With Jerry Robertson on a record-setting pace this year at Colorado National Speedway, it would be difficult to find a flaw in his program. Dominating the First Choice Funding Late Model field during their regular 40 lap events, perhaps Robertson’s only weakness had been his performance in the first two rounds of Pepsi Super Series competition held earlier this season at the 3/8 mile paved oval. The Arvada, CO driver posted a 15th and a 5th place showing during those previous 125 lap contests; his two poorest outings of 2003. On Saturday night however, during round three of the four race series, Robertson erased any thoughts of being star-crossed in special events. The 41-year-old executed an outstanding drive to the front, and outran a hard-charging Rick Carelli by two car lengths. Overall, it was Robertson’s ninth NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series feature win of the season at the 3/8 mile paved oval.
During the late stages of the race, Carelli looked to have the superior machine and was closing in fast on Robertson. With just nine laps remaining however, a fire aboard Rick Smith’s mount brought out the red flag. While Smith emerged unscathed, the field sat idle for a few moments and the cool-down period benefited Robertson. When the restart came six laps from the end, Robertson’s Dunlap’s Trailers Chevrolet appeared to regain its earlier pace and had little difficulty keeping Carelli at bay.
“My crew had told me that my brake rotors were glowing, and while we were sitting there under the red flag, the fluid in my calipers boiled,” Robertson recalled during the Victory Lane interview. “When I went into turn one on the restart, the brake pedal went right to the floor. I pumped them on the back-chute, and had decent brakes from then on. If Carelli had gotten close there at the end – I wasn’t about to give up but I guarantee we would have been swapping some paint.”
The start of the race saw Dan Savage head the pack, but fast qualifier Scotty Backman took the position away just two laps in. Robertson methodically worked his way up from eighth on the grid, and on lap 64, he took second away from Savage. 10 laps later, after a brief struggle, he used the outside groove to overhaul Backman. Carelli went past Backman 16 circuits from the finish, and quickly narrowed the gap held by the leader, but the shoot-out to the finish never materialized.
Roger Avants continued his recent resurgence; he passed Backman to cross the stripe in third as he notched his third straight top five showing. Backman, who led 71 laps, settled with fourth as Savage took fifth. Bruce Yackey was forced to pit early on, but came back to finish seventh and remains at the top of the Pepsi Super Series standings; the finale is slated for September 13th.
Double points towards the overall Late Model track championship were also on the line. Robertson opened up his largest advantage of the year, as he now leads Yackey by 52 points (692 to 640). Backman remains in third place.
Snap-On Tools ProTruck results saw leading Rookie of the Year contender John Luck score his first career victory in the division. Luck led from flag-to-flag in the 30 lapper, becoming the sixth different ProTruck winner in nine races on the season. Chris Leaf was four lengths back at the checkered flag to claim second, with point leader Chris Archer third. Mike Bowen and Billy Harkins completed the top five. Keith Swenson cruised to an overpowering win in the Figure-Eights, his second trophy of the year. While Lance Proctor solidified his position at the top of the championship standings by finishing second, he trailed Swenson by more than a half-straightaway at the end. Harry Bragg, Al Duran, and Jared Wall followed.
After missing several races, the “War Wagon” made a triumphant return in the Witthar-Racing Trains. Commanded by Leland Ridnour and Ed Markham, the pair outran “Turbo Train” for the honors.
Next Saturday night, August 9th, NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series action continues with the “Hot Tamales Candy Challenge”. The line-up will feature the Late Models, along with the Grand American Modifieds, the Super Stocks, and a Pure Stock event on the figure-eight course.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(August 3) - Results from Saturday night's "Pepsi Super Series Late Model Clash" NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series feature event at Colorado National Speedway. (The third of four 125 lap Pepsi Super Series races 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. (8) Jerry Robertson, Arvada, Dunlap’s Trailers Chevrolet, 125 2. (5) Rick Carelli, Arvada, RE/MAX International Chevrolet, 125 3. (9) Roger Avants, Littleton, McDonald's / Pro Vans USA Chevrolet, 125 4. (4) Scotty Backman, Parker, Xtreme Signs & Graphics Pontiac, 125 5. (2) Dan Savage, Aurora, FordSmith Ford , 125 6. (1) Steve Yackey, Greeley, Yackey Racing Chevrolet, 125 7. (6) Bruce Yackey, Greeley, General Air Service & Supply Chevrolet, 125 8. (3) Jim Sikes, Jr., Fountain, A-A Towing Chevrolet, 125 9. (7) Rick Smith, Gering, NE, Hydrotex Lubricants Chevrolet, 125 10. (16) Mike Markison, Laporte, Johnson's Corner Chevrolet, 124 11. (15) Zach Morris, Castle Rock, Plum Creek Mortgage Pontiac, 124 12. (13) Beau Kellogg, Evergreen, Artcraft Signs Chevrolet, 123 13. (17) Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge, Coy’s Custom Wheel & Tire Chevrolet, 123 14. (18) Cris Muhler, Erie, B.M.F. Performance Chevrolet, 117 15. (12) Ken Walter, Littleton, Astro Lite Batteries Pontiac, 117 16. (10) Travis Clark, Morrison, Merkle’s Automotive Chevrolet, 63 17. (11) Ron Van Briggle, Eaton, Auto Restorations Ford, 53 18. (14) P.J. Mattorano, Commerce City, Mattorano Racing Pontiac, 37 19. (19) Mike Hannah, Arvada, Herbert Motors Pontiac, 35 20. (20) Darren Crocker, Littleton, Coldwell Bankers Chevrolet, 24 Margin of Victory: .363 second (2 car lengths) Time of Race: 43 minutes, 37 seconds Average Speed: 64.482 MPH Cautions: 4 for 19 laps (16-21, 23-26, 36-41, 116-118) Lap Leaders: Savage (1-2), Backman (3-73), Robertson (74-125) Fast Qualifier: Backman, 16.101 seconds, 83.846 MPH Trophy Dash winner: Crocker
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(August 2) - Support division results from the "Pepsi Super Series Late Model Clash" NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series event, held Saturday night at Colorado National Speedway. SNAP-ON TOOLS PROTRUCKS
QUICK TIME: Chris Leaf, Kersey TROPHY DASH: Mike Bowen, Aurora FEATURE: 1. John Luck, Colo. Springs 2. Chris Leaf, Kersey 3. Chris Archer, Denver 4. Mike Bowen, Aurora 5. Billy Harkins, Lakewood 6. Dave Deines, Gering, NE 7. Paul Deines, Longmont 8. Tim Billinger, Denver 9. Dennis Edwards, Golden 10. Brian Pacheco, Elizabeth FIGURE-EIGHTS
QUICK TIME: Keith Swenson, Aurora TROPHY DASH: Harry Livermore Jr., Denver FEATURE: 1. Keith Swenson, Aurora 2. Lance Proctor, Arvada 3. Harry Bragg, Castle Rock 4. Al Duran, Lakewood 5. Jared Wall, Commerce City 6. Harry Livermore Jr., Denver 7. Dave Smith, Englewood 8. Dennis Stepanich Jr., Arvada 9. J.D. Hafemeister, Commerce City 10. Joe Matlock, Aurora WITTHAR-RACING TRAINS
FEATURE:
1. War Wagon
2. Turbo Train
3. Steel Dragon
4. Smash-N-Crash
5. Just Sur' 5 'ing
6. De Udder Train
7. Last Call Train
8. Termin '8' or
9. 1/2 Fool & Plum M.T.
10. Distributor of Pain
