ERIE, Colorado -- Closely pursued by Colorado National Speedway's two hottest drivers, Scotty Backman turned in a near-flawless performance Saturday night at the 3/8 mile paved oval to notch his second career Prestige Capital Funding Late Model division feature victory. Backman, of Parker CO., fended off a furious challenge from both Jerry Robertson and Roger Avants in the 40 lap NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge contest, held during the opening night segment of the "WB-2 Labor Day Weekend Shoot-Out". While the 42-year-old has logged in the most quick time awards this season, and has earned six runner-up finishes, he returned to the Winner's Circle for the first time since July 3rd of 2001. Backman also halted a twelve-race streak in which only Avants or Robertson had taken home the feature trophy. From the front row, Backman grabbed the lead at the onset as Robertson immediately jumped into his draft. Avants moved up to third on lap seven, and the top three positions remained unchanged the rest of the way. While Robertson was able to pull alongside Backman on several occasions, he could not find the muscle to get by, as Avants stayed glued to the leaders searching for an opening. Backman, aboard the Xtreme Signs Chevrolet Monte Carlo, held his line to the end and crossed the stripe with a one car-length advantage. Robertson took second, with Avants third; Bruce Yackey and his cousin Steve Yackey completed the top five. With two Late Model races remaining on the schedule, Avants' title chances grow ever stronger. Avants' lead was trimmed by two points, but he still owns a substantial 78 point margin over Robertson (934 to 856). Bruce Yackey and Backman are third and fourth in the standings, and are the only other drivers that still have a mathematical chance at the championship. In the 30 lap Artcraft Signs Grand American Modified feature, Ronnie Hults looked unstoppable as he collected his first win since the season-opener on March 30th. Hults used the low groove to get past Forest Smith for the lead on the third circuit, and Smith lost two more positions when Joel Hansen and Trevor Morrical powered by on lap nine. Hults opened up nearly a full-straightaway advantage, and only a late caution prevented a runaway. Hansen eventually settled for second – seven car-lengths back – with Morrical third. Smith, the division's top Rookie of the Year candidate, took fourth, with Jim Stivaletta fifth. Only the season finale on September 14th remains for the Grand American Modifieds, and Hansen can lock up his first championship simply by posting at least a 22nd place finish in that race. Dunlap's Trailers Super Stock action saw point leader Mike Bowen score his fifth triumph of the year. Rick Russolello dueled with Bowen throughout the last half of the 25 lapper, but came up a half-length short. Jim Bob Rogers blasted up from 11th on the grid to take third. A pair of fast-improving drivers, Daren Gailey and Brad Groff, were next across the line, with all five machines running in tight draft. Dave Roe set an ultra-quick pace, and made some bold moves through the "X", to easily grab his third Figure-Eight win over his last four starts. Runner-up honors went to Al Duran, while point leader Lance Proctor took third. Lorin Cantrell and J.D. Hafemeister completed the top five in a race that saw 24 machines take the green flag – the division's largest field of the year. For the Figure-Eight finale in two weeks, Proctor will need to place 10th or better to be assured of the title. The "WB-2 Labor Day Weekend Shoot-Out" continues tomorrow evening (September 1st). The line-up for the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge event will include the ProTrucks, the Super Modifieds, the Legends Car Series, the Baby Grands, and another running of the Trains.
Scotty Backman, Parker TROPHY DASH:
Beau Kellogg, Evergreen FEATURE:
1. Scotty Backman, Parker
2. Jerry Robertson, Arvada
3. Roger Avants, Littleton
4. Bruce Yackey, Greeley
5. Steve Yackey, Greeley
6. Dan Savage, Aurora
7. Doug Greer, Loveland
8. Ed Vecchiarelli, Brighton
9. Rick Smith, Gering, NE
10. P.J. Mattorano, Commerce City
Ronnie Hults, Denver TROPHY DASH:
D.L. Clementson, Littleton FEATURE:
1. Ronnie Hults, Denver
2. Joel Hansen, Eaton
3. Trevor Morrical, Brighton
4. Forest Smith, Bellvue
5. Jim Stivaletta, Pine
6. B.J. Penrod, Aurora
7. Mike Moore, Bailey
8. D.L. Clementson, Littleton
9. Ed Vecchiarelli, Jr., Brighton
10. Ryan Moore, Bailey
J.R. Davis, Loveland FEATURE:
1. Mike Bowen, Aurora
2. Rick Russolello, Thornton
3. Jim Bob Rogers, Erie
4. Daren Gailey, Aurora
5. Brad Groff, Fort Lupton
6. Dwight Michael, Fort Collins
7. Mark Lowe, Lakewood
8. Tommy Roe, Northglenn
9. Jim Lahey, Denver
10. Steve Green, Alma
Dave Roe, Littleton TROPHY DASH:
Keith Swenson, Aurora FEATURE:
1. Dave Roe, Littleton
2. Al Duran, Lakewood
3. Lance Proctor, Arvada
4. Lorin Cantrell, Denver
5. J.D. Hafemeister, Denver
6. Bill Quintrall, Thornton
7. Dave Smith, Englewood
8. Harry Livermore, Jr., Denver
9. Dennis Stepanich, Arvada
10. Dennis Stepanich, Jr., Arvada
