ERIE, Colorado – The Snap-On Tools ProTrucks took top billing at Colorado National Speedway for Saturday’s opening-night segment of the “Pepsi Memorial Day Weekend Challenge”, and point leader John Luck made a powerful showing to take top honors. Luck – the 2003 Rookie of the Year in the division – captured the special 50 lap feature contest to claim his first NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series victory of the year. The Colorado Springs driver worked his way to the front early on, then powered ahead by a convincing margin to become this season’s third different ProTruck winner in as many races at the 3/8 mile paved oval.
From fourth on the starting grid, Luck moved his way up, and was in second position behind Bear Lynch by the ninth circuit. On lap 12, a caution erased Lynch’s eight-length advantage, and on the restart Luck found the room he needed to get past. Mike Bowen followed and pursued the leader closely throughout the first half of the race, but was eventually unable to match Luck’s paced. While Luck opened up the gap, Bowen bobbled during the waning laps, allowing Chris Leaf and Brian Pacheco to slip by. At the checkered flag, Luck’s Transmission Clinic of Colorado Chevrolet Silverado owned a six-length lead. Leaf – who suffered a blown engine during the division’s last outing – bounced back to collect the runner-up award. Pacheco took third, while Bowen settled with fourth; most recent winner Paul Deines filled out the top five.
The Snap-On Tools ProTruck standings show Luck remaining at the top, while Pacheco moved to second and trails by 20 marks (144 to 124). Tim Billinger, who finished the race in 7th, lost a position in the season rundown and is now third.
The Sunoco Grand American Modifieds ran their second event of the year, and Ed Vecchiarelli scored his second trophy. Vecchiarelli jumped out to comfortable lead early on, but Joel Hansen reeled him in during the late stages of the 30 lapper. Hansen’s charge came up short, as Vecchiarelli fended him off and crossed the stripe one length ahead. Ronnie Stringfellow was third, with rookie Blane Lujan – who was the early leader – in fourth, and Jim Stivaletta fifth.
Danny Medina is also now two-for-two on the season, his coming in the Legends Car Series. Starting 11th in the field, Medina blasted his way to the front, and leap-frogged past both Chip Newman and Steve Smith to take over first place on lap five. Jay Sant moved up to challenge, but the battle to the checkered flag never materialized, as the race was halted for a lengthy rain delay six circuits from the end and eventually was declared official. Sant took second, while Newman, Stacee Sparks and Barry Dykes rounded out the top five.
Joe Genua and Wayne Achzinger once again proved their expertise at maneuvering the “Turbo Train”, winning the Train race ahead of the “Steel Dragon”.
The “Pepsi Memorial Day Weekend Challenge” continues Sunday evening (May 30th). The line-up for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series event will include the Horizon Banks Late Models, along with the Dunlap’s Trailers Sportsman, the Renegade Promotions Super Stocks, and an extended 38 lap race for the Four Seasons Heating Figure-Eights.
Results from the opening night portion of the "Pepsi Memorial Day Weekend Challenge" NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series event, held Saturday night at Colorado National Speedway (Event concludes on Sunday evening).
SNAP-ON TOOLS PROTRUCKS
TROPHY DASH: Mike Bowen, Centennial
FEATURE: 1. John Luck, Colo. Springs 2. Chris Leaf, Kersey 3. Brian Pacheco, Elizabeth 4. Mike Bowen, Centennial 5. Paul Deines, Longmont 6. Troy Witthar, Broomfield 7. Tim Billinger, Denver 8. Mike Sandoval, Apex, NC 9. Beau Kellogg, Parker 10. Lee Kemmit, Thornton
SUNOCO GRAND AMERICAN MODIFIEDS
TROPHY DASH: Ed Vecchiarelli, Brighton
FEATURE: 1. Ed Vecchiarelli, Brighton 2. Joel Hansen, Eaton 3. Ronnie Stringfellow, Littleton 4. Blane Lujan, Pueblo 5. Jim Stivaletta, Pine 6. Darren Robertson, Arvada 7. D.L. Clementson, Littleton 8. Alan Smith, Pueblo West 9. Sam Calvetti, Cheyenne, WY 10. Newt Lujan, Jr., Pueblo West
LEGENDS CAR SERIES
TROPHY DASH: Terry Plummer, Loveland
FEATURE: 1. Danny Medina, Colo. Springs 2. Jay Sant, Parker 3. Chip Newman, Colo. Springs 4. Stacee Sparks, Aurora 5. Barry Dykes, Loveland 6. Anthony Medina, Colo. Springs 7. Nick Cooper, Watkins 8. Steve Smith, Superior 9. Terry Plummer, Loveland 10. Nick Rozack, Denver
TRAINS
FEATURE:
1. Turbo Train
2. Steel Dragon
3. Last Call Train
4. Galloping Goose
5. Santa's Express
6. Half Fool & Plum M.T.
7. Just Sur'5'ing
8. Merl's Revenge
9. Smash-N-Crash
10. Termin'8'or
