One More Dash Win for the Season

The Gillett Vet Championship Night set the stage for a four-way battle for the Super Stock 2016 Championship. The contenders were Curtis Heldenbrand, Kody Vanderwal, Mike Cox, and Brian Yackey, with a total separation of 11 points. The weather was great, and the stands were full of race fans to see the Super Stocks along with the Modified Coupes, the Trains, and a special two-race event for the Super Late Models.

The 51 Super Stock with Jax Hughes on board was good in practice, right where we left off last race. Kyle Patee was on hand along with Shelby Cortese for some help in the pits. Qualifying was less than a tenth off of last race’s time, which got us a sixth-quick position. This week was a different story, and Jax’s time was worth only 11th place. We missed the Fast Dash.

Missing the Fast Dash is always disappointing, but the opportunity to get another Dash win in was welcomed. Taylor Dragoon started on the pole and held the lead for a few laps. Jax and Makayla Grote got by him on lap 5. In an effort to hang on to that lead, Dragoon took Grote up to the wall in turn two, ending the day for both. Jax Hughes went on to a win and another trophy for the case.

The Fast Dash was a good race, and the 2 of Chris Cox took the win with Brian Yackey collecting 2 points for finishing second. Robert Davey had a good run in his first race in the “used to be number 75” proven race winner Nova, finishing third.

The Super Stock Main Event was set - Yackey on the front row and the other contenders further on back. Jax started tenth and ran a solid race in that very spot, right behind Darrell Smith and in front of Glen Poston. The 5 of Poston tried to make a challenge a couple of times, but Jax was able to keep him in check. Up front, we saw Yackey eventually get the lead, and Curtis was content to run in third for most of the race. At about lap 20, he moved up to second, where he would finish and claim his first CNS track championship. Congrats, Curtis Heldenbrand! Brian Yackey went on to win the race, and Michael Cox and Kody Vanderwal came in 6th and 7th.

It's such an honor to compete and hang out with such a great group of people - from the racers to the race fans, from the track staff and officials to the support Fire and EMS personnel, from the chaplains to the concessions - there's no place we'd rather be on any Saturday night. We'll roll off with a 7th place finish for the season, start working on the car for 2017, and count the weeks until the first practice. A huge shout out and thanks to all those that helped us out and got Jax on the track. Joe Mares, Jr. and Kenton Gross were excellent in the shop, with Kyle Patee, Shelby Cortese, Tom Morrey, and Josh Paden in the pits. And a special thanks to Colorado Axle and Gear, Blue Gator, and Showtime Towing.

See you at the Awards Banquet - November 19.