May 14th, 2022
On an absolutely gorgeous Colorado evening the packed grandstands of fans were treated to an exciting night of racing and a couple spectacular crashes at the Drift Colorado NASCAR Knockout.
Galitz Transportation Late Models
The Galitz Transportation Late Models hit the track for the first time in 2022 and did not disappoint in their 30 lap feature. 19 cars took the initial green flag but were slowed going into turn 1 when the #58 Bryce Weinmaster ran into the back of the car in front of him causing damage to the Left Front. He was able to return to the track after going to the pits. On the restart two time and defending Late Model champion #31 Rick Smith who started on the pole was able to jump out to an early lead. The race was slowed on lap 8 when the #27 of David Brown a lap car got together with 4th place running 6r Tommy Roe causing the track to be blocked. #88 Brad Skufka tried to avoid the stopped #24 Eric Bowers and ran into the back of Bowers causing his car to get airborne then slamming back to the ground. This immediately caused a red flag. Luckily all drivers were ok. On the Lap 8 restart Smith battled side by side with fast dash winner #98 Lee Kemmit but ultimately Smith was able to muscle ahead and continue leading. The #8 Dan Alamaa was on the move after missing qualifying and the fast dash, Alamaa started in 14th and had worked his way up to 6th by the halfway point. Another driver on the move was #76 Chad Cowen who started 8th. By lap 25 Smith extended his lead but the battle was for 2nd between Kemmit, Cowen & Alamaa. The race ran caution free the remainder of the 30 lap feature and Smith was able to cross the start/finish first and win the first Late Model race of the season. The Late Models are back in action on Sunday May 29th.
Feature: 31 Rick Smith
Fast Dash: 98 Lee Kemmit
Dash: 1NE Troy Witthar
Quicktime: 31 Rick Smith 17.209
Sunoco Race Fuels Grand American Modifieds
12 Sunoco Race Fuels Grand American Modifieds took to the lightning fast 3/8 mile oval with quicktime #48 Ed Vecchiarelli & #51 Kyle Clegg on the front row to start the 30 lap main event. Vecchiarelli jumped out to the early race lead with Clegg in striking distance of the #48. Fast Dash winner #24 Nathan Gasser was close behind in 3rd place. Vecchiarelli & Clegg started weaving their way through lap traffic and on lap 26 Vecchiarelli & Clegg tangled in turns 1 and 2 trying to get around the lap car #28 Paul Deines resulting in both leaders spinning. Both Vecchiarelli & Clegg were sent to the back of the field on the restart with 4 laps to go. The beneficiary from the incident was 3rd place #24 Nathan Gasser. On the restart Gasser jumped out to the lead over #17 Holly Clark who had been running 5th place most of the race with #2 Jim Douglas close behind. In the end Gasser was able to pick up his first victory of the season. Next event for the Grand American Modifieds is Saturday May 28th.
Feature: 24 Nathan Gasser
Fast Dash: 24 Nathan Gasser
Dash: 37 Landon Birney
Quicktime: 48 Ed Vecchiarelli 16.992
Rock N’ Roll Brewery Pure Stocks
The Rock N’ Roll Brewery Pure Stocks also took to Colorado National Speedway for the first time in 2022. This division showcases up & coming drivers with the champion having to move up a division. 15 cars started the 25 lap feature with 41G Christopher Galvin & last year's Pure Stock Rookie of the Year 5C Kyle Carrasco on the front row. Dash winner #34 Ronald Johnson marched his way up to 3rd by lap 3, however on the initial start was docked 2 positions for passing below the row in front of him. On lap 8 the caution flew for the first time in the main event as #24 Matthew Knowles & #33 Alex Krivocheev got together in turn 2. Under caution fast dash winner and 3rd place at the time #22 AJ Hill pulled to the pits with issues. On the restart Galvin was able to muscle ahead of Carrasco and maintain the lead. On the move was both the M60 Morris Christner & #34 Ronald Johnson who had worked his way back up to 5th after the penalty earlier. The two got together down the front stretch on lap 19 causing damage to both cars Christner was able to continue, however Johnson required a tow truck and was done for the night. Under caution the #23 Alyssa Salazar lost a right rear tire, the grandstands erupted in cheers as the tire raced its way down the front stretch and dove into the infield narrowly missing the NASCAR officials before coming to rest just beyond the start/finish line. On the lap 19 restart Galvin was able to maintain the lead with Carrasco breathing on his back bumper. Carrasco made one last effort on the last lap to try and get around Galvin but was unsuccessful as Galvin was able to lead all 25 laps and secure the first Pure Stock victory of 2022.
Feature: 41G Christopher Galvin
Fast Dash: 22 AJ Hill
Dash: 34 Ronald Johnson
Quicktime: 5C Kyle Carrasco
Elite Diesel Service Figure 8’s
The fan favorite Elite Diesel Service Figure 8’s were in action and did not disappoint with a good car count of 15 cars taking the green flag. The 20 lap feature was plagued early by multiple cautions & even a red flag for a large oil clean up in Turns 3 & 4 (1 & 2 for figure 8’s). Early on #67 Kaleigh Swenson led but was quickly taken over by #18 Dennis Stepanich III. By lap 5, Fast Dash winner Jared “Wally” Wall who started at the rear of the field due to a full field invert made his way to 2nd behind Stepanich. Harry Livermore who also started towards the back made his way to 3rd. Just after halfway, Livermore was able to catch Stepanich & take over 2nd briefly. One of the scariest moments of the night happened on lap 13 when #97 Adam Gastineau spun coming towards the X. Livermore was trying to avoid the other oncoming cars and went into the dirt and plowed into the tractor tire causing Livermore to get airborne and monster truck over the tractor tire nearly flipping his car. The red flag was immediately displayed to attend to Livermore’s #17. Thankfully he was able to get out of the car under his own power and was ok. Unfortunately due to the time limit, the race was shortened to a green, white, checkered. On the restart, Wall was able to maintain the lead and take home his 2nd consecutive victory and sweep the night in the Elite Diesel Service Figure 8’s. The Figure 8’s return to action on Saturday May 28th.
Feature: 52 Jared “Wally” Wall
Fast Dash: 52 Jared “Wally” Wall
Galitz Transportation Late Models
31 Rick Smith - Gering, NE
98 Lee Kemmit - Brighton
76 Chad Cowen - Gering, NE
8 Dan Alamaa - CO Springs
15 Michael Hannah - Centennial
48 Mikey Blackard - Hays, KS
60 Rick Duckworth
1NE Troy Witthar
17x Mariah Boudrieau - CO Springs
94 Kyle Morse - Peyton
30 Jeremiah Hill - Walsenburg
116 Mark Willy - CO Springs
58 Bryce Weinmaster - Brighton
27 David Brown - Boulder
6 Tommy Roe - Thornton
24 Eric Bowers - CO Springs
88 Brad Skufca - Greeley
40 Brandon Newey - Broomfield
72 Gary Cagle - Ft. Collins DNS A51 Matthew Hill
Sunoco Race Fuels Grand American Modifieds
24 Nathan Gasser - Ft. Lupton
17 Holly Clark - CO Springs
2 Jim Douglas - CO Springs
13 Darin Clark - Cheyenne, WY
89 Jacob Smith - Littleton
9 CJ Wilson - Penrose
37 Landon Birney - Cheyenne, WY
51 Kyle Clegg - Hudson
28 Paul Deines - Hudson
48 Ed Vecchiarelli - Brighton
41 Eric Vos - Wheat Ridge
1G Dale Geist - CO Springs
Rock N' Roll Brewery Pure Stocks
41G Christopher Galvin - Byers
5C Kyle Carrasco
15 Brendon Knowles
02 Chan Raley - Bennett
8 Isaac Almaswari - Brighton
17D Ethan Sluder - Hudson
9 Gaylen Baker - Ft. Collins
33 Alex Krivocheev
M60 Morris Christner - Elizabeth
1 Derek Spalding - Lochbuie
34 Ronald Johnson - Westminster
23 Alyssa Salazar - Arvada
38 Colton Green - Marysville, KS
22 AJ Hill - Brighton
24 Matthew Knowles DNS 90D Jason Colson DNS 7 David Robinson
Elite Diesel Service Figure 8's
52 Jared Wall - Commerce City
18 Dennis Stepanich III - Thornton
08 Travis Sanders - Aurora
13M Isaac Martinez - Denver
67 Kaleigh Swenson - Strasburg
D67 Keith Swenson - Strasburg
51 Chad Sutherland (R) - Commerce City
97 Adam Gastineau - Aurora
38 Cassidy Creekmore - Littleton
17 Harry Livermore Jr - Denver
5 Curtis Chavez
78 Kayla Martinez (R) - Denver
64 Michael Kephart - Commerce City
07 Brian Bond (R)
20 Isaiah Proctor DNS 74 Sam Faus (R) Lakewood DNS 11 Joe Gastineau Centennial