Making another blistering run in the Horizon Banks Late Model division, Jerry Robertson pocketed his ninth NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series victory of the season at Colorado National Speedway on Saturday night. Although Robertson received some help when leader Rick Smith suffered mechanical problems just before the halfway mark, the Arvada, CO driver pulled away convincingly once he inherited the top spot. By winning the “Fan Appreciation Night presented by Horizon Banks and USG”, 42-year-old Robertson also gained ground in the championship chase. It was only a slight gain however, as point leader Scotty Backman finished second in the 40 lapper at the 3/8 mile paved oval.
Backman paced the field at the onset, but Smith quickly moved alongside to challenge. Running side by side for a few circuits, Smith established the lead by lap five. Robertson, from fifth on the starting grid, maneuvered past Backman on the 16th lap, while Smith enjoyed a five-length advantage. Two more go-rounds clicked off when Smith’s machine suddenly slowed and he was forced to pit. Robertson took over at the front and opened up a full straightaway gap before the final caution flag waved with three laps to go. Uncontested on the restart, Robertson and his Dunlap’s Trailers Chevrolet Monte Carlo easily crossed the stripe ahead of Backman. Last week’s winner Bear Lynch finished third, while Darren Crocker collected his second consecutive top-five showing by finishing fourth. Bruce Yackey took fifth.
Heading into next weekend’s championship-deciding event, Backman holds a slim eight point margin over Robertson (806 to 798) and must finish no more than one position behind Robertson in order to take the crown. Yackey sits third, just 24 marks behind the leader. In fourth, Smith is the only other driver with a mathematical shot, but his 16th place finish in the race was very costly and his chances are remote.
The Legends Car Series season finale turned into a wild contest, with Jon Krizman taking his first victory here, and Terry Plummer earning the 2004 title. The top two in the standings going into the event – Jay Sant and Danny Medina – battled at the front of the pack during the early stages. In a near-replay of last week, the pair tangled, dropping both from championship contention. The incident placed Barry Dykes in the lead, but his time heading the field was short-lived, as he lost control and spun while being challenged by Krizman. Plummer, up to second from ninth on the starting grid, followed Krizman to the checkered flag, two lengths behind. Anthony Medina, Chip Newman, and Greg Yongue completed the top five. John Mark Chiesa was named the Legends Car Series Rookie of the Year.
In Sunoco Grand American Modified action, point leader Joel Hansen dominated to take his third triumph in his last four starts. Darren Robertson, who has already locked up the division’s top rookie award, grabbed his third straight top-two finish by earning the runner-up laurels. D.L. Clementson, Forest Smith, and Jim Stivaletta followed. Hansen, now ahead of Robertson by 24 marks, can secure his second championship in three years by placing at least seventh next weekend.
Al Duran led all but the first two laps of the Four Seasons Heating Figure-Eight race to capture his first feature trophy of the season. Dave Smith pursued Duran much of the way, but crashed on the final lap. At the line, J.D. Hafemeister placed second. Joe Martinez finished third, enough to clinch the rookie prize, with Lance Proctor fourth and Joe Matlock fifth. Proctor will only need to start the upcoming finale to take his third straight season crown.
The Renegade Promotions Super Stock winner was once again determined in the tech inspection, as Eric Warrington was disqualified. The victory was awarded to Matthew Long, allowing him to take over the point lead. The remainder of the top five in the revised order saw Darrell Smith in second, followed by Brett Hajek, Robbie Schneider, and Russ Middaugh.
The speedway's next event will be the spectacular “Snap-On Tools Challenge Cup XXX” on September 17th and 18th. Starting out on Friday night with qualifying events for five of its regular divisions, a normal program for the Super Stocks will also be held. On Saturday night, six 2004 champions will be crowned following their double point, extended length feature races. Some of the largest purses of the year will be offered for Figure-Eights, Sportsman, Grand American Modifieds, ProTrucks, and the headline event of the weekend, the 200 lap Challenge Cup race for the Late Models. Then, the Trains will take to the track. The total weekend payout is expected to meet or exceed $50,000.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (September 11) - Results from the "Fan Appreciation Night presented by Horizon Banks and USG" NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series event, held Saturday at Colorado National Speedway.
HORIZON BANKS LATE MODELS
QUICK TIME:
Jerry Robertson, Arvada
TROPHY DASH:
Scotty Backman, Parker
FEATURE:
1. Jerry Robertson, Arvada
2. Scotty Backman, Parker
3. Bear Lynch, Denver
4. Darren Crocker, Littleton
5. Bruce Yackey, Greeley
6. Cris Muhler, Erie
7. Dave Deines, Gering, NE
8. Steve Yackey, Greeley
9. Ronnie Hults, Centennial
10. Ken Walter, Littleton
SUNOCO GRAND AMERICAN MODIFIEDS
QUICK TIME:
Erek Clementson, Lakewood
TROPHY DASH:
Joel Hansen, Eaton
FEATURE:
1. Joel Hansen, Eaton
2. Darren Robertson, Arvada
3. D.L. Clementson, Littleton
4. Forest Smith, Bellvue
5. Jim Stivaletta, Pine
6. Ronnie Stringfellow, Littleton
7. Jeff Purvis, Federal Heights
8. Robert Martin, Northglenn
9. Terry Tjarks, Berthoud
10. Jeff Case, Brighton
LEGENDS CAR SERIES
QUICK TIME:
Jay Sant, Parker
TROPHY DASH:
Barry Dykes, Loveland
FEATURE:
1. Jon Krizman, Loveland
2. Terry Plummer, Loveland
3. Anthony Medina, Colo. Springs
4. Chip Newman, Colo. Springs
5. Greg Yongue, Littleton
6. Jerry Jackson, Parker
7. John Clute, Lakewood
8. Paul Harder, Windsor
9. Darrell Stewart, Arvada
10. Nick Cooper, Watkins
FOUR SEASONS HEATING FIGURE-EIGHTS
TROPHY DASH:
Harry Bragg, Castle Rock
FEATURE:
1. Al Duran, Lakewood
2. J.D. Hafemeister, Commerce City
3. Joe Martinez, Littleton
4. Lance Proctor, Arvada
5. Joe Matlock, Aurora
6. Dennis Stepanich, Arvada
7. Nick Martinez, Morrison
8. Bobby Zike, Morrison
9. Dave Smith, Englewood
10. Daniel Martinez, Thornton
RENEGADE PROMOTIONS SUPER STOCKS
TROPHY DASH:
Brett Hajek, Longmont
FEATURE:
1. Matthew Long, Longmont
2. Darrell Smith, Littleton
3. Brett Hajek, Longmont
4. Robbie Schneider, Gilcrest
5. Russ Middaugh, Arvada
6. Lance Bailey, Longmont
7. Chris Vieth, Thornton
8. Bruce Borchardt, Broomfield
9. Jeffrey Quinn, Arvada
10. Jeremiah Pepping, Lakewood
