ERIE, Colorado -- Saturday night's NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge season finale at Colorado National Speedway saw Jerry Robertson accomplish what many thought was the impossible. Robertson won the prestigious "Snap-On Tools Challenge Cup XXVIII" after electing to take the Pepsi / Artcraft Signs Challenge and start the 125 lap contest from the rear of the field. The 40-year-old Arvada, CO driver hit the jackpot, as the Challenge was worth $23,000. Overall, he pocketed close to $27,000, by far the largest single-race payday in the history of the Prestige Capital Funding Late Model division here.
"I just can't believe it!" Robertson exclaimed in the Winner's Circle to a sold-out-event crowd of nearly 15,000. "There were a lot of incidents that I almost got into, and I've got to thank God for getting me through them. Man, my car was running," he said of his Coldwell Banker / WTB Mailing Pontiac Grand Prix. "This car has been sold, and I'm going to miss it, but wow, what a night."
Robertson, who also won Challenge Cup in 1996, became just the second multi-time winner of the track's annual season ending classic since the facility took on its current 3/8 mile paved configuration in 1989. Additionally, Robertson became the first-ever winner of the Pepsi / Artcraft Signs Challenge prize, which began in 1999 and is offered for every Late Model feature race.
Littleton, CO ace Roger Avants led the race early and eventually finished a solid second. His performance earned him a record fifth season title in the track's premier division. He also captured the "Pepsi Super Series" crown - and its $2500 check - for his showing in the four 125 lap races held at speedway throughout the year. When final standings are tabulated, 50-year-old Avants is also expected to be named the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge Northwest Region champion, worth over $40,000.
Three-time Challenge Cup winner Rick Carelli finished third. Because he tangled with another car in Friday evening's qualifying event, Carelli took the green flag from 23rd on the grid. Thundering through the pack with the same efficiency as Robertson early on, Carelli's pace dropped off slightly during the late stages. Travis Clark was fourth, with defending event winner Dave Finley fifth.
At the onset, Mike Pratt paced the 28 car field, while several competitors were sidelined throughout a series of skirmishes during the early stages. The pack finally settled in for a green flag run on lap 21, and Ed Vecchiarelli overhauled Pratt for the top spot two circuits later. Avants, who started seventh, found his way around Vecchiarelli on lap 32, and immediately began to open a sizable lead. By lap 50, Robertson was up to second, with Carelli third, and a caution period three circuits later erased Avants' advantage. After a brief side-by-side battle, Robertson wrestled the lead away from Avants on lap 66, and went unchallenged the rest of the way. The final 30 laps were run without incident, allowing Robertson to pull away by nearly four seconds; he went on to notch his eighth victory of the season.
Five caution periods consumed 41 laps, a high for Challenge Cup in recent years. 21 cars were running at the finish, with 12 on the lead lap, but the race took a lengthy 59 minutes and 28 seconds to complete.
With the track and regional title at stake, Avants admitted later of being very apprehensive prior to the race. "I think that was the most nervous I had been in my entire racing career," he said. "After all the hard work we have done all year, it comes down to one race. Then, when I had to put the car sideways (to avoid an opening lap pile-up), it sure got my heart thumping."
Avants drove the McDonald's / Pro Vans USA Monte Carlo to nine wins during the year, and beat out Robertson by 72 points (1078 to 1006) in the final standings. He edged Carelli by eight marks in the "Pepsi Super Series" rundown. Beau Kellogg was named the 2002 Rookie of the Year in the division.
1. (28) Jerry Robertson, Arvada, Coldwell Banker / Coors Light Pontiac, 125
2. (7) Roger Avants, Littleton, McDonald's / Pro Vans USA Chevrolet, 125
3. (23) Rick Carelli, Arvada, RE/MAX International Chevrolet, 125
4. (8) Travis Clark, Morrison, Merkl’s Automotive Chevrolet, 125
5. (15) Dave Finley, Brighton, Tri-County Parts & Equipment Dodge, 125
6. (11) Greg Fowler, Longmont, Pacific Contractors Chevrolet, 125
7. (13) Rick Smith, Gering, NE, Wyotech Chevrolet, 125
8. (19) Beau Kellogg, Evergreen, Prestige Capital Funding Chevrolet, 125
9. (17) Joe James, Jr., Denver, News Land Chevrolet, 125
10. (24) Scott Backman, Parker, Xtreme Signs Chevrolet, 125
11. (1) Mike Pratt, Littleton, MLC Racing Products, Chevrolet, 125
12. (3) Danny Mientka, Colo. Springs, Value Inn & Suites Chevrolet, 125
13. (14) Mike Markison, Laporte, Johnson's Corner Chevrolet, 123
14. (9) Mike Hannah, Arvada, Herbert Motors Chevrolet, 122
15. (21) Kenny Kirouac, Meeteetske, WY, Fiddle Back Ranch Chevrolet, 121
16. (22) Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge, Steve's Transmission Chevrolet, 112
17. (18) Jimmy Zerby, Canon City, Zerby Racing Chevrolet, 108
18. (4) Dan Savage, Aurora, FordSmith Ford, 97
19. (25) Scott Schmidt, Fort Lupton, Smitty’s Motorsports Chevrolet, 93
20. (20) Mark Dixon, Longmont, Dixon Racing Chevrolet, 75
21. (10) Bruce Yackey, Greeley, General Air Chevrolet, 71
22. (6) Steve Yackey, Greeley, All Discount Sew & Vac Pontiac, 54
23. (2) Ed Vecchiarelli, Brighton, Diesel Service & Supply Dodge, 52
24. (27) Kip Sandell, Sedalia, Vickery Motorsports Chevrolet, 43
25. (12) Ron Van Briggle, Eaton, Auto Restorations Ford, 15
26. (5) Ken Walter, Littleton, Astro Lite Batteries Pontiac, 1
27. (16) Joey Malara, Fort Lupton, Tumbleweed Landscaping Chevrolet, 1
28. (26) Bob Dykes, Lakewood, Family Tree Oil & Gas Chevrolet, 1
Margin of Victory: 3.69 seconds
Time of Race: 59 minutes, 28 seconds
Cautions: 5 for 41 laps (1-11, 12-20, 53-59, 79-88, 91-95)
Lap Leaders: Pratt (1-22), Vecchiarelli (23-31), Avants (32-65), Robertson (66-125)
Fast Qualifier: Avants, 16.036 seconds, 84.186 MPH
Trophy Dash winner: Robertson
Twin qualifying race winners: Walter, Avants
