On a brisk Saturday the 2008 “American Iron” Rocky Mountain Region season began March 15th at Pueblo Motorsports Park.

Saturday's American Iron qualifying had Tommy Schlender on the pole way out in front of the pack with 1:43.949. Raybob Coleman with a 1:45.463 and Johnny Ellis with a 1:46.423 rounded out the top 3. Billy Harding pushed his Cobra Mustang to a 1:46.921 and Kent Thornbery debuting his ‘05 GTO with a 1:51.758 qualifying time. Last but not least, the infamous Bill “the Professor” Cherf in his 2002 Z28, brought up the back of the GM dominated AI field.

When the green flag dropped Schlender got a great start with his Pontiac Firebird, winning the inside line into T1. Raybob and Billy fought for position with Harding’s Mustang pushing hard to take 2nd from Coleman’s Camaro SS. After the first lap Billy Harding was able to keep his Mustang in front of Raybob’s Camaro.

While they diced for the 2nd spot, Tommy was able to put enough real estate between him and the rest of the AI field that victory was almost assured.  Another great battle was being fought for 4th between Kent Thornbery in his GTO and John Ellis in the Camaro.  Bill Cherf followed in 6th, fighting steering column issues. 

During lap 4 Raybob was able to get his Camaro around Harding’s Mustang and spent the next 4 laps fighting to maintain 2nd.  With 3 laps to go Coleman and Harding met with Cherf exiting pit lane, straight into their battle.  Billy was able to catch the break as the 3 headed into the small bore lapped traffic, recapturing the 2nd spot at the checkered.  Raybob finished 3rd ahead of Johnny “Rev tuner” Ellis. 5th belonged to Thornbery and 6th to Cherf.

Sunday March 16th

Sunday morning’s American Iron qualifying was cold and cloudy, but dry weather maintained for qualifying.  A new batch of AI rookies took the green flag before lunch, recording some very fast laps.

Tommy “too fast” Schlender took the pole with a scorching 1:42.158.  Just 0.9 seconds behind was Raybob with a 1:43.017 and bringing up the 3rd spot was rookie Robert Scranton knocking down a 1:43.734.

The rest of the AI qualifying field consisted of Bill Harding with a 1:44.017, John Ellis at 1:45.513, Kent Thornbery with 1:48.372, Matt Brost at 1:54.632, and Bill Cherf clocking a 1:58.283.

With ominous winter weather looming, Sunday’s race was moved up an hour. Sure enough, with 3 minutes to go in the grid it started to sprinkle.  When the green flag dropped Tommy and Raybob got the line through T1 with Billy Harding and Johnny Ellis drag racing for 3rd spot.

By the time the top 3 got to turn 10 the track was wet, both Raybob and Billy spun, making contact with the wall. Tommy remained out in front to take 1st, unchallenged, as the track conditions worsened with light snow falling.  Raybob was able to work back through traffic to finish in 4th but Billy was not able to finish the race.  Ellis finished 2nd and Thornbery took 3rd.

The finishing order for Sunday was as follows:

1st Tommy Schlender #55 Pontiac Firebird

2nd John Ellis                      #141 Chevy Camaro

3rd Kent Thornbery              #67 Pontiac GTO

4th Raybob Coleman             #43 Chevy Camaro

5th Robbie Scranton             #31 Chevy Camaro

6th Matt Brost                    #93 Chevy Camaro

DNF Billy Harding                #8 Ford Mustang

DNS Bill Cherf                     #984 Chevy Camaro