ERIE, Colorado -- Jerry Robertson’s command of the First Choice Funding Late Model field at Colorado National Speedway continued on Saturday night at the 3/8 mile paved oval. Round six for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series division saw the Arvada, CO, driver capture his fifth feature trophy, held during the “3M Night at the Races”. Compared to most of his earlier triumphs, Robertson had to dig a bit deeper in this 40 lap event, but once in front he easily pulled away from the pack. The season is now one-third complete, yet the 41-year-old has already reached the halfway mark of tying the record – which he owns – for most wins in a year. Robertson scored 10 victories in both 2000 and 2001.
Steve Yackey took the lead at the onset, with Rick Smith and Bruce Yackey following. From sixth on the starting grid, Robertson quickly moved up to fourth in the running order. Robertson used his preferred low-groove maneuver to try to gain positions, but when that proved ineffective, he went to the high line. On lap 17, Robertson got past Bruce Yackey, and two circuits later he went around Smith. Steve Yackey surrendered the top spot on lap 23, and as the race reached its conclusion, Robertson had driven his Dunlap’s Trailers Chevrolet Monte Car to a full-straightaway advantage. Steve Yackey’s runner-up performance was his career best, with Smith third, Bruce Yackey fourth, and Beau Kellogg fifth.
The standings now show Robertson ahead of Bruce Yackey by 36 points (292 to 256). Smith jumped from sixth place into a tie with Scotty Backman for third. They trail the leader by 50 marks.
Ronnie Hults scored his first win of the year in the Artcraft Signs Grand American Modified division. Forest Smith headed the pack early, but Hults out-muscled him on lap 6, with Cris Muhler in tow. The two front-runners stayed close the rest of the way, but Muhler could not find enough power to offer a serious bid. Near the end of the 30 lapper, Hults pulled ahead slightly, and owned a three-length margin over point leader Muhler at the checkered flag. Joel Hansen made a late move to claim third, while Smith fell to fourth. Derek Clementson rounded out the top five.
A two-car battle also was witnessed in the Dunlap’s Trailers Super Stocks, as Rick Russolello took top honors. With Jim Bob Rogers in his draft, Russolello worked through heavy lapped traffic until the caution flag waved with three laps remaining. On the restart, Rogers found enough room in the low groove to make an attempt, but he came up six feet short at the stripe. Brad Groff, Stan Griffin, and Tommy Roe followed. Russolello’s victory – his second of 2003 – moved him to the top of season standings.
For the first time ever, the Pure Stock division tackled the figure-eight course, and Todd Larson notched the top prize in the 20 lap contest. Although Larson led at the onset, he spun on the sixth circuit and Eric Warrington took over, marking the first of five lead changes. Darrell Smith grabbed his turn at the front near the halfway mark when Warrington slowed for oncoming traffic in the “X”. Smith and Warrington battled back and forth, until Larson finally made up lost ground and secured first place for good with three laps remaining. Smith settled for second, eight lengths back, with Warrington third, Michael Dailey fourth, and Tim Weaver fifth. The Pure Stock championship trail, which contends races on both the oval and the figure-eight track during the year, now shows Warrington and Larson tied for first place.
A visit from the NASCAR Elite Division, International Truck and Engine Corporation Midwest Series, will be the next event at Colorado National Speedway on Saturday night, June 7th. The “Auto Trader 150” carries a purse of nearly $50,000 for the touring group, while support race action includes the ProTrucks, the Figure-Eights, and the Trains.
- QUICK TIME
- Jerry Robertson, Arvada
- TROPHY DASH
- Rick Smith, Gering, NE
- FEATURE
- 1. Jerry Robertson, Arvada
2. Steve Yackey, Greeley
3. Rick Smith, Gering, NE
4. Bruce Yackey, Greeley
5. Beau Kellogg, Evergreen
6. Ron Van Briggle, Eaton
7. Scotty Backman, Parker
8. Scott Wilson, Broomfield
9. Zach Morris, Castle Rock
10.Darren Crocker, Littleton
- QUICK TIME
- Cris Muhler, Erie
- TROPHY DASH
- Joel Hansen, Eaton
- FEATURE
- 1. Ronnie Hults, Denver
2. Chris Muhler, Erie
3. Joel Hansen, Eaton
4. Forest Smith, Bellvue
5. Derek Clementson, Denver
6. B. J. Penrod, Centennial
7. Ronnie Stringfellow Jr., Littleton
8. D.L. Clementson, Littleton
9. Jeff Case, Brighton
10.Dennis Mann, Evans
- QUICK TIME
- Jim Bob Rogers, Erie
- TROPHY DASH
- Daren Gailey, Aurora
- FEATURE
- 1. Rick Russolello, Thornton
2. Jim Bob Rogers, Erie
3. Brad Groff, Fort Lupton
4. Stan Griffin, Brighton
5. Tommy Roe, Thornton
6. Darrel Bauer, Denver
7. Rick Hunt, Arvada
8. Rick Runkle, Lakewood
9. Lee Kemmit, Thornton
10.Mark Lowe, Lakewood
- FEATURE
- 1. Todd Larson, Platteville
2. Darrell Smith, Littleton
3. Eric Warrington, Fort Collins
4. Michael Dailey, Centennial
5. Tim Weaver, Louisville
6. Robert Fryzek, Gill
7. Brian Gunderson, Fort Collins
8. Pat Addy, Wheat Ridge
9. Matt Long, Longmont
10.Jan Oxley, Fort Lupton
