September 28, 2023 (Dacono, CO)
Colorado National Speedway will play to host to our most prestigious & historic event this Saturday night for the Challenge Cup presented by Bella Flooring America. Along with Super Late Models, divisional champions will be crowned in the PB&T Bank Super Stocks & Take 5 Oil Change Figure 8’s. Last weekend, No. 43 Kody Vanderwal & No. 21G Mike Gallegos were the next two drivers to claim championships in their respective divisions. Check out the full race recap from September 23rd by clicking here.
A little history on Challenge Cup at CNS:
This race marks the 48th edition dating back to 1975 when local driver Odie Robertson won the first event. There has been a total of 35 different winners in 47 races, with Larry Phillips 1982, 1984-1986, & the “High Plains Drifter” Rick Carelli 1989, 1994-1995, 2003 being the winningest drivers in challenge cup history with 4 victories each.
Winners of 2 or More Challenge Cups:
Odie Robertson 1975, 1980
Larry Phillips: 1982, 1984-1986
Rick Carelli: 1989, 1994, 1995, 2003
Jerry Robertson: 1996, 2002, 2004
Chris Eggleston: 2009, 2011
Preston Peltier: 2017, 2019
There have only been 4 drivers who have won back-to-back Challenge Cups:
Larry Phillips: 1984-1986
Terry Phillips: 1987, 1988
Rick Carelli: 1994, 1995
Dominic Ursetta: 2014, 2015
Father & Son who've won Challenge Cup:
Larry Phillips 1984-1986 / Terry Phillips 1987, 1988
Odie Robertson 1975, 1980 / Jerry Robertson 1996, 2002, 2004 / Darren Robertson 2013
Bruce Yackey 1993 / Brett Yackey 2018
*The Robertson family is the only three generation family to win at least one Challenge Cup.
2022 Winner:
Last year, Greeley's Jace Hansen No.08 dominated the 150 lap feature event en-route to his first career Challenge Cup Victory, making him the 35th driver to win this historic race.
Bella Flooring America Super Late Models:
CNS premier division the Super Late Models have produced some fantastic racing all season as we’ve seen 6 different winners in 9 races including at our last race when No.48 Preston Peltier went to victory lane in the Butch Snow Memorial 100 on September 16th. Current points leader No.32 Brett Yackey - despite not having a win to date - has been ultra-consistent all season and currently holds a 14-point advantage over No.82 Michael Scott. Several drivers have picked up victories this season including No.08 Jace Hansen (2), No.58 Kyle Ray (2), No.48 Preston Peltier (2), No.18 Eddie Vecchiarelli (1) & No.11 Darren Robertson (1). Challenge Cup has moved back to its traditional date of being the final points race of the season for the Super Late Models and is setting up to be a fantastic finish to the 2023 season. Join us this Saturday & find out who will take home not only the championship, but also a win in the prestigious CNS Challenge Cup.
Current Top 5 in Points:
1. 32 Brett Yackey – 257 points (0 Wins, 7 Top 5, 8 Top 10)
2. 82 Michael Scott – 243 points (1 Win, 5 Top 5, 6 Top 10)
3. 12 Bruce Yackey – 218 points (0 Wins, 1 Top 5, 7 Top 10)
4. 89 Zach Morris – 215 points (0 Wins, 3 Top 5, 6 Top 10)
5. 3C Cassidy Hinds – 209 points (0 Wins, 4 Top 5, 6 Top 10)
PB&T Bank Super Stocks:
The Super Stocks have seen some tremendous racing all season long and the fight for the title will come down to the very last lap on Saturday night. The 2022 Super Stock Champion Chris Cox - despite missing a couple of races - has found victory lane five times this season; including a remarkable streak of four races in a row. Only three drivers have been to victory lane this season including the afore mentioned Chris Cox; No. 23 Jordan Abeyta with one win (who also sits 2nd in points) and points leader No. 9 Brent Cave with two victories. Both Abeyta & Cave have had their share of misfortune this season, and that has allowed the points to remain tight heading into the final night this Saturday. 2022 Rookie of the Year No.97 Kyle Stidham has been close grabbing his first victory in the division and currently sits third in the points. Whoever wins of the top 4 in points, it will be their first Super Stock championship.
Current Top 5 in Points:
1. 9 Brent Cave – 297 points (2 Wins, 8 Top 5, 8 Top 10)
2. 23 Jordan Abeyta – 282 points (1 Win, 5 Top 5, 7 Top 10)
3. 97 Kyle Stidham – 271 points (0 Wins, 7 Top 5, 8 Top 10)
4. 11W Scott Long – 256 points (0 Wins, 3 Top 5, 8 Top 10)
5. 49 Chris Cox – 252 points (5 Wins, 6 Top 5, 6 Top 10)
Rookie of the Year:
This year’s Rookie of the Year honors will go to the No. 82 Ian Clark.
Take 5 Oil Change Figure 8’s
Always a fan favorite, the Figure 8’s have displayed some hair-raising X action all season long and kept the fans on the edge of their seats. No.15 Jereme Wall has dominated the 2023 season: winning all but one race when No. 18 Dennis Stepanich III picked up the win on May 27th. Despite Jereme Wall winning 6 of 7 races, he has had to hold off some strong competition from veterans of the division such as Justin McKeachie, brother Jared Wall, Isaac Martinez & Michael Wolfe Jr.
Current Top 5 in Points:
1. 15 Jereme Wall (6 Wins, 7 Top 5, 7 Top 10)
2. 71 Isaac Martinez (0 Wins, 5 Top 5, 6 Top 10)
3. 64 Michael Kephart (0 Wins, 1 Top 5, 7 Top 10)
4. 3 Michael Wolfe Jr (0 Wins 5 Top 5, 6 Top 10)
5. 67 Kaleigh Swenson (0 Wins, 0 Top 5, 7 Top 10)
Rookie of the Year:
The 2023 Rookie of the Year honors will go to the No. 57Q Kyle Quintrall.
Don’t miss this epic night of racing, grab your tickets online by clicking here. We always have plenty of tickets at the CNS Box Office on Raceday.
Gates Open at 4:00pm
Racing Starts at 6:30pm