NWS/SWS: Colorado: Race notes

Riehl the Real Deal in In Rocky Mountain High At Colorado National

ERIE, COLO. (June 5, 2005) Brandon Riehl of Boring, Ore scored his second consecutive NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division victory in week by claiming the Auto Trader "150" at Colorado National Speedway Sunday afternoon. Riehl took the lead from last year's event winner Justin Diercks on lap 143 with a thrilling outside pass as the duo exited turn four and went on to a 1.690 second margin of victory. Diercks, Burney Lamar, Eddie Hoffman, and multi-time Midwest Series champion Steve Carlson rounded out the top five finishers.

Riehl started the race from the sixth position after scoring his first Bud Pole Award of the season and the $400 bonus, then drew a six car invert. Josh Vadnais claimed the $750 PowerAde Power Move of the Race Award while Brandon Riehl also collected the $300 Featherlite Award for improving the most positions from the previous Southwest Series event. Don Campbell was the top finishing Sunoco Rookie-of-the-Year contender with a 21st place effort.

"I had to work real hard today for that one," Riehl said. "We are just starting to run like we knew we could. It has been a long learning curve for us but to beat these guys is a big big deal."

"Brandon made a great pass and my hat's off to him for the win," said Diercks after finishing second. "This is a great race track and the racing is always fun."

"Brandon drove a great race," Lamar said after finishing third. "He has been tough at each race this season and it looks they have found the set up. I lost my radio about twenty laps in and it made it difficult with no spotter. I am very happy to finish third with such a strong field of drivers."

Diercks maintains the Midwest Series point lead while Jim Pettit II maintains a slim twelve point advantage over Burney Lamar.

Race stats:

Failed to Qualify: (6) Bear Lynch (#08), Kevin Clark (#07), Danny Mientka (#4), Mike Ledbetter (#61), Rip Michels (#12), Jeff Jefferson (#42).

Time of Race: 1 hrs., 0 mins, 11 secs
Average Speed: 55.331 mph
Margin of Victory: 1.690 Seconds

BUD POLE AWARD: Brandon Riehl, 69 Aero Turbine Chevrolet

FEATHERLITE AWARD: Brandon Riehl, 69 Aero Turbine Chevrolet

MIDWEST CHAMPIONS BONUS: Justin Diercks, 29 Iowa-Illinois/Taylor Insulation Chevrolet

POWERADE AWARD: Josh Vadnais, 01 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Chevrolet

Caution Flags: Laps 6-14; 44-50; 58-60; 71-77; 83-85; 96-99; 108-110; 116-119. 8 for 40 laps.

Lap Leaders: Burney Lamar 1-51, Justin Diercks 52-143, Brandon Riehl 144-150.

Total Laps Led: Justin Diercks 92, Burney Lamar 51, Brandon Riehl 7. 2 changes involving 3 drivers.

-nascar-