It was a race that went down to the wire, but once Jerry Robertson took the checkered flag in “Snap-On Tools Challenge Cup XXX”, it was time to count up his accomplishments. In winning Saturday night’s 200 lap NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series contest at Colorado National Speedway, Robertson was crowned the 2004 Horizon Banks Late Model champion, his second consecutive – and third overall – title. Because the Arvada, CO resident elected to take the “Pepsi / Renegade Promotions Challenge” and start the race from the rear of the field, he pocketed an extra $23,000 for the victory. The jackpot has now only been hit twice in the program’s six year history, and Robertson is the only driver to win it. Additionally, the 42-year-old now owns three Challenge Cups, second only to Rick Carelli, on the way to picking up his 50th career Late Model feature trophy at the 3/8 mile paved oval.
The 30th anniversary of the speedway’s most prestigious event saw a duel between Robertson and Roger Avants that thrilled the overflow crowd. After a long battle, Robertson and his Dunlap’s Trailers Chevrolet Monte Carlo finally made the winning move on lap 151, but Avants stayed within striking distance the rest of the way. Just two car-lengths separated the two winningest drivers in track history at the end.
“Roger was fast”, Robertson said from the winner’s circle. “After I got by him, he really hung in there. I was driving as hard as I could, making a few mistakes and getting loose. It was a dogfight all the way.”
Avants started third and took the lead away from Steve Yackey on lap four. Rick Smith moved into second just before the one-quarter mark, with Dan Savage following, as Avants sped away to own a substantial advantage. Meanwhile, Robertson rocketed through the pack and was up to fourth on the 69th circuit. Smith fell from contention when he lost a wheel seven laps before the halfway break; while trying to regain control, his mount brushed-up against Robertson’s. “We got together a little bit, but not bad,” Robertson later commented.
After a 15 minute pit break, the restart saw Robertson make quick work of Savage for the runner-up slot. By lap 125, he found room in the low groove and began to challenge Avants. After their long side-by-side run finally ended and Robertson established the lead, Avants stayed tucked in his draft. With numerous lapped cars strung around the track, Avants was unable to gain the momentum needed to stage a successful counter-attack.
Bear Lynch was third across the stripe. As high as second early in the race, Lynch lost several positions due to an engine misfire before the halftime stop, but stormed back to claim his third straight top-three finish. Bruce Yackey, who ran in the top-five nearly the entire way, took fourth. Ken Walter came from 12th on the starting grid to finish fifth, equaling his season’s best.
As the best overall performer during the four special extra-distance events at the track this year, Robertson also earned the $2,500 Pepsi Super Series prize.
While this year’s version of Challenge Cup was the longest in its history, it was also the fastest. With just three cautions that consumed 20 laps, Robertson covered the 75 mile distance in 64 minutes and 18 seconds for an average speed of 69.984 MPH. The top six finished on the lead lap, with 17 cars running at the finish.
Scotty Backman led the 2004 season standings going into the event, but was not nearly as competitive as most of his runs this year and finished the race in eighth. He lost the championship to Robertson by just 20 points (898 to 878). Third in the final rundown went to Bruce Yackey (870), while Avants (802) was next, gaining a position at the expense of Smith (794). Ronnie Hults received the Horizon Banks Rookie of the Year award.
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(September 18) - Results from Saturday night's "Snap-On Tools Challenge Cup XXX" NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series championship-deciding feature event at Colorado National Speedway. (The fourth and final extra-distance Pepsi Super Series race for the Horizon Banks Late Model division.) Finish showing starting position in parentheses, home town, car, and laps completed:
1. (20) Jerry Robertson, Arvada, Dunlap's Trailers Chevrolet, 200 2. (3) Roger Avants, Littleton, McDonald's Chevrolet, 200 3. (7) Bear Lynch, Denver, Denver Truck Parts Inc. Dodge, 200 4. (6) Bruce Yackey, Greeley, General Air Chevrolet, 200 5. (12) Ken Walter, Littleton, Triad Service Solutions Pontiac, 200 6. (2) Steve Yackey, Greeley, CG&S Company Chevrolet, 200 7. (5) Darren Crocker, Littleton, Universal Lending Chevrolet, 199 8. (10) Scotty Backman, Parker, Xtreme Signs & Graphics Pontiac, 199 9. (13) Dave Finley, Brighton, Tri County Parts & Equip. Chevrolet, 199 10. (15) Trent Phillips*, Hemingford, NE, Chevron Oil Chevrolet, 199 11. (1) Dan Savage, Aurora, Ford Smith Ford, 199 12. (8) Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge, D.C. Racing Engines Chevrolet, 198 13. (4) Ronnie Hults*, Centennial, AAA Jetting Service Chevrolet, 198 14. (14) Dave Deines, Gering, NE, Gun Barrel Liquor Chevrolet, 198 15. (11) Chris Archer*, Denver, Precision Solutions Chevrolet, 197 16. (18) Trevor Morrical, Brighton, LMS Drilling Chevrolet, 196 17. (9) Rick Smith, Gering, NE, Hydrotex Lubrication Chevrolet, 193 18. (17) Billy Givens *, Aurora, OLT Roofing Chevrolet, 97 19. (16) Steve Johnson, Windsor, Oakley Pacific Motorsports Chevrolet, 71 20. (19) Mark Dixon*, Longmont, USA Performance Engines Chevrolet, 63
Margin of Victory: 0.437 seconds (2 car lengths)
Time of Race: 64 minutes, 18 seconds
Average Speed of Race: 69.984 MPH (new event record)
Cautions: 3 for 20 laps (34-36, 93-100, 139-147)
Lap Leaders: S. Yackey (1-4), Avants (5-135), Robertson, (136), Avants (137-148), Robertson (149-200)
Fast Qualifier: Robertson, 16.179 seconds, 83.441 MPH
Trophy Dash winner: Backman
* indicates Rookie
