News

Rick Smith wins Whelen Night at CNS from the pole position

(Dacono, CO 08-20-2011) Gering Nebraska's Rick Smith showed the Colorado drivers the fast line winning Whelen night at CNS. A warm summer night celebrated Colorado's rich racing heritage as Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame inductees were honored and vintage race cars from the CVOR entertained the crowd.

Late Model Action 08-20-2011 (Starr photo)

Late Model Action 08-20-2011 (Starr photo)

GILLETT VET CLINIC LATE MODELS
An impressive field of Gillett Vet Clinic Late Models lined up for a 40 lap main event with #31 Rick Smith and #12 Bruce Yackey on the front row. Rick Smith built an early 10 car lead on Yackey who was getting heavy pressure from #74 Dan Savage. The battle for second place brought the CNS crowd to their feet as Yackey, Savage, #78 Darren Crocker, #27 Roger Avants, #95 Dave Finley, #83s Jim Sikes Jr. were all within striking distance. Unfortunately for Avants, he suffered mechanical problems sending a shower of sparks into the night sky ending his night. On the restart Yackey was able to gain the lead over Smith but that lead was short lived as Smith reasserted himself into the top spot. At the finish it was #31 Rick Smith, #74 Dan Savage, #12 Bruce Yackey, #78 Darren Crocker, and #11 Darren Robertson rounded out the top 5.

Qualifying race winners: #31 Rick Smith & #12 Bruce Yackey

Challenge Cup XXXVII Driver Roster

Drivers entered to date for this years Challenge Cup XXXVII.

#00 Steve Maas
#08 Mike Gallegos
#3 Randy Gastineau
#4 Bradley Tilton
#7 Adam Deines
#7m Robert Myer
#11 Darren Robertson
#12 Bruce Yackey
#17 Paul Deines
#22 Chris Eggleston
#27 Roger Avants
#31 Rick Smith
#39 Jack Nugent
#54 Joe James Jr.
#55 Jesse Runkle
#66 Darren Bucklen
#74 Dan Savage
#77 Dave Finley
#78 Darren Crocker
#83s Jim Sikes
#84 Matt Zwingelberg
#84b Bruce Borchardt
#91 Chris Atkinson
#95 Todd Finley
#95m Cris Muhler
#108 Jace Hansen

Roger Avants holds off Dan Savage winning Chick-Fil-A Night at CNS

(Dacono, CO - 08-13-2011) Point leader Dan Savage started in the rear of the field in the Gillett Veterinary Clinic late model main event and masterfully worked his way to the front. Savage took 2nd place gaining crucial points towards his championship quest. Yet it was veteran driver Roger "the ice man" Avants who dominated the race and brought home the win.

GILLETT VET CLINIC LATE MODELS
Coming into tonight's Chick-Fil-A night at the races #74 Dan Savage had a slim 3 point lead over #12 Bruce Yackey, but The "Savageman" would have to start near the rear of the field in this 40 lap main event. At the start of the race #31 Rick Smith jumped out to an early lead over #27 Roger Avants. After a early race caution, race leader Rick Smith spun down the back straight and was sent to the rear of the field giving Avants the lead. Halfway through the main event Savage had come from the rear all the way to 2nd place bringing the CNS crowd to their feet. Behind Savage was #91 Chris Atkinson who was having a excellent run in third. Yet on this night it was the "ice man" Avants all the way who cruised to the win. In second place it was Savage with an impressive run from the back of the pack. Finishing third was Atkinson, fourth was #7 Adam Deines and #31 Rick Smith finished an impressive fifth after being sent to the back of the pack after his spin.

Qualifying race winners: #31 Rick Smith & #7 Adam Dienes

K&N West Series rookie Kwasniewski leads every lap to take the Toyota/NAPA 150

Kwasniewski dominates the Toyota/NAPA 150 at CNS (Starr photo) (Dacono, CO - 08-06-2011) A warm summer evening was the setting for this years K&N Pro Series West Toyota/NAPA 150. The touring series didn't disappoint as they thrilled the huge CNS crowd for 150 laps putting on one of the cleanest shows of the year at Colorado National Speedway.

Once every year the K&N Pro Series West touring series makes a visit to CNS and they battle it out in the Toyota/NAPA 150. The K&N Pro Series features drivers from all over North America in cars that are dramatically different from the late model division that races at CNS. Therefore you rarely see any of the CNS regulars get a chance to compete in this major event. Yet this year CNS's Chris Eggleston and last year's champion "Speedy" Ronnie Hults had both found a ride in the event which had the CNS fans buzzing. When qualifying was complete K&N Series rookie #03 Dylan Kwasniewski from Las Vegas Nevada in a Ford locked down the pole position with a 16.491. Local favorites Chris Eggleston and Speedy Ronnie Hults qualified in the 13th and 16th positions respectively.

Rick Smith holds off Ronnie Hults for his first win of the year at CNS

(Dacono, CO 07-30-2011) Rick Smith and 2010 CNS Champ "Speedy" Ronnie Hults raced side by side, lap after lap bringing the CNS crowd to their feet. Yet it was Rick Smith who proved he knew the fastest line around the 3/8ths mile paved oval as he took his first main event win of the 2011 CNS season.

Gillett Vet Clinic Late Models
One might think that with #42 Speedy Ronnie Hults on the pole position for the late model main event that the race might be all over before it started. However #31 Rick Smith jumped out to an early lead while Hults ran in second. With 22 laps to go #4 Brad Tilton made contact with the front straight wall and slid to a stop in turn one. Tilton was okay but his night was done. #11 Darren Robertson returned to CNS for the first time in 2011 in a beautiful black and silver #11 but spun coming out of two on lap 24 and was narrowly missed by the rest of the field. Smith and Hults ran side by side, lap after lap thrilling the large crowd at CNS, but on this night Rick Smith wasn't going to be denied as he had the fastest line and grabbed his first win of the 2011 season. Hults came in second, #66 Darren Bucklen was third, #74 Dan Savage was fourth, and #91 Chris Atkinson rounded out the top five.

Ronnie Hults Comes From Behind for Another Late Model Victory

(Dacono, CO - 07-23-2011) It was an epic night of 1 on 1 battles at CNS. 5 divisions saw respectable car counts and each division brought the horde of CNS fans to the edge of their seats. The story of the evening comes courtesy of the lightning fast Late Model drivers Dan Savage and Ronnie Hults who wowed fans with a memorable battle for 1st place.

Late Models

For the first quarter of the 40 lapper it looked like it was going to be a race between Paul Deines and Dan Savage for the win. Without warning Ronnie Hults came from behind to pass Deines and challenge Savage for the win. As a wild battle for the lead raged at the front of the field, Roger Avants quietly made his way from 11th place through some serious competition. With only a few laps to go Savage and Hults were duking it out for the win while Yackey and Avants were engaged in a battle of their own. A nail biting hush fell over the grandstands as Hults rocketed into 1st place and crossed the checkered for the win followed closely by Savage. Paul Deines took 3rd.