Jerry Robertson's 2000 season at Colorado National Speedway has already been extremely successful, and it got even better Saturday night during the "Coors Light Night of NASCAR Thunder". Having claimed two regular-length races earlier in the year, Robertson proved to the rest of the Rent-Rite West Productions Late Model competitors to be equally capable of dominating long distance events, as he won the first leg of the Pepsi Triple Crown. The special 100 lap NASCAR Weekly Racing Series contest was the third feature victory in four starts at the 3/8 mile paved oval for the 38-year-old Arvada, CO driver.
Robertson started the race from the pole position, but fellow front-row starter Bruce Yackey secured the lead as the green flag fell. On the ninth circuit, Robertson used the outside groove to overpower Yackey and take over the top position, with Travis Clark following. A lengthy caution-free stretch from laps 33 through 68 allowed Robertson to clearly demonstrate the potential of his Peterson Concrete Pontiac Grand Prix, as he was able to open up nearly a full straightaway advantage. On lap 74, when racing resumed following the second and final yellow flag period, Clark's speed picked up and he was nearly able to match the leader's pace. At the finish stripe, Robertson held a 1.08 second - or about an eight car length - margin. Clark's second place showing was his best performance so far this year, with Yackey, Dave Finley, and Roger Avants completing the top five. The first ten cars all finished on the lead lap. Slowed by the two caution periods that consumed a total of ten laps, Robertson covered the 37.5 mile distance in 38 minutes, 35.88 seconds for an average speed of 58.29 MPH.
While the race was the first of three 100 lap events this season that will establish a Pepsi Triple Crown champion, it also awarded regular points towards the track title. Yackey moved into sole possession of the points lead, four marks ahead of Clark and Avants. Robertson, who suffered a DNF last week, picked up one position and is now in fourth place.
The Powers Electric Grand American Modifieds competed in a special 50 lap, double point feature race which saw Chris Leaf not only score his second victory of the year, but also become the new point leader. Mike Boesel stayed in a close draft behind Leaf nearly the entire way, but was unable to offer a serious bid. At the checkered flag, Leaf was two car lengths ahead of Boesel, with Ed Lange, Blaine Lentz, and Joel Hansen following.
Del Smith out-dueled Beau Kellogg to win the Baby Grand Stock Car race. The pair ran side by side for several laps near the closing stages, but lapped traffic allowed Smith to secure the lead for good with four circuits remaining. Rick Goentzel took third, with Lance Johnston fourth and Bill Gray fifth.
Ahead of 14 other trains, Joe Schepker and Brian Clabaugh avoided carnage on all sides and stayed on track aboard "Road Rash" to win the Witthar Racing Trains event.
NASCAR Weekly Racing Series action continues at
Colorado National Speedway next Saturday night, May
20th, with the "Rocky Mountain News Rumble".
Competition will include the ProTrucks, the Grand
American Modifieds, the Super Stocks, and a special 25
lap double point race for the Figure-Eights.
