Gary Madsen used patience and a quick car to end a two-year winless streak in the PPG Modifieds at Rocky Mountain Raceways. Madsen topped the field of 21 cars during the season opener at RMR.
Madsen was strong all night, qualifying in the top six. He started the main event 11th and steadily moved forward. He broke into the top five on lap 10, and then used a blown engine by defending champion Jim Wysong and a spin by Jim Eaton to move into second. Following the caution for Eaton's spin on lap 26 of the 30-lap event, Madsen showed his muscle. He powered past leader Rick Ellison one lap later and never looked back. He crossed the line ahead of Ellison, Michael Hale, Ron Moser and James Campbell.
"This feels absolutely wonderful," he said. "This is a great start to the season. We are looking for consistent top five finishes all year long, but we feel we can win a few more."
Hale won the trophy dash and a heat race. Lynn Hardy won the other heat race.
In other action, James Burman ran away from the field in the Aire Tech Super Stocks main event. He crossed the line nearly seven seconds ahead of Gregory Young, Jeremy Eaton, Bryan Wordelman and Justin Miller. Burman made it a clean sweep of the night, also winning the trophy dash and a heat race. Stan Webster won the other heat race.
Russell Butler won the Maverik Late Model main event, followed by Rick Ellison, Clint Kidd, Gary Porter and Jeff Hillock. Ellison won the trophy dash and a heat race. Butler won the other heat race.
In the Legends, David Johnson's trip from Colorado was well worth it as he went on to top the field in the main event and a heat race. In the main, Doyle Olsen, Jeff Kelley, Joshua Crook and Jeremy Stevens rounded out the top five. Kelley won the other heat race and Brandon Burton won the trophy dash.
Allen Mathis topped the field in the AIS Super Mini Cups race. He was followed by Michael Laing, Ron Binstock, Nathan Christensen and Dave Adamson. Mathis also won the trophy dash while Laing topped the field in the heat race.
The season also kicked off on the drag strip this weekend with the first race for the Summit Racing ET Point Series on Friday. Defending Super Pro Champion Frank Santarosa started the 2000 season the same way he ended the 1999 season-with a trip to victory lane. Santarosa used a strong start to hold off Mark Johnson in the final round. Santarosa ran down the track in 11.324 seconds at 120.51 mph.
Other winners Friday were: Eric Frost, Pawn Brokers Pro ET; Jody Pettit, Arctic Circle Junior Dragster Rookie; Christy Schumer, Arctic Circle Junior Dragster Minor; Cody Perkins, Arctic Circle Junior Dragster Major; Jake Geisser, ET Motorcycle; and Kent Gibbs Sportsman.
Rocky Mountain Raceways continues with the 2000 season this weekend. Friday
will be a chance for anyone to try drag racing with the first round of the
Street Legal "Gambler" Series. Anyone with a street legal car and a valid
drivers license can participate. Gates open at 4 p.m. The drivers of the
oval will once again hit the track Saturday. This week, the Sprint Cars, PPG
Modifieds, Figure 8 Cars, Wynn's Figure 8 Trains and Late Model Lite cars
will appear. Gates also open at 4 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call
the track at 252-9557 or visit RMR on the web at www.rmrracing.com.
