ERIE, Colorado -- Earning a first career feature win in the First Choice Funding Late Models is one of the toughest goals an up-and-coming driver at Colorado National Speedway can achieve. Getting that victory in a special 125 lap Pepsi Super Series event is an even tougher task. Rick Smith – a sophomore in the division – figured out a way to do just that on Saturday night at the 3/8 mile paved oval. While the Gering, NE competitor led all but the opening circuit in the “Craftsman Late Model Clash presented by the U.S. Army”, he had his hands full nearly the entire way. 40-year-old Smith held off two of the track’s most successful veterans throughout the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series contest.
Smith’s first challenger was Jerry Robertson, who moved in on the leader’s rear bumper on lap 36. Robertson made several attempts to get by, until being forced to pit on the 78th circuit due to a flat tire. Bruce Yackey took over the second place position, but Smith remained strong, and did a superb job maneuvering through lapped traffic. His Hydrotex Lubricants Chevrolet Monte Carlo withstood Yackey’s threat and crossed the stripe with a two car-length advantage.
“With Robertson behind me at first, I was worried. And then Bruce (Yackey) – he’s a real tough driver, but luckily he cut me some slack a couple of times,” Smith told the packed grandstands during the Winner’s Circle interview. “A lot of the lapped cars would point for me to go by on the left or the right; it really helped out a lot. I was ready for this thing to be over after 50 laps, but I’m sure glad we held on.”
Starting on the outside of the front row, Smith quickly out-muscled Mike Gallegos for the lead. Gallegos remained in second place until losing control on the 26th go-round; the resultant melee damaged or eliminated several of the front-runners. Yackey moved into the runner-up slot, but surrendered it to Robertson shortly after the field went back to green flag racing. Robertson’s flat tire eliminated any chance that he would score his seventh win in eight starts, and Yackey reclaimed second place. During the final 47 lap caution-free stretch, the top five ran nose-to-tail, but no positions were exchanged. Yackey’s exceptional consistency continued, as he garnered his fifth runner-up award in six starts. Third place went to Ken Walter, who was making just his second appearance of the year, while Dave Finley moved up from 17th on the starting grid to take fourth. Bear Lynch was involved in the lap 26 skirmish, but after pitting to repair some slight damage he came back to finish in fifth. The top ten cars were on the lead lap at the checkered flag.
While the 125 lapper was the first of four Pepsi Super Series races to be held throughout the season, the event also paid regular points towards the track championship. Robertson finally put a blemish on a near-perfect season, as he finished in 15th place, five laps down. He still owns the point lead, but is now just 12 marks ahead of Yackey (364 to 352). Smith moved up to third in the standings, 30 points behind Robertson.
The Snap-On Tools ProTrucks competed in a special 50 lapper, and Paul Deines became the division’s fourth different winner in five races. By the halfway mark, defending champion Chris Leaf began challenging Deines, but could not make the pass stick. Leaf spun with 12 laps to go, allowing top rookie candidate John Luck to take over second. Deines owned a one truck-length advantage over Luck at the line, with Dave Deines – father of the winner – in third. Chris Archer and Jimmy Donaldson rounded out the top five. Leaf recovered to take eighth, but dropped into a tie for the point lead with Archer.
Joel Hansen notched his second Artcraft Signs Grand American Modified triumph of 2003. Cris Muhler led at the onset, but when he lifted slightly during an encounter with lapped traffic, Hansen found the room he needed in the low groove and powered ahead. At the end, point leader Muhler trailed by six lengths, while Derek Clementson posted his best finish of the year in third.
In the Leary Racing Products Baby Grands, Del Smith was cruising to an apparent easy win, until spinning out near the halfway mark. Bill Gray took over and was in command the rest of the way, while Smith stormed back to take second, followed by Jeff Pugh.
The Witthar-Racing Trains saw possibly the closest finish in the division’s history. John Krieger and Leon Ellison commanded the “Termin8or” to the checkered flag, a mere three feet ahead of the “Turbo Train”.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series action continues next Saturday night, June 28th, with the “Race to Find Missing Kids”. Divisions competing will include the Late Models, the Grand American Modifieds, the Super Stocks, and the Legends Car Series. Additionally, programs will be held throughout the evening to raise money for the Missing Children's Task Force, and Extreme Motorcycle Jumper T.J. Russell will be putting on an exhibition.
- QUICK TIME
- Mike Bowen, Aurora
- TROPHY DASH
- Paul Deines, Longmont
- FEATURE
- 1. Paul Deines, Longmont
2. John Luck, Colo. Springs
3. Dave Deines, Gering, NE
4. Chris Archer, Denver
5. Jimmy Donaldson, Arvada
6. Dennis Edwards, Golden
7. Tim Billinger, Denver
8. Chris Leaf, Kersey
9. Mike Bowen, Aurora
10. Alan Carter, Thornton
- QUICK TIME
- Joel Hansen, Eaton
- TROPHY DASH:
- Derek Clementson, Denver
- FEATURE
- 1. Joel Hansen, Eaton
2. Chris Muhler, Erie
3. Derek Clementson, Denver
4. Ronnie Hults, Denver
5. Forest Smith, Bellvue
6. Wayne Muhler, Erie
7. Ryan Moore, Bailey
8. Mike Dombrowski, Lakewood
9. Adrian Walker, Denver
10. Jeff Case, Brighton
- QUICK TIME
- Bill Gray, Denver
- TROPHY DASH
- Bill Gray, Denver
- FEATURE
- 1. Bill Gray, Denver
2. Del Smith, Berthoud
3. Jeff Pugh, Aurora
4. Mike Smith, Berthoud
5. Teague Heilbrun, Ft. Collins
- FEATURE
- 1. Termin '8' or
2. Turbo Train
3. Steel Dragon
4. Distributor of Pain
5. De Udder Train
6. Half Fool & Plum M.T.
7. Merl's Revenge
8. Just Sur '5' ing
9. Dukes of Hazzard
10. Smash & Crash
Results from Saturday night's “Craftsman Late Model Clash presented by the U.S. Army” NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series feature event at Colorado National Speedway. (The first of four 125 lap Pepsi Super Series races to be held throughout the season for the First Choice Funding Late Model division.)
Finish showing starting position in parentheses, home town, car, and laps completed:
1. (2) Rick Smith, Gering, NE, Hydrotex Lubricants Chevrolet, 125
2. (5) Bruce Yackey, Greeley, General Air Chevrolet, 125
3. (14) Ken Walter, Littleton, Astro Lite Batteries Pontiac, 125
4. (17) Dave Finley, Brighton, Tri-County Parts Chevrolet, 125
5. (12) Bear Lynch, Denver, Egli Racing Dodge, 125
6. (16) Travis Clark, Morrison, Merkle’s Automotive Chevrolet, 125
7. (7) Scotty Backman, Parker, Xtreme Signs & Graphics Pontiac, 125
8. (15) Roger Avants, Littleton, McDonald's / Pro Vans USA Chevrolet, 125
9. (9) Dan Savage, Aurora, FordSmith Ford , 125
10. (18) Joe James, Jr., Denver, Rocky Mountain Fire & Safety Chevrolet , 125
11. (8) Scott Wilson, Broomfield, Cost Cutters Chevrolet, 123
12. (1) Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge, Coy’s Custom Wheel & Tire Chevrolet, 123
13. (22) Zach Morris, Castle Rock, Plum Creek Mortgage Pontiac, 121
14. (19) Greg Fowler, Longmont, Sheds “R” Us Chevrolet, 120
15. (10) Jerry Robertson, Arvada, Dunlap’s Trailers Chevrolet, 120
16. (21) Bob Dykes, Lakewood, Family Tree Oil & Gas Ford, 119
17. (13) Jim Sikes, Jr., Fountain, A-A Towing Chevrolet, 114
18. (6) Ron Van Briggle, Eaton, Auto Restorations Ford, 71
19. (20) Kevin Clark, Colo. Springs, Kenwood Car Audio Chevrolet, 56
20. (23) Kip Sandell, Sedalia, Pro Vans USA Chevrolet, 35
21. (3) Darren Crocker, Littleton, Coldwell Bankers Chevrolet, 27
22. (4) Beau Kellogg, Evergreen, Artcraft Signs Chevrolet, 25
23. (11) Steve Yackey, Greeley, Yackey Racing Chevrolet, 25
Margin of Victory: .371 second (2 car lengths)
Time of Race: 52 minutes, 01 seconds
Cautions: 4 for 25 laps (8-13, 17-21, 26-30, 70-78)
Lap Leaders: Gallegos (1), Smith (2-125)
Fast Qualifier: Van Briggle, 16.038 seconds, 84.518 MPH
Trophy Dash winner: Sikes, Jr.
