ERIE, Colorado -- Challenge Cup, annually Colorado National Speedway’s richest NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series event, will once again crown divisional champions at the 3/8 mile paved oval in 2004. This year’s edition – the “Snap-On Tools Challenge Cup XXX” – will be held on Friday and Saturday night, September 17th and 18th. The busy weekend offers the largest purses of the season for six of its leading divisions, and each extra-length feature event will also award crucial double points. Because of close title battles, season championships will be determined in all seven classes that earn points, and a total of nearly 200 teams are expected to participate, with over 500 laps of racing on the slate.
Saturday’s feature for the Horizon Banks Late Models is the highlight of the weekend, as this $3000-to-win contest has long been known to be one of the region’s top annual short track events. For its 30th anniversary, the race will run 200 laps – the longest in its storied history. A halfway break will allow teams to make minor adjustments to their cars.
The Late Model standings are very tight, with Scotty Backman leading Jerry Robertson by just eight points. To win his first championship, Backman will need to finish no more than one position behind Robertson. Bruce Yackey sits third, well within striking distance, while Rick Smith is also still in the hunt. The Rookie of the Year battle is very close as well, with Cris Muhler just four marks ahead of Ronnie Hults. As the fourth extra-distance race of the season, Saturday’s Challenge Cup is also the final leg of the “Pepsi Super Series”, which will pay out a total of $5000 to the overall top three drivers. Smith currently owns a comfortable advantage on Robertson in the Series standings. Additionally, one driver could pick up an extra $23,000 by the taking the “Pepsi / Renegade Promotions Challenge” and winning the race from the last place starting position. Only the Trophy Dash winner or the fast qualifier is eligible for this lucrative award, which has gone unclaimed all season.
In leading support division action, John Luck is 38 points ahead of Paul Deines in the Snap-On Tools ProTrucks, and only needs to finish 10th or better to lock up the crown. Lee Kemmit leads the fight for the division's top rookie award.
The Sunoco Grand American Modifieds have been dominated by 2002 champ Joel Hansen throughout the second half of the season; 7th place in the feature rundown will be all he needs to claim the title. Darren Robertson, who has already locked up the division’s rookie honors, is second in the standings, 24 point behind. Ronnie Stringfellow is a close third.
In Jim Bob Rogers’ quest to capture his first career Dunlap's Trailers Sportsman championship, he must finish no more than six positions behind Daren Gailey. Greg Nelson commands the division’s Rookie of the Year rundown over Darren Bucklen.
Four Seasons Heating Figure-Eight standings show that Lance Proctor only needs to start to take his third consecutive season trophy, while Joe Martinez has already secured best rookie honors. The Train division campaign is a tight one, and looks very similar to the 2003 rundown. The “Last Call Train” is again ahead of the “Turbo Train”, this time by just ten points.
Friday evening’s slate includes important qualifying events in the Figure-Eight, Sportsman, Grand American Modified, ProTruck, and Late Model divisions, to set the grid for Saturday night's features. A normal program for the Super Stocks will also be held, with Matthew Long a mere four points ahead of Jeremiah Pepping, with Darrell Smith a close third in the division.
Feature races fill the majority of Saturday night’s card. The Figure-Eights go at it in a 25 lapper, the Sportsman have a 30 lap event, 40 circuits are scheduled for the Grand American Modifieds, and the ProTrucks will vie in a 50 lap contest. The Late Models then take to the track for the “Snap-On Tools Challenge Cup XXX” headliner. The Trains finish out the evening with their brand of wild and crazy fun.
As in the past, this special night is the only time all year that sees six divisions compete on the same night. Not including contingency and year-end awards, the total weekend pay-out is expected to meet or exceed $50,000.
For both nights of this weekend’s event, the gates open at 3 PM, with the racing action starting at 6 o’clock sharp. From metro Denver, the track is located less than 10 minutes north of 120th Avenue. Off of I-25, go to exit 232 – the Erie exit – then head north on the East Frontage road for approximately 2 miles.
Challenge Cup usually brings out one of the largest crowds of the year. Throughout the last several years, attendance of over 14,000 has been the norm. Early arrival is strongly suggested for Saturday evening's finale.
For more information, please contact the speedway hotline number at 303-665-4173, or visit the website at www.coloradospeedway.com
