RICK SMITH NARROWLY FENDS OFF BRUCE YACKEY TO SCORE WIN

Source: Colorado National Speedway Public Relations
Date: 08/08/2004

Smith owned a comfortable lead during the mid-point of the race, but Yackey was able to close the gap with ten laps to go, and a fierce battle ensued. The pair ran side-by-side, and at times, Smith was just inches ahead. While Yackey may have had the faster mount at the end, Smith held the preferred line. Ultimately, his Hydrotex Lubrication Chevrolet Monte Carlo crossed the stripe owning a single car length advantage. “Bruce is a good competitor; it was pretty wild there at the end,” Smith said from the Winner’s Circle. “Earlier, I was just trying to save my tires, but then my crew told me (Yackey) was coming, so I took off. I might have taken off a little too early,” he said, indicating the worn condition of his tires at the finish.

From sixth on the starting grid, Smith charged to the front, and used the inside line to pass Darren Crocker for the lead on lap 16. A spin – and subsequent pit stop – by point leader Jerry Robertson brought out the second and final caution period on the 32nd circuit. Yackey, who took the initial green flag in seventh, overhauled Scotty Backman for second place just after the restart, as Smith began to pull away. Smith looked untouchable, ahead by over eight lengths during some stages of the 89-lap caution-free run, before Yackey’s tire-saving strategy took effect; a strategy that fell just short.

Smith became the fifth different winner of the season, while Yackey’s runner-up performance was his highest of the year. Rookie Late Model driver Chris Archer turned in an outstanding run, coming from 11th to post a career-best third. Roger Avants – winner of the division’s two most recent regular events – spun on lap 74, but recovered quickly and then stormed through the pack to finish in fourth. Crocker settled with fifth.

The competitive event saw the first 11 cars complete the distance, with the next three one lap down. 16 of the 21 starters were still running at the finish. Just two caution periods, consuming ten laps, slowed the pace, and the event was completed in just under 40 minutes, giving Smith the record for the fastest 125 lap race ever held for the division. Smith also moved to the top of the Pepsi Super Series standings, with the fourth and final round to be held during the Challenge Cup weekend on September 18th. Regular points were also awarded towards the overall track championship in the Horizon Banks Late Model division. Robertson placed a disappointing 13th, marking the first time all year he has finished out of the top five. Nearest challenger Backman placed seventh and erased 10 points from his deficit – he now trails by 78 marks (656 to 578). Yackey remains third, 86 points behind Robertson, with Smith in fourth.

The Dunlap’s Trailers Sportsman results remain unofficial, as apparent winner Daren Gailey’s machine is undergoing an extensive engine tear-down. Should the finish stand, point leader Gailey will have scored his fifth victory of the season. Early leader Jim Bob Rogers took second, five lengths back, followed by Davin Fisbeck, Brad Groff, and Darren Bucklen.

Harry Bragg picked up the honors in the Four Seasons Heating Figure-Eights. Dave Roe was in command at the onset, but collided with an oncoming car in the “X” just after the halfway point to end his night. Jared Wall took over, but surrendered the position to Bragg during the late stages, with point leader Lance Proctor in tow. Bragg outmatched Proctor by six lengths for his second triumph of the year, as Wall settled with third. Al Duran and J.D. Hafemeister completed the top five.

Wall then boarded the “Last Call Train” with teammate Shirley Thompson, and the pair grabbed the first place prize in the evening-ending Train race.

The speedway’s next NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series event will be the “Craftsman Tools Night of Thunder” on Saturday, August 14th. The Late Models will run twin 40 lap features, along with a regular program for the ProTrucks, the Legends Car Series, and the Super Stocks.

Finish showing starting position in parentheses, home town, car, and laps completed: 1. (6) Rick Smith, Gering, NE, Hydrotex Lubrication Chevrolet, 125

2. (7) Bruce Yackey, Greeley, General Air Chevrolet, 125

3. (11) *Chris Archer, Denver, Nickolo's Pizza Chevrolet, 125

4. (10) Roger Avants, Littleton, McDonalds Chevrolet, 125

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

6. (8) Steve Yackey, Greeley, C G & S Company Chevrolet, 125

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

8. (15) Ed Belec, Lakewood, Arvada Excavating Pontiac, 125

9. (14) *Cris Muhler, Erie, ArtCraft Signs Chevrolet, 125

10. (17) *Trent Phillips, Hemingford, NE, Chevron Oil Chevrolet, 125

11. (4) *Ronnie Hults, Arvada, AAA Jetting Service Chevrolet, 125

12. (9) Jerry Robertson, Arvada, Dunlap's Trailers Chevrolet, 124

13. (12) Ken Walter, Littleton, Astrolite Batteries Pontiac, 124

14. (18) *Billy Givens, Jr., Aurora, Givens Racing Chevrolet, 124

15. (19) Steve Johnson, Windsor, RPM Shop Chevrolet, 121

16. (13) Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge, Dixon Racing Chevrolet, 111

17. (16) P.J. Mattorano, Trinidad, Mattorano Racing Chevrolet, 97

18. (21) Bear Lynch, Denver, Denver Truck Parts Inc. Chevrolet , 57

19. (5) Dan Savage, Aurora, Ford Smith Ford, 39

20. (20) Darren Bucklen, Greeley, Rogers Automotive Chevrolet, 9

21. (1) Joe James Jr., Denver, Bobby Allison's Collectibles Chevrolet, 5

Margin of Victory: .326 seconds (1 car length)

Time of Race: 39 minutes, 56 seconds

Winner’s average speed: 70.440 MPH (new 125 lap division record)

Cautions: 2 for 10 laps (2-6, 32-36)

Lap Leaders: Crocker 1-15, Smith 16-125

Fast Qualifier: Hults, 16.285 seconds, 82.898 MPH

Trophy Dash winner: Lynch

* indicates Rookie of the Year contender

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