CHRIS LEAF EARNS SECOND STRAIGHT WIN


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Dec 2, 2008

COLORADO NATIONAL SPEEDWAY

Source: Alf Rustad
Date: 05/25/2003

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ERIE, Colorado -- The Snap-On Tools ProTrucks took top billing for Saturday's opening-night portion of the "Miller Lite Memorial Day Challenge" at Colorado National Speedway, and the division's all-time winningest driver - Chris Leaf - notched his 24th career feature trophy. The 35-year-old Kersey, CO driver won his second NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series race in three starts this season, and also extended his point lead. While Leaf - the three-time defending ProTruck champion at the 3/8 mile paved oval - led all but the first four circuits, he had his hands full at the end holding off a hard-charging Jimmy Donaldson.

Leaf started third on the grid for the 30 lapper, but immediately moved in to challenge pole-sitter Mike Sandoval. Following the exchange for the lead, Sandoval lost several more positions on lap 11, as Donaldson took over second. The five-length gap between the top two remained constant until the final circuit, when Leaf encountered lapped traffic. Donaldson closed the margin, and the pair made slight contact in turn two. Leaf's Garza Concrete Chevrolet Silverado was up to the task, and crossed the stripe with Donaldson glued to his rear bumper. Leading Rookie-of-the-Year candidate John Luck took third, with Chris Archer fourth and Billy Harkins fifth.

The standings now show Leaf eight marks ahead of Donaldson (148 to 140), followed by Archer who is ten points out of first place.

The Artcraft Signs Grand American Modifieds saw Cris Muhler take his second straight feature victory. For this round, 2002 champion Joel Hansen chased Muhler most of the way. During the closing stages, Muhler executed some superb moves as he lapped several back-markers, allowing him to open up a 16-length margin on Hansen at the checkered flag. Third in the 30 lap contest went to Trevor Morrical, followed by Ronnie Hults and D.L. Clementson. Muhler, who had gone winless in nearly a year until last week, remains the point leader ahead of Hults.

A wild Figure-Eight race featured one of the wildest finishes in recent memory, with Al Duran coming out on top. J. D. Hafemeister led at the onset but spun early on, moving Harry Livermore, Jr. into the top spot pursued by Scott Quintrall. With four circuits remaining, Quintrall struck a car in the intersection, ending his night and bringing out the caution flag. On the restart, Keith Swenson began to pressure Livermore, and on the final go-round, the pair began an intense rubbing match. Just yards from the finish, they spun and both machines came to a stop a few feet from the line. Duran made contact with the stalled cars but made it to the stripe - sideways. Lance Proctor took the runner-up award, trailed by Dave Smith, Dennis Stepanich, and Jared Wall. Proctor and Duran are now tied for the point lead.

The Leary Racing Products Baby Grands held a national Baby Grand Stock Car Assoc. point race, and Colorado drivers took the top two positions. Del Smith used the inside lane to make the winning pass on Bill Gray with five laps remaining, then powered ahead by six lengths. Gray settled for second, while Canadian driver Rick Johnson was third. Local J.D. Daniels and Missouri pilot Randy Davenport completed the top five.

The "Miller Lite Memorial Day Challenge" continues Sunday evening (May 25th). The line-up for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series event will include the Late Models, along with Super Stocks, the Legends Car Series, and another running of the Trains.

Colorado National Race Results -- May 24, 2003

SNAP-ON TOOLS PROTRUCKS

QUICK TIME: Paul Deines, Longmont
TROPHY DASH: Chris Leaf, Kersey
FEATURE: 1.Chris Leaf, Kersey
2.Jimmy Donaldson, Arvada
3.John Luck, Colo. Springs
4.Chris Archer, Denver
5.Billy Harkins, Lakewood
6.Dave Deines, Gering, NE
7.Paul Deines, Longmont
8.Brian Pacheco, Elizabeth
9.Tim Billinger, Denver
10.Dennis Edwards, Golden

ARTCRAFT SIGNS GRAND AMERICAN MODIFIEDS

QUICK TIME: Ed Vecchiarelli, Brighton
TROPHY DASH: D. L. Clementson, Littleton
FEATURE: 1.Chris Muhler, Erie
2.Joel Hansen, Eaton
3.Trevor Morrical, Brighton
4.Ronnie Hults, Denver
5.D. L. Clementson, Littleton
6.Derek Clementson, Denver
7.Forest Smith, Bellvue
8.Ryan Moore, Bailey
9.Jim Stivaletta, Pine
10.Bobby Pittington, Wellington

LEARY RACING PRODUCTS BABY GRANDS

QUICK TIME: Ronald Rousch, Ft. Smith, AR
TROPHY DASH: J. D. Daniels, Johnstown
FEATURE (National Point Race): 1.Del Smith, Berthoud
2.Bill Gray, Denver
3.Rick Johnson, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4.J. D. Daniels, Johnstown
5.Randy Davenport, Ozark, MO
6.Lance Johnson, Balzac, Alberta, Canada
7.Michael Gahagan, Springfield, MO
8.Barry Johnson, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
9.William Byington, Concord, CA
10.Richard Perry, Denver

FIGURE-EIGHTS

TROPHY DASH: Jared Wall, Commerce City
FEATURE: 1.Al Duran, Lakewood
2.Lance Proctor, Arvada
3.Dave Smith, Englewood
4.Dennis Stepanich, Arvada
5.Jared Wall, Commerce City
6.Joe Matlock, Aurora
7.Harry Bragg, Castle Rock
8.Bill Quintrall, Westminster
9.Jerry Sutherland, Commerce City
10.Harry Livermore Jr., Denver