ERIE, Colorado -- Bouncing back from his disappointing 15th place finish a week ago, Jerry Robertson regained momentum towards his championship hopes Saturday night at Colorado National Speedway. The Arvada, CO driver chased a stubborn Bruce Yackey throughout most of the 40 lap NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series event. He finally executed the winning pass on Yackey – his chief rival in the title chase – with just two circuits remaining to capture the headliner during the “Race to Find Missing Kids”. 41-year-old Robertson has now tallied-up seven First Choice Funding Late Model feature victories in nine starts at the 3/8 mile paved oval, with nine more races remaining on the division’s 2003 schedule.
Yackey started from the pole position, and controlled the field at the onset with Ron Van Briggle in tow. Robertson took the green flag from fifth on the grid, and only needed the first seven laps to work his way up and overhaul Van Briggle for second place. Robertson then began to hound Yackey, trying both the high and the low groove, but could not find a way around. Yackey’s mount appeared to fall off the pace just slightly as the race neared its conclusion, and a determined Robertson powered his Dunlap’s Trailers Chevrolet Monte Carlo ahead. Scotty Backman – who had caught up with the lead pair during the late stages – passed Yackey on the final go-round and crossed the stripe three lengths behind Robertson; his runner-up performance was his best effort so far this year. Although Yackey settled with third, it was his seventh consecutive top-five showing. Van Briggle took fourth, while Darren Crocker avoided the bad luck that has plagued him over the past few weeks to finish in fifth.
Robertson’s advantage over Yackey in the standings grew by four marks; he is now ahead by 16 points (414 to 398). Backman reclaimed third in the season rundown, 40 points behind Robertson.
Cris Muhler made an outstanding move on the opening lap to pick up his third Artcraft Signs Grand American Modified win of the year. From his third place starting slot, Muhler shot past both Derek Clementson and Joel Hansen for the lead before the field had reached turn four. 2002 division champion Hansen stayed within striking distance of Muhler until the duo encountered lapped traffic near the halfway mark. Muhler was nearly flawless maneuvering through the back-markers, and at the end of the 30 lapper, he had stretched the margin to 15 lengths. Third went to Ronnie Hults, as Clementson fell to fourth and Forest Smith finished in fifth. In the six races thus far for the division, point leader Muhler has three victories and three second place outings.
In Dunlap’s Trailers Super Stock results, Daren Gailey came from 15th to capture his second consecutive triumph. Rick Runkle led most of the way, but surrendered the top spot to Gailey with four circuits remaining. Gailey powered ahead to a 10 length gap at the checkered flag. Runkle placed second, trailed by Rick Hunt, point leader Rick Russolello, and John Baker. Jay Sant took top honors in the Legends Car Series. Following a late caution, point leader Danny Medina went around Barry Dykes for second and looked to challenged Sant, but came up a car length short. Dykes, Anthony Medina, and Steve Smith were next across the line. Special functions were held during the night to raise money for the Missing Children's Task Force. While this is only one facet of a season-long program, fans and competitors alike generously contributed over $5000 just through the evening’s activities.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series action continues at the speedway next weekend with a special two-night holiday show. The “Dodge Mid-Season Championship Explosion” will offer double points for all regular divisions, and begins on Friday night with ProTrucks, Super Stocks, Figure-Eights and Pure Stocks. Saturday night features the Late Models in a special 125 lap race during round two of the Pepsi Super Series, accompanied by Grand American Modifieds, Legends, and the Trains. Both nights will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display.
- QUICK TIME
- Jerry Robertson, Arvada
- TROPHY DASH
- Steve Yackey, Greeley
- FEATURE
-
1. Jerry Robertson, Arvada
2. Scotty Backman, Parker
3. Bruce Yackey, Greeley
4. Ron Van Briggle, Eaton
5. Darren Crocker, Littleton
6. Jim Sikes Jr., Fountain
7. Steve Yackey, Greeley
8. Roger Avants, Littleton
9. Dan Savage, Aurora
10. Zach Morris, Castle Rock
- QUICK TIME
- Cris Muhler, Erie
- TROPHY DASH
- Ronnie Hults, Denver
- FEATURE
-
1. Cris Muhler, Erie
2. Joel Hansen, Eaton
3. Ronnie Hults, Denver
4. Derek Clementson, Denver
5. Forest Smith, Bellvue
6. Wayne Muhler, Erie
7. Jeff Case, Brighton
8. D.L. Clementson, Littleton
9. Mike Moore, Bailey
10. Dennis Mann, Evans
- TROPHY DASH
- Stan Griffin, Brighton
- FEATURE
-
1. Daren Gailey, Aurora
2. Rick Runkle, Lakewood
3. Rick Hunt, Arvada
4. Rick Russolello, Thornton
5. John Baker, Cheyenne, WY
6. Tommy Roe, Thornton
7. Tom Powers, Aurora
8. Davin Fisbeck, Thornton
9. Andy Lewis, Louisville
10. Trent Phillips, Hemingford, NE
- QUICK TIME
- Jay Sant, Parker
- TROPHY DASH
- Anthony Medina, Colo. Springs
- FEATURE
-
1. Jay Sant, Parker
2. Danny Medina, Colo. Springs
3. Barry Dykes, Loveland
4. Anthony Medina, Colo. Springs
5. Steve Smith, Superior
6. Michael Jones, Aurora
7. Jerry Jackson, Parker
8. Paul Harder, Windsor
9. Nick Rozack, Denver
10. Nick Cooper, Watkins
