The Jim Pettit Racing HotWood 03 Ford led from the front at Colorado National Speedway (CNS) on Saturday night. Starting in the 9th position for the Touch Stone 150, Pettit drove to the front and at times away from the field to win his third race for 2004.
The pit gates opened early for the teams of the Auto Zone Southwest Series on Saturday morning. Colorado marked the tenth stop of the 2004 season and the longest trip for most teams. The 03 team led by crew chief Duane Sharpe worked off a tight plan all day to make sure things went off without a hitch. The recent addition of two new crew members lightened everyone’s load and allowed more focused effort from each individual. The entire team worked hard before the first of two practice sessions and at 12:00 pm the 03 went out on the track. The veteran crew chief had the well-oiled crew working double time to bring the 03 in six times during the first one hour practice session. With a 30 minute break separating the practice sessions, the 03 crew worked hard to have the car completely ready for the start of the second practice. Once more the HotWood Ford would visit the pit area six times during the second practice to nail down the set-up that would be on the car for the main event. Coming out 11th for qualifying, the 03 turned a 16.500 to land Jim in 9th fast. After an eight car invert was pulled by Holmes the 03 lined up to start the main in the 9th position. After starting last in 2003 and driving to a 2nd place finish, the crew was positive Jim could get the job done.
When the green flag flew for the start of the 150-lap event, Pettit quickly went to work. On lap #1 Pettit stayed in the low groove to get past the #62, Holmes. One lap later Pettit went on the outside to get around the #72, Rip Michaels. The early ability to pass on the inside or outside had Crew Chief Duane Sharpe thinking good thoughts. Pettit now in the 7th position had his sights on the #07, local driver Kevin Clark. On lap 6 Pettit once again went outside to move into the 6th position. The HotWood 03 finally broke into the top five coming out of Turn 2 on lap 23 when he got by the #10, Mendenhall. The veteran now turned his sights on the 2003 winner David Gilliland. The two racers raced side by side for fifteen laps until Pettit finally moved into the 4th position. The first caution flew on lap # 38 for Thomas Martin when he got turned in 3 and 4. Green flag action started again on lap # 44, but was quickly halted when the # 5 and # 74 got into each other in Turn 1. Pettit restarted in 4th on lap 50 with Gallegos, Jefferson and Raudman leading the way. The veteran driver used the low groove to get around the # 2 of Raudman to move into the third position. The 03 raced hard with Northwest star Jeff Jefferson until lap # 63, when Pettit pulled away in the 2nd position. With only local driver Gallegos separating Pettit from the lead position, Pettit turned the heat up and drove around the # 06 on the outside of Turn 1. Taking the lead on lap # 66, Pettit quickly worked out to a ten car lead. Pettit cruised until Lynch in the # 29 hit the wall hard between Turns 1 and 2. This happened right in front of the leader and brought out the caution flag. Action started again on lap # 92 and stayed green until the # 72 of Micheals hit the wall on the front stretch and brought out the fourth caution. The field quickly got restarted on lap # 96, and Pettit again pulled away to a comfortable margin. Pettit was out to a twelve car lead over second place when Lamar and Mendenhall tangled on the backstretch. The event sent Mendenhall to the pits, but Lamar stayed out. The final caution period ended on lap # 129 and Pettit again worked out to a comfortable lead. The # 88 of Gilliland and the # 19 of McKean worked hard but neither team could muster a real run at the veteran Prunedale driver. Pettit crossed the line with the win and vaulted himself into the points lead over Raudman.
In victory lane the 16,000 fans of Colorado National let Jim hear their enthusiasm for the show he put on for them. Pettit gave special thanks to the crew for their hard work and talked about a points race that should be exciting over the last four races. With this win Pettit now leads by 25 over Raudman as they head to another 1/3 mile track in Tucson, Arizona. Everyone who attends the Tucson race is encouraged to come down and meet Jim and the entire crew after the race. They also recognize California HotWood, DPI, LRP, and Top of the Hill Performance for their continued support of the team and thank all of their friends and families for their support.
