(04-05-2014 Dacono, CO) A chilly Colorado spring day didn’t scare off the diehard racers and race fans for the BigWestRacing.com season opener at Colorado National Speedway. Chris Eggleston dominated in the Super Late Models, Kyle Ray took the Mod Coupe feature, Michael Cox won in the Super Stocks, and Justin Mackeachie was victorious in the Figure 8s.
Bruce Yackey and Darren Bucklen pace the field before the start of the Super Late Model feature event. (Starr photo)
Gillett Vet Clinic Super Late Models
#66 Darren Bucklen set quick time in the Super Late Models with a 16.039 and sitting on the pole for the feature it was clearly Darren’s race to lose. In the first stage of the race Bucklen’s hands were full with last years champ #12 Bruce Yackey pushing him for the lead. As the leaders battled it out, #6 Dominic Ursetta and #22 Chris Eggleston joined the hunt for the lead and both drivers began to search for a way around. In a brilliant move Eggleston bolted to the outside around Ursetta taking 3rd spot and then continued past both Yackey and Bucklen using that same outside line. Once out in front Eggleston began to build a rather large lead on the field. Ursetta appeared to be the next fastest car on the track but was stuck behind Bucklen and Yackey who were running side by side. In the late stages of the race Yackey’s car began to misfire and the “moose” started to fade allowing Bucklen and Ursetta to clear him. Ursetta then was able to move into 2nd place but by this time there wasn’t enough time for him to mount a serious challenge to Eggleston who was well on his way to the win. Ursetta, Bucklen, and #31 Rick Smith, were 2nd, 3rd, and 4th while Yackey limped home for a respectable 5th place finish.
Chris Eggleston in winner’s circle (Starr photo)
FEATURE WINNER: #22 Chris Eggleston FAST DASH WINNER: #6 Dominic Ursetta DASH WINNER: #91 Chris Atkinson QUICK TIME: #66 Darren Bucklen 16.039
CARC Mod Coupes Veteran Legend Car driver Kyle Ray made just a few starts in the Mod coupes in the 2013 season but sent notice to the entire field that this year (in his official rookie campaign) he might be the car to beat. Ray set quick time and also won the dash. In the feature event Ray not only blew away the competition but also set the new mod coupe track record with a blistering 15.588. the only car within a straightaway of ray at the finish was #34 Randy Whitman. #24 Chad Guilford finished in 3rd, #29 Dave Johnson was 4th and #12 Jamie Bubak finished 5th.
#3 Kyle Ray quickly worked through the field to dominate the Mod Coupe main event. (Starr photo)
NTC Logistics Super Stocks #3 Michael Cox swept the Super Stock portion of the evening setting quick time with a 19.579, winning the FAST DASH, and dominating the feature event. Cox took the lead in the feature on lap 5 and never looked back cruising to the first win of the 2014 season. #88 David Rothrock Jr. came home in 2nd place, #0 Andrew Muse in 3rd, #99 Michael Navaro in 4th and #8 David Gee rounded out the top 5.
#3 Michael Cox swept the Super Stock portion of the season opener.
FEATURE WINNER: #3 Michael Cox FAST DASH WINNER: #3 Michael Cox DASH WINNER: 10T Taylor Bellomy QUICK TIME: #3 Michael Cox 19.579
Art’s Septic Figure 8s Last years Figure 8 champion Justin Mackeachie in the “stars and stripes” #50 car jumped out to an early lead in the Figure 8 feature event but it #52 Jared Wall and dash winner #23 “Big” Al Duran that were in hot pursuit. #17 harry Livermore Jr. and #10 Frank Gastineau made contact going into turn 1 and both cars suffered minor damage.
#10 Frank Gastineau was a crowd favorite in his 1955 Ford (Starr photo)
After a long battle with Jared Wall for 2nd place Big Al finally had made his way to Mackeachie’s bumper. With just 6 laps remaining Duran made the pass for the lead and it appeared he was on his way to sweeping the night’s events. Yet disaster struck when the leader was t-boned in the “X” by #71 Tyler Dowler. The direct hit sent a gasp through the crowd and pieces and parts of both cars all over the track. Thankfully neither driver was injured but it ended Big Al’s shot at the win. #50 Justin Mackeachie went on to take the checker followed by Wall, #81 Hod Rod Dave, #17 Harry Livermore Jr., and #00 James Naranjo.
Justin Mackeachie in winner’s circle at CNS (Starr photo)
Official Results
Super Late Models Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 22 Chris Eggleston Thornton CO 2. 6 Dominic Ursetta Arvada CO 3. 66 Darren Bucklan Greeley CO 4. 31 Rick Smith 5. 12 Bruce Yackey Greeley CO 6. 27 Roger Avants Littleton CO 7. 55 Jesse Runkle Lakewood CO 8. 39 Jack Nugent Lafayette CO 9. 91 Chris Atkinson Cheyenne WY 10. 84 Matt Zwingleberg 11. 21 Darren Robertson 12. 12T Tyler Reedy
Mod Coupes Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 3 Kyle Ray (R) Littleton CO 2. 34 Randy Whitman Fort Collins CO 3. 24 Chad Guilford Highlands Ranch CO 4. 29 David Johnson 5. 12 Jaime Bubak Arvada CO 6. 44x Mike Wood Centennial CO 7. 43 Matt Pierce 8. 5 Jason Bundt 9. 8 Steven St. Peter
Super Stocks Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 3 Michael Cox Englewood CO 2. 88 David Rothrock 3. 0 Andrew Mues Arvada CO 4. 99 Michael Navarro 5. 8 Dave Gee Loveland CO 6. 10T Taylor Bellomy Ft. Lupton CO 7. 17 Loren Jesson 8. 02 Darrell Smith Littleton CO 9. 9 Curtis Heldenbrand Arvada CO 10. 69 Derick Brugger(R) Northglenn CO 11. 00 Dennis Edwards Golden CO
Figure 8s Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 50 Justin McKeachie Aurora CO 2. 52 Jared Wall Commerce City CO 3. 81 Dave Smith Englewood CO 4. 17 Harry Livermore Jr Denver CO 5. 00 James Naranjo Denver CO 6. 23 Al Duran Lakewood CO 7. 71 Tyler Dowler(R) Englewood CO 8. 10 Frank Gastineau Denver CO 9. 03 Luke Zike Arvada CO