Young gun Adam Deines paces himself to a HUGE Challenge Cup victory
Sunday, 30 September 2012 11:53
Adam Deines wins Challenge Cup XXXVIII (Starr photo)
(09-29-2012 Dacono, CO) A full moon lit up the night sky at Colorado National Speedway for the final race of the season but it was the action on the track that had fans on the edge of their seats. Drama in every division made it a memorable final race and a young Adam Deines shocked the Late Model division with a hard earned Challenge Cup XXXVIII win capping off a thrilling season.
Gillett Vet Late Models
The final race of the season would be a 100 lap Gillett Vet Late Model main event with a massive field of 26 cars. When the green flag dropped #22 Chris Eggleston took the lead but #78 Darren Crocker wasn't letting Eggleston out of his sights close behind in 2nd place. After 20 laps Eggleston maintained the lead but was now navigation lapped traffic. The 2012 points race had already been determined with #12 Bruce "the Moose" winning yet another season championship. Yackey wouldn't be able to add an exclamation point to his championship at Challenge Cup due to an ankle injury in an off-track go karting incident. With Yackey out of contention Challenge Cup was up for grabs and the young Eggleston appeared determined to make it his night. Halfway through the main event and #31 Rick Smith was moving up through the field and was beginning to pressure Crocker and Eggleston for the lead. After a great battle Smith settled into the top spot and appeared to be the car to beat. Behind the top 3 cars #74 Dan Savage, #26 Blake Harris, and #66 Darren Bucklan were taking turns occupying 4th position. After a late race caution and restart Eggleston made a last gasp effort to take the lead but Smith took it right back and at that point Eggleston began to fade back through the field losing several positions. With Smith leading and Crocker in 2nd the young Blake Harris who had won a 100 lapper earlier in the season joined the hunt for the lead. Less than 20 laps remained and #7 Adam Deines was quietly moving up through the field maintaining a steady pace and had now took his turn at the 3rd place spot. A late race caution brought out a double-file restart and Rick Smith chose the inside placing Deines on the outside. Deines who masterfully reserved his best for late in the race took the lead on the restart and cruised to a VERY impressive Challenge Cup victory proving that in a hundred lap race patience can pay off in a big way. Smith hung on for 2nd place, Harris finished an impressive 3rd, Crcoker who ran strong all night crossed the line 4th, and crafty veteran #54 Joe James Jr. rounded out the top 5.
#11 Darren Robertson battles his grandfather #75 Odie Robertson (Starr photo)
FAST DASH WINNER: #66 Darren Bucklan
DASH WINNER: #84 Matt Zwingleberg
QUICK TIME: #22 Chris Eggleston 16.321
SUNOCO Grand American Modifieds
An impressive field of 21 Sunoco Grand American Modifieds lined up for a 40 lap Challenge Cup main event which would cap off a season that was dominated by #77 Jeff Hansen and rookie driver #28 Jeff Hunter. Yet on this night it was #27 Mike Hathaway who was completely dialed-in and jumped out to a large lead over #22 Mike Castagno. With Hathaway having the comfortable lead the best battle on the track was between #28 Jeff Hunter, #8 Dan Alamaa and #77 of "flippy" Jeff Hansen. There were several double-file restarts but each and every time Mike Hathaway was able to maintain the lead and went on to take the coveted Challenge Cup trophy. Alamaa was 2nd, Hunter 3rd, #44 Justin Case took 4th, #66 John Seely was 5th and this years season champ #77 Jeff Hansen finished 6th.
FAST DASH WINNER: #28 Jeff Hunter
DASH WINNER: #01 Terry Tjarks
QUICK TIME: #77 Jeff Hansen 16.942
NTC Logistics Super Stocks
The championship in the NTC Logistics Super Stock division had already been determined coming into Challenge Cup as #3 Michael Cox had a 42 point lead on #61 John Humphrey. And it was Cox who took an early 5 car length lead at the drop of the green flag in the main event. Behind Cox was #39 Jack Nugent and #57 Bubba Willox who was quietly having a great run in his first appearance in the Super Stock division in 2012. #5 Jeff Sluss, #61 John Humphrey, #13 Jason Morris, #33 Bear Lynch, #90 Kyle Pattee, and #6x Josh Parker were behind the leaders thrilling the fans battling for 4th position. Bad luck for impressive rookie Josh Parker when he had mechanical problems and had to retire from the race. Back up front Nugent was reeling in Cox and began to battle for the lead. With just 3 laps to go Nugent and Cox were side by side trading paint, and banging doors battling for the win. On the final corner of the final lap Nugent gave it all he had but got loose and made contact with the wall also collecting Humphrey in a wild finish. Cox took the win as well as the 2012 season championship. The shuffle at the finish put #13 Jason Morris into 2nd, #57 Bubba Willox into 3rd, Humphrey slide across the line 4th and #90 Kyle Pattee grabbed the 5th spot.
FAST DASH WINNER: #39 Jack Nugent
DASH WINNER: #88m Cris Muhler
QUICK TIME: #3 Michael Cox 19.518
RMLRA Legends
Only 8 points separated #66 Kyle Clegg and second place #06 Mike Gallegos coming into Challenge Cup and #58 Kyle Ray was also within striking distance just 20 points behind Gallegos setting up a three way battle for all the marbles. The drama increased ten-fold in the FAST DASH when Clegg crashed into the turn 3 wall seriously effecting his bid to win a 3rd straight championship. Clegg jumped in his backup car but would have to start the main event dead last in a massive field of 28 Legend cars. At the start of the main event Kyle Ray displayed his muscle pulling into the lead but #22 Chris Eggleston was hot on his tail. Gallegos was running just out of the top 5 and in daring fashion Clegg was flying up through the field in his backup car passing cars high and low. Eventually Clegg caught and passed Gallegos to move into the top 5. Gallego's championship bid ended when his car caught fire and crashed into the turn 3 wall. On the restart Clegg bolted into 3rd and then passed Eggleston for 2nd. Clegg made his presence known poking his nose down under Ray each lap entering turn 3 but Ray was running a perfect line holding off Clegg lap after lap. All the drama reached a pinnacle when the checkered flag flew and Ray was just inches ahead of the charging Clegg and Eggleston who was close behind in 3rd. Ray took the big Challenge Cup trophy but Clegg earned his 3rd straight track championship capping off a fantastic season for the entire legends division.
FAST DASH WINNER: #22 Chris Eggleston
DASH WINNER: #07 Bill Siep
QUICK TIME: #22 Chris Eggleston 18.833
A Comfort Shack Figure 8s
Joe Martinez entered this years Challenge Cup and final race of the year with a slim 19 point lead over Jereme Wall and it would take a 25 lap main event to determine this years champ. At the start of the feature #23 "Big" Al Duran jumped out to an early lead and paced the field for several laps with #26 Nick Martinez close behind. #90 John Johnson who started well back in the field had moved up to 4th just behind #24 "Smokin" Joe Martinez who appeared to be content running in 3rd protecting his Championship aspirations. The action up front was furious but many fans eyes were glued to the orange #86 "Squirrelly" Shirley Thompson who was competing in her final Figure 8 race of her career. late in the race and coming out of turn 4 Nick Martinez pulled up along side of Big Al to battle for the lead but contact between the two sent Nick spinning. Nick was sent to the rear of the field while Duran was able to retain his spot in the running order. Soon after that altercation Nick Martinez pulled off the track ending his chances at a Challenge Cup victory. After the restart Johnson was on Duran's bumper and he was eventually able to work passed Duran to bring home the big win. Johnson has only run a handful of events at the track this year but was able to win almost every feature event he competed in. Smokin' Joe Martinez came in second place but that was okay with him as he secured his third straight season championship. Big Al was 3rd, #15 Jereme Wall finished 4th and #50 Justin Mackeachie rounded out the top 5.
FAST DASH WINNER: #26 Nick Martinez
DASH WINNER: #81 Dave Smith
OFFICIAL FINISHES
Late Models
Pos No. Name Hometown Car Info
1. 7 Adam Deines Longmont CO 97 Cutlass
2. 31 Rick Smith Gering NE 08 Monte Carlo
3. 26 Blake Harris -R Wheatridge CO 08 Monte Carlo
4. 78 Darren Crocker Brighton CO '11 Impala
5. 54 Joe James Jr Denver CO '08 Monte Carlo
6. 84 Matt Zwingelberg Aurora CO
7. 1 Jay Fields
8. 91 Chris Atkinson Cheyenne WY
9. 74 Dan Savage Aurora CO 08 SS
10. 66 Darren Bucklan Greeley CO 11 Monte Carlo
11. 51 Eric Meisner -R Brighton CO 06 Camry
12. 4 Bradley Tilton -R Cheyenne WY
13. 22 Chris Eggleston Erie CO 09 Chevy
14. 75 Odie Robertson
15. 5 Trent Phillips
16. 11 Darren Robertson Westminster CO 12 Impala
17. 99 Kyle Shanahan -R Colorado Springs CO 12 Impala
18. 15 Douglas Cox -R # Pueblo West CO
19. 8 Ryan McFadden
20. 99B Nicholas Brimlee Broomfield CO
21. 6 Dominic Ursetta -R Arvada CO 10 Victory Circle
22. 9 Nick Burton
23. 14 Chad Stutzman
24. 39 Jack Nugent Lafayette CO 05 Impala
25. 98 Shon spaz Flik
26. 27 Roger Avants Littleton CO 2010 Monte Carlo
27. 55 Jesse Runkle Lakewood CO 08 Monte Carlo
Grand American Modifieds
Pos No. Name Hometown Car Info
1. 27 Mike Hathaway Falcon CO
2. 8 Dan Alamaa Colorado Springs CO 95 Modified
3. 28 Jeff Hunter -R Brighton CO
4. 44 Justin Case Brighton CO
5. 66 John Seely Parker CO 12 Impala
6. 77 Jeff Hansen Berthoud CO
7. 4 Mark Sopr Cheyenne WY
8. 15B Jeremy Barclay -R #
9. 4T Brad Tilton Cheyenne WY
10. 88 Jeff Walbaum
11. 21 Jeffrey Purvis
12. 22 Mike Castagno Arvada CO
13. 55 Dean Olson
14. 5 Del Trantham
15. 56 Mark Chisholm
16. 52 Jerod Wall -R #
17. 2 Willard Nash -R
18. 01 Terry Tjarks Berthoud CO
19. 57B Brady Balderston -R Highlands Ranch CO
20. 11 Tom Evans Cheyenne WY 2010 Volt
21. 0 Ron O'Neil
Super Stocks
Pos No. Name Hometown Car Info
1. 3 Michael Cox Littleton CO 84 Grand Nat'l
2. 13 Jason Morris Lakewood CO 77 Nova
3. 57 Bubba Willox Carr CO 78 Malibu
4. 61 John Humphrey Cheyenne WY 79 Monte Carlo
5. 90 Kyle Patee Thornton CO 75 Chevelle
6. 10 Taylor Bellomy Brighton CO
7. 39 Jack Nugent Lafayette CO 05 Impala
8. 33 Bear Lynch
9. 5 Jeff Sluss Northglenn CO 82 Monte Carlo
10. 88 David Rothrock Golden CO 82 Caprice
11. 02 Darrell Smith Littleton CO 85 Caprice
12. 71s Harry Livermore Denver CO 85 Monte Carlo
13. 75 Emilio Abeyta Denver CO 80 Caprice
14. 77 Kevin Keller Englewood CO 79 Nova
15. 10d Jeff Dempewolf
16. 25 Kathy Calkins Denver CO
17. 22c Cole Whitford
18. 2 Rusty Meranda
19. 99 Ryan Raley Thornton CO 77 Monte Carlo
20. 3x Adam Hilton
21. 0 Andrew Mues Arvada CO 78 Seville
22. 6X Josh Parker -R Broomfield CO 79 Malibu
23. 83 Greg Wohlcke -R Westminster CO 83 Monte Carlo
24. 82 Paul Green -R # Arvada CO 82 Regal
25. 88M Chris Muhler
26. 11 Steve Maas
Legends
Pos No. Name Hometown Car Info
1. 58 Kyle Ray Littleton CO 34 Ford
2. 66 Kyle Clegg Westminster CO
3. 22 Chris Eggleson Erie CO
4. 33 Ryan Gaylord
5. 13 Peter Dellarco Highlands Ranch CO 34 Sedan
6. 21 Ryan Jones -R Arvada CO 34 Ford Coupe
7. 6 Scotty Scott Arvada CO
8. 34 Chris Simons-Cooper Frederick CO
9. 7 Corey Seip Littleton CO 34 Ford
10. 46 Zach Witherwax -R Lakewood CO
11. 73 Adam Kasick -R #
12. 71 Craig Coughlin Westminster CO 37 Sedan
13. 36 Josh Richard -R Peyton CO
14. 25 Adam Pechman Morrison CO 37 Sedan
15. 77 Brandon Moore Colorado Springs CO
16. 87 Billy Blevins -R Arvada CO 37 Sedan
17. 31 Tim Mein -R
18. 19 Larry Pachello -R Wheatridge CO
19. 06 Mike Gallegos Wheatridge CO Chevy
20. 3 Wayne Barlock Superior CO 37 Ford
21. 47 David Hondel Cheyenne WY
22. 11 Jessica Savage - R Aurora CO 37 Sedan
23. 12 Cody Castor -R Bennett Co '37 Dodge Sedan
24. 07 Bill Seip Parker CO
DNS 4 Brad Tilton Cheyenne WY 37 Chevy
Figure 8s
Pos No. Name Hometown Car Info
1. 90 John Johnson Golden CO 79 Chevy
2. 24 Joe Martinez Centennial CO 08 Monte Carlo
3. 23 Al Duran Lakewood CO
4. 15 Jereme Wall Commerce City CO 72 Chevy
5. 50 Justin McKeachie Aurora CO
6. 20 Lance Proctor
7. 81 Dave Smith Englewood CO
8. 86 Shirley Thompson Northglenn Co 77 Camaro
9. 17 Harry Livermore Jr Englewood CO 77 Nova
10. 26 Nick Martinez Denver CO
11. 69 Tammy Totos
12. 52 Jared Wall
13. 22 Joe Matlock
14. 40 Michael Mercer -R Thornton CO 75 Nova
15. 10 Frank Gastineau Denver CO 64 Chevy
16. 03 Luke Zike Morrison CO
17. 44 Buddy Hohn Jr.
