The state of Colorado may be known nationally for its competitive college & professional sports; however, the racing scene here continues to grow year after year. This is especially true at Colorado's premier NASCAR Home Track: Colorado National Speedway. 2023 marked the 58th consecutive season of racing at CNS, and with that, some huge events that garnered the national spotlight on both streaming and social media. Fantastic car counts and packed grandstands have come to define the experience in Colorado. Our events would never be what they are without the unconditional support from the CNS faithful fans who continue to pack the grandstands each week to watch some of the best & most exciting racing in the Rocky Mountains.
Sprint Cars:
In what has now become an annual tradition, the ground pounding Winged Sprint Cars made their appearance over July 4th weekend with a pair of shows featuring over 20 cars from across the United States. Bobby Santos III from Indiana swept the weekends’ action; capturing both feature wins underneath a shower of some of the best fireworks you can find. Local driver Bryan Gossel represented Colorado by finishing in 3rd place on the Sunday feature, with Florida's Davey Hamilton Jr. finishing 3rd on Saturday and 2nd on Sunday . Our friends at SpeedMaxTV were on hand to capture both nights of action. The Sprint Cars will be back in 2024 on July 5th & July 6th.
Outlaw Figure 8's:
For only the second time, Colorado National Speedway played host to the Outlaw Figure 8's moving from September 24th last year to July 29th. Nearly 20 cars embarked to the 3/8 mile speedway from across the United States; including drivers from as far away as Michigan and Maine. Washington's Chris Curtis was quick time and picked up the fast dash win; however, come feature time an amped up crowd saw Indianapolis Indiana's Austin Tunny dodge through multiple close calls in the X to capture the 50 lap feature event. Six Colorado drivers participated this year, and CNS regulars Chris Cox, Adam Gastineau, and Jereme Wall all finished in the top 10. Our friends at Lowbudget TV were back once again to capture all the nights action. Click Here to Watch.
SRL Southwest Tour:
For the first time in 16 years (last running here in 2007), the Spears SRL Southwest Tour returned to Colorado National Speedway for an epic battle of Super Late Model racing. The best drivers from the west coast came to battle against our local contingent of Super Late Model drivers for not only bragging rights, but also a cool $10,000 payday thanks to Salted Metals. As the race went green, local competitors Jace Hansen & Ed Vecchiarelli Jr. showed their muscle early on with Hansen leading to the halfway break. After the break, Hansen set sail again and drove to the victory with the rest of the field in his rearview. The crowd was on its feet with three laps to go, and the roar of their cheer could be heard over the sound of the motors as Hansen crossed the finish line. It was an extra special win for Hansen, as he had lost his brother earlier in the week. The crowd joined Jace in celebration as his emotions overflowed in heartfelt victory lane celebration. The SRL tour will be back at CNS on August 17th, 2024; this time as an SRL National event which will feature drivers from across the United States and some of the best pavement Super Late Model drivers in the country.
Once again, our friends at Lowbudget TV and Spears Racing TV were on hand to capture the entire night of racing action.
Father's Day Super Sunday Monster Truck Show:
2023 marked the 12th anniversary of the fan favorite Father's Day Super Sunday Monster Truck Show which featured Monster Trucks, Demo X, Stunt Motorcycles & more. This incredible event continues to grow every year and preparations are already underway for the 2024 Father's Day Super Sunday Monster Truck Show. More details to come.
Legend Invasion:
The best of the best when it comes to Legend Car racing in the Rocky Mountain & Southwest regions descended on Colorado National Speedway for the Legend Invasion over Labor Day weekend, where drivers would compete in a 50 lap feature each night and a $3,000 winner’s prize. This year’s event was dominated by the locals as Kyle Clegg picked up the Saturday feature and Darrell J Stewart captured the Sunday victory. One of the biggest storylines to come from the weekend was points leader Chris Eggleston taking a nasty tumble down the backstretch late in the feature on Saturday. Eggleston was able to secure another car for Sunday's finale, and although that car wasn’t as quick as his regular ride, it was fast enough to carry him to another season championship in the Legends Division.
Big Rigs:
For the first time since 2019 the North American Big Rigs made an appearance at Colorado National Speedway and they did not disappoint, battling side by side thrilling fans for 40 laps. Calgary, Alberta Canada's Ron Singer swept the night capturing the Quick time, Fast Dash & Feature victories.
Butch Snow Memorial:
For the first time Colorado National Speedway hosted the Butch Snow Memorial race for Super Late Model teams and with the help of some amazing sponsorship partners the winner would take home $15,000; making it one of the biggest paying races in Colorado National Speedway history. Johnstown's Preston Peltier swept the night of racing capturing the Quick time, 25 Lap Fast Dash & 100 Lap feature race over Jace Hansen & Chris Eggleston. Our friends at SpeedMaxTV were on hand to capture this historic event.
Challenge Cup:
September 30th marked the 48th running of Challenge Cup, the biggest & most well-known Super Late Model race at CNS. The race ran 100 laps caution free with Greeley's Brett Yackey capturing the victory and his second Challenge Cup win in 5 years. Michael Scott put on a show that brought the fans to their feet as he used the extreme outside line in the corners to march his way up to a third place finish, but didn’t have enough laps to catch Yackey.
Halloween Trick or Treat:
One of the best highlights of the season is always our season ending Halloween Trick or Treat celebration night where costumed fans head to the infield to meet their favorite drivers and leave with buckets and pillowcases full of candy. This year’s event was by far the biggest we've ever had at CNS, and it’s a testament to all of you, our amazing race fans.
Battle of the Fenders:
The 7th edition of the Battle of the Fenders 300 lap enduro race was postponed due to a snowstorm over Thanksgiving weekend, however it was rescheduled for Saturday December 16th and was well worth the wait as Jereme Wall completed all 300 laps to pickup his first BOTF victory driving his championship winning figure 8 car.
As always, it is the weekly racing events that are the bread and butter of the CNS schedule and 2023 featured some amazing action with close points battles & fierce racing.
Bella Flooring America Super Late Models:
Colorado National Speedway's premier division, the Super Late Models welcomed a brand new divisional sponsor with our friends at Bella Flooring America. A familiar name took home the championship in 2023 as No. 32 Brett Yackey captured his second championship in three years. Son of Bruce "The Moose" Yackey, Brett was very consistent all season long and picked up his only victory of the season by dominating Challenge Cup on September 30th. The Super Late Model field was extremely competitive in 2023 as 8 different drivers visited victory lane including: No. 08 Jace Hansen (2), No. 48 Preston Peltier (2), No. 58 Kyle Ray (2), No. 18 Eddie Vecchiarelli (1), No. 82 Michael Scott (1), No. 11 Darren Robertson (1), No. 22 Chris Eggleston (1). Rookie of the Year Honors went to No. 46 Eric Blackard.
Top 5 in Points:
32 Brett Yackey - 310
82 Michael Scott - 293
12 Bruce Yackey - 257
3C Cassidy Hinds - 253
89 Zach Morris - 242
Matco Tools Pro Trucks:
The 2023 Matco Tools Pro Truck season was one of the most intense points battles as heading into the final night of competition the top five in points were within 14 points of each other. Right from the start of the 2023 season, No. 43 Kody Vanderwal proved he was the one to beat, capturing three victories in a row. Despite Vanderwal's early dominance, No. 33 Tyler Davis, No. 7 Adam Deines, No. 22 Brian Yackey & No. 16 Travis Roe consistently finished inside the top 5 each night which kept the points battle extremely close. During the championship race Roe & Deines dropped out of contention with issues leaving Vanderwal, Davis & Yackey to fight for the championship. Vanderwal dominated the final feature and took home his second Pro Truck championship. Davis & Roe both picked up their first career wins in the Pro Truck division, while long time veterans Adam Deines & No. 34 Rudy Vanderwal also captured one win each during the season. Rookie of the year honors went to the No. 88S Brad Skufca.
Top 5 in Points:
43 Kody Vanderwal - 277
33 Tyler Davis - 272
22 Brian Yackey - 262
7 Adam Deines - 239
16 Travis Roe - 227
GTI Services Late Models:
The GTI Services Late Models once again proved they are a very tough class to compete in. For the second consecutive year, a first-time champion was crowned in the division as long time Legend & Super Late Model competitor No. 21 Michael Gallegos captured his first Late Model Championship with one victory coming on July 8th. Early on in the season it looked like defending champion No. 8 Dan Alamaa was going to be the one to beat; winning the first two races of the season. However, issues during the summer caused Alamaa to fall back to fifth in the points standings. During the final night of competition, Gallegos had to fend off a hard charging No. 98 Lee Kemmit who made a late season run to get within 25 points of Gallegos. Gallegos finished second in both of the final features which was enough to secure the championship. The Rookie of the Year battle came down to two drivers No. 18 Casey Wiggans & No. 99 Tessa Marine, with Wiggans edging out Marine for the Rookie honors. Several familiar faces visited victory lane in 2023 including: No. 98 Lee Kemmit (2), 31 Rick Smith (1), No. 30X Chad Cowan (1), while rookie No. 116 Adam Kimler grabbed his first ever late model victory. Another notable driver to visit victory lane was No. A51 Kyle Clegg who captured his first career Late Model win in his first start.
Top 5 in Points:
21G Mike Gallegos - 329
98 Lee Kemmit - 309
51 Eric Meisner - 286
31 Rick Smith - 284
8 Dan Alamaa - 273
