ERIE, Colorado -- Fresh off his win last weekend in a regular 40 lapper, Jerry Robertson turned in a dominating performance Saturday night to win Colorado National Speedway's first special event of the year. Robertson, of Arvada, CO, led from flag to flag at the 3/8 mile paved oval to capture round #1 of the Pepsi Super Series - the "3M Late Model 125". Eventual runner-up Roger Avants pressured 42-year-old Robertson throughout the 125 lap NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series event, but was never able to offer a true challenge. During the final stages of the Horizon Banks Late Model contest, Robertson's Dunlap's Trailers Chevrolet Monte Carlo pulled ahead by three car lengths.
"Roger was tough, and he ran us down at the beginning of the race," Robertson said in the Winner's Circle. "Luckily, our setup stayed with us most of the way. We were getting a little loose near the end, but so was everyone else."
Robertson took the green flag from the outside of the front row, and outran Scotty Backman to lead the 26 car field at the onset. From fourth on the starting grid, Avants moved up to second by lap 15, and quickly closed the gap on Robertson. The pair - both of whom are former NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Regional Champions - then ran in a tight draft until the first of two successive yellow flags waved on lap 39. Racing resumed on the 50th circuit, and a lengthy 61-lap caution-free period followed, allowing Bear Lynch to move in on the leaders. After the third caution on lap 111, the final ten lap run to the checkered flag saw Avants with his hands full fending off the charge from Lynch, as Robertson cruised to the stripe.
Lynch's third place performance proved to gather nearly as much attention as Robertson's victory. Electing to take the "Pepsi / Renegade Promotions Challenge" after winning the Trophy Dash, Lynch started dead last in the field. Had he won the race, he would have collected an extra $8,000. Patiently working his way up through the pack, Lynch came up just six car lengths - and two positions - short of winning the prize.Another solid run by Rick Smith placed him fourth in the final order, while 21-year-old Mike Gallegos turned in the second-best showing of his career to complete the top five. Even with the long green flag run, the first ten competitors finished on the lead lap, with the next three one lap down. 15 cars were running at the end.
The long-distance contest was the first of four Pepsi Super Series races to be held throughout the season, but the event also paid regular points towards the track championship. Robertson moved up into a tie with Lynch atop the standings, each with 144 points. Avants remains third, trailing by 14 marks.
The Snap-On Tools ProTrucks ran their second event of 2004, with Paul Deines taking his first win of the year. John Luck closely pursued Deines for nearly all 30 circuits, and tried to make his move on the final go-round. Jumping into the low groove, Luck charged alongside the leader, but Deines held his line and crossed the finish stripe with about a four-foot advantage. Mike Bowen took a close third, with Beau Kellogg fourth and Tim Billinger fifth. Luck became the new point leader with his runner-up performance.
For the second consecutive week, the Dunlap's Trailers Sportsman division saw a driver score his first career win; this time with Brad Groff on top. Stan Griffin stayed within striking distance most of the way, but could not close the four length gap on Groff. A heated battle for third between Jim Bob Rogers and Daren Gailey - the two winningest drivers last season - saw Rogers take the position. Point leader Gailey settled with fourth, while Davin Fisbeck completed the top five.
The Train race was decided by less than one foot, as the "Turbo Train", with Joe Genua and Wayne Achzinger aboard, overhauled the "Last Call Train" in the final turn on the final lap.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series action continues on May 22nd with the "Saturday Night Rumble". Divisions competing will include the Horizon Banks Late Models, the Four Seasons Heating Figure-Eights, the Legends Car Series, and the Tri-County Parts & Equipment Super Stocks.
Results from Saturday night's “3M Late Model 125” NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series feature event at Colorado National Speedway. (The first of four 125 lap Pepsi Super Series races to be held throughout the season for the Horizon Banks Late Model division.)
Finish showing starting position in parentheses, home town, car, and laps completed:
1. (2) Jerry Robertson, Arvada, Dunlap's Trailers Chevrolet, 125
2. (4) Roger Avants, Littleton, McDonalds Chevrolet, 125
3. (26) Bear Lynch, Denver, JECO Motorsports Dodge, 125
4. (7) Rick Smith, Gering, NE, Hydrotex Lubrication Chevrolet, 125
5. (6) Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge, Rocky Mountain Data Chevrolet, 125
6. (18) Jeff Jefferson, Naches, WA, Tri-County Parts & Equipment Chevrolet, 125
7. (1) Scotty Backman, Parker, Xtreme Signs & Graphics Pontiac, 125
8. (9) Bruce Yackey, Greeley, General Air Chevrolet, 125
9. (14) Ken Walter, Littleton, Astrolite Batteries Pontiac, 125
10. (17) Trent Phillips*, Hemingford, NE, Chevron Oil Chevrolet, 125
11. (16) Trevor Morrical, Brighton, LMS Drilling Chevrolet, 124
12. (21) Chris Archer*, Denver, Nickolo's Pizza Chevrolet, 124
13. (10) Cris Muhler*, Erie, Muhler Racing Chevrolet, 124
14. (3) Dan Savage, Aurora, Ford Smith Ford, 120
15. (20) Ed Vecchiarelli, Brighton, Diesel Service & Supply Dodge, 119
16. (8) Ron Van Briggle, Eaton, Harper Mechanical Ford, 111
17. (13) Ronnie Hults*, Arvada, AAA Jetting Service Chevrolet, 111
18. (12) Greg Fowler, Longmont, Valley Camper RV Chevrolet, 86
19. (15) Mike Hanna, Platteville, Herbert Motors Pontiac, 72
20. (11) Rick Carelli, Golden, Xtreme Signs & Graphics Pontiac, 54
21. (23) Gary Higgs*, Lakewood, Diesel Service & Supply Ford, 46
22. (5) Scott Wilson, Broomfield, Cost Cutters Chevrolet, 44
23. (22) Billy Givens Jr.*, Aurora, Givens Racing Chevrolet, 40
24. (25) Darren Crocker, Littleton, Universal Lending Chevrolet, 5
25. (24) Steve Yackey, Greeley, Yackey Racing Chevrolet, 3
26. (19) Mike Markison, Laporte, Johnson's Corner Chevrolet, 2
Margin of Victory: .720 seconds (3 car lengths)
Time of Race: 44 minutes, 18 seconds
Winner’s average speed: (63.487 MPH)
Cautions: 3 for 14 laps (40-44, 46-49, 111-115)
Lap Leaders: Robertson (1 - 125)
Fast Qualifier: Robertson, 16.081 seconds, 83.950 MPH
Trophy Dash winner: Lynch
* indicates Rookie of the Year contender
QUICK TIME: John Luck, Colo. Springs
TROPHY DASH: Ron Harper, Greeley
FEATURE:
1. Paul Deines, Longmont
2. John Luck, Colo. Springs
3. Mike Bowen, Centennial
4. Beau Kellogg, Parker
5. Tim Billinger, Denver
6. Billy Harkins, Lakewood
7. Rick Runkle, Lakewood
8. Keith Swenson, Aurora
9. Brian Pacheco, Elizabeth
10. Ron Harper, Greeley
QUICK TIME: Jim Bob Rogers, Erie
TROPHY DASH: Tommy Roe, Thornton
FEATURE:
1. Brad Groff, Ft. Morgan
2. Stan Griffin, Brighton
3. Jim Bob Rogers, Erie
4. Daren Gailey, Aurora
5. Davin Fisbeck, Thornton
6. Trent Phillips, Hemingford, NE
7. Rick Hunt, Arvada
8. Steve Smith, Colo. Springs
9. Tommy Roe, Thornton
10. Mark Lowe, Lakewood
FEATURE:
1. Turbo Train
2. Last Call
3. Termin'8'or
4. Steel Dragon
5. Merl's Revenge
6. Galloping Goose
7. Half Fool & Plum M.T.
8. Santa's Express
9. Just Sur'5'ing
10. Smash-n-Crash
