Joe Starr Photo, www.bigwestracing.com

by Keith Shampine

DACONO, Colo. – Chris Sheil started third and held off veteran Joe Priselac to record his first-ever Englewood Supermodified Association feature win Saturday night at Colorado Nat’l Speedway. Sheil’s triumph made him the fourth different winner in as many races on the 2010 ERA tour.

Sheil recorded the triumph after a record-breaking day for temperatures in the Denver area. The official high was 102 degrees, breaking a record from 1971. Track temperatures were said to be about 140 degrees when Sheil and 11 other winged ERA supermodifieds lapped CNS’s three-eighths-mile oval during practice.

After Sheil and defending ERA champion Rich Castor Jr. won the eight-lap heat races, Sheil jumped out to the lead on lap two of the originally-scheduled 25-lap feature.

Castor, who continues to flex his muscle as the man to beat in ERA competition, made contact with Brian Pacheco in turn one on the opening lap to bring out a lengthy caution. Both Castor’s and Pacheco’s mounts had enough damage to retire them from the race.

When the green flag flew for the second time, Sheil made quick work of front-row starters Bryan Gossel and Josh Lewis. Sheil’s silver No. 33 was pacing the field by the end of lap two, and on lap five the race was slowed again for Lewis, who blew the engine on his No. 15 and spun in turn two. Another long cleanup ensued, leading to officials to cut the race from 25 to 20 laps.

When the race restarted, Sheil and Priselac drove away from the rest of the field. ERA opening night winner Harry Stone settled into third, but couldn’t stay with the lead duo. Priselac pressured Sheil throughout the final 15 laps, but couldn’t find a way by. Sheil crossed the stripe a couple car-lengths ahead of Priselac to give car owner Skip Mikula his first win in several years. Priselac’s second-place run marked his best result in over a year.

“I’m sure (Sheil) knew I was there,” Priselac said after his runner-up finish. “I had fun. It was loose on one end, tight on the other. We were pitted next to the 33, so with all the smiles in both pits, it was a good night. Both of our cars are silver; I just would have preferred the other one won! We’ll get them next time.”

Stone held on for third. Harold Evans and Ira Castor filled the top five.

Two of the 12 supers were first-time entrants for the 2010 season. Johnny Pickard and Joe Gallegos, both seasoned veterans of ERA wars, made their season debuts. Both had nights they’d rather forget; Pickard didn’t start the feature due to brake issues while Gallegos wasn’t a factor on his way to an eighth-place finish.

Castor’s DNF closes up the ERA point chase. Castor now holds only a one-point advantage over Stone. Both drivers have one win on the season. June 19 I-25 Speedway winner Evans is 30 markers out of the lead in third. Ira Castor and Nick Haygood are fourth and fifth in the standings.

The July 31 ERA race at CNS has been cancelled. Early season rainouts have necessitated a schedule realignment to allow the NASCAR Late Models to receive the required number of events for regional and national points considerations.

The next race for the ERA is now Saturday, Aug. 14 at CNS.

Saturday’s finish:

1) Chris Sheil, 2) Joe Priselac, 3) Harry Stone, 4) Harold Evans, 5) Ira Castor, 6) Kevin Day, 7) Bryan Gossel, Joe Gallegos, 9) Josh Lewis, 10) Rich Castor Jr., 11) Brian Pacheco, Johnny Pickard (DNS)

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