finish in more than half the feature races this year. Despite his outstanding record, he has yet to win in 2002. Steve Yackey crossed the stripe in fourth, while Rick Carelli took fifth. Carelli started last in the field after winning the Trophy Dash and electing to take the "Pepsi / Artcraft Signs Challenge". Initially making up ground quickly, his progress slowed during the final 40 laps and he missed out on the Challenge's jackpot, this week worth an extra $18,000 in prize money. Early leader Dave Finley finished in sixth.

Four caution periods consumed 26 laps, but all were for minor incidents. 16 of the 25 starters were running at the finish, with 11 cars on the lead lap. The Pepsi Super Series standings show Avants ahead of Carelli by eight marks heading into the Series finale on September 14th.

Double points towards the overall Late Model track championship were also on the line. While Robertson's win was his sixth of the year, he gained only four points on Avants and still trails by 52 (788 to 736). Bruce Yackey remains in third place.

The Snap-On Tools ProTrucks competed in their second-straight 50 lap contest, and Richard Burton took his second-straight win. While Burton stayed in front for the entire distance, he was relentlessly pursued by Chris Archer most of the way. The pair held several side-by-side meetings, but Archer could never find the power to make his move stick, and Burton owned a one truck-length advantage at the finish. Point leader Chris Leaf was third, with top rookie contender Dennis Edwards fourth and Calvin Matthews fifth.

Dave Roe captured his third Figure-Eight feature award of the year in convincing fashion. Roe passed Al Duran early in the 20 lapper, then cruised ahead to a full straightaway margin. Duran settled with second, while J.D. Hafemeister had several close calls in the "X" on his way to securing third. Bill Quintrall and point leader Lance Proctor completed the top five.

Leland Ridnour and Ed Markham took "War Wagon" to the front in the Witthar Racing Trains event. In a tight draft, "Kody's Express" grabbed runner-up honors.

The speedway will host a special "Pitside Seating Only" race next Friday night, August 9th, for Super Modifieds, the Legends Cars, Baby Grands, RX-7's, and pure-stock Enduro machines. On Saturday night, August 10th, NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge action returns with the "Children's Hospital Race of Champions", featuring the Late Models, along with the ProTrucks, the Grand American Modifieds, and the Super Stocks.

2. (2) Roger Avants, Littleton, McDonald's / Pro Vans USA Chevrolet, 125

3. (4) Scott Backman, Parker, Xtreme Signs Chevrolet, 125

4. (3) Steve Yackey, Greeley, All Discount Sew & Vac Pontiac, 125

5. (25) Rick Carelli, Arvada, RE/MAX International Chevrolet, 125

6. (1) Dave Finley, Brighton, Tri-County Parts & Equipment Dodge, 125

7. (11) Beau Kellogg, Evergreen, Prestige Capital Funding Chevrolet, 125

8. (5) Bruce Yackey, Greeley, General Air Chevrolet, 125

9. (24) Ken Walter, Littleton, Astro Lite Batteries Pontiac, 125

10. (9) Joe James, Jr., Denver, News Land Chevrolet, 125

11. (7) Dan Savage, Aurora, FordSmith Ford, 125

12. (13) Rick Smith, Gering, NE, Wyotech Chevrolet, 124

13. (12) Doug Greer, Loveland, Renegade Racing Chevrolet, 123

14. (22) Scott Schmidt, Fort Lupton, Smitty’s Automotive Chevrolet, 123

15. (20) Bob Dykes, Lakewood, Family Tree Oil & Gas Chevrolet, 115

16. (14) Ron Van Briggle, Eaton, Auto Restorations Ford, 89

17. (6) Mike Snow, Morrison, Bradley Petroleum Chevrolet, 88

18. (19) Dave Skeen, Bailey, Best Carpentry Works Chevrolet, 82

19. (17) P.J. Mattorano, Commerce City, M & M Plumbing Pontiac, 80

20. (23) Joe Denning, Thornton, Denning Chevrolet, 70

21. (10) Travis Clark, Morrison, Merkl’s Automotive Chevrolet, 63

22. (15) Bear Lynch, Thornton, JECO Racing Dodge, 56

23. (16) Chris Muhler, Erie, Tri-County Parts & Equipment Chevrolet, 55

24. (18) Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge, Steve's Transmission Chevrolet, 2

25. (21) M.J. Dixon, Longmont, Dixon Racing Chevrolet, 1

Margin of Victory: .91 second (8 car lengths)

Time of Race: 43 minutes, 56 seconds

Cautions: 4 for 26 laps (1-7, 61-66, 82-89, 107-111)

Lap Leaders: Finley (1- 7), Avants (8-52), Robertson (53-125)

Fast Qualifier (among 26 cars): Savage, 16.406 seconds, 82.287 MPH

Trophy Dash winner: Carelli

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