ERIE, Colorado -- Turning in another commanding performance, Jerry Robertson extended his perfect streak in the First Choice Funding Late Models on Saturday night at Colorado National Speedway. Robertson took his third straight NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series feature contest at the 3/8 mile paved oval, and for the second straight week he led all 40 laps. Two late cautions during the “Full-Throttle Family Fun Night” were possibly all that prevented the 41-year-old Arvada, CO driver from winning the event by nearly a full straightaway margin.
The luck of the pill draw was again on Robertson’s side, as he took the green flag from the front row. Bruce Yackey quickly moved up to second, but was soon engaged in a fierce battle with Darren Crocker for the position. The pair stayed within striking distance of the leader until the field neared the halfway mark, when Robertson began to pull away significantly. During the last caution, Crocker – who had developed chassis problems and surrendered third to Ron Van Briggle – suffered a flat tire and he was forced to pit. The final two-lap run to the finish saw Robertson and his Peterson Concrete Chevrolet Monte Carlo power ahead by four car-lengths over Yackey. Van Briggle turned in a career-best third, with Steve Yackey fourth, and Rick Smith fifth.
Crocker’s 17th place finish dropped him from second in the standings to eighth. Van Briggle moved up to become Robertson’s nearest rival, 22 points back (150 to 128). Smith is now third with 124 marks.
Round two for the Snap-On Tools ProTrucks brought defending champion Chris Leaf his first feature trophy of the season, and he also became the division’s point lead. Crocker, in a double-duty driving role for the evening, took the lead at the onset of the 30 lapper followed by Brian Pacheco. Leaf moved up from fourth on the starting grid and overhauled Pacheco before the first handful of laps were completed, then began to reel in Crocker. Using the inside lane, Leaf shot past Crocker on the 11th circuit, with Chris Archer in tow. Archer kept pace the rest of the way, but could not close in enough to offer Leaf a serious bid; he finished four lengths back. Crocker settled with third, while Pacheco and Jimmy Donaldson filled out the top five.
Steve Green made his first career Dunlap’s Trailers Super Stock victory look easy, as he led all 25 laps to become the division’s third winner of 2003 in as many races. Tommy Roe moved into second on lap six but was unable to erase any of Green’s six car-length advantage. Third went to Trent Phillips, with John Baker fourth, and Rick Russolello fifth. Daren Gailey posted a sixth place effort, good enough to remain the point leader.
Keith Swenson also took his first-ever feature triumph, his coming in the Figure-Eights. Swenson made some bold moves through heavy traffic in the “X”, allowing him to pull well ahead of the rest of the front-runners. J.D. Hafemeister appeared to finish second, but because he stopped in his pit stall before going to the tech inspection area, he was disqualified. In the revised order, 2002 division champion Lance Proctor took the runner-up award, followed by Al Duran, Jared Wall, and Dennis Stepanich.
Saturday night, May 10th, is the next NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series race on the speedway’s calendar, and its first special event of the year. The “U.S. Army Late Model Clash” will be headlined by the First Choice Funding Late Models in a 125 lap feature race – the first of the four “Pepsi Super Series” races to be held throughout the season. The card will also include the Snap-On Tools ProTrucks in a 50 lap contest, along with the Figure-Eights, and the Witthar-Racing Trains.
- QUICK TIME
- Jerry Robertson, Arvada
- TROPHY DASH
- Bruce Yackey, Greeley
- FEATURE
- 1. Jerry Robertson, Arvada
2. Bruce Yackey, Greeley
3. Ron Van Briggle, Eaton
4. Steve Yackey, Greeley
5. Rick Smith, Gering, NE
6. Bear Lynch, Denver
7. Roger Avants, Littleton
8. Beau Kellogg, Evergreen
9. Jim Sikes, Jr., Fountain
10. Scotty Backman, Parker
- QUICK TIME
- Chris Leaf, Kersey
- TROPHY DASH
- Chris Archer, Denver
- FEATURE
- 1. Chris Leaf, Kersey
2. Chris Archer, Denver
3. Darren Crocker, Littleton
4. Brian Pacheco, Elizabeth
5. Jimmy Donaldson, Arvada
6. Paul Deines, Longmont
7. Dave Deines, Gering, NE
8. John Luck, Colo. Springs
9. Danny Medina, Colo. Springs
10. Tim Billinger, Denver
- TROPHY DASH
- Alan Carter, Thornton
- FEATURE
- 1. Steve Green, Alma
2. Tommy Roe, Thornton
3. Trent Phillips, Hemingford, NE
4. John Baker, Cheyenne, WY
5. Rick Russolello, Thornton
6. Daren Gailey, Aurora
7. Rick Runkle, Lakewood
8. Alan Carter, Thornton
9. Tom Powers, Aurora
10. Darrel Bauer, Denver
- QUICK TIME
- Keith Swenson, Aurora
- TROPHY DASH
- J.D. Hafemeister, Commerce City
- FEATURE
- 1. Keith Swenson, Aurora
2. Lance Proctor, Arvada
3. Al Duran, Lakewood
4. Jared Wall, Denver
5. Dennis Stepanich, Arvada
6. Bill Quintrall, Westminster
7. Harry Livermore, Jr., Englewood
8. Ted Gastineau, Denver
9. Dave Smith, Englewood
10. Joe Matlock, Aurora
