(05-24-2014 Dacono, CO) Rudy Vanderwal and Adam Hilton put on a thrilling battle in the Pro Truck feature event but in the end it was Vanderwal taking the checkered flag. Mark Neff won the rain shortened Late Model feature and Ed Vecchiarelli Jr. dominated the Grand American Modifieds.
Snap-On Tools Pro Trucks The Pro Truck division at CNS has undergone a bit of a revival this season as the fields have been large but more importantly the division has become fiercely competitive and the races are filled with drama and excitement.
3-wide action in the Pro Truck feature thrilled the CNS crowd. (Starr photo)
When the green flag dropped #11 Steve Johnson took the early lead but a caution was displayed when #16 Scott Rhoades and #31 Justin Simonson were involved in a minor altercation at the back of the pack.
On the restart #34 Rudy Vanderwal assumed the lead with Johnson in tow. It became clear that Adam Hilton in the #06 truck might be the truck to beat as he grabbed 2nd place from Johnson and began to reel in Vanderwal for the lead.
Hilton seemed to be fast in any groove as he used the outside to pass Johnson and then dove to the inside on Vanderwal in a bid to take the lead.
Vanderwal and Hilton put on an incredible show for the fans as they traded paint for several laps. With about 7 laps remaining the two leaders made contact on the front straight and both trucks became loose heading into turn 1. Hilton’s trucks slid sideways but incredibly Adam hung on and saved the truck from spinning. Yet that was just enough to allow Rudy to have the advantage and secure the win.
Rudy Vanderwal celebrates in winner’s circle at CNS (Starr photo)
On the cool-down lap Hilton pulled up along side Rudy in what appeared to be a heated exchange, however Vanderwal stated in winner’s circle Adam was merely telling him “good job”. Sarcasm or not it was a great race for the fans and both drivers deserved their 1st and 2nd place finishes.
Behind Vanderwal and Hilton, #11 Steve Johnson finished 3rd, 36 Matt Burton took 4th and #5 Troy Witthar was 5th.
FEATURE WINNER: #34 Rudy Vanderwal FAST DASH: #06 Adam Hilton DASH: 10T Taylor Bellomy QUICK TIME: #31 Justin Simonson 16.666
South Philly Cheesesteak Late Models Mark Neff made his first appearance of the 2014 season in the Late Model division and promptly set quick time with a 17.634. Mark’s fresh face setting quick time seemed to set the tone of the night with more fresh faces in winner’s circle as #97 Adam Gastineau won the DASH and #7 Ethan Penrod took the FAST DASH.
When the 19 cars lined up for a 75 lap feature event Neff was on the front row on the outside of #21 Loren Jessen.
Neff grabbed the lead right from the start but just after 5 laps were complete there was a crash deep in the field involving #88 David Rothrock, #33 Christopher Burskirk, #67 Stephanie Brown and Jessen who had fallen from his front row starting position.
After the cleanup and the subsequent restart Neff resumed his lead with #7 Ethan Penrod and #17 Paul Deines battling behind him. #8 Jeff Walbaum was cruising in 4th patiently waiting for his turn to make a move toward the front. With just under 40 laps remaining #97 Adam Gastineau spun in turn 4 and the caution came out.
As the cars were lining up to restart it began to sprinkle on the track and the drivers informed the NASCAR officials that it was too slippery to race. The sprinkle never let up and turned into a full-blown rain shower which shortened the event.
Neff was awarded the win with #17 Paul Deines in 2nd and #7 Ethan Penrod in 3rd place. #8 Jeff Walbaum settled for 4th, and #76 Chad Cowan took the final spot in the top 5.
41x Mark Neff won a rain shortened Late Model feature at CNS (Starr photo)
FEATURE WINNER: 41x Mark Neff FAST DASH: #7 Ethan Penrod DASH: #97 Adam Gastineau QUICK TIME: 41x Mark Neff 17.634
SUNOCO Grand American Modifieds Only 8 Grand American Modifieds started the 25 lap feature event at CNS and #48 Ed Vecchearelli Jr. started on the pole position and led the entire race. Versatile driver Kyle Ray made an appearance int he #58 car and was tracking down the leader but there just wasn’t enough time to make a move and Kyle settled for 2nd place. #44 Justin Case was also closing in on the leader but settled for 3rd. Vecchiarelli’s win comes on his first appearance in the GAMs this season in his beautiful shiny blue #48 car. Ed Jr. also set quick time in the GAMs with a 17.136.
Track Announcer Marc Moser interviews a victorious Ed Vecchiarelli Jr. (Starr photo)
FEATURE WINNER: #48 Ed Vecchiarelli Jr. FAST DASH: #44 Justin Case QUICK TIME: #48 Ed Vecchiarelli Jr. 17.136
DEMOX KBPI’s Willie B competed in the DEMOX on Saturday night and finished a respectable 3rd place.
OFFICIAL FINISHING ORDER
Late Models
Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 41x Mark Neff Westminster CO 2. 17 Paul Deines Gering NE 3. 7 Ethan Penrod Thornton CO 4. 8 Jeff Walbaum Brighton CO 5. 76 Chad Cowan Gering NE 6. 99 Nick Brinlee Broomfield CO 7. 3 Wade Grove Thornton CO 8. 75 Emilio Abeyta (R) 9. 58 Jeff Webb Arvada CO 10. 27 Wendi Lewis Johnstown CO 11. 72 Gary Cagle Fort Collins CO 12. 29 Rayshawn Carter Commerce City CO 13. 28 Alan Carter Commerce City CO 14. 97 Adam Gastineau Aurora CO 15. 88 David Rothrock (R) 16. 30 Jan Oxley Ft. Lupton CO 17. 67 Stephanie Brown Littleton CO 18. 21 Loren Jessen(R) 19. 33 Christopher Burskirk (R) Bayard NE
Pro Trucks Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 34 Rudy Vanderwal LaSalle CO 2. 06 Adam Hilton 3. 11 Steve Johnson Windsor CO 4. 36 Matt Burton Englewood CO 5. 5 Troy Witthar Eastlake CO 6. 31 Justin Simonson Wheatridge CO 7. 2 AJ Warren Longmont CO 8. 52 Jereme Wall (R) 9. 10T Taylor Bellomy(R) 10. 55 Dave Hunt Hudson CO 11. 29 Matthew Brunker Lakewood CO 12. 45 Dalton Hewitt 13. 82 Michael Scott (R) 14. 14 Alex Ortiz (R) 15. 17 Andy Bellomy Ft. Lupton CO 16. 16 Scott Rhoades Westminster CO
Grand American Modifieds Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 48 Ed Vecchiarelli Jr 2. 58 Kyle Ray (R) 3. 44 Justin Case Brighton CO 4. 0 Ron O’Neil 5. 18 Ed Vecchiarelli Sr Brighton CO 6. 24 Tim Holm Greeley CO 7. 61 Scott Slama (R) DNS 13 Darin Clark (R)