(Erie, CO) – While the first half of the 2003 season at Colorado National Speedway is something that Roger Avants would surely like to forget, his recent performances have been reminiscent of his title-winning drive of a year ago. If any more evidence was needed to confirm that he is back on top of his game, it was provided on Saturday night at the 3/8 mile paved oval. Avants, of Littleton, CO, captured his second First Choice Funding Late Model feature trophy in his last four starts, grabbing the 40 lap NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series headliner during the “Children’s Hospital Race of Champions”. After taking command of the field on the 7th circuit, the 51-year-old was never seriously challenged, despite numerous caution periods during the closing stages.
Avants held the pole position, but was out-gunned at the fall of the green flag by Jim Sikes, Jr. Using the inside groove, Avants found the room he needed to get past Sikes, and then proceeded to open up a half-straightaway advantage. On lap ten, Scotty Backman took over the runner-up slot, and just after the halfway mark, point leader Jerry Robertson moved into third. Backman and Robertson got together while fighting for position eight laps from the end, forcing both to the back of the pack and allowing Sikes to reclaim second. Sikes then proceeded to tangle with a lapped car, and when racing resumed, Bruce Yackey inherited the spot, but could not keep pace with Avants. During the final green flag run, Rick Carelli – behind the wheel of a car from the Backman stable – overhauled Yackey and closed the gap on the leader, but Avants’ McDonald’s / Pro Vans USA Chevrolet Monte Carlo owned a two-length margin at the stripe. For Carelli, who was starting in a regular 40 lap event for the first time in several years, his run was very commendable. Because he needed time to dial-in the unfamiliar mount, he started 11th on the grid, but he appeared to be setting the fastest pace in the field at the end. Yackey settled with third, with Darren Crocker fourth and Sikes fifth.
Robertson came back to take sixth, marking just the second time this year that he has not finished in the top five. Because of an engine protest filed against him by another competitor however, his placement is currently unofficial. Should the order remain unchanged, Robertson now holds a 48 point lead over Yackey (782 to 734) with three races remaining on the schedule. Backman continues in third, 82 marks behind Robertson.
In the Snap-On Tools ProTrucks, Chris Leaf notched his fifth victory of the year as he continues to eye a fourth consecutive championship in the division. After a lengthy battle, Leaf made the winning pass on Paul Deines on the 16th go-round of the 30 lapper. Deines held back a hard-charging Chris Archer to take second, 10 lengths behind Leaf at the checkered flag. Billy Harkins and Dave Deines completed the top five. Leaf is now 12 points ahead of Archer in the title chase.
Jim Bob Rogers continued his recent dominance in the Dunlap’s Trailers Super Stocks, earning his second straight win and fourth overall on the year. Rogers led from flag to flag, but Daren Gailey closed to within two lengths at the finish. With his third place showing, Trent Phillips remains at the top of the season standings, while Rick Runkle and Stan Griffin were next across the line in the 30 lap contest. Seven lead changes among three drivers highlighted the Pure Stock action, with Bubba Willox taking top honors. Eric Warrington took second, with Jeremiah Pepping third, A.J. Grasso fourth, and Brett Hajek fifth.
Through a variety of activities held during the evening, fans and competitors alike proved their generosity, as over $5,000 was raised to benefit Children’s Hospital. The “Paradise Unlimited Labor Day Weekend Shoot-Out” will be the next event at the speedway, as two nights of NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series action are slated for the holiday program. Saturday night's line-up will feature the Late Models, along with Super Stocks, Baby Grands, and Figure-Eights. On Sunday evening, ProTrucks, Grand American Modifieds, the Legends Series, and the Trains fill out the card.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(August 23) – Results from the “Children’s Hospital Race of Champions” NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series event, held Saturday night at Colorado National Speedway. FIRST CHOICE FUNDING LATE MODELS
QUICK TIME: Scotty Backman, Parker TROPHY DASH: Jerry Robertson, Arvada FEATURE: 1. Roger Avants, Littleton 2. Rick Carelli, Arvada 3. Bruce Yackey, Greeley 4. Darren Crocker, Littleton 5. Jim Sikes, Jr., Fountain 6. Jerry Robertson, Arvada 7. Scotty Backman, Parker 8. Mike Markison, Laporte 9. Steve Yackey, Greeley 10. Dan Savage, Aurora SNAP-ON TOOLS PROTRUCKS
QUICK TIME: Steve Johnson, Loveland TROPHY DASH: Chris Leaf, Kersey FEATURE: 1. Chris Leaf, Kersey 2. Paul Deines, Longmont 3. Chris Archer, Denver 4. Billy Harkins, Lakewood 5. Dave Deines, Gering, NE 6. Mike Bowen, Aurora 7. Jimmy Donaldson, Arvada 8. Tim Billinger, Denver 9. Dennis Edwards, Golden 10. Beau Kellogg, Evergreen DUNLAP'S TRAILERS SUPER STOCKS
QUICK TIME: Jim Bob Rogers, Erie TROPHY DASH: Stan Griffin, Brighton FEATURE: 1. Jim Bob Rogers, Erie 2. Daren Gailey, Aurora 3. Trent Phillips, Hemingford, NE 4. Rick Runkle, Lakewood 5. Stan Griffin, Brighton 6. Rick Russolello, Thornton 7. John Baker, Cheyenne, WY 8. Junior Mass, Ft. Collins 9. Tom Powers, Thornton 10. Dennis Pobanz, Colo. Springs PURE STOCKS
FEATURE:
1. Bubba Willox, Cheyenne, WY
2. Eric Warrington, Ft. Collins
3. Jeremiah Pepping, Lakewood
4. A.J. Grasso, Longmont
5. Brett Hajek, Longmont
6. Robbie Schneider, Gilcrest
7. Jeff Sluss, Northglenn
8. Josh Parker, Broomfield
9. Tripper Mummert, Denver
10. Bruce Borchardt, Broomfield
