BEAR LYNCH POWERS HIS DODGE TO SECOND VICTORY OF 2004 @ CNS

Source: CNS Public Relations Alf Rustad
Date: 09/06/2004

ERIE, Colorado -- Throughout much of 2004, Bear Lynch and his Dodge have been a powerful
combination at Colorado National Speedway. Lynch, who won the 2004 season opener back
on April 17th, has had several top-three finishes since. On Sunday evening, during the
final-night segment of the “Children’s Hospital Race of Champions”, the 29-year-old driver
overwhelmed the Horizon Banks Late Model field to easily score his second career feature
victory in the division. Lynch, of Denver, owned a full-straightaway lead at the finish
of the 40 lap NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series contest at the 3/8 mile paved oval.

Darren Crocker grabbed the top position from Roger Avants early on, with Rick Smith in
pursuit. Lynch took the green flag from fifth on the grid, and was up to third by lap six.
The Crocker-Smith-Lynch trio then quickly distanced themselves from the pack, and the
eventual winner overhauled Smith for second on the 15th lap. Mounting a challenge on the
leader, Lynch and Crocker staged a lengthy side by side battle, until Lynch finally
secured first place for good on the 23rd circuit. Once in front, the Denver Truck Parts,
Inc. Dodge Intrepid was untouchable, as Lynch covered the distance in the caution-free
event in 11 minutes, 15.66 seconds for an average speed of 79.92 MPH. While his two-wide
run with Crocker certainly slowed the pace, Lynch was still less than seven seconds off
the 40 lap track record.

Following a long duel, Smith narrowly edged Crocker at the stripe to secure his fifth
top-two showing over his past six starts; Crocker settled with third. In a heated
encounter for fourth place, Jerry Robertson passed Scotty Backman near the mid-race mark,
but Backman returned the favor in the closing laps to earn the spot.

With his move, Backman extended his lead by two more points on Robertson in the standings.
Ten marks now separate the pair (Backman – 758, Robertson – 748). The next two are also
in the midst of the hunt, as Bruce Yackey has 740 points, and Smith’s tally is 738.
The Dunlap’s Trailer Sportsman division held a special 40-lapper – the “John Black Memorial”
. A hotly-contested thriller that went down to the wire was all for naught however, as
apparent winner Brad Groff failed the post-race tech inspection. In the revision, Daren
Gailey – who led much of the event and nearly re-claimed first place at the end – was
awarded the trophy. Gailey has now won four of the last five races. Point leader Jim Bob
Rogers took second, while leading rookie candidate Greg Nelson made another fine run to
grab third. Stan Griffin and Davin Fisbeck completed the top five in the final official
order.

Two-time defending Four Seasons Heating Figure-Eight champion Lance Proctor notched his
fourth victory of the year to extend his immense point lead. For this round however,
Proctor received plenty of help from Lady Luck. With five circuits remaining, leaders
Al Duran and J.D. Hafemeister collided while attempting to lap a back marker; while
both were able to continue, they fell from contention. Proctor took over, and owned
a three-length margin on Dave Smith at the finish. Rookie Joe Martinez, who now sits
second in the overall point standings, placed third, with Harry Bragg fourth and Nick
Martinez fifth.