Challenge Cup XXXVII goes to Eggleston in a dominating performance

Sunday, 04 September 2011 00:00

Two weeks in a row Chris Eggleston from Erie Colorado has won both the late model and legend divisions at Colorado National Speedway. In the Late Model feature event with $4,000 going to the winner, Dan Savage did everything in his power to get by Chris Eggleston but had to settle for second place as young Eggleston had the fast line and took the win.



Gillett Vet Late Models
Over 30 late models were in the pits all vying for a piece of the $30,000 purse that was up for grabs during Challenge Cup XXXVII. To get a chance at that giant purse the drivers had to work their way into the final 28 car field. After time trials were complete 22 cars had a guaranteed spot in the main event and #22 Chris Eggleston set quick time with a blistering 16.138. The remaining 9 drivers would need to compete in the Last Chance race to fill out the final spots in the lineup. When the field was set, 28 world class late models rolled out onto the front straight for driver introductions. Tension filled the air as each driver and crew knew that it would take patience and good tire management to win this 150 lap main event.

When the green flag dropped #74 "the savageman" Dan Savage grabbed the early lead but by lap two Chris Eggleston had worked his way around Savage to take the lead. Between lap 30 and lap 60 there were a series of yellow flags and even a red flag which brought out double-file restarts giving Savage several chances to sneak back by Eggleston yet Eggleston held him off using the high groove. The fans cheered wildly as an amazing battle for 4th thru 10th heated up between #17 Paul Deines, #27 Roger Avants, #108 Jace Hansen, #7 Adam Deines, #95m Cris Muhler, #66 Darren Bucklen, #84 Matt Zwingleberg, and #91 Chris Atkinson. Hard luck struck #31 Rick Smith and #27 Roger Avants as late race mechanical problems ended their chances at a top five finish.

In the late stages of the race Dan Savage had a few more shots at Eggleston but Eggleston was determined in his black and orange H2O Fire Protection Chevy and dominated the entire race leading almost every lap and grabbing the win. In winner's circle track announcer Marc Moser asked Eggletson about his recent string of victories.

"Since winning at North Wilksboro early in the year we went into a slump and just couldn't get back into winner's circle, but the last few weeks the crew has really worked hard and it's paid off."

Chris Eggleston took home the lion's share of a whopping $30,000 Challenge Cup purse. #74 Dan Savage came home in second place extending his season point lead but not by much because second place in points #12 Bruce Yackey finished third. In 4th was #95m Cris Muhler who came all the way from 21st starting spot and rounding out the top 5 was #66 Darren Bucklen who started in 16th position.

Quick Time Chris Eggleston with a 16.38
Last Chance race winner: #95 Todd Finley

RMRLA Legends
Possibly the most exciting race of the night was in the RMLRA Legends division main event. After all, you will rarely see anyone pass legend ace #15 Danny Medina, let alone by two cars and on the final lap! Medina was on the pole for the RMLRA main event and quickly jumped out the a 5 car length lead. But #22 Chris Eggleston, #58 Kyle Ray, and #66 Kyle Clegg were not going to allow Medina to run away with the race as they caught Medina a few laps later and the battle was on. The veteran Medina held off the challenge lap after lap and it appeared that Medina would once again be in winners circle. But on the final lap Eggletson and Ray ran nose to tail and dove under Medina thrilling the fans and taking the win. Medina finished 3rd behind Eggleston and Ray.

Qualifying race winners: #66 Kyle Clegg & #15 Danny Medina

NTC Logistics Super Stocks
A massive field of Super Stocks lined up for the main event but it was current point leader #39 Jack Nugent who quickly built a 5 car length lead over #61 John Humphrey and #19 Scott Miller. With just 12 laps to go #13 Jason Morris and #19 Scott Miller made contact and spun in turn 4 sending them well back into the field. With just two laps to go Nugent ran into lapped traffic and that gave #05 David Rothrock the opportunity to slip by and take the lead. Yet Nugent isn't a national points contender for nothing as he didn't let up and snuck back by Rothrock to take a thrilling victory. Rothrock was second, #61 John Humphrey was 3rd, #46 Rick Lothert was 4th and #95 Todd Finley rounded out the top five.

Qualifying race winners: #02 Darrell Stewart, #39 Jack Nugent & #61 John Humphrey

A Comfort Shack Figure 8's
#28 Vic Johnson and #17 Harry Livermore Jr. won their heat races which gave them the front row for the start of the Figure 8 main event. Johnson held off #24 Smokin Joe Martinez and #10 Nick "the quick" Martinez for the first half of the race but Smokin Joe eventually worked his way past Johnson for the lead. With 6 laps to go Johnson spun bringing out the caution and then exited the track ending his night. In the end it was Smokin' Joe taking the win followed by Nick "the quick" Martinez.

Qualifying race winners: #17 Harry Livermore Jr. & #28 Vic Johnson

Late Model

1 #22 Chris Eggleston, Erie, CO, 09 Chevy

2 #74 Dan Savage, Aurora, CO, Fusion

3 #12 Bruce Yackey, Greeley, CO, 07 Monte Carlo

4 #95m Chris Muhler

5 #66 Darren Bucklan, Greeley, CO, Monte Carlo

6 #17 Paul Deines

7 #7 Adam Deines, Longmont, CO, 97 Cutlass

8 #4 Bradley Tilton, Cheyenne, WY

9 #55 Jesse Runkle, Lakewood, CO

10 #91 Chris Atkinson, Cheyenne, WY, 08 Monte Carlo

11 #39 Jack Nugent, Lafayette, CO, 03 Impala

12 #95 Todd Finley

13 #25 Scott Rueschenberg, Mesa, AZ

14 #84b Bruce Borchardt, Lafayette, CO

15 #00 Steve Maas

DNF #108 Jace Hansen

DNF #27 Roger Avants, Littleton, CO, 2010 Monte Carlo

18 #84 Matt Zwingelberg, Aurora, CO

DNF #31 Rick Smith, Gering, NE, 07 Monte Carlo

DNF #77 Dave Finley, Brighton, CO

DNF #9 Ron Norman

DNF #83s Jim Sikes Jr

DNF #3 Randy Gastineu, Strasburg, CO, 06 Monte Carlo

DNF #23 Gary Raposta

DNF #08 Mike Gallegos

DNF #54 Joe James Jr, Denver, CO, 08 Monte Carlo

DNF #11 Darren Robertson

DNF #78 Darren Crocker, Brighton, CO, 11 Impala

 

Super Stocks

1 #39 Jack Nugent

2 #05 David Rothrock, Golden, CO, 85 Chevy Caprice

3 #61 John Humphrey, Cheyenne, WY, 79 Monte Carlo

4 #46 Richard Lothert, Loveland, CO, 78 Nova

5 #95 Todd Finley

6 #3 Michael Cox, Littleton, CO, 86 Impala

7 #75 Emilio Abeyta, Denver, CO, 84 Cutless

8 #7 Ethan Penrod

9 #90 Kyle Patee, Thornton, CO, 75 Chevelle

10 #52 Don Patterson

11 #23 Harry Livermore, Englewood, CO, 85 Monte Carlo

12 #15X Scott Rhoades, Westminster, CO, 82 Impala

13 #77 Kevin Keller, Englewood, CO, 79 Nova

14 #25 Kathy Calkins, Denver, CO, 78 Monte Carlo

15 #84 Brian Eubank, Fort Collins, CO, 85 Monte Carlo

16 #71 Kent Stubbe, Sterling, CO

17 #47 Donald McAtee

18 #02 Darrell Smith, Littleton, CO, 85 Caprice

19 #13 Jason Morris, Denver, CO, 77 Nova

20 #42 Dave Witzke

21 #19 Scott Miller, Brighton, CO, Impala

22 #4 Dusty Fisher, Englewood, CO, 79 Monte Carlo

23 #65 Gordon Dornan, Arvada, CO

24 #89 Jason Gonzales

25 #20 Dave Schmidt, Arvada, CO, 82 Monte Carlo

26 #11 Heather Maas

27 #04 Jimmy Hunt, Brighton, CO, 76 Monte Carlo

28 #9 Curtis Heldenbrand, Arvada, CO

 

Legends

1 #22 Chris Eggleson, Erie, CO

2 #58 Kyle Ray, Littleton, C, 34 Ford Coupe

3 #15 Danny Medina

4 #66 Kyle Clegg, Westminster, CO, 34 Ford Coupe

5 #06 Mike Gallegos, Wheatridge, CO, 34 Ford Coupe

6 #8 John Krizman

7 #34 Chris Simons-Cooper, Frederick, CO, 34 Ford

8 #3 Wayne Barlock

9 #13 Peter Dellarco, Highlands Ranch, CO

10 #6 Scotty Scott

11 #14 Terry Plummer

12 #7 Corey Seip

13 #77 Brandon Moore, Colorado Springs, CO

14 #10 Steve Smith

15 #52 Eric Hipkins, Woodland Park, CO, 34 Ford Coupe

16 #84 Mike Webber, Erie, CO, 37 Chevy Sedan

17 #07 Bill Seip

18 #44 Kevin Kurtz, Brighton, CO, 37 Sedan

19 #25 Adam Pechman, Morrison, CO

20 #96 Rick Rusk, Aurora, CO, 34 Chevy Coupe

21 #88 James Stevens, Wheatridge, CO

22 #46 Zach Witherwax

23 #37 David Richard, Peyton, CO, 34 Chevy Coupe

DNF #78 Brittany Duncan, Aurora, CO, 37 Ford Sedan

DNS #85 Cole MacEwen, Fort Collins, CO, 34 Ford

FIGURE 8 COMING SOON