Many times this year at Colorado National Speedway, Jerry Robertson has proven not only that he can drive incredibly fast, but also that he possesses the instincts to avoid trouble. Saturday night at the 3/8 mile paved oval, he needed – and used – both skills to get to the front. Robertson, of Arvada, CO, narrowly missed a crash by the lead pair during the evening’s 40 lap NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series feature event, and then pulled away decisively from his closest challengers. The 41-year-old went on to capture the “Northern Colorado Radio Saturday Night Blow-Out” in round 11 for the First Choice Funding Late Models, marking his eighth win of the season.
Front row starters Jim Sikes, Jr. and Scotty Backman fought early on, as Robertson began a steady climb through the field from seventh in the line-up. Backman wrestled the top spot away from Sikes on lap 9, while Robertson moved up to third by the 15th circuit, and then began to close in on the leaders. Just as the race reached the halfway mark, Sikes pulled alongside Backman in turn 1, as Robertson briefly made it a three-wide battle before backing off. On the backstretch, the lead duo got together and both machines spun. Sikes’ mount made hard contact with the wall, but Robertson maneuvered through the melee, and after the caution period, he took over first place. Dan Savage went up to second for the restart, and he kept it close until the final stages, when Robertson throttled his Dunlap’s Trailers Chevrolet Monte Carlo ahead by 14 lengths. Savage’s runner-up award was his best showing of the year, while Rick Smith took third, followed by Darren Crocker and Roger Avants.
Robertson also received a big boost in his quest for the championship. Nearest contender Bruce Yackey suffered mechanical woes, and was credited with a 15th place finish. Yackey had gained considerable ground on Robertson over the past several weeks, but gave up 28 points on the night and now trails by a total of 32 (548 to 516). Smith moved back up to third in the standings, 60 marks back.
The Snap-On Tools ProTruck race was likely the wildest – and most controversial – event seen at the speedway this year, and the finish was unofficial at press time. The 30 lapper saw Mike Bowen head the pack at the onset. Chris Archer and Chris Leaf – the top two in the title battle – advanced quickly and by the 10th circuit they were running nose-to-tail behind the leader, until they tangled with eight laps to go. Their scuttle moved John Luck into second with Jimmy Donaldson third. On the final go-round, a stalled truck brought out the yellow flag just seconds before Bowen and Luck collided. Donaldson steered clear, but due to the caution, track rules dictate that the final scoring be established from the previous lap running order. Officials will further review the incident to determine if Bowen and Luck will be penalized, therefore the victory will be awarded to either Bowen or Donaldson.
Daren Gailey’s recent hot-streak in the Dunlap’s Trailers Super Stocks continued, as he picked up his third trophy in his last four starts. Once in front, Gailey opened up a large gap on the field, as point leader Rick Russolello moved into second with 10 laps remaining. The caution flag was displayed shortly after, erasing Gailey’s margin, but he pulled away effortlessly on the restart. At the stripe, Russolello trailed by 12 lengths. Tommy Roe, enjoying an excellent sophomore season, finished third, with Steve Green fourth and Trent Phillips fifth.
A fiercely-contested Figure-Eight event saw Lance Proctor come out on top, and also reclaim the point lead. Proctor overhauled Jim Egli for first place near the closing stages, but the pair swapped positions during an encounter with oncoming traffic in the “X”. On the final turn, Proctor used the low groove to pass Egli, sprinting to the checkered flag ahead by about three feet. Keith Swenson, Al Duran, and J.D. Hafemeister completed the top five.
Next Saturday night, NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series action continues with the “Budweiser ‘8 to Go’ at the Races”. The Late Models will be featured, along with the Grand American Modifieds, the Super Stocks, and another running of the wild and crazy Trains.
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(July 12) - Results from the “Northern Colorado Radio Saturday Night Blow-Out” NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series event, held Saturday at Colorado National Speedway.
FIRST CHOICE FUNDING LATE MODELS
QUICK TIME: Jim Sikes, Jr., Fountain TROPHY DASH: Rick Smith, Gering, NE FEATURE: 1. Jerry Robertson, Arvada 2. Dan Savage, Aurora 3. Rick Smith, Gering, NE 4. Darren Crocker, Littleton 5. Roger Avants, Littleton 6. Steve Yackey, Greeley 7. Ed Vecchiarelli, Brighton 8. Scotty Backman, Parker 9. Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge 10. Joe James, Jr., Denver SNAP-ON TOOLS PROTRUCKS
QUICK TIME: Chris Leaf, Kersey TROPHY DASH: Bear Lynch, Denver FEATURE (Unofficial): 1. Mike Bowen, Aurora 2. John Luck, Colo. Springs 3. Jimmy Donaldson, Arvada 4. Tim Billinger, Denver 5. Dennis Edwards, Golden 6. Chris Archer, Denver 7. Chris Leaf, Kersey 8. Bill Jenkins, Ft. Lupton 9. Chip Coonts, Arvada 10. Steve Johnson, Loveland DUNLAP'S TRAILERS SUPER STOCKS
TROPHY DASH: Daren Gailey, Aurora FEATURE: 1. Daren Gailey, Aurora 2. Rick Russolello, Thornton 3. Tommy Roe, Thornton 4. Steve Green, Alma 5. Trent Phillips, Hemingford, NE 6. Mark Lowe, Lakewood 7. Stan Griffin, Brighton 8. Tom Powers, Aurora 9. Jim Bob Rogers, Erie 10. Jim Lahey, Jr., Denver FIGURE-EIGHTS
QUICK TIME:
Keith Swenson, Aurora
TROPHY DASH:
Lance Proctor, Arvada
FEATURE:
1. Lance Proctor, Arvada
2. Jim Egli, Denver
3. Keith Swenson, Aurora
4. Al Duran, Lakewood
5. J.D. Hafemeister, Commerce City
6. Jared Wall, Commerce City
7. Dennis Stepanich, Arvada
8. Harry Bragg, Castle Rock
9. Dave Smith, Englewood
10. Joe Matlock, Aurora
