While third-year Late Model driver Dave Finley has nearly always been a consistent front-runner, a feature victory in the division has eluded him. That was until Saturday night at Colorado National Speedway, when 38-year-old Finley turned in a very convincing performance and made his first career Rent-Rite West Productions Late Model triumph look easy. The Brighton, CO, resident commanded all 40 laps of the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series event at the 3/8 mile paved oval, and owned a full straightaway advantage at the checkered flag.
Starting from the pole position, Finley quickly established the lead, with Richard Burton moving into second. Before the halfway mark, it was clear that Finley had the field covered, as his Tri County Parts and Equipment Chevrolet Monte Carlo began to pull away. Although the final caution flag waved with just 13 circuits remaining, Burton was unable to keep pace with Finley on the restart, and finished a distant runner-up. Travis Clark took third, with Joe James, Jr. fourth, and Scott Wilson fifth.
The championship battle saw a big shake-up. Jerry Robertson was involved in an early altercation, giving up the point lead and falling into a tie for fifth place. Roger Avants and Bruce Yackey are now deadlocked at the top of the standings.
The Snap-On Tools ProTrucks ran twin 25 lap feature contests, with Bruce Betts and Chris Leaf sharing top honors. In the opening event, Leaf moved in front at the onset with Betts and Rick Smith in close pursuit. On lap 14, the trio briefly went into a three-wide formation, and Betts emerged in first place with Smith trailing. Betts was able to extend his lead during the closing stages, holding a twelve-truck length distance over Smith at the finish stripe. Leaf, Mike Sandoval, and Troy Witthar completed the top five. In the nightcapper, Mike Boesel headed the pack early but soon had his hands full trying to hold off Smith. When the pair made contact near the halfway point of the race, Boesel spun and officials sent Smith to the rear of the field. Billy Harkins took over, but his stint at the front was short lived, as a blown engine ended his night. Leaf inherited the lead, and outran Tim Billinger to the checkered flag. Sandoval, Dennis Stowers, and Dave Deines followed.
In Legends Series action, Anthony Medina scored the top prize. Medina overhauled Kenny Lewis early on in the 20 lapper, and was eight car lengths ahead of Scott Milan at the finish. Danny Medina took third, chased by Mike Gallegos and Lewis.
Richard Murr took first place in the inaugural "Follow the Leader" race for Enduro Stock Cars.
The next event at the speedway will be the "Coors Light Night of NASCAR Thunder" on Saturday night, May 13th. Highlighting the evening will be a special 100 lap Late Model race, which is the first leg of the Pepsi Triple Crown. The schedule also includes a special 50 lap double point contest for the Grand American Modifieds and a regular program for the Baby Grands and the Trains
