ERIE, Colorado -- Saturday night's NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series season opener at Colorado National Speedway was filled with a series of "firsts". It was the first event staged by new track owners Renegade Promotions, and the first competition held on the freshly-paved racing surface. A determined Bear Lynch kept the evening's theme alive, as he scored his first career feature win in the Horizon Banks Late Model division. Aboard the only Dodge in the field, 29-year-old Lynch, of Denver, CO, made a late pass in the 40 lap contest, then easily pulled ahead of his challengers to take the top prize in the "Renegade Promotions Inaugural Event". Lynch - who has only competed in a handful of races here over the past few seasons - became the first Dodge driver to conquer the premier class at the 3/8 mile oval since Dave Finley's victory on September 15th of 2001.
Starting fourth on the grid, Lynch quickly moved into second behind Darren Crocker. The lead pair stayed in a close formation, and opened up a comfortable gap on the rest of the field, while mid-pack starters Jerry Robertson and Rick Carelli took over third and fourth by lap 10. Just beyond the halfway mark, Robertson and Carelli had reeled in the front duo, and a tight four-way battle ensued. With 11 circuits remaining, Lynch finally found the room he needed to get past Crocker, and almost simultaneously Carelli overhauled Robertson. Crocker fended off a furious charge from Carelli as Lynch sped away; his Dyno-Pro Dodge Intrepid owned a seven car-length advantage at the checkered flag. Crocker edged out Carelli for runner-up honors, while Robertson stayed in the midst of the fight but had to settle with fourth. Ken Walter made a fine run to complete the top five.
In Snap-On Tools ProTruck action, defending champion Chris Leaf led from flag to flag in the caution-free 30 lapper. Leaf proved why he owns four consecutive ProTruck titles, as he was never seriously challenged and went on to notch his 28th career win in the division. Lynch, who was handling double-duty driving chores during the evening, passed Brian Pacheco for second place on the 15th circuit with John Luck following. Lynch trailed Leaf by five lengths at the finish, followed by Luck, Pacheco, and Steve Johnson.
The newly-named Dunlap's Trailers Sportsman division saw Daren Gailey turn in a commanding run. Gailey started fourth, but only need six laps to move ahead of pole-sitter Steve Green and into the lead. During the late stages, Davin Fisbeck secured second place, as Green fell to third in the final order. Jim Bob Rogers and Alan Carter were next across the stripe.
The Tri-County Super Stocks featured a well-fought battle for the top spot, with Bubba Willox taking home the trophy. Willox chased Dennis Edwards most of the way, and used the outside groove to make his charge on the final lap. At the line, about one length separated the pair, with Brett Hajek, Robbie Schneider, and Lance Bailey rounding out the top five.
The "Termin8or", controlled by John Krieger and Leon Ellison, out-steamed "The War Wagon" for the top prize in the Train division.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series action continues at the speedway on April 24th with the "Saturday Night Showdown". The Horizon Banks Late Models and the Snap-On Tools ProTrucks will return, along with the first outing of the year from the Sunoco Grand American Modifieds, the Legends Car Series, and the Four Seasons Heating Figure-Eights.
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(April 17) - Results from the "Renegade Promotions Inaugural Event" NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series season-opener, held Saturday night at Colorado National Speedway.
HORIZON BANKS LATE MODELS
QUICK TIME:
Jerry Robertson, Arvada
TROPHY DASH:
Roger Avants, Littleton
FEATURE:
1. Bear Lynch, Denver
2. Darren Crocker, Littleton
3. Rick Carelli, Golden
4. Jerry Robertson, Arvada
5. Ken Walter, Littleton
6. Scotty Backman, Parker
7. Cris Muhler, Erie
8. Roger Avants, Littleton
9. Ron Van Briggle, Eaton
10. Bruce Yackey, Greeley
SNAP-ON TOOLS PROTRUCKS
QUICK TIME:
John Luck, Colo. Springs
TROPHY DASH:
Don Geist, Fort Morgan
FEATURE:
1. Chris Leaf, Kersey
2. Bear Lynch, Denver
3. John Luck, Colo. Springs
4. Brian Pacheco, Elizabeth
5. Steve Johnson, Windsor
6. Tim Billinger, Denver
7. Beau Kellogg, Parker
8. Don Geist, Fort Morgan
9. Ron Harper, Greeley
10. Billy Harkins, Lakewood
DUNLAP'S TRAILERS SPORTSMAN
QUICK TIME:
Daren Gailey, Aurora
TROPHY DASH:
John Baker, Cheyenne, WY
FEATURE:
1. Daren Gailey, Aurora
2. Davin Fisbeck, Thornton
3. Steve Green, Alma
4. Jim Bob Rogers, Erie
5. Alan Carter, Thornton
6. Tommy Roe, Northglenn
7. Mark Lowe, Lakewood
8. Rick Hunt, Arvada
9. Tom Powers, Aurora
10. Stan Griffin, Brighton
TRI-COUNTY SUPER STOCKS
TROPHY DASH:
Lance Bailey, Longmont
FEATURE:
1. Bubba Willox, Cheyenne, WY
2. Dennis Edwards, Golden
3. Brett Hajek, Longmont
4. Robbie Schneider, Gilcrest
5. Lance Bailey, Longmont
TRAINS
FEATURE:
1. Termin'8'or
2. The War Wagon
3. Turbo Train
4. Half-Fool, Plum M.T.
5. Santa's Express
