WITH TWO LAPS REMAINING, BRUCE YACKEY MAKES WINNING MOVE, POCKETS $10,000 IN RENEGADE FALL CLASSIC 150

Source: ALF RUSTAD
Date: 10/10/2004

The race was held as a companion event to the “NAPA Auto Parts and NAPA Belts & Hoses 150” NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series contest at the 3/8 mile paved oval.

Yackey scored his highest career payday, taking the victory in a race slowed by 11 caution periods. For over 80 laps, the 38-year-old stayed within striking distance of Avants, but was only able to mount a serious challenge during the first few circuits following each re-start.

“Avants was faster during the long runs when the tires were hot, but my car was faster on the short runs when they were cold,” Yackey said.

With the rules dictating that the race must end under the green flag, the final yellow played right into Yackey’s hand. “When I saw that caution flag, I was thinking ‘Man, we finally caught a break,’” he said. “We hadn’t caught a break all season long – we needed that one. I knew we were faster than Avants for a few laps, so I just gave it all I had”.

During the opening stages, Mike Gallegos and Ronnie Hults each spent a turn leading the 28 car field, before Avants took over on lap 13. From 12th on the grid, Jerry Robertson moved up quickly and overhauled Avants on the 39th lap. Robertson looked to be armed and ready to put yet another stamp on his spectacular 2004 season, but his shifter broke as the field re-took the green flag on lap 56, ending his night. Avants re-claimed the top spot, while Yackey – coming from 14th at the start – advanced to third, with Minnesota driver Jon Lemke sandwiched between the pair. Yackey needed five more circuits to get around Lemke.

Avants remained in front and fended-off the eventual winner’s repeated attempts, although Yackey was officially scored as the leader of lap 113, if only by mere inches. With the end of the race in sight, Avants was ahead by two lengths and looked to have the victory in hand until the yellow flag waved. During the final run to the checkered flag, Yackey pulled alongside Avants in the low groove; this time he made the move stick. Avants bobbled slightly on the final go-round, allowing Yackey’s Papa Murphy’s sponsored General Air Service and Supply Chevrolet Monte Carlo to cross the stripe with a three length advantage. It was his first feature victory here since May of 2002.

“I want to thank my crew for all their hard work at getting the car ready,” Yackey said later. “I also want to thank Mike Leary for all his chassis help, and my cousin Steve Yackey (who finished fourth) for building the engine we ran tonight”.

Avants’ run nearly mirrored his performance in “Challenge Cup XXX”, held three weeks ago. In that race, he also led the most laps and just missed out on the top prize by about the same margin.

Lemke, who’s only previous experience at CNS has been during NASCAR Tour races, took third – an outstanding achievement up against the track regulars. He was alongside Avants’ rear fender at the checkered flag. Steve Yackey’s fourth place run confirmed he is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with, especially in the extra-distance races. Fast qualifier Dan Savage, aboard one of only three Fords in the field, completed the top five.

With the 11 cautions consuming 57 laps, the race had more yellow flag periods than the combined results of all four previous special events held here this year. The contest went ten laps further than scheduled due to the late incident, with the top ten drivers on the lead lap, and 17 cars still running at the finish.

A Train race was also held to complete the evening. The “Steel Dragon”, guided by Tom Johnson and John Johnson, out-chugged the “Termin-8-or”.

Saturday night’s event marked the final activities at Colorado National Speedway in 2004, as Renegade Promotions completed their first season of ownership.

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(October 9) - Results from the "Renegade Fall Classic 150" event for Late Model type cars, held Saturday night at Colorado National Speedway.

Finish showing starting position in parentheses, home town, car, and laps completed:

1. (14) Bruce Yackey, Greeley, General Air Service & Supply Chevrolet, 160

2. (7) Roger Avants, Littleton, McDonald's Chevrolet, 160

3. (8) Jon Lemke, Greenfield, MN, K.C. Colors Chevrolet, 160

4. (5) Steve Yackey, Greeley, CG&S Company Chevrolet, 160

5. (10) Dan Savage, Aurora, Ford Smith Ford, 160

6. (16) David Gilliland, Riverside, CA, Honda Cars of Corona Pontiac, 160

7. (2) Paul Deines, Longmont, Gun Barrel Liquor Chevrolet, 160

8. (3) Ronnie Hults, Centennial, AAA Jetting Service Chevrolet, 160

9. (1) Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge, Gallegos Racing Chevrolet, 160

10. (11) Ed Belec, Lakewood, Arvada Excavating Chevrolet, 160

11. (20) Mark Desmarais, Glen Rock, WY, G.D. Engines Ford, 159

12. (17) Danny Mientka, Colo. Springs, RE/MAX Advantage Chevrolet, 159

13. (13) Scotty Backman, Parker, Xtreme Signs & Graphics Pontiac, 159

14. (28) Bear Lynch, Denver, Denver Truck Parts Inc. Dodge, 159

15. (15) Darren Crocker, Littleton, Universal Lending Chevrolet, 158

16. (22) Larry Hunter, Englewood, Hunter Racing Chevrolet, 152

17. (19) Mark Orth, Black Forest, Orth Racing Pontiac, 148

18. (25) Kip Sandell, Elizabeth, Steve’s 4x4 Chevrolet , 147

19. (18) Mike Hannah, Platteville, Herbert Motors Pontiac, 98

20. (9) Trevor Morrical, Brighton, LMS Drilling Chevrolet, 95

21. (24) Mark Dixon, Longmont, USA Performance Engines Chevrolet, 93

22. (4) Chris Archer, Denver, Archer Racing Chevrolet, 80

23. (6) Joe James, Jr., Denver, Denver Design Chevrolet, 72

24. (12) Jerry Robertson, Arvada, Lawson Const. / Dunlap's Trailers Chevrolet, 56

25. (27) Scott Blake, Randall, MN, Aspen River Builders, Inc. Dodge, 56

26. (23) Mike Hathaway, Falcon, L3 Screen-Printing Chevrolet, 48

27. (21) Steve Johnson, Windsor, Pacific Motorsports Chevrolet, 35

28. (26) Michael Andrews, Albuquerque, NM, Courtyard by Marriott Ford, 9

Margin of Victory: 0.486 seconds (3 car lengths) Time of Race: 67 minutes, 25 seconds Average Speed of Race: 53.399 MPH Cautions: 11 for 57 laps (18-23, 26-30, 37-38, 41-43, 52-55, 79-86, 88-92, 96-99, 107-111, 124-128, 147-156) Lap Leaders: Gallegos (1-3), Hults (4-12), Avants (13-38), Robertson, (39-56), Avants (57-112), Yackey (113), Avants (114-157), Yackey (158-160) Fast Qualifier: Savage, 15.842 seconds, 85.217 MPH Trophy Dash winner: Gilliland Qualifying race winners: Lemke, Avants

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TRAINS

1. Steel Dragon

2. Termin"8"or

3. Last Call Train

4. Galloping Goose

5. Pink Steal

See Also .:

• Colorado National Speedway Track Page

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