Saturday night’s NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series event at Colorado National Speedway was unquestionably the most competitive – and electrifying – race of the year at the 3/8 mile paved oval. It was only fitting that Roger Avants would finally break out of his winless streak in just this type of race. While 51-year-old Avants had not scored a victory since August 24th of last year, his performance proved why he is a five-time title holder, as well as the defending champion, in the First Choice Funding Late Model division. The 40 lap headliner for the “Budweiser ‘8 to Go’ at the Races” saw Avants, of Littleton, CO, head off a tight six-pack of competitors in a lengthy battle that went down to the wire. Avants started on the pole, but Steve Yackey – from the outside front row – controlled the field at the onset. Steve Yackey, who would eventually fall to the rear of the lead group, surrendered the top spot to Avants on lap nine, with Bruce Yackey following. As the halfway mark neared, the lead duo began a side by side confrontation, allowing a host of challengers to move in. Dan Savage, Scotty Backman, Jerry Robertson, and Darren Crocker closed up, and with ten circuits remaining all six machines gathered into a double-file, nose-to-tail formation. On the backstretch during the final lap, the fight for second place went three wide, permitting Avants and his McDonald’s / Pro Vans USA Chevrolet Monte Carlo to power ahead by a car length at the stripe. Bruce Yackey took second, a mere three inches ahead of Savage, to notch his seventh runner-up showing in 12 races this year. Savage, who has come on strong in recent weeks, held off Robertson by about four feet, with Backman completing the top five. Including three additional drivers that caught the front pack during the late stages of the contest, the first nine to take the checkered flag were separated by less than eight car lengths.
Robertson remains at the top of the season standings, but Yackey trimmed four points off his advantage and now trails by 28 (592 to 564). Third place in the title quest has been a see-saw battle between Backman and Rick Smith nearly every week. Backman reclaimed the position after Saturday night’s outing, 64 marks behind Robertson.
Cris Muhler’s supremacy in the Artcraft Signs Grand American Modifieds continued, as he picked up his fifth win in eight starts; he has finished no worse than second all year. Starting third on the grid for the 30 lapper, Muhler overhauled Trevor Morrical for the lead on the seventh circuit, with Ronnie Hults soon following. The gap between the front pair remained about the same the rest of the way, as Muhler cruised to the finish ahead by eight lengths. 2002 division champion Joel Hansen took third, with Forest Smith fourth and Derek Clementson fifth.
In Dunlap’s Trailers Super Stock results, Jim Bob Rogers captured his second victory over his last three attempts, proving his early season woes are now far behind him. 12 laps from the end, Rogers used the low groove to take the front slot away from Mark Lowe, and he then opened up a ten length margin. Lowe’s second place run was his strongest of the year, with Daren Gailey, Tommy Roe, and Trent Phillips in pursuit. Rick Russolello finished 25th after suffering mechanical trouble, thus relinquishing the point lead to Phillips.
The “Turbo Train”, controlled by Wayne Achziger and Joe Genua, turned the boost up to full to take top honors in the Witthar-Racing Trains. The “Last Call Train” was next to arrive at the station.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series action continues next Saturday night, July 26th, with the “Arctic Cat ProTruck Rumble”. The ProTrucks will be featured in a special 50 lap event, along with regular programs for the Super Stocks, the Legends Cars, and the Baby Grands, plus a unique “ladies-only” Powder Puff race in the Trains.
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(July 19) - Results from the “Budweiser ‘8 to Go’ at the Races” NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series event, held Saturday night at Colorado National Speedway. FIRST CHOICE FUNDING LATE MODELS
QUICK TIME: Scotty Backman, Parker TROPHY DASH: Roger Avants, Littleton FEATURE: 1. Roger Avants, Littleton 2. Bruce Yackey, Greeley 3. Dan Savage, Aurora 4. Jerry Robertson, Arvada 5. Scotty Backman, Parker 6. Darren Crocker, Littleton 7. Jim Sikes, Jr., Fountain 8. Rick Smith, Gering, NE 9. Steve Yackey, Greeley 10. Ed Vecchiarelli, Brighton ARTCRAFT SIGNS GRAND AMERICAN MODIFIEDS
QUICK TIME: Ronnie Hults, Denver TROPHY DASH: Ed Vecchiarelli, Brighton FEATURE: 1. Cris Muhler, Erie 2. Ronnie Hults, Denver 3. Joel Hansen, Eaton 4. Forest Smith, Bellvue 5. Derek Clementson, Denver 6. Wayne Muhler, Erie 7. Ed Lange, Lakewood 8. Ronnie Stringfellow, Jr., Littleton 9. D.L. Clementson, Littleton 10. Mike Moore, Bailey DUNLAP'S TRAILERS SUPER STOCKS
QUICK TIME: Jim Bob Rogers, Erie TROPHY DASH: Rick Russolello, Thornton FEATURE: 1. Jim Bob Rogers, Erie 2. Mark Lowe, Lakewood 3. Daren Gailey, Aurora 4. Tommy Roe, Thornton 5. Trent Phillips, Hemingford, NE 6. Jim Lahey, Jr., Denver 7. Stan Griffin, Brighton 8. Tom Powers, Aurora 9. Rick Hunt, Arvada 10. Gary Lee, Loveland WITTHAR-RACING TRAINS
FEATURE:
1. Turbo Train
2. Last Call Train
3. Termin'8'or
4. Distributor of Pain
5. Steel Dragon
6. Merl's Revenge
7. Half Fool & Plum M.T.
8. De Udder Train
9. Smash-n-Crash
10. Just Sur'5'ing
