JERRY ROBERTSON SHOWS HIS FORCE IN 125 LAPPER

Source: Colorado National Speedway Public Relations
Date: 07/04/2004

In front of a capacity crowd, last week’s winner Scotty Backman led the field at the onset with Robertson, from third on the grid, quickly moving in to challenge. After an early yellow, racing resumed on the ninth circuit, and Robertson had little difficulty wrestling the top spot away. Another caution appeared during laps 19 through 23, but then the contest settled in with a long green flag run. While Backman battled for second with Rick Smith and Bear Lynch, Robertson slowly began to open a comfortable gap; a gap that grew to nearly a full straightaway. Smith finally overhauled Backman for the runner-up position on lap 74, but Lynch dropped out of the hunt after he cut a tire and was forced to make a pit stop near the century mark. When the third and final caution waved on the 108th circuit, Robertson’s torrid pace had put all but the next seven drivers at least one lap down. The restart, which came with just a dozen laps remaining, saw four back-markers separating Robertson from Smith. Later saying his Dunlap’s Trailers Chevrolet Monte Carlo “drove like a Cadillac”, Robertson cruised ahead by ten car lengths at the stripe.

Smith turned in his best effort of the year to take second. Backman was next, and can now claim a first, a second, and a third over the last three races. Dan Savage duplicated his highest showing of the year, driving his Ford to fourth. Trophy Dash winner Darren Crocker elected to take the “Pepsi / Renegade Promotions Challenge”, this week worth $14,000, and started dead last in the field. While he missed out on the jackpot, his fifth place performance was commendable. The top eight cars completed the distance, with the next six one lap down. 18 of the 23 starters were still running at the finish. Covering the 47 miles in just over 42 and ½ minutes, Robertson eclipsed his own record for the fastest 125 lap race ever held for the division. He remains at the top of the Pepsi Super Series standings, with round three of these four special races scheduled for August 7th. The event also paid double-points towards the overall Horizon Banks Late Model division track championship, and Robertson extended his lead considerably. Bruce Yackey, who finished the race in ninth, dropped from second to fourth in the order. Backman moved up to second, 70 points behind Robertson (492 to 422), and Smith is now third, 86 marks behind the leader.

A wild, crash-marred Sunoco Grand American Modified race saw Ed Vecchiarelli, Jr. capture his first career win. Ronnie Stringfellow passed Vecchiarelli, Jr. for the lead early on, but mechanical woes abruptly ended his run near the halfway mark of the 30 lapper. Vecchiarelli, Jr. reclaimed first place, and held off Darren Robertson to the checkered flag; less than a car length separated the pair of rookie drivers at the stripe. Robert Martin, D.L. Clementson, and Jeff Purvis completed the top five.

A first-time winner was also honored in the Dunlap’s Trailers Sportsman division, as former Figure-Eight star Tommy Roe took the prize. Roe overhauled Mark Lowe during the closing stages, and pulled ahead of the pack. Four lengths back, Tom Powers was next across the line, as he fended off a hard charge from new point leader Jim Bob Rogers. Brad Groff was fourth, while Lowe fell to fifth. In Train racing action, Joe Genua and Wayne Achzinger guided the “Turbo Train” to its third win of the year.

NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series action continues at Colorado National Speedway next Saturday night, July 10, with the “Waste Management Shoot-Out”. The Horizon Banks Late Models will head the line-up, along with the Sunoco Grand American Modifieds, the Legends Car Series, and the Four Seasons Heating Figure-Eights. 1. (3) Jerry Robertson, Arvada, Dunlap's Trailers Chevrolet, 125

2. (4) Rick Smith, Gering, NE, Hydrotex Lubrication Chevrolet, 125

3. (1) Scotty Backman, Parker, Xtreme Signs & Graphics Pontiac, 125

4. (6) Dan Savage, Aurora, Ford Smith Ford, 125

5. (23) Darren Crocker, Littleton, Universal Lending Chevrolet, 125

6. (15) Jim Sikes Jr., Fountain, A-A Towing Chevrolet, 125

7. (11) *Ronnie Hults, Centennial, AAA Jetting Service Chevrolet, 125

8. (9) Steve Yackey, Greeley, Yackey Racing Chevrolet, 125

9. (5) Bruce Yackey, Greeley, General Air Chevrolet, 124

10. (14) *Cris Muhler, Erie, Muhler Racing Chevrolet, 124

11. (10) Ed Belec, Lakewood, Arvada Excavating Pontiac, 124

12. (16) Dave Deines, Gering, NE, Gun Barrel Liquor Chevrolet, 124

13. (17) *Chris Archer, Denver, Lightning Layouts Web Design Chevrolet, 124

14. (12) *Trent Phillips, Hemingford, NE, Chevron Oil Chevrolet, 124

15. (21) Ron Van Briggle, Eaton, Harper Mechanical Ford, 123

16. (19) Mike Markison, Laporte, Johnson's Corner Chevrolet, 122

17. (7) Bear Lynch, Denver, JECO Motorsports Dodge, 119

18. (13) Ken Walter, Littleton, Astrolite Batteries Pontiac, 115

19. (22) Mark Dixon, Longmont, Dixon Racing Chevrolet, 38

20. (2) Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge, D.C. Racing Engines Chevrolet, 19

21. (18) Mike Hannah, Platteville, Perfection Auto Body Pontiac, 19

22. (8) Roger Avants, Littleton, McDonald's Chevrolet, 15

23. (20) Tim Duvall, Denver, Affordable Quality Auto Body Chevrolet, 13

Margin of Victory: 3.014 seconds (10 car lengths)

Time of Race: 42 minutes, 31 seconds

Winner’s average speed: 66.150 MPH (new 125 lap division record)

Cautions: 3 for 15 laps (4-8, 19-23, 108-112)

Lap Leaders: Backman (1-8), Robertson (9-125)

Fast Qualifier: Robertson, 16.143 seconds, 83.627 MPH

Trophy Dash winner: Crocker

* indicates Rookie of the Year contender

See Also .:

• Colorado National Speedway Track Page

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