BEAR LYNCH DRIVES HIS DODGE TO VICTORY IN CNS OPENER

Source: CNS Media Relations Alf Rustad
Date: 04/18/2004

ERIE, Colorado -- Saturday night's NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series season opener at Colorado
National Speedway was filled with a series of "firsts". It was the first event staged by
new track owners Renegade Promotions, and the first competition held on the freshly-paved
racing surface. A determined Bear Lynch kept the evening's theme alive, as he scored his
first career feature win in the Horizon Banks Late Model division. Aboard the only Dodge
in the field, 29-year-old Lynch, of Denver, CO, made a late pass in the 40 lap contest,
then easily pulled ahead of his challengers to take the top prize in the "Renegade
Promotions Inaugural Event". Lynch - who has only competed in a handful of races here over
the past few seasons - became the first Dodge driver to conquer the premier class at the
3/8 mile oval since Dave Finley's victory on September 15th of 2001.

Starting fourth on the grid, Lynch quickly moved into second behind Darren Crocker. The
lead pair stayed in a close formation, and opened up a comfortable gap on the rest of the
field, while mid-pack starters Jerry Robertson and Rick Carelli took over third and fourth
by lap 10. Just beyond the halfway mark, Robertson and Carelli had reeled in the front duo,
and a tight four-way battle ensued. With 11 circuits remaining, Lynch finally found the
room he needed to get past Crocker, and almost simultaneously Carelli overhauled Robertson.
Crocker fended off a furious charge from Carelli as Lynch sped away; his Dyno-Pro Dodge
Intrepid owned a seven car-length advantage at the checkered flag. Crocker edged out
Carelli for runner-up honors, while Robertson stayed in the midst of the fight but had to
settle with fourth. Ken Walter made a fine run to complete the top five.

In Snap-On Tools ProTruck action, defending champion Chris Leaf led from flag to flag in
the caution-free 30 lapper. Leaf proved why he owns four consecutive ProTruck titles, as
he was never seriously challenged and went on to notch his 28th career win in the division.
Lynch, who was handling double-duty driving chores during the evening, passed Brian Pacheco
for second place on the 15th circuit with John Luck following. Lynch trailed Leaf by five
lengths at the finish, followed by Luck, Pacheco, and Steve Johnson.

The newly-named Dunlap's Trailers Sportsman division saw Daren Gailey turn in a commanding
run. Gailey started fourth, but only need six laps to move ahead of pole-sitter Steve Green
and into the lead. During the late stages, Davin Fisbeck secured second place, as Green
fell to third in the final order. Jim Bob Rogers and Alan Carter were next across the
stripe.

The Tri-County Super Stocks featured a well-fought battle for the top spot, with Bubba
Willox taking home the trophy. Willox chased Dennis Edwards most of the way, and used the
outside groove to make his charge on the final lap. At the line, about one length
separated the pair, with Brett Hajek, Robbie Schneider, and Lance Bailey rounding out
the top five.

The "Termin8or", controlled by John Krieger and Leon Ellison, out-steamed "The War Wagon"
for the top prize in the Train division.