2009 is in the Record Books!

Saturday, 06 February 2010 16:49

For CNS, 2009 meant a lot of things. We launched a new website with easier access to race results and recaps. Our social network went online, giving fans the opportunity to follow the action blow by blow from anywhere with a cell phone or a computer. Drivers, crew members, officials and even fans learned to bring an umbrella with them wherever they go. Most importantly we proved yet again, that CNS is the best darn short track in the state of Colorado and maybe even the USA.

Bruce Yackey did it again, claiming his 6th CNS Rocky's Autos Late Model track championship with a total of 659 points. Yackey and his #12 powerhouse now hold the most LM championships of any driver at CNS. He did it with only a single 1st place win, 15 top 5s and 18 top 10s, taking the honor over Cris Muhler by a mere 38 points! Ed Vecchiarelli Jr won the distinction of Rookie of the year with 2 wins, 2 top 5 placements, 6 times in the top 10 and 392 points. Wins were also earned by Cristofer Muhler (5), Ronnie Hults (3), Richard Smith (2), Darren Crocker (1), Darren Roberston (3) and Chris Eggleston (1).

2009 marked a crazy year for the Snap-On Tools Pro Trucks. The 2008 rookie of the year Happy Ferree started out strong, but strange bouts of aggression led to a number of black flags and his eventual disqualification. Adam Deines, Roger Avants and Mark Neff were all strong contenders for the season championship. Deines took the honor by only 27 points over Avants. Avants inched out Neff for second place by only FIVE points. Gary Gardner was called rookie of the year thanks to 5 top 10 placements and a 4 point lead over rookie Chris Carlson.

Sunoco's Grand American Modifieds saw great car counts all season long. 2008's rookie of the year Jace Hansen came back in 09 with a bang taking home to 2 wins, 8 top 5’s and 8 top 10’s during the season to claim the championship by 20 points over Ed Vecchiarelli. Vecchiarelli was first to cross the finish line 4 times, with 7 top 5's and 7 top 10's. Mark Sopr claimed the rookie honors with 1 top 5 and 7 top 10’s.  Also claiming wins during the season were: Justin Case (1) and Greg Nelson (1).

All season long, race after race, the Comfort Shack Sportsman practically guaranteed a huge field of cars and plenty of passing. Jim Bob Rogers, Eric "Blackey" Blackard, Jeff Walbaum and the 2007/2008 Sportsman champion Tommy Roe kept things fast paced and exciting, riding bumper to bumper with someone different in the lead every other lap. At the end of the season, it was good ol' Jim Bob who used 3 wins, 9 top 5's and 10 top 10 placements to take the '09 Sportsman championship with 425 points. Doug Jensen was honored as Rookie of the Year, finishing in the top 10 ten every race with 4 of those finishes among the top 5.  The other drivers who claimed wins in 2009 were Eric Blackard (3), Jeff Walbaum (1), Nicholas Brinlee (2), and Bruce Borchardt (1).

The Doc Popcorn Super Stocks did it again in '09. There were so many drivers in this entry level division that it wasn't uncommon to have 3 full-fielded qualifying races before the main event. Alexander Grasso used only 1 win, 9 top 5’s and 10 top 10’s to claim the championship by 51 points over Richard Lothert.  4th in points, Scott Miller claimed the rookie honors with a whopping 7 top 5 and 7 top 10 finishes during the season; no small feat.  The other drivers winning main events were: Jeremy Barclay (6), Rich Lothert (2) and Michael Cox (1).

CNS's own Loveland Goodyear CRAZY Figure 8s provided plenty of falling-off-the-edge-of-your-seat action. There isn't much that can be done to make this division more heart attach inducing. Current ideas are putting jump ramps in the X or possibly letting polar bears run wild on the track during the race (thanks for those submissions via facebook). Back to the facts... Joe Matlock used 5 wins, 9 top 5’s and 10 top 10’s to win the championship by 22 points over Al Duran.  Tammy Totos claimed the rookie title with 1 top 10 finish.  The other competitors claiming wins were: Al Duran (1), Nick Martinez (1), John Johnson (2) and Joe Martinez (1).

The RMLRA Legend championship was close. Jon Krizman, Kyle Clegg and Wayne Barlock are amazing competitors, completely worthy of placing as the top 3. Krizman took home the season championship with 3 wins, 8 top 5's and 8 top 10's giving him a lead of only 25 points over Clegg. Gary Kopp took the rookie honors with 102 points.  Also claiming wins at CNS during the season were Kyle Clegg (2), Terry Plummer (1) and Chris Eggleston (4).

The CARC Modified Coupes had another great season at CNS with Frank Denning III claiming his 3rd championship in a row. Denning used 5 wins, 7 top 5’s and 8 top 10’s to win the title by 20 points over Gary Land.  Also claiming wins during the season were: Jamie Bubak (1)  and Gary Land (3).

In terms of driver count and fast-paced, over-the-top racing action, 2009 was possibly the best season in recent years for CNS . We're looking forward to 2010, hoping for a bit more leeway with Mother Nature, excited about the drivers who plan to return and working hard to make 2010 the best season yet!