(10-03-2016, Dacono CO) On a gorgeous Colorado fall evening that was filled with costume contests, trick-or-treating, and FIREWORKS, Littleton Colorado’s Kyle Ray scored the biggest win of his career taking home the prestigious Challenge Cup XLII title. Kyle Clegg swept the final night of competition for the Legend cars but it was Danny Medina who took home his second straight title. Brian Yackey and Tyler Davis took the top spots in the wild and wacky Super Stock and Pure Stock combination feature and Kody Vanderwal was the winner in the Pro Truck feature.
Gillet Vet Clinic Super Late Models
One of the most historically significant races of the year is Challenge Cup at CNS. Driver’s such as Rick Carelli and Jerry Robertson are among the legendary drivers who have their names listed on the Cup multiple times. The past two years Dominic Ursetta has hoisted the Cup and on Challenge Cup XLII he was looking for a third.
Father and son Bruce and Brett Yackey dive into the first corner for Challenge Cup 42 (Starr photo)
When the Coca-Cola 100 Challenge Cup XLII lined up it was both Yackey’s on the front row. Youngster Brett in the #32 car on the pole and his father Bruce in the #12 car on the outside. Adding to the intrigue of the race 4 Snap-On Tools Pro Trucks also joined the field #5 Troy Witthar, #43 Kody Vanderwal, #11 Steve Johnson and #95 Corey Cox would compete against the Super Late Models.
Once the race started it was clear that the #22 of Chris Eggleston was fast as he bolted around both Yackey’s to take the lead. Jace Hansen in the #08 car also appeared to have a fast car as he moved into 2nd place directly in front of #9 Justin Simonson.
Chris Eggleston passes Pro Truck driver #43 Kody Vanderwal (Starr photo)
In the early stages of the race Hansen was able to stay about a car length behind Eggleston but that’s when a caution came out for a crash in turns 3 and 4. Darren Robertson and Dominic Ursetta spun and the #00 of Steve mass had nowhere to go and made heavy contact with the 11 of Robertson. Both Maas and Robertson’s night was done.
It was also a night of attrition as both Justin Simonson and Dominic Ursetta would leave the track with mechanical issues. Ursetta’s hopes of three-peating were now over.
After the halfway mark in the race a new contender emerged which was the #58 of Kyle Ray who passed Hansen for 2nd and began to eat into Eggleston’s massive lead. With 25 laps to go in the race the leaders had become strung out on the track causing their biggest challenges to be the heavy lapped traffic.
With Eggleston, Ray, and Hansen, out front Bruce Yackey and Brett Yackey ran patiently in 4th and 5th and #91 Chris Atkinson was having an impressive run in 6th position.
While Eggleston was able to take the checkered flag on lap 100 he wasn’t able to pass a post race inspection for maximum car width and therefore was he was disqualified.
Kyle Ray on his way to winning Challenge Cup 42 (Starr photo)
Kyle Ray would then be awarded one of his biggest wins of his career snagging the prestigious Challenge Cup XLII title. Ray is one of the up and coming stars that make the Gillet Vet Clinic Super Late Models one of the most exciting divisions to watch.
Behind the winner Ray, Bruce and Brett Yackey from Greeley took 2nd and 3rd, Chris Atkinson from Cheyenne was 4th, #27 Roger Avants out of Littleton took 5th, while Broomfield’s Jace Hansen slipped to 6th.
The updated history of Challenge Cup winners now looks like this….
2016 Kyle Ray 2015 Dominic Ursetta 2014 Dominic Ursetta 2013 Darren Robertson 2012 Adam Deines 2011 Chris Eggleston 2010 Dan Savage 2009 Chris Eggleston 2008 Ronnie Hults 2007 PJ Mattorano 2006 Scotty Backman 2005 Darren Crocker 2004 Jerry Robertson 2003 Rick Carelli 2002 Jerry Robertson 2001 Dave Finley 2000 Roger Avants 1999 MK Kanke 1998 Joe Bellm 1997 Richard Burton 1996 Jerry Robertson 1995 Rick Carelli 1994 Rick Carelli 1993 Bruce Yackey 1992 Steve Carlson 1991 Tom Carlson 1990 Fred Campbell 1989 Rick Carelli 1988 Terry Phillips 1987 Terry Phillips 1986 Larry Phillips 1985 Larry Phillips 1984 Larry Phillips 1983 Butch Speicher 1982 Larry Phillips 1981 Mike Niffenegger, Kalona, Iowa 1980 Odie Robertson, Littleton, Colorado 1979 “Wild Bill” Liebig, Rapid City, South Dakota 1978 Clayton Peterson Jr., Grand Island, Nebraska 1977 Terry Bivins, Kansas City 1976 Tommy Bartolomew, Waterloo, Iowa 1975 Odie Robertson, Littleton, Colorado
Snap-On Tools Pro Trucks
Just 7 Pro Trucks showed up for Challenge Cup 42 and Matt Burton in the #36 trucks and #11 Steve Johnson paced the field for the start of the feature event. Burton looked strong early but #34 Rudy Vanderwal found the low groove and assumed the lead of the race. Burton didn’t go down without a fight as he battled back on the outside as the two driver’s dueled for the lead. Eventually Kody Vanderwal and Jeff Walbaum snuck by Burton and began to pressure Rudy for the top spot.
#43 Kody Vanderwal passes Rudy Vanderwal on his way to winning the feature (Starr photo)
It became a battle of father and son as the two Vanderwal’s jockeyed for the lead. The youngster Kody was able to get past his father and take the lead and the eventual win. The rest of the top 5 Trucks looked like this: #34 Rudy Vanderwal, #8 Jeff Walbaum, #5 Troy Witthar, and #36 Matt Burton.
Great Scotts Eatery Super Stocks & Lincoln Tech Pure Stocks
The fans were treated to a special Great Scott’s Eatery Super Stock and Lincoln College Pure Stock Combination feature event on Challenge Cup 42 night. This meant that nearly 40 would take the green flag in a mad scramble for Challenge Cup glory. Earlier in the night David Robinson in the #7 Pure Stock won the 17 lap preliminary Feature and #57 Corey Cox won in the Super Stock division. But now it was time to let them all loose together!
The huge field of cars rumbled to the green flag and the action began with cars going 3 and 4 wide in nearly every corner of the race track. Brian Yackey flew up through the field from his 14th place starting spot and grabbed the lead and never looked back taking the win. Yackey’s only competition came from Makayla Grote in the #1 car who kept Yackey within eyesight. The real fun came watching Yackey, Grote, #06 Jeff Dempwolf, #3 Michael Cox, and #43 Kody Vanderwal navigate the massive amount of lapped traffic.
Brian Yackey in winner’s circle at CNS (Star photo)
The top finishing Pure Stock driver was track champ Tyler Davis in the #33 El Camino who grabbed 7th overall in the race showing the the Pure Stocks can compete with the Super Stocks in respectable fashion.
Tyler Davis celebrates winning the Pure Stock feature (Starr photo)
COMBINED FEATURE: #22 Brian Yackey (Super Stock) & #33 Tyler Davis (Pure Stocks) 17 Laps Super Stock FEATURE: #57 Corey Cox 17 Lap Pure Stock FEATURE: #7 David Robinson Super Stock QUICK TIME: #22 Brian Yackey 19.855 Pure Stock QUICK TIME: #33 Tyler Davis 20.370
Legend Cars
In the final night of points racing for the Legends division at CNS Danny Medina held a slim lead on Chris Eggleston and Kyle Clegg entering the night. Clegg made a statement sweeping the night’s events setting quick time with a 18.765, winning the first 20 lap feature and also winning the final 25 lap feature. However he wasn’t able to make up much ground in points on Medina who finished 3rd in the first feature and 2nd in the final feature. Eggleston also ran strong grabbing 2nd in the first feature and 3rd in the final feature.
Therefore it was Danny Medina winning his 2nd consecutive championship at CNS in the Legends division. Eggleston and Clegg took 2nd and 3rd in points.
#15 Danny Medina did more than enough to win the Legend division championship at CNS (Starr photo)
The rookie of the year went to #48 Cody Dempster who is certainly one to watch as he appears to be getting quicker every night as evidenced by his two top 5 finishes on the night.
The Legend division had a fantastic season at CNS producing large fields of cars on every appearance. There was certainly no drop-off on the last night of the season as 28 cars timed in.
DEMOX
Lite Division: #830 Josh Klaprisch Heavy Division:#31 Dave Johnson
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Coca-Cola 100
Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 58 Kyle Ray Littleton 2. 12 Bruce Yackey Greeley 3. 32 Brett Yackey (R) Greeley 4. 91 Chris Atkinson Cheyenne 5. 27 Roger Avants Littleton 6. 08 Jace Hansen Broomfield 7. 39 Jack Nugent Longmont 8. 34 Rudy Vanderwal La Salle 9. 28 Dan Alamaa Colorado Springs 10. 29 Matt Brunker Lakewood 11. 7 Adam Deines Longmont 12. 19 Matthew Martinez (R) Thornton 13. 69 Jade Miller (R) Severance 14. 14x Alejandro Ortiz Denver 15. 6 Dominic Ursetta Arvada 16. 9 Justin Simonson (R) Wheatridge 17. 00 Steve Maas Longmont 18. 11 Darren Robertson Westminster 19. 2 Royal Scott (R) Platteville 20. 13m Rick McComb Pueblo 21. 24 Nathan Gasser (R) Evergreen DNS 5 Trent Phillips Hemingford DQ 22 Chris Eggleston Thornton DQ 5 Troy Witthar Eastlake DQ 43 Kody Vanderwal DQ 95 Chris Cox DQ 11J Steve Johnson Loveland
Pro Trucks Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 43 Kody Vanderwal (R) La Salle 2. 34 Rudy Vanderwal La Salle 3. 8 Jeff Walbaum Brighton 4. 5 Troy Witthar Eastlake 5. 36 Matt Burton Englewood 6. 11 Steve Johnson Loveland 7. 95 Duane Lighthill Littleton
Combined Super Stock & Pure Stock Feature Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 22 Brian Yackey (R) Greeley 2. 1 Makayla Grote Lakewood 3. 06 Jeffrey Dempewolf (R) Hudson 4. 3 Michael Cox Englewood 5. 43 Kody Vanderwal (R) La Salle 6. 5 Glen Poston (R) Thornton 7. 33 Tyler Davis Lafayette 8. 3% Will Alvarado (R) Ft Lupton 9. 2 Chris Cox Littleton 10. 57c Corey Cox Littleton 11. 99R Ryan Raley Jr Thornton 12. 77t Bryan McKeever Penrose 13. 77 Michael Merchant LaSalle 14. 21 Jamie Ward Denver 15. 16 Chris Hageman Arvada 16. 21J Jeremy Jackson Lakewood 17. 86 Tim Coate Littleton 18. 45 Rebecca Simpson Co Springs 19. 26d Scott Dent Brighton 20. 17j Lynette Hoselton Denver 21. 69 Derick Brugger Ft. Lupton 22. 99 Ryan Raley Thornton 23. 38D Jesse Davis Thornton 24. 98 Natalie Phelps Cheyenne 25. 55 Damian Lockhart (R) Arvada 26. 29G Justin Griffin Greeley 27. 28 Drake Barker 28. 53 David Noah Pueblo West 29. 02 Darrell Smith Littleton 30. 99S Sam Messerli Thornton 31. 88M Scott Miller Brighton 32. 9 Curtis Heldenbrand Arvada 33. 51h Tom Hughes Lakewood 34. 7 David Robinson Johnstown 35. 9 Darin Wainwright Littleton 36. 3 Brian Lengvenas Thornton 37. 68J Matt Sowash Lakewood DNS 00x Jake Fitzgerald DNS 31 Michael Matthiesen Dacono
17 Lap Super Stock Feature Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 57c Corey Cox Littleton 2. 22 Brian Yackey (R) Greeley 3. 9 Curtis Heldenbrand Arvada 4. 43 Kody Vanderwal (R) La Salle 5. 3 Michael Cox Englewood 6. 06 Jeffrey Dempewolf (R) Hudson 7. 77t Bryan McKeever Penrose 8. 02 Darrell Smith Littleton 9. 1 Makayla Grote Lakewood 10. 88M Scott Miller Brighton 11. 5 Glen Poston (R) Thornton 12. 26d Scott Dent Brighton 13. 99 Ryan Raley Thornton 14. 51h Tom Hughes Lakewood 15. 55 Damian Lockhart (R) Arvada DNS 3% Will Alvarado (R) Ft Lupton DQ 2 Chris Cox Littleton
17 Lap Pure Stock Feature Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 7 David Robinson Johnstown 2. 33 Tyler Davis Lafayette 3. 99R Ryan Raley Jr Thornton 4. 99S Sam Messerli Thornton 5. 9 Darin Wainwright Littleton 6. 98 Natalie Phelps Cheyenne 7. 77 Michael Merchant LaSalle 8. 21 Jamie Ward Denver 9. 86 Tim Coate Littleton 10. 21J Jeremy Jackson Lakewood 11. 16 Chris Hageman Arvada 12. 00x Jake Fitzgerald 13. 45 Rebecca Simpson Co Springs 14. 38D Jesse Davis Thornton 15. 53 David Noah Pueblo West 16. 3 Brian Lengvenas Thornton 17. 17j Lynette Hoselton Denver 18. 28 Drake Barker 19. 29G Justin Griffin Greeley DNS 68J Matt Sowash Lakewood DNS 31 Michael Matthiesen Dacono
Legend Cars
Feature Two Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 66 Kyle Clegg Westminster 2. 15 Danny Medina Colorado Springs 3. 22 Chris Eggleston Thornton 4. 6 Scotty Scott Arvada 5. 48 Cody Dempster (R) Parker 6. 25 Adam Pechman Morrison 7. 46 Zach Witherwax Arvada 8. 1w Jereme Wall Commerce City 9. 16 Travis Roe Thronton 10. 51 AJ Canda Castle Rock 11. 20 Kynzer Riddell Westminster 12. 32 Blair Cooper (R) Arvada 13. 23 Austyn Radosta Pueblo 14. 03 Darrell L Stewart Arvada 15. 2 Chris Cox Littleton 16. 17 BreAnn Adkison Cheyenne 17. 47 Jason Hulvey (R) Thornton 18. 26 Chris Brunker Lakewood 19. 19 Larry Pachello Arvada 20. 88 Paul Himler (R) Erie 21. 99 Mark Maldanato 22. 9 Terry McBride Edgewater 23. 10 Adam Romero (R) Denver 24. 6x Phillip Peconi Littleton 25. 98 Brent Scheidemantle Broomfield 26. 30 Darrell J Stewart Arvada DNS 3 Wayne Barlock Jr Evans DNS 04 Dillon Foster Arvada
Feature One Pos No Name Hometown 1. 66 Kyle Clegg Westminster 2. 22 Chris Eggleston Thornton 3. 15 Danny Medina Colorado Springs 4. 6 Scotty Scott Arvada 5. 48 Cody Dempster (R) Parker 6. 25 Adam Pechman Morrison 7. 1w Jereme Wall Commerce City 8. 46 Zach Witherwax Arvada 9. 16 Travis Roe Thronton 10. 03 Darrell L Stewart Arvada 11. 51 AJ Canda Castle Rock 12. 2 Chris Cox Littleton 13. 20 Kynzer Riddell Westminster 14. 19 Larry Pachello Arvada 15. 32 Blair Cooper (R) Arvada 16. 17 BreAnn Adkison Cheyenne 17. 9 Terry McBride Edgewater 18. 26 Chris Brunker Lakewood 19. 88 Paul Himler (R) Erie 20. 99 Mark Maldanato 21. 6x Phillip Peconi Littleton 22. 30 Darrell J Stewart Arvada DNS 23 Austyn Radosta Pueblo DNS 98 Brent Scheidemantle Broomfield DNS 3 Wayne Barlock Jr Evans DNS 47 Jason Hulvey (R) Thornton DNS 10 Adam Romero (R) Denver DNS 04 Dillon Foster Arvada